Becoming a referee
Discussion
Just wondered if anyone had done this recently? Had a quick look on the internet just now and it suggests that all you have to do is to sign up with your local FA to register, and complete a classroom course.
If anyone has done it recently, was it a lot of work required to learn all the ridiculous rules that no-one has heard of? What support do you get? And how much did it all cost?
If anyone has done it recently, was it a lot of work required to learn all the ridiculous rules that no-one has heard of? What support do you get? And how much did it all cost?
Did it a while ago;
Essentially, it comprises of a course which comes in 2 versions - classroom based and mostly-classroom-based. The out of the classroom bits typically involve things like positioning etc.
Its relatively quick to learn, all fairly straightforward stuff for the most part with a few bits of covering the little quirks etc. and what to do when certain unusual situations occur. Some videos to cover what tackles are worth a yellow card etc. All finished up with a multiple choice question exam. Its a pretty good course, but light on practical.
Once that's done, congratulations you've got your L-plates. The next step is to do 6 games. Its up to you to arrange these with any local league, but they're usually so desperate its easy. Once that's done, unless you've been incredibly bad then you get a follow up class to discuss how things went and a bit of paperwork to fill out and you're qualified.
Cost depends on what county FA its from but typically in the region of £90, with a small amount (I think it was £20 odd?) refunded once you finish your 6 games & become Level 7.
The kit can cost a bit, but not huge amounts - at amateur level black kits are reserved for refs so you can get away with just the one kit. £50 odd for shirt, shorts and socks, however much you feel like spending on black football boots, about a fiver each for some good whistles (need at least 2), watches with a stopwatch on are under a tenner for a Casio (again, spare watch), cards are a couple of quid per set (again, get spares) and the little wallets for them with the notepads in are about a fiver odd. Technically teams are supposed to have linesmans flags, but bring your own. They cost a tenner for some cheap ones.
The level of support is variable depending on where you are, some counties are much better than others. Typically, you'll have a person who you can contact with any issues etc. and there are often monthly referees association meetings, but don't expect anyone to actively check how you're doing beyond "Hi, are you free Sunday?". As Level 7, you'll be qualified to do Saturday Leagues, Sunday Leagues, Youth leagues etc, so you typically will always be out there on your own. The season I did, I was on a 3-man-team once, on the line for an U16 cup semi.
Essentially, it comprises of a course which comes in 2 versions - classroom based and mostly-classroom-based. The out of the classroom bits typically involve things like positioning etc.
Its relatively quick to learn, all fairly straightforward stuff for the most part with a few bits of covering the little quirks etc. and what to do when certain unusual situations occur. Some videos to cover what tackles are worth a yellow card etc. All finished up with a multiple choice question exam. Its a pretty good course, but light on practical.
Once that's done, congratulations you've got your L-plates. The next step is to do 6 games. Its up to you to arrange these with any local league, but they're usually so desperate its easy. Once that's done, unless you've been incredibly bad then you get a follow up class to discuss how things went and a bit of paperwork to fill out and you're qualified.
Cost depends on what county FA its from but typically in the region of £90, with a small amount (I think it was £20 odd?) refunded once you finish your 6 games & become Level 7.
The kit can cost a bit, but not huge amounts - at amateur level black kits are reserved for refs so you can get away with just the one kit. £50 odd for shirt, shorts and socks, however much you feel like spending on black football boots, about a fiver each for some good whistles (need at least 2), watches with a stopwatch on are under a tenner for a Casio (again, spare watch), cards are a couple of quid per set (again, get spares) and the little wallets for them with the notepads in are about a fiver odd. Technically teams are supposed to have linesmans flags, but bring your own. They cost a tenner for some cheap ones.
The level of support is variable depending on where you are, some counties are much better than others. Typically, you'll have a person who you can contact with any issues etc. and there are often monthly referees association meetings, but don't expect anyone to actively check how you're doing beyond "Hi, are you free Sunday?". As Level 7, you'll be qualified to do Saturday Leagues, Sunday Leagues, Youth leagues etc, so you typically will always be out there on your own. The season I did, I was on a 3-man-team once, on the line for an U16 cup semi.
Edited by Mr Pockets on Monday 29th August 23:47
You also have to be very thick skinned and on the ball all the time!
I would struggle to do it on a Sunday morning because it takes me a while to wake up properly to be ready for the constant abuse.
I had to stand in as a ref for a frienly this weekend and it was the worst 2 hours of my life, limesmen are just random subs from the teams that have been forced into it so they were either cheating or not paying attention, I kept on having to pull back throw-ins because they were just making their own mind up about whose it was and we even had a guy (right winger) that jumped up and caught the ball to stop it going too far off the pitch... he was in the area!
I would struggle to do it on a Sunday morning because it takes me a while to wake up properly to be ready for the constant abuse.
I had to stand in as a ref for a frienly this weekend and it was the worst 2 hours of my life, limesmen are just random subs from the teams that have been forced into it so they were either cheating or not paying attention, I kept on having to pull back throw-ins because they were just making their own mind up about whose it was and we even had a guy (right winger) that jumped up and caught the ball to stop it going too far off the pitch... he was in the area!
Mr Pockets said:
Did it a while ago;
Essentially, it comprises of a course which comes in 2 versions - classroom based and mostly-classroom-based. The out of the classroom bits typically involve things like positioning etc.
Its relatively quick to learn, all fairly straightforward stuff for the most part with a few bits of covering the little quirks etc. and what to do when certain unusual situations occur. Some videos to cover what tackles are worth a yellow card etc. All finished up with a multiple choice question exam. Its a pretty good course, but light on practical.
Once that's done, congratulations you've got your L-plates. The next step is to do 6 games. Its up to you to arrange these with any local league, but they're usually so desperate its easy. Once that's done, unless you've been incredibly bad then you get a follow up class to discuss how things went and a bit of paperwork to fill out and you're qualified.
Cost depends on what county FA its from but typically in the region of £90, with a small amount (I think it was £20 odd?) refunded once you finish your 6 games & become Level 7.
The kit can cost a bit, but not huge amounts - at amateur level black kits are reserved for refs so you can get away with just the one kit. £50 odd for shirt, shorts and socks, however much you feel like spending on black football boots, about a fiver each for some good whistles (need at least 2), watches with a stopwatch on are under a tenner for a Casio (again, spare watch), cards are a couple of quid per set (again, get spares) and the little wallets for them with the notepads in are about a fiver odd. Technically teams are supposed to have linesmans flags, but bring your own. They cost a tenner for some cheap ones.
The level of support is variable depending on where you are, some counties are much better than others. Typically, you'll have a person who you can contact with any issues etc. and there are often monthly referees association meetings, but don't expect anyone to actively check how you're doing beyond "Hi, are you free Sunday?". As Level 7, you'll be qualified to do Saturday Leagues, Sunday Leagues, Youth leagues etc, so you typically will always be out there on your own. The season I did, I was on a 3-man-team once, on the line for an U16 cup semi.
All good information thanks.Essentially, it comprises of a course which comes in 2 versions - classroom based and mostly-classroom-based. The out of the classroom bits typically involve things like positioning etc.
Its relatively quick to learn, all fairly straightforward stuff for the most part with a few bits of covering the little quirks etc. and what to do when certain unusual situations occur. Some videos to cover what tackles are worth a yellow card etc. All finished up with a multiple choice question exam. Its a pretty good course, but light on practical.
Once that's done, congratulations you've got your L-plates. The next step is to do 6 games. Its up to you to arrange these with any local league, but they're usually so desperate its easy. Once that's done, unless you've been incredibly bad then you get a follow up class to discuss how things went and a bit of paperwork to fill out and you're qualified.
Cost depends on what county FA its from but typically in the region of £90, with a small amount (I think it was £20 odd?) refunded once you finish your 6 games & become Level 7.
The kit can cost a bit, but not huge amounts - at amateur level black kits are reserved for refs so you can get away with just the one kit. £50 odd for shirt, shorts and socks, however much you feel like spending on black football boots, about a fiver each for some good whistles (need at least 2), watches with a stopwatch on are under a tenner for a Casio (again, spare watch), cards are a couple of quid per set (again, get spares) and the little wallets for them with the notepads in are about a fiver odd. Technically teams are supposed to have linesmans flags, but bring your own. They cost a tenner for some cheap ones.
The level of support is variable depending on where you are, some counties are much better than others. Typically, you'll have a person who you can contact with any issues etc. and there are often monthly referees association meetings, but don't expect anyone to actively check how you're doing beyond "Hi, are you free Sunday?". As Level 7, you'll be qualified to do Saturday Leagues, Sunday Leagues, Youth leagues etc, so you typically will always be out there on your own. The season I did, I was on a 3-man-team once, on the line for an U16 cup semi.
Edited by Mr Pockets on Monday 29th August 23:47
Out of interest, the bit in bold suggests you only did 1 season? Any reason for jacking it in?
Also, how high up do you have to get before you start getting paid for reffing?
Edited by cotney on Tuesday 30th August 16:36
I qualified as a ref back in 1995 and only did it for one season as I discovered golf the following summer.
I'm manager of an under-11's team now having qualified as a coach last year. We pay (and so does every other club that plays in this league) £25 for a referee to officiate two 25-minutes-each-way games.
I'm manager of an under-11's team now having qualified as a coach last year. We pay (and so does every other club that plays in this league) £25 for a referee to officiate two 25-minutes-each-way games.
Gassing Station | Football | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff