- Various state youth and competitive soccer organizations have different requirements for referees. The level of training and certification required depends on which level of soccer you’re officiating. Youth refereeing generally requires a lower level of training and experience than more competitive leagues.
Most new referees should expect to attend a mandatory classroom training session and pass a written exam. - According to the American Youth Soccer Organization, which handles the playing and officiating for much of the under-15 recreational soccer, most adults in good health could qualify to be a referee. Check the organization’s website or your local AYSO for more information on how to become a youth ref.
- To find out more about what your local high school requires to be a referee, contact the local high school association. High schools require similar types of certification as colleges do, although individual requirements may not be as stringent.
- According to the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association, which certifies referees to officiate at all levels of college soccer, officials should be prepared to meet a physical fitness test and a written test covering the rules of the game as well as undergoing a number of game assessments by a certified national assessor.
The association also offers refereeing clinics nationwide so would-be refs can have their questions answered and prepare for those tests. - Dr. Kenneth Kaylor wrote a paper for NISOA explaining the need for referees to be in good physical condition. He said soccer officials should master and maintain three skill sets: knowledge of the rules, courage and values to make the right calls and physical fitness.
Getting into good shape and staying that way can be the most challenging task of those three, but it is necessary so refs can focus their mental energy during the game on performing the first two tasks. - These tests evaluate a referee’s speed, endurance, agility and mobility on the field.
The national referee program tests include:
A 12-minute run phase: Refs run as many laps around a soccer field as they can in 12 minutes.
A Pro-40 test phase: Refs move in a small square, going straight ahead, sprinting, side-stepping and running backward, then take a 5-minute recovery period before the next test.
An AR-50 test phase: Refs sprint and side step in 10 to 15 yard increments with regular 90-degree turns.
A 30-meter shuttle phase, which is high-intensity running for 30 meters with short walks in between.
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