Question Number: 16186

League Specific 8/1/2007

RE: Under 14

Cayanne of Phx., Arizona U.S.A asks...

How old do you have to be a referee?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This will vary according to local policy. In some areas referees are in such short supply that assignors are glad to get 11-year-olds and put them on U17 games. That seems like asking for trouble.

My assignor will not put an AR on the field that is younger than the players. The center referee must be at least one age group older than the players. An exception might be made for a High School aged ref with years of experience; she might allow a 17-year-old AR on a U19 game. Also, she is constrained by state labor laws that say anyone under 14 must have an adult supervisor. That means the young AR can't be at a game centered by a HS student, but only one with an adult in the center (or on the other line, I suppose).

Ask a referee at one of your games how you go about getting certified and what games you would be able to do.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There are no age limits set by USSF for entry level referees. But there are some common sense limits. In South Texas we ask, but don't insist, that people be at least 14 to take the grade 8 entry level course. At that age, a youngster is a little better able to deal with the issues of yelling parents and coaches and the intricacies of making calls on the field in a split second. Some are ready earlier, but most are not. The Recreational Referee Grade 9 course is meant for referees younger than 14 and anyone else who wishes to start at a simpler level. It is the very basic introductory course. This course is great for those who aren't sure if they will like refereeing, but want to try it. With a recreational referee badge, one can do U14 and below recreational centers and lines and lines on more advanced games up to U14. There is also a bridge course for recreational referees of at least a year's experience that promotes them to Grade 8 referee. Generally, one can't upgrade to Grade 7 until one is 17, but let's save that until you get certified! Good luck and have fun out there.