THE FA REFEREE COURSE - ADULT-ONLY COURSE

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 16 and over who want to referee mini soccer, 9v9 and/or 11v11 football.

The course comprises online learning on the Laws of the Game and face-to-face training. We request for all the online learning to be completed before attending the face-to-face training.

Course Content 

Online Learning- PLEASE ENSURE THIS IS COMPLETED PRIOR TO ATTENDANCE OF THE FACE-TO-FACE MODULES

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 Laws of the Game learning can be accessed at https://falearning.thefa.com/course/view.php?id=1804

Please note, the post-course survey on the Laws of the Game modules may be showing as unavailable. You are still able to complete the course - by finishing all other modules.

If you are under the age of 16, you might find the information at the refereeing help centre useful when logging in.

Module 1 - Before the Match

Module 2- Signals and Communication

Module 3- 'Getting it Right'

Module 4- Offside

Module 5- Managing Restarts and Set-Pieces 

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 practice:

• 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 9v9/11v11 games after you have attended the face-to-face training. You will then receive a certificate and can request for 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.

Minimum Age

Learners must be 16 or over on the course start date.

Safeguarding Requirements

Before refereeing their five matches (unit 5), learners must have complied with the FA’s safeguarding requirements.

Safeguarding Children (Only for 16 years old and above) - Safeguarding Children Course | England Football Learning

Sin Bin Guidance Modules

We also ask for all candidates to complete the online Temporary Dismissal training, at the same time as they complete their online modules. The free online workshop can be accessed here - https://www.fareferees.co.uk/sin-bins

The FA Referee Course Face-to-Face Training Days

Venue: Datchet Football Club, 5 Allen Way, Green Lane, Datchet, SL3 9HR.

Please click here to view our Terms & Conditions