Referee Resources
Who Are Our Referees At ORVFC?
Our soccer referees are primarily teenagers; they are Middle School and High School students, who have or still do play soccer themselves. At present there are 3 adults certified but they rarely work a game as they have other weekend obligations, (work, family, etc.). We are anxious to certify more adult referees so if you are interested, please contact us. Also, please know that this is a paid role and is a great way to earn extra money while in school!
How To Become A Referee?
To become a soccer referee, you must take an entry level course and successfully pass it. You will them be certified by the U. S. Soccer Federation and will also be insured by your certification. You must be at least 12 years old to take the grade 9 certification course; this is the lowest level at which to enter. The course is 12 – 14 hours in length and culminates with a final exam. After two years experience you may bridge up to the grade 8 by taking an 8 hour course, with final exam. To enter at the grade 8 you must be at least 16 years old; this course is about 20 hours in length. Each year you must be re-certified by taking a 4 hour course and exam. Courses are offered through the PA West branch of USSF. There is a fee associated with all these courses.
Visit www.pawest-soccer.org and click on referees for further information; click on calendar for the current course schedule.
Our Referee Development Process
New referees are introduced to active refereeing at ORVFC by shadowing an experienced referee, beginning at the lowest age group, U8 games. They then move up to refereeing U8 games with an experienced referee and then will referee a game on their own. As they move to older age groups, they will shadow and/or run a position with an experienced referee. U8 games only have one referee, unless training is in progress. U10, U12 and U14 games have three or sometimes four referees: two line referees and a center referee. If there is a fourth referee, two will co-center the game; this will happen to train a referee to that age group or if the field is full size, (i.e. when the U14 teams play on the performance field at the High School).
Grade 9 referees are certified to referee community, recreational games for age group U14 and younger. They may assistant referee (AR) any U14 or younger game. Grade 8 referees are certified to referee or assistant referee any of the ORVFC games, recreational and travel.
ORVFC assigns refs to games as follows: U8 games only have one referee. U10, U12 and U14 games have three or sometimes four referees: two line referees and a center referee. If there is a fourth referee, two will co-center the game; this will happen to train a referee to that age group or if the field is full size, (i.e. when the U14 teams play on the performance field at the High School). If training is in progress, there will be more referees on the field.
Once you are certified, please notify the club’s referee assignor. New referees are introduced to active refereeing at ORVFC by shadowing an experienced referee, beginning at the lowest age group, U8 games. They then move up to refereeing U8 games with an experienced referee and then will referee a game on their own. As they move to older age groups, they will shadow and/or run a position with an experienced referee before being in that position on their own.
Expectations of Referees
Referees must wear uniforms which include black shorts, black with white pin stripes referee jersey, black knee high socks with three white stripes and a USSF badge with current year registration. In addition, a referee will need the following equipment: linesman flags, a whistle, a watch with a second hand, a kit with yellow & red cards and incident report form. You should also have their USSF registration card with you. It is handy to keep a bag or backpack with all the required items specific to your refereeing job.
Refereeing is a job and a referee is a trained professional. Conduct yourself appropriately. This includes being engaged throughout the entire game, being crisp and timely with your calls, and providing necessary instruction to the players. Of course, you must always be on time and give as much warning as possible if you are not able to attend a game, (i.e. illness). Social plans or forgetting about a school project are not reasons for calling off or missing a game.
While parents are enthusiastic and offer volumes of advice, a referee has no obligation to respond to them. Indeed a referee should do his/her best to ignore comments from parents and coaches. If a parent is getting out of hand, the referee should stop the game and speak to the coach to whom the parent “belongs” and ask the coach to control his parent fans. A referee can ask a parent or coach to leave the playing area if s/he feels they are not contributing to the good of the game or engaging in potentially volatile behavior. A coach may speak with a referee to fully understand a call or ask a question about play. If a coach has feedback on the referee’s performance during the game, that feedback should be directed to the referee assignor.
Scheduling of Referees
The schedule is made up as far in advance as possible, with the goal being to have the entire season scheduled by the second week. There is an eight week fall season and an eight week spring season. Games are played on Saturdays and Sundays. You will be asked for your availability and how many games you’d like to ref prior to the beginning of each season. Please be honest and consider your school load and extra-curricular schedule when replying to this request. Of course, sometimes the game schedule changes during the season and adjustments will be made per your availability. The assignor tries his best to assign games to give all certified referees experience throughout the season.
Please contact the current referee assignor or his/her team with any questions.
Referee Assignor
Mr. Joel Swanson jswanson@orvfc.org (412)-741-7467 (home)
Referee Assignor Backup
Ms. Maria Swanson jswanson@orvfc.org (412)-741-7467 (home)