Question Number: 17719

Law 5 - The Referee 11/6/2007

RE: Other

Rachel of Portland, OR USA asks...

I'm registering with the USSF for my second year as a Grade 8 referee. I need to fill out the 'game experience' section and I need more information about what games count! I'm not having much luck finding info in the administrative handbook or on the website.

In the USSF administrative handbook, under 'Criteria for Upgrading' it says that games must be USSF games. So I assume that high school games should NOT be counted. However, what about USSF tournament games that are shorter than league games? Do these count as 'affiliated game experience'? What about games worked as a solo ref or with linesmen? Do I only count the games in which I worked with 2 ARs? Also I noticed that the admin handbook says it discourages referees from working unaffiliated games. Does this mean that USSF doesn't want me working high school games? Thanks for your help.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Solo and club linesman assignments on affiliated USSF matches count and should be listed as appropriate. Modified, one assistant and the referee also count. College are High School other matches and should be listed as such.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The USSF requirements assume full length games for age group being done, so no, tournament games of shortened lengths should not be counted. But solo, referee and one or two ARs and referee and club lines can definitely be counted. Unaffiliated generally means clubs/associations not registered with USSF or any other legitimate soccer authority, and it also means you should not turn down USSF games to do the other unaffiliated games. High School and/or college are separate "legal" entities for whom you can do games with no penalty from USSF (other than you might get confused on which set of rules or Laws you're using today). Keep a separate record of your game count, including date, place, teams, level and your position for when you go to upgrade, sweetheart.