OVERVIEW:
A SOCCER REFEREE IS A PART TIME, FREE LANCE INDIVIDUAL THAT MUST HAVE AN ENJOYMENT OF KIDS, EXERCISE, AND DESIRE TO KEEP THE GAME PLAYED WITHIN THE LAWS OF THE GAME. REFEREES ARE TESTED FOR AND OBTAIN LEVELS (GRADES). MOST OF THE REFEREES IN WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA ARE GRADE 6 THRU 9. THE REFEREE NEEDS TO EITHER BE ABLE TO LET CRITISISM NOT BOTHER THEM, OR HAVE SKILLS IN ADRESSING IT.
HOW TO BECOME A REFEREE:
First time referees need to attend and pass the grade 9 class listed below. To do so, simply show up at the location given. Once there, you will be provided with a FIFA Laws of the Game and Referee Guide. The instructor will take you thru the text. If interested in becoming a referee, a fee is paid, and the test is administered.
The following classes are scheduled:
If nothing is listed here, watch this web sight, or the web sights listed below for an open class to learn the rules (in soccer they are laws) of the games. If, after the class (ususally about 6 hours) the attendee wishes to be tested, a fee is paid and test administered. Upon passing, the referees name is referred to the person that matches the referee with games (assignor).
Rapid City Youth Soccer League: http://www.rcysl.com/
Rushmore Soccer Club: www.rushmoresoccerclub.com
UNIFORMS
To start officiating, it is best for and individual to have a yellow referee shirt, black shorts, knee length socks, black tennis shoes or cleats, and a "book" that holds the game card that is provided, a yellow and red card. Currently this association is considering make the shirt, socks and book available. Otherwise the outlets for this are:
Scheels in Rapid City.
Soccer World in Sioux Falls: 605-275-2517 or email sokrworld@yahoo.com
Official Sports at http://www.officialsports.com/
http://www.soccersupplies.com/refereegearapparel/
HOW TO GET GAMES:
After passing the test, email the assignor for the league/season at weylandrsn@rap.midco.net with your name, grade, and contact information, such as cell or best phone number and email address. Be aware, WSDSRA assignors work 100% via email to assign games. Games are adminstered by an Assignor.
The Assignor is a certified person who is provided the schedule of games by the organization seeking referees. The assignors job is to put the best available referee(s) on each game. The assignor either publishes games to referees that the assignor feels comforable in publishing, or asks for the times and days (dates) a referee is available and matches up games within those guidelines, and sends an email of games offered to the referee. The referree either accepts or rejects the offer.
Once a referee accepts an assignment, the referee now has the obligation to complete the game. It is best to have the cell phone of the assignor in the case of last minute problems.
Once on an assignors email list, referees are made aware of all tournaments or other events that the assignor feels is within the scope of referees abilities.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
A first time referee is given (assigned) games at the age 10 and under level (U10). The new referee will be alone on the field, however the association is making every attempt to have a senior official work with new referees. U10 games generally go well, with only a few comments. A new referee is safest in not responding to criticim at all. And at worst lets every comment bother them. If a new referee feels they can deal with comments, they may do so, but it is better to learn the game inside and out first. A good coach may try to assist a new referee. The new referee may want to listen and check it out the question later in the book of laws. Some coaches are right, some have thier own misconceptions. Overall, a smile and a willingness to listen and learn will go further than injecting any attitude.
In the unfortunate event of an official that runs into any problem with a coach, this should immediately be report to the assignor. Such matters will be delt with immediately. Parents are best left alone, unless the official feels the situation can be delt with correctly.Remember: most comments are from the perspective of the person. Things look different from different angles.
WHAT DO I GET PAID:
Each season and age level has a specific pay. Email the assignor for that season for the informaiton. Generally, the center referee on games start at $12 each and up from there. Assistant referees start at $10 per game and goes up from there.
HOW DO I GET PAID:
Generally game cards are the "time card" and need to be turned in after each game. Your assignor can provide you with location of drop boxes that are employed.