resources for Referee Coaches

For referee coaches, instructors and assessors

Referee Coaching

USSF is implementing certification for the positions of Referee Coach and Referee Mentor. The Referee Coach will be an important role for referee development with concentration on both the regional and grassroots referee. The Referee Coach will be able to lead educational sessions (i.e. video analysis, field sessions) as well as perform on field evaluation (i.e. developmental and full assessments) that adhere to U.S. Soccer’s education philosophy (reality-based, holistic, and experiential).
The referee mentor will provide the same role and be able to perform the same tasks for referee development with concentration on the grassroots level referee.

Information for Licensing Courses

Educational Services

For all areas and levels of referee certification and recertification, STSR utilizes the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. For all licensing courses. STSR will post them on the learning center portal and all payments for licensing courses will be performed through the learning center.

Licensing course information will be posted and managed by the State Referee Administrator or the State Deputy Director of Instruction. To request the posting of a licensing course, send an email to either individual.

Referee Clinic Information

For the first-time referee there are several assignments (An NCSI backgroundcheck and SafeSport training are required for those 18+) to be completed online. These assignments are incorporated in the In-Person Field Training Session coursework available after registration. The online assignments are not required to be completed before the student attends the in-person field sessionbut must be successfully completed in order to obtain certification.

The In-Person Field Training Session will last approximately 2 hours and be directed by assigned referee mentors, referee coaches or national referee coaches.

Cut-off dates for these sessions will be at least 2 days before the scheduled field session. Course details, already posted at registration, is again provided to all registered students and the roster is provide to the assigned lead educator 24 hours prior to the scheduled session.

Anyone wishing to get credit for the session MUST be on the roster. If they are not on the roster, they must provide proof of registration to another grassroots first-time referee licensing course or proof of current certification as a USSF referee. Without either proof, the individual may not participate in the in-person field training session.

A minimum of 10 participants is required to hold this course. If 10 participants have not registered for the course 2 days prior, then the course may be cancelled. If the course is cancelled for this reason then registered candidates will be able to transfer to another First-Time Referee licensing course.

As this session requires a much lower Instructor/Student ratio than the prior entry level clinic, a flat rate payment of $100 will be for the First-Time Referee In-Person Field Training Session. The payment does include mileage but If the State Referee Administrator or the State Deputy Director of Instruction deem that additional mileage should be provided, the assigned instructional personnel will be notified in advance.

The State Referee Administrator or the State Deputy Director of Instruction will provide direction on the submission of all expense reports related to the instruction of a First-Time Referee In-Person Field Training Session.

Note: referee mentor licensing course registrants will not be paid for the first two involvements as this is the requirement for the referee mentor licensing course.

Assessor & Instructor Re-Certification Information

Effective for the 2024 badge year, US Soccer no longer certifies the licenses for grassroots assessors and grassroots instructors.

Effective for the 2024 badge year, US Soccer no longer certifies the licenses for regional assessors and regional instructors.

Information For Referee Mentors & Referee Coaches

Referee Mentor

  • Age: 18 Years Of Age And Older
  • Licensing Course Enrollment: Referee Mentor Licensing Course Registration
  • Previous Certification Experience: Minimum Of 2 Years As A Referee (Any License)
  • Course Training: Online Component (U.S. Soccer) And In-Person Meeting (Member Association)
  • Risk Management: SafeSport Training, Safe And Healthy Playing Environments, NCSI Background Check
  • Online Component Assignments: Laws Of The Game Update And Quiz, Profile Of The Referee Mentor Quiz, Continuing Education Quiz
  • Practical Assignments –  3: One (1) Leading A Video Analysis Session, One (1) Leading A Practical Exercise And One (1) Observing The Performance Of Match Officials

After obtaining Referee Mentor certification, subsequent year’s certification possess the following requirements:

  • Age: 19 Years Of Age And Older
  • Licensing Course Enrollment: Referee Mentor Licensing Course Registration
  • Previous Certification Experience: Active Referee Mentor License
  • Course Training: Online Component Refresher (U.S. Soccer)
  • Risk Management: SafeSport Training, Safe And Healthy Playing Environments, NCSI Background Check
  • Online Refresher Assignments: Laws Of The Game Update And Quiz, Profile Of The Referee Mentor Quiz, Continuing Education Quiz
  • Practical Assignments – 3: One (1) Leading A Video Analysis Session, One (1) Leading A Practical Exercise And One (1) Observing The Performance Of Match Officials
  • Contributes to the development of U.S. Soccer Grassroots Referees
  • Inspires match officials to self-develop and to improve from game to game
  • Facilitates a fair, fun, and safe environment conducive for learning where Grassroots Referees and Referee Mentors engage in training
  • Facilitates understanding and application the Laws of the Game for Grassroots Referees and Referee Mentors
  • Provides constructive feedback about performance of Grassroots Referees to create a positive learning experience
  • Prepares prior to the game, offers feedback at half-time (where applicable), and mentors and reflects with the referee team after the game
  • Takes notes during the game that highlight positive behavior by the referee team and notes the areas of improvement
  • Guides the referee team in the reflection session after the game
  • Takes ownership of self-development through on-line and field session opportunities offered by the competition, State Referee Programs, and /or U.S. Soccer
  • Prepares prior to an education session to deliver the best experience for audience (Grassroots Referees and/or Referee Mentors)
  • Reflects after each task to develop a plan for self-improvement

Referee Coach

After obtaining and possessing Referee Mentor certification for a minimum of two (2) years, If you are interested in upgrading to the certification level of Referee Coach, please contact  either the State Referee Administrator or the State Director of Instruction for details and information.

  • Age: 21 Years Of Age And Older
  • Licensing Course Enrollment: Referee Coach Licensing Course Registration
  • Previous Certification Experience: Minimum Of Two (2) Years As A Referee Mentor And Active Referee Mentor License Or Regional Assessor License For The Previous Two (2) Registration Years
  • Course Training Assignments – 10 (U.S. Soccer): Three (3) In The Pre-Meeting Period, Three (3) In The In-Person Meeting And Four (4) In The post-Meeting Period
  • Risk Management: SafeSport Training, Safe And Healthy Playing Environments And NCSI Background Check
  • Online Component Assignments: Laws Of The Game Update And Quiz, Profile Of The Referee Coach Quiz And Continuing Education Quiz
  • Post-Meeting Assignments Or Practical Evaluations – 4: One (1) Leading A Video Analysis Session, One (1) Leading A Practical Exercise, Two (2) Evaluating The Performance Of Match Officials Including: Post-Game Reflection With The Referee Team &Written Feedback For The Referee Team

After obtaining Referee Coach certification, subsequent year’s certification possesses the following requirements:

  • Age: 22 Years Of Age And Older
  • Licensing     Course Enrollment: Referee Coach Licensing Course Registration
  • Previous Certification Experience: Must Have Held A Referee Coach License Or A National Referee Coach License Within The Previous 3 Registration Years
  • Course Training: Online Component Refresher (U.S. Soccer)
  • Risk Management: SafeSport Training, Safe And Healthy Playing Environments, NCSI Background Check
  • Online Component Assignments: Laws Of The Game Update And Quiz, Profile Of The Referee Coach Quiz And Continuing Education Quiz
  • Post-Meeting Assignments Or Practical Evaluations – 7: One (1) Leading A Video Analysis Session, One (1) Leading A Practical Exercise, Five (5) Evaluating Or Observing The Performance Of Match Officials Including: Post-Game Reflection With The Referee Team & Written Feedback For The Referee Team
  • Contributes to the development of U.S. Soccer match officials transitioning from Grassroots Referee into Regional Referee
  • Inspires match officials to self-develop and to improve from game to game
  • Facilitates a fair, fun and safe environment optimal for training match officials and Referee Mentors
  • Facilitates understanding and application of the Laws of the Game for match officials and Referee Mentors
  • Designs field session exercises/activities that address a general deficiency for a population of match officials
  • Provides constructive feedback about performance of match officials
  • Completion of five (5) full assessments during the previous 12 months (January 1 until December 31)
  • Prepares prior to the game, offers feedback at half-time (where applicable), and coaches and reflects with the referee team after the game
  • Demonstrates leadership before, during, and after the game
  • Takes notes during the game that highlight positive behavior andnotes areas of improvement for the referee team
  • Leads the referee team in the reflection session after the game
  • Writes the evaluation of the referee team performance
  • Takes ownership of self-development through on-line and field session opportunities offered by the competition, State Referee Programs,and/or U.S. Soccer
  • Prepares prior to an education session to deliver the best experience for match officials and/or Referee Mentors
  • Reflects after each task of the National Referee Coach to develop a plan for self-improvement