Hosting New Referee Courses & Recruiting More Referees for Colorado
The entry-level referee courses offered in Colorado have been restructured to better train and prepare referees for their job, and the needs of Colorado soccer. This information describes each of the courses offered, the U.S. Soccer Referee (grade 8) and Recreational Referee (grade 9). Details include a course description and information for hosting a field training session.
Online course work is available 24x7. Support from the clubs, leagues, and organizations is needed by helping recruit participants to become certified referees and by hosting the on field training session.
Recreational Referee (Grade 9)
The Recreational Referee course is always available! The course is open to anyone age 12 and older, and prepares the referee for recreational & small-sided youth games. Registration & completion of the online recreational referee course is done online. Recreational referee participants are not required to attend the field training, however they are highly encouraged to do so. This course is great for parents of young players, siblings and those who are willing to help the success of the youth soccer program. Keep the games safe, fair and fun!
Referee (Grade 8) Online Modules: Participants must successfully pass the U.S. Soccer online training modules prior to attending the on field training and completing the final online Colorado module and testing. Step 1 requires participants to complete the US Soccer online training for all Laws of the Game.
Field Sessions: Referees are learning on the field to better prepare them for the job. Field sessions are designed to give the new referees “hands on” training. Clubs are asked to provide the field time; a scrimmage/friendly game or support the training in conjunction with a game day. New referees will practice all game day duties to include pre-game, field inspection, team check-in and coin toss, to shadowing working referees & assistant referees is part of the field training. Practice of flag signals, positioning and learning to use the whistle are also a part of the field training. This session format has been tested and proven very effective in preparing the referees.
We have received very positive feedback in the past year and have full support from coaches and clubs on the new direction of the referee training programs and look forward to getting more field sessions on the calendar throughout 2017.
Colorado Module & US Soccer Exam: The final step in completion of the referee course is completion of the final online modules to prepare new referees specifically for working games in Colorado. During this online session the new referees, receive game reporting instruction, small-sided soccer guidelines, Colorado league rules of competition, how to receive game assignments/meet Assignors, and other administrative topics for the Colorado program. The final step is successfully passing the US Soccer Referee test.
Upon completion of these three steps the participant is registered as a grade 8 Referee with U.S. Soccer.
Referee (Grade 8) – How club can help? Host a field training session
Hosting the entry Referee course prepares new officials for youth games to include both competitive and recreational games. Course is for those age 14 and older, this course offers the most opportunity as a new referee.
Field Session – 5 hours of field time. 2 hours with teams, or 2/3 back-to-back games on a game day.
Participants in the new referee courses may start the online training at anytime, training is available 24x7, then attend a field session and finalize their training with step 3 online. It is encouraged to complete all three parts within a 30-day period.
READY TO HOST A FIELD TRAINING SESSION IN YOUR AREA? COMPLETE THIS REQUEST TO HOST FORM