Entry Level Grade 9 Course

Course Length: 8 hours (Minimum)

Licensure: All 50 states (registered through Kentucky Soccer Referee Association - KSRA)

Cost: $TBA (please make check payable to KSRA)

Minimum Age: None (Material is based on a seventh grade reading and comprehension level)

Expected Assignment Level: U-14 and younger Recreational Youth Games (as a "Referee" AND an "Assistant Referee")

The Test: Comprehensive 50 Multiple Choice and True/False Questions

About the Course: This course introduces the prospective student to all 17 laws of the game in a comprehensive, fast-paced, learning environment.  Those who successfully complete this course will be licensed through the United States Soccer Federation to referee U-14 and younger recreational youth games.

How to Prepare: Follow this LINK and download "The Laws of the Game".  Peruse through the book and write down questions that you might have pertaining to what you have read.  Hint: over 30 percent of the certification exam derives from Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct).

What to expect AFTER the Course:

Purchasing Equipment: Official Sports is the official sponsor of the US Soccer Referee Program.  They sell various start-up kits which all include a yellow short sleeve shirt, entirely black shorts, and 3-striped black socks.  You will also need a whistle, digital watch with seconds (NOT worn around your neck), black shoes, a data wallet (to keep score within), a red card, a yellow card, and a bag (with your name on or in it) to keep everything.  Do not spend more than $50-$100 total on your equipment until you are sure you like refereeing.  After you find it enjoyable, then purchase a short sleeve blue jersey.  Ultimately there are four colors (yellow, blue, red, and black - short and long sleeved).

Contacting your local referee assignors: Although your name will be added to a state-wide list of licensed referees, it will be a good idea to call the assignor for the club that you want to referee within and introduce yourself.  Once you have established rapport with the assignors in your area, they will begin to call you once a week and assign you games.  Three important rules to remember here: 1) Always write your assignments down along with the names of the other referees in your crew, the field number, and the team names; 2) If you have to turn an accepted assignment back in, CALL the assignor instead of sending an email; 3) Remember that it is UNETHICAL to turn an accepted assignment in simply because it pays more money or appears to be a better assignment.  If you get caught doing this assignor will stop using you.

Enthusiastic Uneducated and Biased Spectators: Although there will always be some spectators who have studied the game, most are learning the sport for the first time.  This means that when their child falls down, whichever opponent is closest is to blame in their eyes.  They will also be learning the rules from other parents who haven't studied the game.  Misinformation, myths, and mad moms will be everywhere.  Common sense, taking the time to explain rules to players when they commit a foul, and patience will lead you to a more enjoyable and peaceful game.  While it is extremely rare, if anyone ever approaches you before or after the game and makes you feel unsafe or scared, stay close to your fellow referees, get to a telephone, call your District Administrator (click here for a list), and file an official USSF Game Report.

Getting Paid: Refereeing soccer can be a very lucrative hobby or part-time job.  You will be an "Independent Contractor".  This means that you don't "belong" to any one league or assignor, and are free to referee wherever you'd like.  The only exception is that when you want to referee out-of-state you are required to get permission from the State Referee Administrator (click here for the current SRA's contact info).  This is normally done via email.

How this helps your resume:  As a soccer referee you will learn techniques that will prove to be extremely valuable in the workplace including: conflict resolution, the art of managing people, professionalism (being on-time, having a professional appearance...), building rapport in 30 seconds or less, and expanding your list of people that you know.  There are 140,000 referees in the U.S. and approximately 2200 registered in Kentucky.  Of those people, we have multi-millionaires, CEO's, bank presidents, doctors, dentists, lawyers, and even a vacuum cleaner repairman!  You will meet so many people with such diversity that solely based on your life experience, companies will value your worth.