CURRENT IN-TOWN REFEREES
When serving as a referee for an in-town game (U6 or U8), you should:
- Check the schedule for your field location (the Middle School fields are a long walk from the track)
- Arrive at the fields early
- Wear your official uniform and current-year patch
- Bring a whistle and a coin
- Bring a scorecard and a pen or pencil
WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A REFEREE
If you are smart and confident, why get locked into a retail job? As a referee, you can pick your hours and work out in the sunshine. Pay rates range from $11 per game for in-town and start at $18 per game for U10 all the way up to $53 per game for U18. See details at the bottom of this page.
So you think you may want to be a referee? Here are the three steps:
1. Read the information below
3. Notify the Littleton Referee Coordinator at
when you complete your course so he can assign you to games.
CHOOSE THE COURSE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Determining which course to take can be confusing. This page offers points to consider when enrolling for a course.
Take the Grade 9 course if:
- You are at least 12 years old (changed state-wide from 11 in 2008)
- You wish to referee small sided games (typically 6-8 players are on the field for each team)
- You want to only referee recreational games. That means that the players did not have to go through a try-out process, and the games are between two teams that come from the same town.
- You want to referee only players who are under age 14.
Take the Grade 8 course if:
- You are at least 16 years old. Note that you may also be asked to referee in other towns, so make sure transportation to the games will not be a problem for you.
- You wish to referee full sided (11 players on the field for each team) soccer.
- You want to referee competitive soccer. That means that you want to referee the higher skilled players, those that have been selected to represent their town and are playing in games against other towns.
Take the grade 8 Bridge Course if:
- You have been a grade 9 referee for at least a year, and your age plus your years of experience add up to at least 16.
- You now want to referee more competitive games.
- You have been a high school referee.
- You have been a Grade 8 referee in the past five years but let your registration lapse (Please check your status with the SRA).
USSF REFEREE GRADES EXPLAINED
All referees affiliated with FIFA have a designated referee grade. The grade indicates the qualification of the referee to officiate at various levels of local, national and international soccer competition. There is a common misconception that these grades are related to elementary or secondary school grades - they're not, they are assigned by USSF.
Grade 1 Referees: Referees who officiate in the World Cup and international matches are designated as Grade 1.
Grade 2 Referees: Assistant Referees to Grade 1 Referees are designated as Grade 2.
Grade 3 and 4 Referees: In the United States competition at the national level (including professional soccer and MLS) requires Grade 3 or 4. Grade 3 indicates the referee's readiness to be considered for international service.
Grade 5 and 6 Referees: The highest level of competition within a state (amateur leagues beyond youth) requires a Grade 5 or 6 where Grade 5 indicates the referee's readiness to be considered for national service.
Grade 7 Referees: Grade 7 is an experienced referee in the state qualified to officiate all but the highest levels of amateur soccer.
Grade 8 Referees: Most referees begin their careers as Grade 8 having taken the entry training course.
Grade 9 Referees: Very young aspirants to refereeing may take an abbreviated training course and be registered as Grade 9 which qualifies them only for very young "small sided" matches (usually seven and eight year old players in six per team matches).
PAY RATES
| In Town Program |
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| U6/U8 |
$11 (certified) |
League Meeting |
Not Required |
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| Travel Program |
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Pay Rate w/League Meeting Bonus |
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| Age |
Game Times |
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| U10 |
9:00, 10:15 |
$23 |
N/A |
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| U12 |
11:30, 1:00 |
$28 |
$15.50 |
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| U14 |
2:30, 4:00 |
$38 |
$20.50 |
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| HS 8v8 |
Sun afternoon |
$43 |
$23 |
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| Incentives |
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New recruits who referee at least 3 games receive a $130 incentive.
Returning referees are eligible for a $20 (Fall) or $40 (Spring) incentive. |
| $20 for attending league meeting |
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Note: Reimbursement for certification courses and uniforms was
discontinued with the introduction of the incentive program.
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