- Grade 9 referees (age 14+) can center referee Recreational games & assist referee for recreational & Travel during the year they are certified.
- Grade 8 referees (age 16+ ) can center & assist referee travel & recreational games during the year they are certified.
Please see the EQUIPMENT panel to review what is needed for your referee assignment.
Newly certified USSF certified referees (Grade-8 or Grade-9) are typically assigned to Assistant Ref with experienced Grade-8 center referees. This provides a mentoring opportunity during match play where new referees can gain real-game experience.
Once proficiency, confidence & comfort is demonstrated you can be assigned as a center referee with an experienced (Grade-8) referee as their AR to further the mentor process. By observing, learning & working with an experienced referee the new referee will best learn their craft. Referees can also limit themselves just to AR if that meets their comfort level.
This mentoring period provides an avenue for new referees to gain experience – in a less challenging environment, under the supervision/guidance of an experienced referee – to help produce better referees confident in their ability! We hope this keeps new referees engaged & stay involved as they get older to referee even more competitive matches.
New referees who wish to submit to MNJYSA for game assignment (see LOCAL REFEREE ASSIGNMENT) for “competitive youth” Travel games should specify their age, credentials & situation – including towns they are willing to referee – to ensure placement in games suited to your current ability. Typically MNJYSA requires one full year of AR work before being considered for Center referee.