How to Become a Junior Football Referee

Becoming a junior league football referee can be a great opportunity to supplement your current income and help give back to your local community. It also allows you to teach sportsmanship and game fundamentals to young players and their coaches. The process of becoming certified as a junior football referee is fairly easy and can be completed in a couple weeks.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know the basic rules of football. You won't need to know every specific rule of the league in which you want to officiate, but you should know the basics.

2. Make sure you are in decent cardiovascular shape. Junior leagues may not play on a 100-yard field, but you will have to run some and be on your feet for long periods of time. In some cases, you may be asked to work more than one game per day.

3. Contact a junior league organizer and join a local football officials association if required. You will likely need to fill out paperwork for a background check.

4. Attend at least one game of a junior football league. This may be required, and it gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with the pace of the game and ask questions to current referees.

5. Read over the junior league's rule book thoroughly. Different youth league may have different rules for penalties and substitutions, for example.

6. Pass any necessary tests or exams. Some leagues may require you to pass a physical fitness test or a multiple-choice exam regarding the league's rules.

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