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:

  1. Effective communication
  2. Positioning and movement
  3. Penalty kick and free kick management
  4. Managing re-starts
  5. Advantage
  6. Managing players
  7. Recognising and dealing with foul challenges
  8. Cautioning and sending-off procedure
  9. Offside
  10. Dealing with substitutions
  11. 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.

Course Information: 

  • Minimum Age: 14 
  • Course Duration: Minimum of 34 Guided Learning Hours 
  • Course Prerequisites: Completion of pre-course activity packNone 
  • Who is it for: This course is open to anyone who is interested in officiating 11 a side or 9 v 9 football. 
  • Course aims and objectives: The Referees Course provides participants with an insight to the laws of the game and their practical application on the field of play. It also looks at the skills required to be a referee. 
  • Leading to: Registered Referee Status (either level 8 Youth Referee or Level 7 Junior County Referee) 

Course Content: 

The course consists of 6 clear units with the following elements:

 Unit 1 - Registration and Pre Course Activity

 Unit 2-4 - Practical Delivery and Evaluation of Performance:

  • The Key skills required to be a football referee 
  • Theoretical information  of the 17 laws of the game 
  • Practical work covering implementation  of the laws 
  • The art of Positioning and movement 
  • Management strategies and ideas on effective decision-making 
  • Effective reporting misconduct 
  • Evaluation of performance and Assessment Of Knowledge 

Unit 5 - Officiating 5 games of 11v11 or 9v9 gamesAssessment of Experiences:

  • Reviewing and receiving Feedback 

Unit 6 - Final assessment/theory examination: 

 

  • Examination of knowledge of Laws Of The Game
  • Plan for what happens next

 

PLEASE NOTE: The dates indicated on the course booking cover only the first 4 Units of learning. Unit 5 requires the candidate to track the practical implementation of their lessons in a match environment, and Unit 6, the Final Assessment, can only be completed once that has been evidenced. 

Either the Safeguarding Football on line learning resource or where applicable the workshop will be completed. A CRC check will be instigated during the course, where applicable.

Practical Involvement: Candidates are required to participate practically to maximise their opportunities for learning.

Assessment: Assessment is via successful completing the Assessment of Knowledge (theory & practical) in Unit 6.

Suggested additional learning opportunities: 

  • FA Mini Football Referees Course 
  • Small Sided referee Course 
  • Futsal Referee Course 
  • Referee Mentoring Workshop 

Equality: FA Learning will ensure that it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in, and enjoy, it's activities in an atmosphere free from harassment, bullying, discrimination or abuse. FA Learning will seek to provide a service which is appropriate to the needs of an individual and to make reasonable adjustments or provide support, where appropriate, to cater for those needs.

Dates and times are as follows:


 - 15th January 10:00-16:30

 - 17th January 18:30-21:00

 - 22nd January 10:00-16:30

 - 4th April 18:30-21:00


Please Note

All courses are subject to change to meet the availability of tutors and number of students. However, after receipt of this application, notification will be sent with full details approximately 10-14 days prior to the start of the course. Please note that refunds cannot be made to any participants who fail to attend the start of a course or who cancel within two weeks of the start date of the course.


We ask for details of ethnicity and disability for equal opportunities monitoring purposes. Monitoring is recommended by the codes of practice published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to eliminate discrimination and promote equality. This is extremely helpful and enables us to keep confidential and anonymous records of the people who officiate in our national sport. By doing this we can spot any inequalities and work with local communities to encourage more people to Get into Football. However, we totally respect your privacy and whilst it would be really helpful if you completed this section, it is not compulsory.



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