Question Number: 21245

Appearance 4/30/2009

RE: Select Under 14

Walt of G, TN USA asks...

I have just been wondering lately if there is an order of the referee uniforms. Is there a default color? I mostly see yellow worn in rec (mostly because that's the only color the new refs have). However, in state tourneys and higher level I have seen green and blue worn more frequently.

Thanks for the help!

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There is no order. Every referee should have the yellow, but using the other colors (which grow ever more numerous each year!) is fine. It depends on what the whole crew has available, what the teams are wearing, etc.

One thing we should NOT do is wear different colors. I hate to go assess a team that has one yellow, and two blues or one yellow, one black and one red. It looks ridiculous, and we would not let the teams get away with it. And while I'm at it, please all wear the same length sleeve! If at all possible, the crew should be identical in jersey, sleeve length and sock choice.

Obviously this is true at the professional level, and there is no good reason why it can't be reasonably true at every other level. I hear they even tell them what color badge to wear with what uniform now at the professional level! Aren't we fancy?

Read other questions answered by Referee Michelle Maloney

View Referee Michelle Maloney profile

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The last time this was answered officially was Dec 2007 on Jim Allen's official USSF Q&A site. This is what he said:


As to primary color, see page 34 of the USSF Referee Administrative Handbook. Gold is listed as the primary color so that referees who buy only one jersey know what color to purchase. The other colors, red, blue, black, and green are simply alternative colors. However, there is no requirement that referees must wear the gold jersey for every game in preference to all the others. If all officials have other jerseys and all can wear the same color and not be in conflict with the teams, they may wear other colors.

I usually carry 3 reds and 3 blacks in case there is a conflict with the teams colors and I work with a lot of younger referees that only have a yellow. I also carry extra long sleeves when it's cold which is rare here in Georgia.

Read other questions answered by Referee Keith Contarino

View Referee Keith Contarino profile

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If you plan on refereeing a lot of games, you should carry all of the approved colors. I believe that yellow is technically the primary color, but often times the color that least blends in with the teams is worn.

Read other questions answered by Referee Ben Mueller

View Referee Ben Mueller profile