Question Number: 17081

Other 10/3/2007

RE: played on our U-22 national team and atlanta beat Professional

Connelly Castle of Saco, Me USA asks...

I am wondering about refereeing and their training. 1. How often do refs have to undergo continuous training and 2. how often do they have to go through a recertification course. In other words, how long are their certs good and what do they have to do in between to keep them current or do they just have to go get a recert? Thanks, connelly

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Every referee in the United States is required to recertify every season. That includes taking a written test on the laws of the game, attending at least 5 hours of classroom time, refereeing a minimum of 6 games at the level they are registered at, pass field assessments (evaluations), and depending upon the level - a fitness test to show you can keep up with the players.

The fitness test minimums varry on age and registration level. To referee in pro matches a referee is required to run a minimum of 2700 meters in 12 minutes, though 3000 meters is prefered as a minimum. Then they must also run two 50 meter sprints in under 7.5 seconds and two 200 meter runs in under 32 seconds. If they can't do that, then they are not permitted to referee pro matches.

In order to do this a referee must train for several weeks before the season begins and maintain that througout the season to keep their fitness up.

There are also other training opportunities for refs who want to better themselves or to upgrade to a higher level.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Connelly, there are 130 odd thousand referees in USSF, more if you count college and high school associations. For the most part entry level referees have no physical fitness requirements laid on them! Yes annual testing on the Laws is required by the Federation as is 5 hours of training. Above the entry level and in college refereeing there is a physical fitness test as well.

However -- [you knew that was coming didn't you?] -- I know that no testing is conducted beyond the entry level in one part of CalNorth. I wouldn't hazard the thought this is happening in the rest of the country. Also in this area passing the physical fitness test is NOT a requirement unless a referee is upgrading, a direct quite from the only person administering the test in this one part of CalNorth.

At the professional level of play you are getting the cream of the crop and those referees are fit, trained and knowledgebale. In the trenches where we see youth play at the lowest levels the referees ate tested to a standard of knowing the correct answers to 75% of the questions on the test and nothing else. The annual test has the same passing grade. Again, here referees were only expected to demonstrate knowledge on initial qualification, they are not expected to keep themselves current on the Laws, or so it would seem.

At the highest levels of the game in this country referees conference call after the weeks matches. Shortcomings in performance may be discussed. This is training of a sort. Physical training is left to the referee and his integrity.

Another thing done in America is coaches can pick referees they don't want on their matches. Again I only use Northern California as a source because I am only familiar with the assigning there. This applies to college matches. In USSF amateur matches in this area an assignor picks referees that conduct matches the way he wants them conducted and woe be it to the referee who actually enforces the Laws of the Game.

I took your question to be "is there a problem with referees". If I am off the mark I apologize.

Regards,

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 17106