Question Number: 28692

League Specific 8/29/2014

RE: U10 Under 10

Anne Berger of Long Beach, CA USA asks...

i am almost done with the Online Referee Training. When is the soonest Training in my area to accompany the On Line Training?

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hi Anne,
congrats on the effort on referee training.
I have been informed the local referee association has no role to play, they likely could refer you to the Cal South website for the latest information. Our good colleague Denis Wickham has a better grasp of the USSF protocalls. Apparently, there is a new process to become a referee in CalSouth: a) after registering online and paying the fee, the student watches 18 videos at ussoccer (about 2 1/2 hours). The student then registers (online) for a 4 hour field clinic which is an introduction to AR and Referee mechanics. They get their badge at the field clinic. (Previously, the beginning course was 16 hours, including a comprehensive written test.) The instructors are working hard to make the 4 hours productive and fun. Let us know how you enjoy this program and if you feel it is/was effective.

http://lbsra.com/
This is the long beach soccer referee association webpage
AJ Patel at chitti@cox.net maybe able to help you.

District 2 Referee Administration
Referee Manager James Mayes jmayes@cnra.net 650-743-3395
Youth Referee Administrator
Scott Riegelhaupt- Herzigscottrh@gmail.com 408-806-2797

I have no idea how much support you will get in your endeavours . I can hope you have supportive parents and that the local association has some sort of action plan to develop their referees. We would be MOST interested if you stay in touch and provide us with information as to how you find those you contact to assist in your career as it evolves. I do not know if you want to use a diary of sorts . It would be interesting to chart your matches, your experiences good and bad and those you meet along the way both the good and bad. I can tell you this much as you are young now . No matter what direction in life you take, reflection of the things undone often weigh greater than the things you did. Good luck in your life and may you have good health and good times! Know we support you and you are welcome to ask questions whenever you need some clarification or help or just need to sound off. lol
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Anne:

You can sign up for a 4 hour field clinic even before you finish. But, make sure that you complete your online training before the clinic is held so that you can get your badge at the field clinic. Dates and locations for the next courses are located here:

http://cysa.affinitysoccer.com/eventmanager/public/calendarlist.asp?calguid=&eventtab=current

Unfortunately, as of August 29, 2014, there is nothing currently scheduled in Orange County. (There are clinics in Ventura on September 7.) CalSouth schedules field clinics often, so keep checking. You may also find a clinic in Oceanside (northern San Diego County) soon.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
A little bit of advice. All new referees are eager to get into games. Build up your experience slowly. Looking back these many years I thought I knew it all and I could do better than most when I first took up the whistle. There is a learning curve and it takes time to build up experience and the skills.