The FA Referee Course
Course Overview
Minimum Age: 14
Price: £135
Leading To: Registered Referee Status (either level 8 Youth Referee or Level 7 Junior County Referee)
View available datesCOURSE DETAILS
The FA Referee Course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge they will need to be able to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively. It is for people aged 14 and over who want to referee mini soccer, 9 v 9 and/or 11 v 11 football.
The course comprises online learning on the Laws of the Game and face to face training. You must complete the online learning before attending the face to face training. You will also need to complete online safeguarding training before attending the face to face training.
Course Content
Online Learning
The online learning has five sections (modules) and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. There are lots of videos to demonstrate how the Laws should be applied, activities to help reinforce the important points and, at the end of each module, there are some questions to test what you’ve learned.
The online learning can be accessed at https://falearning.thefa.com/course/view.php?id=1804
If you are under the age of 16, you might find the information at the refereeing help centre useful when logging in.
This module covers the referee’s pre-match responsibilities and includes ensuring players’ kit is safe, how to carry out the coin toss and what a referee needs to take to a match with them.
This module contains short video clips (GIFs) which show every signal the referee and assistant referee might give during a match.
This module deals with foul challenges, violent conduct, handball, unsporting behaviour, DOGSO offences and advantage. It uses video clips from football at different levels to show how the referee should manage common scenarios.
This module also uses video clips, this time to demonstrate what is and isn’t offside and how the referee should manage offside offences. The clips, like those used in the ‘Getting it Right’ module, are voiced over to explain the decisions the referees make.
This module covers restarts and set-pieces, including goal kicks, corner kicks, throw-ins, free kicks and penalty kicks. It uses both video and illustrations to clarify what players must do at each restart and set-piece and explains what the referee should do if players don’t comply with the Law.
Face to Face Training
There is 11 hours of face to face training (normally one evening, followed by a full day), which mixes training room work with practical activity on a pitch. Key messages from the online learning are reinforced throughout. The training room work includes:
• Fun, interactive quizzes
• How to establish rapport and build relationships with players and coaches
• Recognising and dealing with foul challenges and handball
• Managing offside
• Dealing with inappropriate behaviour
• Managing players
On the pitch, you will have the opportunity to turn your knowledge into skills through refereeing game based scenarios. You will practise:
• Communicating decisions
• Cautioning and sending off techniques
• Managing the kick off, free kicks, penalty kicks, corner kicks and throw-ins
• Positioning in open play and at restarts
• Being an assistant referee
Qualifying as a Referee
To qualify as a referee, you must also referee five games after you have attended the face to face training. You will then receive a certificate and an FA Referee badge.
You be supported through those five games by your County Football Association (CFA). As you continue your refereeing career, you will then be able to access further training opportunities, both online and face to face.
Available Dates
Middlesex FA, Rectory Park
Ruislip Road
Northolt, UB5 5FA
Middlesex FA, Rectory Park
Ruislip Road
Northolt, UB5 5FA
The Matthew Arnold School
Kingston Road
Staines, TW18 1PF
COHNEL
Hertford Road, Enfield
EN3 7GB
Hendon FC, SIlver Jubilee Park
Townsend Lane
London, NW9 7NE
Hendon FC, Silver Jubilee Park
Townsend Road
NW9 7NE
Middlesex FA, Rectory Park
Ruislip Road
Northolt, UB5 5FA
The Matthew Arnold School
Kingston Road
Staines, TW18 1PF
Important Information
We adhere to a strict cancellation policy and by enrolling onto our course you agree to have read and agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.
No dates to suit you?
Fill in this form with your preferences and we'll get back to you as soon as a suitable course becomes available.
faqs
Frequently asked questions about The FA Referee course.
You must be 14 or older at the time of booking onto the course. There is no maximum age.
Yes, even if you are still involved with playing the game you will have the opportunity to become a referee.
You will be required to enter your FA Number (FAN) and password to book onto a course or create a FAN and password when you go to book onto a referee course if you don’t have one already
Create A FAN here.
You can be added to our waiting list and we'll contact you when a suitable course becomes available.
All Courses will be conducted in English and therefore candidates are required to be able to communicate effectively in English (this includes listening, speaking, reading and writing).
If you suffer from a condition that you believe may affect your involvement on a course on either the practical or theoretical elements, please notify us immediately of any support you may require and we will make every effort to ensure that you are supported throughout the course of delivery and given every opportunity to successfully attain the relevant course award.
Get In Touch
Think you're ready to take the next step in your refereeing career? Get in touch and we'll let you know the next steps.
By Phone: 020 8515 6910
By Email: referee@middlesexfa.com
