Question Number: 20902

Law 5 - The Referee 2/26/2009

RE: Select, Club Soccer Under 11

Heidi of Rathdrum, Idaho USA asks...

I played soccer up until high school and used to ref games while I played club soccer, that was about 15 years ago. I am considering a position with the board for the club my daughter now plays for at U-10 level. Because I have not recertified every year do I have to start the entire certification process over again and attend Certification classes or can I just take the Recertification classes? Also, do you think it is appropriate that I suggest to the club having a Head Referee and an Assistant Head Referee so that I can help with scheduling/more administrative duties as an assistant Head Ref as my health now is not that great and I am not certain I can be a center ref with all the knee problems and chronic illness I now have? Do you know of any clubs that have a Head Ref and Assistant Head ref rather than just a Head Ref position. I really want to help out my daughter's club and played soccer forever, but after tearing my ACL in high school it all changed. Do you have any advice for me on what to do? Thanks in advance for any response.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

After 15 years you SHOULD take the entire course as so much has changed. As Ref Mahoney points out, after 5 years you are required to retake the entire Grade 8 course. The Grade 9 course for a recreational referee is half as long and would allow you to do all the games you apparently are considering working. I have no idea what you are referring to when you talk about a Head Referee and an Assistant Head Referee. Are these positions on your Board? On the field of play, there is a Referee, and if you are playing per USSF and FIFA rules, 2 Assistant Referees. If you are talking about a position on your Board, no one that has been away from soccer for 15 years should consider being a Head Referee. If you are talking about on the field, I know many clubs use no Assistant Referees at U10 as they are on short fields and small sided. I think that's a shame as even players that young deserve a full referee crew.
If you have knee problems and any other health problems yet still want to referee, then get certified and limit yourself to Assistant Referee positions if you feel your health problems will not allow you to do a good job in the center. There are many positions other than that of a referee where you could contribute to your daughter's club.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Any lapse of certification over 5 years requires one to retake the entire entry level 8 course. See page 31 in the USSF Referee Administrative Handbook.

If you have never been registered as a referee or if you want an easier path, you could start with the Recreational Referee - Grade 9 - class. It would allow you to do games as a referee or AR for all recreational games up to U14, plus games as an AR on higher games up to U14.

If you are not physically fit enough to run, I would reconsider whether or not refereeing is the most effective way you could serve your daughter's club. All clubs need volunteers in many capacities. Perhaps you could become a referee assignor, which is a one day course, or work as a coach or assistant coach. Tournament directors and assistants are always in great demand.