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Premier Cup Referee

The FA Referees Course

COURSE DETAILS

The FA Referee Course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge they will need to be able to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively.  It is for people aged 14 and over who want to referee mini soccer, 9 v 9 and/or 11 v 11 football.  

The course comprises online learning on the Laws of the Game and face to face training. You must complete the online learning before attending the face to face training. You will also need to complete online safeguarding training before attending the face to face training.

Course Content

Online Learning

The online learning has five sections (modules) and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. There are lots of videos to demonstrate how the Laws should be applied, activities to help reinforce the important points and, at the end of each module, there are some questions to test what you’ve learned.  

The online learning can be accessed at https://falearning.thefa.com/course/view.php?id=1804 

Course Overview

Minimum Age: 14

Course Duration: Complete the online pre-requisites, then attend a 11 hours of face-to-face training, then complete five games.

Price: £

Leading To: Registered Referee Status (either level 8 Youth Referee or Level 7 Junior County Referee)

 

View Available Dates below

This module covers the referee’s pre-match responsibilities and includes ensuring players’ kit is safe, how to carry out the coin toss and what a referee needs to take to a match with them.
This module contains short video clips (GIFs) which show every signal the referee and assistant referee might give during a match.
This module deals with foul challenges, violent conduct, handball, unsporting behaviour, DOGSO offences and advantage. It uses video clips from football at different levels to show how the referee should manage common scenarios.
This module covers restarts and set-pieces, including goal kicks, corner kicks, throw-ins, free kicks and penalty kicks. It uses both video and illustrations to clarify what players must do at each restart and set-piece and explains what the referee should do if players don’t comply with the Law.

Face to Face Training

There is 11 hours of face to face training (normally one evening, followed by a full day), which mixes training room work with practical activity on a pitch. Key messages from the online learning are reinforced throughout.  The training room work includes:

• Fun, interactive quizzes
• How to establish rapport and build relationships with players and coaches
• Recognising and dealing with foul challenges and handball
• Managing offside
• Dealing with inappropriate behaviour 
• Managing players 

On the pitch, you will have the opportunity to turn your knowledge into skills through refereeing game based scenarios. You will practise:

• Communicating decisions
• Cautioning and sending off techniques
• Managing the kick off, free kicks, penalty kicks, corner kicks and throw-ins 
• Positioning in open play and at restarts
• Being an assistant referee

Qualifying as a Referee

To qualify as a referee, you must also referee five games after you have attended the face to face training. You will then receive a certificate and an FA Referee badge.

You be supported through those five games by your County Football Association (CFA). As you continue your refereeing career, you will then be able to access further training opportunities, both online and face to face.

Available Dates

 

Date Venue Availability
9th August (6:30pm - 9pm) and 11th August (9am - 5pm) Ilchester Football Club, Yeovil BA22 8NE Available
5th September (6:30pm - 9pm) and 8th September (9am - 5pm) Strode College, Street BA16 0AH Available
3rd October (6:30pm - 9pm) and 6th October (9am - 5pm) Goals Brislington, Bristol BS4 5RG Available
7th November (6:30pm - 9pm) and 10th November (9am - 5pm) North Petherton FC, Bridgwater TA6 6PN Available
2nd January (6:30pm - 9pm) and 5th January (9am - 5pm) Strode College, Street BA16 0AH Available
27th February (6:30pm - 9pm) and 2nd March (9am - 5pm) Bucklers Mead Academy, Yeovil BA21 4NH Available
10th April (6:30pm - 9pm) and 11th April (9am - 5pm) Goals Brislington, Bristol BS4 5RG Available

 

Booking on to a course

Please click on the link for all the information you will need regarding booking onto a referee course Introduction to refereeing

Once you have completed the online modules, please contact Referee Development Officer Martin Peters who will be able to provide a link to book on the course. The next available dates and locations can be seen below.

*Please note that we are also taking waiting lists for future referee courses in addition to those currently on display.