Advice for upgrading

[Citiref]

For the referees here that have been through the upgrade process, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for when I start to begin the process? What aspects should I focus on and improve now, other than than knowing the laws like the back of my hand and being physically fit?

I should have 130+ centers and lines before I'm able to upgrade next summer (I also keep a list of all games I've refereed), and this Spring is when I'll start officiating NFHS matches - I know it doesn't count, but the experience should help.

And finally, what are assessors looking for during the upgrade assessment? I know all assessors are different, but just thought I'd ask to get a general idea. I'm also going to schedule some assessments for later this month, and letting the SRA know.

Thanks.

[Ref Flunkie]

For the referees here that have been through the upgrade process, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for when I start to begin the process? What aspects should I focus on and improve now, other than than knowing the laws like the back of my hand and being physically fit?

I should have 130+ centers and lines before I'm able to upgrade next summer (I also keep a list of all games I've refereed), and this Spring is when I'll start officiating NFHS matches - I know it doesn't count, but the experience should help.

And finally, what are assessors looking for during the upgrade assessment? I know all assessors are different, but just thought I'd ask to get a general idea. I'm also going to schedule some assessments for later this month, and letting the SRA know.

Thanks.



I think I may try to upgrade next year as well. Of course, unlike you, I have not kept records of my matches (I always mean to do so, but you know). Of course, I think I have plenty under my belt for the grade 7 upgrade. Is it customary to let your SRA know ahead of time?

[Citiref]

Good luck if you do :D

I'm not sure whether it's customary or not to let them know beforehand, but the last time we talked about it he told me to let him know that I'm interested in upgrading.

[NJ Ref]

Bottom line, game control!

Now, assuming that looks good, then we focus on appearance, mechanics, foul recognition, positioning, fitness, and too may others to mention. I didn’t say this, but an upgrade from an 8 to a 7 has become relatively easy. You would have to blow the game or have a truly unchallenging game to not get the upgrade. Good luck!

[Ref Flunkie]

Bottom line, game control!

Now, assuming that looks good, then we focus on appearance, mechanics, foul recognition, positioning, fitness, and too may others to mention. I didn’t say this, but an upgrade from an 8 to a 7 has become relatively easy. You would have to blow the game or have a truly unchallenging game to not get the upgrade. Good luck!

I've heard this too. I'm actually trying to get an assessment done before the upgrade one, just to get SOME feedback on my game, since I have never really gotten any. I've always wondered how one works on foul recognition!

[billf]

Honestly ref your normal game. If you do that and do so well, you will get the upgrade. If not, you will get a list of things to work on. Looking for advice on what assessors look for is dangerous. You can find yourself reffing the game for the assessor and not the players and that can backfire.

[Ref Flunkie]

Honestly ref your normal game. If you do that and do so well, you will get the upgrade. If not, you will get a list of things to work on. Looking for advice on what assessors look for is dangerous. You can find yourself reffing the game for the assessor and not the players and that can backfire.

I think by default we would "call" our normal game....the question is, what technicallities do assessors look for? My brain is going too fast during a game to try and do anything outside of my normal game :)

[billf]

I think by default we would "call" our normal game....the question is, what technicallities do assessors look for? My brain is going too fast during a game to try and do anything outside of my normal game :)

I don't think assessors should be looking to nail you on technicalities. If you fail an assessment because your signals aren't 100% at 45 degrees, because your shoes have "too much white", or something silly like that then the assessor should be flogged. Like any game, you'll just need to be consistent and apply the laws correctly. Going to seven should not be too difficult but you should be able to comfortably handle a u-19 match. You shouldn't look like you are struggling, you decisions should be made with confidence, and if you have some elementary degree of man management you're ahead of the game.

Honestly, forget the assessor is even there.

[ur_land]

I think I may try to upgrade next year as well. Of course, unlike you, I have not kept records of my matches (I always mean to do so, but you know). Of course, I think I have plenty under my belt for the grade 7 upgrade. Is it customary to let your SRA know ahead of time?

YMMV, but in Colorado it is a requirement to not only write the State Director of Assesment a letter saying that you are planning to upgrade, but you must also include in that letter your game count:

www.coreferees.org/[/url] ]
Write a letter requesting consideration for upgrade to Referee Class 1 (grade 07); incorporate a brief summary of your entire past game experience including total number of games at each level (e.g., 12 middles, 24 lines U16, etc.).

If you've been lax in your recording, you might be able to get a list of games from the controller of the league(s) you ref--they should have records related to your payments.

I'm also planning the upgrade in the spring. I've got my fitness plan ready so I'll maintain fitness for the December test, made a reservation for the advanded referee training class, got my game count all sorted out (~85 centers, ~75 ARs, and 2 4ths), and started reffing NFHS as well (which has actually been more fun than I expected). Colorado does informal assesments at State Cup, so I have some tips to work on until the spring. Good luck to everyone else trying to upgrade--maybe we should form a support group! ;)

[gildarkevin]

I'm currently going through the upgrade to 6 process, having passed the required game count, taken the course, and done 1 of the assessments (one more is scheduled and I may have the AR assessment scheduled as well). I'll do the written and fitness tests in December.

So add me to your support group.

I'd echo that for the upgrade to 7 process, they want to see that you're not completely out of your element -- you can keep up with play, you can recognize the necessary fouls and misconduct, you can interact with and employ your ARs in the right way. If you cover all the basics that you already know, you should be OK. Honestly, simply demonstrating a keen sense of professionalism and enthusiasm for being there will take you a long way with many assessors during that upgrade and can smooth over some of the rough spots you may hit, as long as you don't completely misapply a rule or commit some egregious error.

[ur_land]

Just another FYI, here are the fitness test requirments for grades 7 and 6:


Endurance (12 minute run)

Grade 7-- 2200 meters (ages 38 and younger)
Grade 6--2400 meters (ages 38 and younger)
(older refs need to run shorter distances)

Speed (all grades)

50 meter dash--under 9 seconds
200 meter run--under 40 seconds

[GKbenji]

Just another FYI, here are the fitness test requirments for grades 7 and 6:

Endurance (12 minute run)

Grade 7-- 2200 meters (ages 38 and younger)
Grade 6--2400 meters (ages 38 and younger)
(older refs need to run shorter distances)

Speed (all grades)

50 meter dash--under 9 seconds
200 meter run--under 40 seconds

Are they changing any of this over to the beep test, as was done at the national level?

And I never understood the 200 meter dash requirement. If you ever run 200 meters in a straight line during a match you have some serious problems. :) Now, 100 meters out and 100 meters back we see all the time when the teams start playing kickball. I thought the shuttle run they used to use was much more soccer-like.

[Ref Flunkie]

Endurance (12 minute run)

Grade 7-- 2200 meters (ages 38 and younger)



This one could be ugly for me :)

[Chubbywubby]

Just wait till you're my age, you only have to run 1800 meters.

[billf]

Are they changing any of this over to the beep test, as was done at the national level?

And I never understood the 200 meter dash requirement. If you ever run 200 meters in a straight line during a match you have some serious problems. :) Now, 100 meters out and 100 meters back we see all the time when the teams start playing kickball. I thought the shuttle run they used to use was much more soccer-like.

Fifa actually co-opted the Cooper test. Its not designed for soccer at all. Its a general test of physical fitness. The general idea when it was adopted was that if you're fit enough to pass the test, you're fit enough to handle a soccer match. It's pretty clear that this is no longer the mode of though, hence the experiments with new tests.

[Law5]

The issue we've had on some 8 to 7 upgrades is that the referee has the game count, but it's not at the level of the assessment. For example, maybe most of their games are U-12, 13 & 14, but the assessment will be on no less than a U-17 game. (Your mileage may definitely vary as to the level of game your state expects for an 8 to 7 upgrade.) We've had some spectacular failures when the referee could handle a U-13 game just fine, but had never done a U-19 game. Be sure you can handle a game at the level where you will be assessed.

[Wreave]

NC requires a U17, U18, or U19 competitive for the assessment from 08 to 07. Our levels of play are rec, challenge, and classic. Classic is what's required for the upgrade.

Wouldn't you just be setting yourself up for failure to go for an assessment on a match at a level you were not familiar with? Thinking of the type of referee that would want to go from 08 to 07 as generally well-prepared and motivated, it would seem pretty foolish to get assessed in a U19 game without sufficient experience at that level.

This seems to tie back to the suggestion of letting your assignor know your intent so he can get you on the right games.

[ur_land]

Colorado requires an assessment on a Boys U16/U18 Elite I game (or higher). Elite I is the highest grouping in the state, and is only played in the spring.

[ref2coach]

The USSF requiremet 8 to 7 is 100 games, 75 CR, 25 AR. In TN the Assessment must be on Div 1 u17, u18, u19 or adult.

7 to 6 is 100 CR, Div 1 u17 -> u19 or Adult. 3 Assessments, 2 as CR, 1 as AR, of which 2 of the 3 must be adult.

Just passed final assessment last Sunday, written test passed, only need to do the "running". 6 in 2006

[ur_land]

Colorado requires an assessment on a Boys U16/U18 Elite I game (or higher). Elite I is the highest grouping in the state, and is only played in the spring.

I should have said here that Elite I is the highest youth designation in the state. There are also D-3, D-2, and D-1 men's leagues as well.