FA REFEREES’ COURSE INFORMATION
Overview
The FA Referees’ Course provides an introduction to officiating 11v11 and 9v9 football. The course will introduce learners to The Laws of Association Football and their application, delivered through theory and practical elements and focussing on the knowledge, skills and attributes required to operate safely and effectively in grass roots football.
Course Structure
Unit 1: Pre-course learning (2 hours)
Unit 2: On-course theory and practical (7 hours)
Unit 3: On-course theory and practical (3 hours)
Unit 4: On-course theory and practical (7 hours)
Unit 5: Referee five matches
Unit 6: On-course final assessment (2 hours)
Course Content
Through a mixture of theory and practical activity, learners will cover:
- Effective communication
- Positioning and movement
- Penalty kick and free kick management
- Managing re-starts
- Advantage
- Managing players
- Recognising and dealing with foul challenges
- Cautioning and sending-off procedure
- Offside
- Dealing with substitutions
- Dealing with injuries
Minimum Age
Learners must be 14 or over on the course start date.
Safeguarding Requirements
Before refereeing their five matches (unit 5), leaners must have complied with the FA’s safeguarding requirements.
Qualification
Upon successful completion of units 1-6, learners will be classified as either a Level Y referee (if aged 14 or 15) or a Level 7 referee (if aged 16 or over). The FA refereeing qualification is awarded only when all 6 units have been successfully completed.
Candidates must be available for all of the following dates to successfully complete the course;
Dates | Timings | Session |
Wednesday 7th August | 6:30pm - 8pm | Introduction Evening |
Thursday 5th September | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Day 1 |
Sunday 8th September | 9am - 4pm | Day 2 |
Wednesday 9th October | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Day 3 |
| Sunday 17th November | 9am - 4pm | Day 4 |
| Monday 10th February | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Day 5 |
| Monday 23rd March | 6:30pm - 9pm | In-Service Training** |
| Sunday 19th July | 9am - 4pm | Group In-Service Training** |
** The In-Service Training Session is optional
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Derbyshire County FA Terms and Conditions
• Derbyshire FA reserves the right to increase or decrease the course fee at its discretion.
• The Derbyshire FA does not accept responsibility for the loss, or damage to, candidate property or for personal injury caused during courses.
• If you are suspended “sine die” from football (by any County FA) then you are suspended from all football activity, including courses.
• Should you miss any session(s) of any course you sign up to, Derbyshire FA reserve the right to remove you from the course, and no refund will be given. However in exceptional circumstances candidates may be offered the opportunity to attend missed session(s) on other courses should availability allow, and Derbyshire FA will charge you extra accordingly.
• You will respect the course tutor, course venue and the other candidates and their points of view, and you will understand that if your behaviour, language or conduct is deemed 'unacceptable', 'offensive' or 'harmful' for any reason Derbyshire FA, and the venues, reserves the right to exclude you from continuing on your chosen course and if necessary, future courses, and no refund will be given.
Derbyshire FA Refund Policy
• The ‘Association’ has introduced a strict cancellation and transfer policy. Should a candidate need to cancel their place on a course for any reason, the following criteria will apply:
- More than 14 days’ notice – Full refund less a £20 administration charge.
- 14 days or less notice – 50% of course cost returned or transfer available for a surcharge of £20.
- 7 days or less notice – No refund is returned, only transfer available for a surcharge of £20.
Consideration will be given to candidates who, for health reasons are unable to attend and require a transfer to another course. A letter from a doctor or medical professional may be requested.
