FLORIDA STATE REFEREES, INC. INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM POLICIES

September 1997 (revised March 2003)

 

Table of Contents

1.     General Policies................................................................................................................................................ 1

a)     Definitions..................................................................................................................................................... 1

b)     Certification and Registration of students......................................................................................................... 2

c)     Course Evaluations........................................................................................................................................ 2

d)     Specialized or Advanced Referee Courses....................................................................................................... 2

e)     Entry–level or intermediate referee training courses........................................................................................... 2

2.     Course General Information................................................................................................................................. 2

a)     Duration........................................................................................................................................................ 2

b)     Course schedules.......................................................................................................................................... 2

c)     Minimum/maximum class size........................................................................................................................ 2

d)     Minimum Age of Participants.......................................................................................................................... 2

e)     Student attendance........................................................................................................................................ 3

3.     Instructor Assignment Policy.............................................................................................................................. 3

a)     Associate Instructor Grade 10......................................................................................................................... 3

b)     Associate Instructor Grade 9.......................................................................................................................... 3

c)     Referee Instructor Grade 8 or 7....................................................................................................................... 3

d)     State Instructor Grade 6 or 5........................................................................................................................... 3

e)     National Instructor or National Instructor Trainer Grade 4 or 3............................................................................. 3

4.     Fee and Reimbursement Structure...................................................................................................................... 3

a)     Course fees................................................................................................................................................... 3

b)     Instructor reimbursement................................................................................................................................ 3

c)     Reimbursement request forms........................................................................................................................ 3

5.     Course Administrative Responsibilities................................................................................................................. 3

a)     Posting of courses......................................................................................................................................... 3

b)     Course rosters............................................................................................................................................... 4

c)     Testing and test summary.............................................................................................................................. 4

d)     Course curriculum.......................................................................................................................................... 4

e)     Course Equipment......................................................................................................................................... 4

6.     Area Director of Instruction (ADI)......................................................................................................................... 4

a)     ADI selection and appointment........................................................................................................................ 4

b)     Duties........................................................................................................................................................... 4

7.     Registered Instructors........................................................................................................................................ 4

a)     Duties........................................................................................................................................................... 4

b)     Instructor assignments................................................................................................................................... 5

c)     Recertification of Instructors............................................................................................................................ 5

Table 1................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Attachment 1............................................................................................................................................................ 7

 

 

1.       General Policies

The information contained in this document is intended to supplement information contained on the Florida State Referees, Inc. (FSR) website www.fsr-inc.com.  This document and the FSR website must be used in combination to determine the complete FSR instruction program policy.

a)   Definitions

The following terms when used by the FSR instruction program will have the meaning indicated.

            Lead instructor – an instructor currently registered with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in grade 9 or higher who can be assigned to conduct a course by himself or herself.

            Associate instructor – an instructor currently registered with USSF in grade 9 or 10 or an instructor in grade 10 assigned to instruct during an entry – level referee course under the guidance of a more experienced lead instructor. The number of grade 10 instructor training assignments is left to the discretion of the Area Director of Instruction (ADI).

            Assistant instructor – an instructor currently registered with USSF in grade 9 or higher who is assigned to other than entry - level referee courses together with a lead instructor.

            Entry-level referee course – training courses leading to certification or recertification as a Grade 8, 9, or 12 official with USSF.

            Intermediate referee course – course required for advancement from grade 8 to grade 7 referee or a course offered by USSF for grade 7 or 8 referees.

            Advanced referee course – course required for advancement from grade 7 to grade 6 referee, a recertification course for grade 7, 6, and 5 referees, or courses offered by USSF as Advanced Referee Training or Professional Referee Training.

            Specialized courses – courses required to become certified or advance as an instructor, assessor, or assignor.

            Certification – a confirmation by the appropriate administrator that the requirements of USSF for referees, instructors, assessors, or assignors have been met successfully. USSF requirements must be recertified annually.

            Registration – the actions taken to record the affiliation of an individual with USSF.

b)   Certification and Registration of students

The State Referee Administrator (SRA) directs the certification and registration of referees with USSF. The State Director of Instruction (SDI), State Director of Assessments (SDA), or State Coordinator of Referee Assignors (SCRA) directs the certification and registration of instructors, assessors, or assignors respectively.

c)   Course Evaluations

Course evaluations can provide valuable feedback to the instructor.  A course feedback form will be available on the FSR website and is optional for student use. Feedback forms, if submitted, will be sent to the appropriate ADI.

d)   Specialized or Advanced Referee Courses

Specialized courses will be scheduled as needed.  For Assessor courses, the SDA will coordinate with the SDI to ensure USSF requirements are met regarding instructional staff.  For Assignor courses, the SCRA will administer the course and coordinate the instructional staff with the SDI. The SDI will be responsible for assigning instructors to all specialized or advanced referee courses.

e)   Entry–level or intermediate referee training courses

Entry-level referee training course instructor(s) and instructors for grade 8 to grade 7 upgrade courses will be assigned by the ADI.

2.       Course General Information

a)       Duration

See the FSR website for specifics.

b)       Course schedules

Courses must be scheduled to meet the minimum time periods specified by USSF. Any combination of days or times is acceptable provided the minimum time period is met. It is recommended that the Grade 8 (18 hour) course not be offered over a period of time greater than two weeks.

c)       Minimum/maximum class size

Entry - level referee courses are required to have a minimum of 10 students and a maximum of 30 students. Florida State Referees will conduct an entry – level referee course with between 10 and 15 students provided the course fees representing the required minimum number of 10 are received. The SRA or SDI can approve entry-level referee courses with less than ten participants in unusual circumstances (distance from other clubs/leagues; size of club/league; current load on instructional staff, etc.).  Entry-level recertification courses should be scheduled based on the referee population to be served and shall be of a practical number of students (10 – 50 is recommended). Advanced recertification courses will be limited to a maximum of 60 students. The required minimum number of students for specialized courses is 10 but the SDI may approve a lesser number.

d)       Minimum Age of Participants

The Federation has no minimum age for grade 9 Recreational referee courses and neither will FSR. FSR’s experience indicates that students who have attained age 13 have much greater success completing the Grade 08 (18 hour) referee course.

e)       Student attendance

Students are expected to attend the entire course.  In extreme circumstances, some class time may be missed.  The instructor should insure that the student has a grasp of the material presented in that missed session (homework, quiz, etc.).  In no instance may a student miss more than 25% of the grade 8 (18 hour) course.

3.   Instructor Assignment Policy

The following criteria are to be utilized for instructor assignments.

a)       Associate Instructor Grade 10

May be assigned to entry – level referee courses only under the guidance of a lead instructor until the ADI determines they have obtained sufficient experience to be assigned to courses alone.

 

b)       Associate Instructor Grade 9

May be assigned as a lead instructor to Recreational Youth Referee Grade 9 courses, Adult Linesman Grade 12 courses, or to Grade 8, 9, or 12 recertification courses.

 

c)       Referee Instructor Grade 8 or 7

May be assigned as a lead instructor to all referee training courses up through entry-level Grade 8 (18 hour) referee courses. May be assigned to intermediate referee, specialized or advanced referee courses as a lead or assistant instructor if they have successfully completed the USSF course Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP).

 

d)       State Instructor Grade 6 or 5

May be assigned as a lead instructor to all entry - level or intermediate referee training courses offered by FSR. May be assigned as lead instructor to advanced referee or specialized courses not requiring a National Instructor or National Instructor Trainer, or as assistant instructor on courses requiring National Instructor or National Instructor Trainer as a lead instructor.

 

e)       National Instructor or National Instructor Trainer Grade 4 or 3

May agree to accept assignments for any course offered by FSR.

 

4.       Fee and Reimbursement Structure

a)         Course fees

Course fees are shown on the FSR website. Unless approved in advance, payment is required for a minimum of 15 students per course.

b)         Instructor reimbursement

If two lead instructors are assigned to conduct a Grade 8 (18 hour) referee course, the applicable complete course reimbursement is divided between each lead instructor according to the percentage of class hours led.  Detailed rates are included in Table 1.

c)         Reimbursement request forms

Each instructor assigned to a course must submit a FSR reimbursement form to the SDI within 1 week after course completion.  The FSR reimbursement form must include the total amount requested, proper course number, the dates of class sessions, origin and destination of travel, number of round trips and the respective instructor reimbursement amount.  Receipts are required for any claimed expenses other than per diem or mileage.  Instructors may incur expenses up to $10 for referee course supplies such as handouts, small numbers of transparencies, or flip chart paper without prior approval unless they become habitual. The SDI reserves the right to withdraw this privilege at any time. Other referee course expenses require the approval of the SDI prior to the first class session. Receipts for expenses greater than 30 days old will not be accepted. Instructors may submit properly completed reimbursement requests electronically as E-mail attachments. Scanned copies of original receipts are acceptable.

5.       Course Administrative Responsibilities

a)   Posting of courses

All courses must be posted by the proper administrator to the FSR website.

b)   Course rosters

The FSR website provides an electronic course roster and one must be completed for each course.

c)   Testing and test summary

Each course administered by FSR requires testing on the Laws of the Game. Students failing to meet the minimum scores prescribed by USSF must wait for a retest per USSF policy. Upon completion of each Grade 8 (18 hour) referee course, the assigned instructor will collect all test answer sheets and ensure that a test summary form (Attachment 1) is completed. The test summary and all the answer sheets must be submitted with the instructor’s reimbursement request.

d)     Course curriculum

Each course sponsored by FSR will have a prescribed curriculum or agenda approved by the SDI. Suggestions for topics to be included in a particular course are welcomed from the SDA, SCRA, ARAs, ADIs, or ADAs. Once published there will be no deviation from the standard curriculum without the prior approval of the SDI.

e)     Course Equipment

FSR is in the process of acquiring computing and projection equipment to be used in training courses. The equipment, when acquired and distributed, will be in the custody of DRAs who must bring the equipment to each training course for use by the assigned instructor. Upon completion of the course, the instructor will return the equipment to the custody of the DRA.

 

6.       Area Director of Instruction (ADI)

a)   ADI selection and appointment

The SDI appoints all ADIs. Only USSF registered instructors who have completed ITIP are eligible for appointment as ADI.

b)   Duties

1.       Be responsible for the success of the FSR instruction program in their assigned area of the State.

2.       Identify a site and date for the annual recertification of instructors in their Area. This information is due to the SDI by January 31 each year.

3.       Assign instructors within two weeks after course posting in accordance with this policy.

4.       Distribute approved training materials to instructors in their Area.

5.       Communicate regularly with instructors residing in their Area.

6.       Make recommendations to the SDI regarding instructor attendance at intermediate or advanced instructor training courses.

7.       Make recommendations to the SDI annually in January regarding topics for intermediate or advanced referee training for the coming year.

8.       Coordinate adjustments to requested course dates to accommodate instructor availability.

9.       Identify and recruit viable candidates for Associate Instructor to meet shortfalls in Districts within their Area.

10.   Maintain a current listing of appropriate training sites for specialized courses in key cities within their Area.

7.       Registered Instructors

a)         Duties

1.                Present a professional appearance at all times. Coat and tie is never inappropriate. Normally, a polo shirt and slacks or warm up pants is appropriate when making presentations. Remember you are the first impression of FSR that potential referees obtain.

2.                Use only USSF or FSR approved materials.

3.                Keep the ADI advised regarding their availability to instruct on a monthly basis.

4.                Establish contact with the course host and appropriate FSR administrator prior to the beginning of a course to discuss the facilities, number of students and any other support required.

5.                Prepare the summary by question number of test questions missed by students in all Grade 8 (18 hour) referee-training courses using Attachment 1.

6.                Follow all FSR developed agendas for intermediate or advanced referee training courses.

7.                Assist students with special needs if notified in advance of the student’s request.

8.                Keep current on the Laws of the Game, Advice to Referees, USSF Position Papers, and periodic communications from either USSF or FSR related to instructional matters.

9.                Notify the ADI or SDI immediately if you must be excused from a previously accepted course assignment.

10.            Become familiar with the operation of computers and projectors capable of making PowerPoint presentations.

b)         Instructor assignments

All instructor assignments to FSR sponsored courses are made through the FSR website. Verbal assignments by an ADI or the SDI in emergency situations are permissible provided the FSR website is updated.

c)         Recertification of Instructors

The USSF establishes the criteria for the recertification of National Instructors/National Instructor Trainers. FSR establishes the requirements for the recertification of all other instructors registered through FSR. The criteria for recertification through FSR follow.

1.                All instructors must participate in a minimum of one FSR sponsored training course as an instructor annually.

2.                All instructors must attend a recertification clinic hosted by an ADI.

3.                All State Instructors, Grade 6 and 5, must additionally perform a minimum of one formal evaluation of another instructor annually as assigned by the SDI. The evaluation will be completed using the mapping forms from the IIE course module and will be submitted to the SDI upon completion of the evaluation. Mapping forms will be available on the FSR website.

4.                All Referee Instructors, Grade 8 and 7, must additionally prepare and submit a minimum of one lesson plan utilizing the ITIP format regularly. The lesson must be on a soccer related topic of their choosing and anticipate a 30 to 60 minute time for the lesson. Completed lesson plans will be submitted to the ADI at required recertification clinics.

5.                Only the SDI may grant waivers to these requirements.

Table 1

 

 

 

Attachment 1

Course #_________________    #Students Registered _______     # Students Passing________

Referee Examination Answer Sheet 2007 - 2008   Entry/Alternate Version               English/Spanish Version                                                                                     (Circle One)                   (Circle One)

 

 

Number	# Incorrectly Answered	Number	# Incorrectly Answered
1		51
2		52
3		53
4		54
5		55
6		56
7		57
8		58
9		59
10		60
11		61
12		62
13		63
14		64
15		65
16		66
17		67
18		68
19		69
20		70
21		71
22		72
23		73
24		74
25		75
26		76
27		77
28		78
29		79
30		80
31		81
32		82
33		83
34		84
35		85
36		86
37		87
38		88
39		89
40		90
41		91
42		92
43		93
44		94
45		95
46		96
47		97
48		98
49		99
50		100