Start small and pay attention to what’s offered in your area. Officiate Wherever You Can. 12/23/2019: Somerset, NJ At high school level and above, three basketball officials are required in a game. You can train yourself with rule books and manuals from the Referee Training Center, but you should also join a local officials association where you can expect lectures, demonstrations and exercises that will prepare you for what you… And because officials must move with the pace of play, reffing basketball is a fine way to be part of the game and stay fit at the same time. Firstly, you need to identify which sport you really love – it can be boxing, soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, or any other game that requires a referee. The North Texas Referee Program welcomes over 2500 new referees each year. You need to have patience to learn everything about the game to become a professional referee. Often local, statewide or national referee organizations, like the Cedar Rapids Athletic Officials Association and the Professional Soccer Referees Association, are a great way for already practicing referees to move up from the high school to collegiate and from the … General Information You become a referee by attending and successfully completing a referee training course. U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) authorized two entry-level referee certifications: Recreational Referee Grade 9 and Referee Grade 8. Click above and use coupon code USA18 for additional discount! We serve the game in over 100 local associations from Lubbock to Lake Highland, Amarillo to Arlington, Cedar Hill to Corsicana – chances are YOU live close to a soccer association. I have friends working their way up the referee “food chain” in basketball. When you’re at a game, ask the referees about local associations and who to contact. In turn, there will always be a need for referees and umpires to officiate at sporting events and make sure that play is fair. You’re not going to get to big leagues anytime soon, and you have to get experience somewhere. Like most of the sports in the USA, to become a referee/umpire at the college level, one starts at the high school and teenage youth level. So do you have what it takes to become a professional referee? This may include attending a clinic or entry-level course. The United States Soccer Federation oversees all club soccer in the United States including referees. To maximize your success, you’ll have to learn several of these positions well. To become a certified basketball referee, you must achieve a passing grade on a written rules exam. Most NBA referees begin as high school or rec league referees, then move to the college level for some years before moving up to pro hoops. Also, it has become almost as popular among the girls as the boys. You star at the bottom and work your way up. However, Referee Grade 8 entry level is the most popular. What You Need to Do to Become a Referee. We want to learn more about you and where you currently stand against those experiences. We want you to better understand the officiating experience that will best instill knowledge and skills you need to be a professional referee. Where can you become a soccer referee? When you start attending, ask serious questions about the game and job. How to Become a Referee in North Texas . Each state has a state referee committee that is responsible for organizing referee training courses and registering referees. But just as the chances of becoming a top-notch professional athlete are slim, so are the odds of becoming a Major League Baseball umpire or pro basketball referee. Start your journey today by contacting your State Referee Association, who will let you know what other requirements you may need to become registered. Basketball Referee Training. The same way you become a player for college football. In this case, that means officiating a lot of Pop Warner games, flag football games and high school games.