The FA Referee Course
Course Information:
- Minimum Age: 14
- Course Duration: Minimum of 34 Guided Learning Hours
- Course Prerequisites: Completion of pre-course activity pack and the FA Safeguarding Children workshop (or on-line course for 14 to 16 year olds). For over 15s, a FA CRC disclosure certificate is also required
- Who is it for: This course is open to anyone who is interested in officiating 11 vs 11 or 9 vs 9 football who has completed a Referee Taster & Introductory Session.
- Course aims and objectives: The Referees Course provides participants with an insight to the laws of the game and their practical application on the field of play. It also looks at the skills required to be a referee.
- Leading to: Registered Referee Status (either 'Level Y' - Youth Referee or 'Level 7' - Junior County Referee)
Course Content:
The course consists of 6 units with the following elements:
Unit 1: Taster & Introductory Evening and Pre Course study programme.
Unit 2: Theoretical & Practical Delivery
- The key skills required to be a football referee
- Theoretical information on the 17 laws of the game
- Practical work covering implementation of the laws
- The art of positioning and movement
- Management strategies and ideas on effective decision-making
Unit 3: Fouls and Misconduct Training
- This is a 2½ hour session which will include ‘Recognising Challenges’ and the Misconduct procedure.
Unit 4: Theoretical & Practical Delivery
- Continuation from Unit 2
- Evaluation of performance - The second part of the day includes a practical evaluation where you will have an opportunity to referee part of a game among the group. The evaluation will include staged scenarios which will provide you with opportunity to consolidate your learning from the previous sessions and receive immediate feedback.
- Provided you attain the minimum standard required when evaluated, you will be sanctioned to operate as an FA Level 9 (trainee) Referee.
Unit 5 - Officiating 5 games of 11vs11 or 9vs9 football
- Having successfully graduated from the first four units of the training course, you will now officiate in a minimum of 5 games of football (9vs9 or 11vs11) and will be coached during two games by FA Referee Coaches or Mentors. A record of these games is compiled as evidence of your development. During this period, in addition to gaining practical experience, you will have time to learn and revise the Laws of the Game thoroughly before returning to complete the final unit of the course.
Unit 6 - Final assessment/theory examination
- Examination of knowledge of Laws Of The Game (Multiple Choice Test paper)
- Sharing experiences session
- Promotion & Progression
PLEASE NOTE: Unit 5 requires the candidate to track the practical implementation of their learning in a match environment, and Unit 6, the Final Assessment, can only be completed once that has been evidenced.
The cost of the course for all age groups is £150* which includes the following:
- Copy of latest FIFA Laws of the Game
- Interactive 'Laws of the Game' DVD
- Pre-course study pack
- Referee Portfolio folder
- All course materials
- Qualified FA Referee Tutors during the course
- 'Respect' training
- Safeguarding Children Workshop (or on-line course for 14-16 year olds)
- FA registration fee for one season (normally £20)
- Full Nike Norfolk FA Referee kit - Sizes S,M,L,XL or XXL
- Referee whistle
- Lanyard for whistle
- Red/yellow cards & holder
- Match record cards
- Assistant Referee flags
- A list of local Referees' Association contacts
- A list of League contacts
- Certificate of qualification
- Service of the Referees’ Department of Norfolk County FA
- Services of a Referee Coach or Mentor
- Membership of the Young Referees' Group (14-25 year olds)
- Access to dedicated social media groups
*Discounted places may be available: If you are aged over 19 on 31.08.17, not in full time education, and live in Norfolk, you could eligible for a discounted place at just £75! (Until funding is confirmed, you will be required to pay the full fee and a 50% rebate will be refunded to you upon completion of the course.)
Will I need to undertake FA Safeguarding Children Training?
All referees have to undertake FA Safeguarding Children training before they will be able to register with The FA as a referee. This will need to be completed prior to attending Unit 2 of the course as it is a prerequisite of attending. Certification will last for 3 years with the cost of this being included in the course fee.
Will I need to undertake FA CRC (formerly CRB) check?
All referees aged 16 years or over who wish to officiate in youth football must undertake an FA CRC enhanced check. This is a simple on-line process which will be fully explained to you prior to the course. Certification lasts for 3 years and the cost is just £10.
Practical Involvement: Candidates are required to participate practically to maximise their opportunities for learning.
Assessment: Assessment is via successful completion of the practical evaluation in Unit 4 and the theory test in Unit 6.
Referee Taster Sessions
This taster session is open to anyone aged 14 and over who is interested in finding out what football refereeing is all about. Designed for anyone with an interest in football, this 2 hour evening session is suitable if you want to understand the laws of the game better, help by officiating at your local adult or youth club, or you want to be a Premiership referee in the very near future!
This is a two hour introduction evening where you will be guided through the refereeing experience looking at all formats of the game and the opportunities available.
If you decide to start your refereeing journey here, the ‘Referee Course’ (11vs11 or 9vs9 football) will only be a few weeks away.
Suggested additional learning opportunities:
- FA Mini Soccer Referee Course
- Small Sided Referee Course
- Futsal Referee Course
Equality: FA Learning will ensure that it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in, and enjoy, it's activities in an atmosphere free from harassment, bullying, discrimination or abuse. FA Learning will seek to provide a service which is appropriate to the needs of an individual and to make reasonable adjustments or provide support, where appropriate, to cater for those needs.
If you have any further enquiries please contact the Referee Development Officer: David.Robinson@NorfolkFA.com
To see upcoming Referee Course dates click here.
