Report on US Soccer Referee Program Workshop “Referee Program Realignment” Jim Kritzberg June 10, 2012 Washington State Referee Committee 1

USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referee Zones 1.Professional Referee Organization (PRO) Outsourced, not USSF/MLS any longer 2.Zone 2, Referee Identification and Development Invitation only – USSF via Chicago or LAC (Local Area Coordinator) 3.Referee Education and Resources All Referee Levels not in PRO or Zone 2 2

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment IPAP Instructional Program Advisory Panel (IPAP) National referees, national instructors, national assessors, assignors, SDIs, SDAs, SRAs, etc. Initial task – general strategic re-evaluation of USSF’s system of grading, training, developing, and assessing referees. 3

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment IPAP IPAP - basic philosophy of this strategic re- evaluation Training Assignment Assessment 4

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment IPAP IPAP - basic philosophy of this strategic re- evaluation Training – what the referee needs Assigning – provides the opportunities Assessment – determines if training and assignment functions are cooperating to meet the objectives – officials, players, teams and leagues 5

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment IPAP IPAP - basic philosophy of this strategic re- evaluation Training, assignment, and assessment activities – guided by USSF but below professional level – implemented by state organizations. 6

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referees - Levels What is considered in a “Level”? Age Single official vs. DSC Rec vs. Competitive Lower vs. Higher Divisions Degree of needed player management Continued… 7

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referees - Levels What is considered in a “Level”? Rough approximation of Skill Experience Coaching Strength Speed Agility Use of Strategy Complexity of challenges 8

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referees - Levels We’ve seen the bull… So where is the beef? 9

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2013 – What is New? 10 Last Chance to Upgrade… Referee Upgrade in 2014? - No, unless all requirements done in 2013

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referee – Level 1 11 Referee Trained for: Small sided games (Mod soccer) Generally, U6 – U12 Generally, recreational Generally, single referee (no ARs) Not trained as AR… Entry Level for new referees

Referee Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referee – Level 2 12 Trained for: Transition from “small” to “full” Generally, U12 – U16 Recreational and competitive (aka “travel” or “select”) Generally, DSC New referee entry or advance from Level 1

Referee Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Starting in 2014 (Registration Cycle) 13 Referee Entry Level Clinics for: Level 1 Level 2

Referee Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referee – Level 3 14 Trained, assigned, and assessed for: Generally, full-sided games Generally, U16 – U19, plus rec adults, lower div senior amateur, regional tournaments Generally, competitive Mostly DSC Advancement from Level 2

Referee Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referee – Level 4 15 Trained, assigned, and assessed for: Full-sided games Generally, 1 st and 2 nd Div Senior amateur, regional premier tournaments, national competitions Highest competition below PRO DSC and use 4 th officials Advancement from Level 3

Referee Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (Registration Cycle) 16 Referee New referee = Level 1 or 2 All Existing “Grades” 09-03, Convert to “Level x” via USSF specified “default” level. Exceptions above “default” – made case by case by SRC. Referee

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referees - Levels We’ve seen the bull… So where is the beef? (Part 2) 17

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 18 Grade 12 Referees would be allowed to recertify at that grade only though 2014, after which no further use of that Grade would be allowed. There would be on conversion path to a Level. Grade 12s wishing to continue officiating would need to meet the entry requirements for Level 1 or 2 as appropriate.

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 19 Grade 9 Grade 9s would convert by default to Level 1. State organizations could identity Grade 9s above a set age and “time in grade” (TIG) whom they would designate for conversion to Level 2. = or Referee

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 20 Grade 8 Grade 8s below a certain age and TIG would convert to Level 1, all others would convert to Level 2 = or Referee

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 21 Grade 8 (continued) State organization could identify Grade 8s above a set age and TIG whom they would designate for conversion to Level 3. Referee =

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 22 Grade 8 (summary) Referee = or

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 23 Grade 7 Grade 7s would convert by default to Level 3. Referee =

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 24 Grade 6 Grade 6s would convert by default to Level 3. State organizations could identify Grade 6s above a set age and TIG whom the would designate for conversion to Level 4. Referee = or

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 25 Grade 5 All Grade 5s would convert by default to Level 4. Referee =

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 2015 (USSF Default Level) 26 Emeritus Unknown May drop the designation and require referee to meet the qualifications of the Level they will be refereeing at =

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Referees - Levels We’ve seen all the bull… So now what? 27

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment What Games should I be Assigned? 28 Focus Range Majority of assignment per Level Challenge Range Experience and demonstrated skill in Focus Range Interest and Desire to advance Assigned to lower games of next level Not intended as a regular assignment pattern without advancement supported by mentoring and teaming

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Loose Ends and Notes: 29 How to be considered for Zone 2? First, get a Black Badge, then invitation only Can Level 1 be assigned as an AR? Maybe – there might be an AR Module available between Level 1 and Level 2 ELC Training State to determine – Stand-alone or bundled with Level 2.

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Loose Ends and Notes: 30 How can I upgrade a Level ? – Considerations: Age Time in Level Game count and “mix” Observation and evaluation at the focus and challenge ranges Written test performance Demonstration of fitness and agility Formal application In-service and/or pertinent advancement training Recommendations

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment *** Random thought, not a complete list *** 1.Administration 2.Assigning 3.Assessment 4.Instruction 5.Mentoring Other Loose Ends and Missing Parts? 31

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Other Loose Ends and Missing Parts? 32

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment 1.Help determine, communicate State Policies Note: USSF sets guidelines, requirements only at the highest level 2.Implement changes in Registration requirements “Default” exceptions for higher, 2016 “Default” exceptions for lower Other Loose Ends and Missing Parts - Administration 33 4.Automation, Website Reconfigure, enhance, consider other platform(s) 5.Etc.

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Other Loose Ends and Missing Parts - Assigning 34 1.SAC - help determine, communicate State Policies Note: USSF sets guidelines, requirements only at the highest level 2.Consider retraining all Assignors 3.Assignment Monitoring? 4.Levels of Assignor? 5.Etc.

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Other Loose Ends and Missing Parts - Assessment 35 1.Help determine, communicate State Policies Note: USSF sets guidelines, requirements only at the highest level 2.Consider retraining all Assessors 3.Assessment Monitoring? 4.Levels of Assessor? Seemed sure “National” Grade was going away. If there is a “State” what does that mean? 5.Etc.

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Other Loose Ends and Missing Parts - Instruction 36 1.Help determine, communicate State Policies Note: USSF sets guidelines, requirements only at the highest level 2.Implement Level 1, 2 and AR training in 2014 (registration cycle) 3.Determine and implement recert and upgrade training for all referees by 2015 (registration cycle) 4.Levels of Instructor? Seemed sure “National” Grade was going away, except maybe “National Instructor Trainer”. If there is a “State” what does that mean? 5.Etc.

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment Other Loose Ends and Missing Parts - Mentoring 37 1.In coordination with SDA and SDI, determine “intermediate” and upgrade mentoring needs. 2.Collect or develop mentoring material and techniques. 3.Etc.

Washington State Referee Committee USSF – Referee Program Realignment What is next for USSF? 38 1.Writing the training modules for Level 1 & 2 2.Etc. 3.Modifying the training for assignors 4.Revisit the training for instructors (plus realignment of grades) 5.Working toward seamless integration with assessment 6.Exploring methods to encourage level-to- match assignment guidelines