Howdy

[Welpe]

Hi everyone, I wanted to introduce myself. I have been lurking for a while but some discussions about pointy ball finally drew me out into the open.

I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and currently officiate American football and baseball. I played soccer as a kid but lost interest in the game and played football in middle school and high school. I didn't really become interested in soccer again until my senior year in college when the 2006 World Cup was on. After that, I started playing some pickup soccer and then I realized what a great game it actually is. I still love baseball and football though....I hope that's allowed here. :D

Anyways, I am interested in getting started as a soccer ref at the youth levels though I'm still trying to figure out if its possible considering that there is football in the fall. I'll figure that out later I suppose, for now I'm just trying to learn.

Thanks for indulging me, this seems like a great forum and I'm looking forward to reading more.

[USSF REF]

Hi everyone, I wanted to introduce myself. I have been lurking for a while but some discussions about pointy ball finally drew me out into the open.

I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and currently officiate American football and baseball. I played soccer as a kid but lost interest in the game and played football in middle school and high school. I didn't really become interested in soccer again until my senior year in college when the 2006 World Cup was on. After that, I started playing some pickup soccer and then I realized what a great game it actually is. I still love baseball and football though....I hope that's allowed here. :D

Anyways, I am interested in getting started as a soccer ref at the youth levels though I'm still trying to figure out if its possible considering that there is football in the fall. I'll figure that out later I suppose, for now I'm just trying to learn.

Thanks for indulging me, this seems like a great forum and I'm looking forward to reading more.


Welcome new friend. Yes it's ok to like those OTHER sports. :D I like them too, but soccer is 1st among them all.

If you do become a soccer referee, I would love it if you could compare and contrast refereeing soccer vs. the other sports you're involved in.

Welcome to the "ugly" club.

[Wreave]

Go back to your striped field, zebra!

Just kidding... welcome! Thanks for the thoughts in my Super Bowl thread.

[IASocFan]

Check out the Real How to Become a Referee Thread (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78618). It needs to be cleaned up, but has some great info. There are also several Colorado refs here who might be able to point you closer to where you need to go. I started refereeing at 32 and have been doing it for 32 years now. I can't wait for the snow to melt so we can start the Spring season. WELCOME!

[Welpe]

Thank you all for the welcome. It is appreciated. IASoc, I have read through the link and have been browsing back the last year or so on the forum. Lots of information to absorb! I was getting a wee bit nervous considering how many soccer officials started off at a young age but it is nice to hear that is not always the case.

Do we have any members on here from the Northern California area? I'd love to pick their brains about the best way of getting started out here.

Wreave, I was glad I could share something. Glad you found it helpful.

Welcome to the "ugly" club.

Us officials in general must have some screws loose to voluntarily be the (usually) least liked folks on the field/pitch. :D

Thanks again.

[campton]

Thank you all for the welcome. It is appreciated. IASoc, I have read through the link and have been browsing back the last year or so on the forum. Lots of information to absorb! I was getting a wee bit nervous considering how many soccer officials started off at a young age but it is nice to hear that is not always the case.

Do we have any members on here from the Northern California area? I'd love to pick their brains about the best way of getting started out here.

Wreave, I was glad I could share something. Glad you found it helpful.



Us officials in general must have some screws loose to voluntarily be the (usually) least liked folks on the field/pitch. :D

Thanks again.



Getting assignments as a grade 8 is normally handled the same way everywhere. Find your local club, contact them, they'll give you the assignor's email, contact assignor, referee matches. Its good fun, i assure you. You're gonna wish you started at my age, becuase there is nothing more satisfying than cautioning a kid who is just a grade lower than you. haha