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Friday, 08 February 2008 08:26
Organization of State Referee Administration | Referee Registration | Referee Grades | Referee Grade Maintenance and Upgrade Requirements | Procedure for Referee Upgrades | Cross Certification Policy for USSF Referees | Out of State Travel Policy | Procedures for Reporting Referee Assault | Game Priority in Referee Appointments | Youth Referees | Physical Fitness Test | USFF Modifications to Laws
 
Organization of State Referee Administration
Each state shall have a:

State Referee Administrator
  • Served fifteen years as a certified Referee and have attained State Class 1 Referee Status f
  • Served five years as certified Instructor or Assessor 
  • Serves a two year term
State Director of Instruction
  •  Served ten years as a certified Referee and have attained State Class 1 Referee Status
  • Served five years as a certified Instructor and have attained a Regional Instructors Status
  • Serves a two year term
State Director of Assessment
  • Served ten years as a certified Referee and have attained State Class 1 Referee Status
  • Served five years as a certified Instructor and Assessor and have attained a Regional Assessors Status
  • Serves a two year term
State Assignor Coordinator
  • Served five years as a certified Referee
  • Served two years as a certified Assignor
  • Serves a three year term
Referee Disciplinary Committee
  • Shall have five members one of whom shall be the State Referee Administrator
  • Each member shall serve a five year term  
State Referee Administrator
The State Referee Administrator shall be nominated by the State Executive Committee upon recommendations of the Amateur and Youth Representatives and be appointed by the National Office.  His or Her duties shall be:
  • Enforce all policies set forth by the National Office
  • Register all Referees and Assignors in his or her state
  • Supervise all programs pertaining to referees
  • Appoint the State Assignor Coordinator upon recommendation of the State Executive Committee
  • Recommend the State Director of Instruction and State Director of Assessment for approval by the National Office
  • Chair the Referee Disciplinary Committee
State Director of Instruction
The State Director of Instruction shall be nominated by the State Executive Committee and the State Referee Administrator and appointed by the National Office. His or her duties shall be:
  • Supervise all Instructional Programs
  • Appoint area Instructional Coordinators
  • Certify all Instructors except for National Instructors
  • Notify all officials of any Law or policy changes
  • Work with the State Director of Assessment for the instruction of all Assessors
State Director of Assessment
The State Director of Assessment shall be nominated by the State Executive Committee and the State Referee Administrator and appointed by the National Office. His or her duties shall be:
  • Supervise all Assessment ProgramsAppoint all Assessors to matches
  • Certify all Assessors except for National Assessors
  • Supervise Youth Referee Development Programs in conjunction with the State Referee Administrator and State Assignor Coordinator
State Assignor Coordinator
The State Assignor Coordinator shall be appointed by the State Referee Administrator upon recommendation of the State Executive Committee. His or her duties shall be:
  • Supervision of all Assignors
  • Supervise the training of assignors in conjunction with the State Director of Instruction
  • Supervise the proper assignment of all Referees
  • Supervise Youth Referee Development Programs in conjunction with the State Referee Administrator and State Director of Assessment
Referee Disciplinary Committee
The Referee Disciplinary Committee shall be established to deal with any matters of inappropriate or unethical conduct by Referees, Instructors or Assessors.  It shall be chaired by the State Referee Administrator and shall have four members.  The State Executive Committee will appoint the four members. Two members must be certified referees, instructors or assessors and two shall be chosen from the State Amateur and Youth committees.

Any charges must be formally made to the State Executive Committee and State Referee Administrator in writing.  If the charges are concluded accurate the charges will be forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee within seven days of the original complaint.  The committee will set forth the protocol of its proceedings and will hold the meetings within thirty days from the date of the original complaint.   The accused must be given the right to be present at all hearings and the right to defend his or her self. All decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee can be appealed to the National Office in writing within thirty days of the decision.
Referee Registration
Referee Registration will be supervised by each State Futsal Referee Administrator. Each registration form must be signed by the appropriate authority and all information requested must be provided and completely accurate.  The national office will not accept any forms directly from the official unless verified and signed by the State Referee Administrator and appropriate instructor.
Referee Grades
Grade 10 United States Futsal Federation "Referee Class 2"
Minumum Age: None
Badge: USFF Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All youth games (ages 16 and under)
   
Grade 9 United States Futsal Federation "Referee Class 1"
Minumum Age: 17
Badge: USFF Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All youth games
   
Grade 8 United States Futsal Federation "State Referee Class 2"
Minumum Age: 18
Badge: USFF State Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All youth games and amateur games through second division and Assistant Referee in Amateur Division Games below the top division.
   
Grade 7 United States Futsal Federation "State Referee Class 1"
Minumum Age: 19
Badge: USFF State Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All youth games, amateur games through second division and Assistant Referee in top Amateur Division Games.
   
Grade 6 United States Futsal Federation "Regional Referee Class 2"
Minumum Age: 20
Badge: USFF Regional Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All Regional Youth games, State Amateur games including first division and Regional Amateur Division matches.
   
Grade 5 United States Futsal Federation "Regional Referee Class 1"
Minumum Age: 21
Badge: USFF Regional Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All Regional and National Youth games, Referee in Regional and National Amateur Games and Assistant Referee in professional league and international cup games.
   
Grade 4 United States Futsal Federation "National Referee"
Minumum Age: 23
Badge: USFF National Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All games except formal FIFA international matches; assistant referee for international matches.
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency
   
Grade 3 United States Futsal Federation "National Referee (International Panel Candidate)"
Minumum Age: 24
Badge: USFF National Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All games except formal FIFA international matches
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship
   
Grade 2 United States Futsal Federation "International Referee"
Minumum Age: 24
Badge: FIFA Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All games except top FIFA International Matches
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship
   
Grade 1 United States Futsal Federation "International Referee"
Minumum Age: 25
Badge: FIFA Referee, with current year
Authorized Assignment Level: All games
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship
   
United State Futsal Federation grade and title of an official will be determined solely by the standards and examinations issued by the National Office. Annual examination is required.

The National Office will issue all Badges and Referee/Instructor/Assessor Registration Cards and will determine the official Referee Uniform(s) to be worn for all sanctioned matches.
Referee Grade Maintenance and Upgrade Requirements
Requirements for USFF Entry Level Referees (Grade 10)
  • Attend an entry level 16 hour Referee Course
  • Pass written exam with minimum score of 75
  • Recommended Assessment after 1st 10 games
Maintenance Requirements for USFF Grade 10 Referees
  • Attend 5 Hour Re-certification course
  • Pass Re-certification exam
Upgrade Requirements from USSF Grade 10 to Grade 9
  • Maintain one year as a Grade 10
  • Attend 10 hour Intermediate Referee Course
  • Pass written exam with minimum score of 85
  • Pass Formal Assessment at the U16 level or higher
Maintenance Requirements for USFF Grade 9 Referees
  • Attend 5 Hour Re-certification Referee Course
  • Pass re-certification exam with minimum score of 85
Upgrade Requirements from USFF Grade 9 to Grade 8
  • Maintain one year as a Grade 09
  • Attend 10 hour Advanced Referee Course
  • Pass State Referee Exam with a score of 80
  • Pass two Formal Assessments at the U19 level or higher
  • Pass Physical Fitness exam
  • Referee of 125 games
Maintenance Requirements for USFF Grade 8 Referees
  • Attend 10 hour Advanced Referee Course
  • Pass State Referee Exam with a score of 80
  • Pass a Formal Assessment at the U19 level or higher
  • Pass Physical Fitness exam
Upgrade Requirements from USFF Grade 8 to Grade 7
  • Maintain one year as a Grade 08
  • Attend 10 hour Advanced Referee Course
  • Pass State Referee Exam with a score of 85
  • Pass three Formal Assessments at the Amateur Level or higher
  • Pass Physical Fitness Exam
Maintenance Requirements for USFF Grade 7 Referees
  • Attend 10 hour Advanced Referee Course
  • Pass State Referee Exam with a score of 85
  • Pass a Formal Assessment at the Amateur level or higher
  • Pass Physical Fitness exam
Upgrade Requirements from USFF Grade 7 to Grade 6
  • Maintain two years as a Grade 7
  • Attend 10 hour Advanced Referee Course
  • Pass Regional Referee Exam with a score of 80
  • Pass three Formal Assessments at the Division 1 Amateur Level or higher
  • Pass Physical Fitness Exam  Referee of 150 games, 50 games must be at the 19 level or higher
Maintenance Requirements for USFF Grade 6 Referees
  • Attend 10 hour Advanced Referee Course
  • Pass Regional Referee Exam with a score of 80
  • Pass a Formal Assessment at the Division 1 Amateur level or higher
  • Pass Physical Fitness exam
Upgrade Requirements from USFF Grade 6 to Grade 5
  • Maintain one year as a Grade 6
  • Attend 10 hour Advanced Referee Course
  • Pass Regional Referee Exam with a score of 85
  • Pass two Formal Assessments at the Division 1 Amateur Level and one at the Professional level
  • Pass Physical Fitness exam
Maintenance Requirements for USFF Grade 5 Referees
  • Attend 15 hour Advanced Referee Course
  • Pass Regional Referee Exam with a score of 85
  • Pass a Formal Assessment at the Amateur level or higher
  • Pass Physical Fitness exam
Upgrade Requirements from USFF Grade 5 to Grade 4
  • Maintain two years as a Grade 5
  • Attend National Referee Certification Session
  • Pass National Referee Examination
  • Pass 5 assessments, 3 of the assessments must be on professional games
  • Pass National Referee Physical Fitness Exam
  • Referee of 200 games, 50 must be at the men’s amateur level or higher
Maintenance Requirements for USFF Grade 4 Referees
  • Attend National Referee Certification Session
  • Pass National Referee Examination
  • Pass 3 assessments on professional games
  • Pass National Referee Physical Fitness Exam
Upgrade Requirements from USFF Grade 4 to Grade 3
  • Maintain one year as a Grade 4
  • Attend National Referee Certification Session
  • Pass National Referee Examination
  • Pass 3 assessments, 2 of the assessments must be on professional games
  • Pass National Referee Physical Fitness Exam
All Referees must be in grade for a minimum of 1 year prior to being upgraded to the next level.  If a person does not pass the written examination the entire examination must be retaken after a minimum waiting period of one month.  Each Failed Assessment requires two passing assessments as an offset.
Procedure for Referee Upgrades
  • The referee must notify the State Referee Administrator in writing before beginning the process.
  • The referee should notify the State Assignor so that the proper games can be assigned for evaluation purposes.
  • He or She must then contact the State Director of Assessment so that the SDA can send assessors to the games in which the referee will be evaluated.
  • After the referee fulfills all the requirements for upgrade the SRA will send all information to the Regional Director of Officials for approval.
  • The RDO will then send the proper paper work to the national office.   
Cross Certification Policy for USSF Referees
All United States Soccer Federation Referees must certify as Grade 10 Class 2 Referees for a minimum of (1) one year before they attain the equivalent United States Futsal Federation grade. USSF Referees must complete all certification requirements for the USFF equivalent grade.

All United States Soccer Federation National Referees will be certified as United States Futsal Federation Grade 6 Regional Class 2 Referees and must maintain USFF certification criteria.
Out of State Travel Policy
The referee wishing to referee out of the state in which he is registered must notify the State Referee Administrator of both states in writing for approval.  Any regional tournament or Professional assignment will come from the Regional Director of Officials and requires no approval from the State Futsal Referee Administrator for that referee traveling out of State.

Referees traveling out of state to or from a referee appointment are expected to dress appropriately. A blazer with federation seal or a polo shirt with federation seal is recommended.  Referees are expected to act appropriately and conduct themselves in a professional manner.
Procedures for Reporting Referee Assault
  • Referee assault is any intentional act of physical violence at or upon a referee or his/her personal property.
  • Abuse is defined as a verbal statement or physical act not resulting in bodily contact, which implies or threatens physical harm to a referee or the referee’s property or equipment.
The referee who has been assaulted or abused must contact by telephone the President of the State Association and the State Referee Administrator the same day of the incident. He or She shall send a written report to the SRA, State President and the league within 48 hours.  The report must be accurate and may include any police or medical reports.

If the incident has occurred at a tournament, the tournament director must be notified in writing the same day.  If the incident is out of the referee’s home state a written report must be sent to the Regional Director of Officials within 10 days.
Game Priority in Referee Appointments
Referees registered with the United States Futsal Federation are expected to be ethical in acceptance of assignments. It is permissible for a referee to release a lower level appointment to accept a higher-level appointment for the benefit of the referee program. This policy only applies if 72 hour or more notice is given and no substantial financial commitment has been made for another referee appointment. The following matches are listed in the order of priority:
  • All FIFA Appointments
  • All CONCACAF Appointments
  • International A Matches
  • Any U.S. National Team Matches
  • Professional Division 1 League Matches
  • All National Cup Finals
  • All Regional Cup Finals
  • Other Professional League Matches
  • National Tournaments
  • Regional Cup Competitions
  • State Cup Competitions
Youth Referees
Each state will establish a Youth Referee Development program supervised by the State Referee Administrator (SRA) to promote the certification, re-certification and mentoring of youth referees. The SRA should work in conjunction the State Assignor Coordinator (SAC) to ensure that youth referees are assigned appropriate level games and are being properly mentored.  Senior level referees, preferably certified instructors and assessors, will be chosen by the SRA and SAC to participate in the program.

Each year States will recognize female and male mentors and referees.  The SRA will submit the names to the regional office which will send certificates recognizing the officials for their contributions to their states and the USFF. These referees should be sent to the regional tournament as representatives of their states.
Physical Fitness Test
The test is to be administered by a USFF certified instructor who has been given permission by the State Director of Instruction. The instructor is required to sign a document with the date, location and results of the test. The test must be taken before the registration deadline of each state for certification of that year.

Speed Test Age State and
Regional Referees		 National Referees
50 meter dash (run twice) Under 38 9.0 seconds 9.0 seconds
Over 38 9.5 seconds 9.0 seconds
 
200 meter dash (run-twice)  Under 38 35 seconds 32 seconds
Over 38 40 seconds 32 seconds
USFF Modifications to Laws
Subject to the agreement of the National Office with state associations, the laws may be modified in their applications for matches where the players are under 19 years of age and for players over 35 years.

The following modifications are permissible:
  • size and weight of ball
  • durations of the periods of play
  • size of the Playing Court
  • An addition to Law XII where a goalkeeper is not permitted to throw the ball over the halfway line which will result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.
 

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