Information on Referee Grades and Upgrading

As of January 1st, 2012, before an applicant may request ANY upgrade assessment, the following must have been completed during the same calendar year;

1. Written Theory Exam appropriate for the grade you are attempting

2. Fitness Test conducted by an approved instructor, held on an advertised date and location.

3. The applicant must confirm all grade requirements have been met with regard to:

a. Time in Grade

b. Acceptable number of approved Grade Eligible games.

* It is also advisable to have had at least 1 or 2 developmental assessments conducted to gauge your progress as you develop your skills.

Please refer to the USSF Referees Administrative Handbook.

Any further questions, please do not hesitate to email the SDA, or speak with your assignor.

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High School Points of Emphasis for 2012

To IHSAA and IGHSAU Referees:

The High School Points-of-Emphasis Presentation package is now available and in the hands of Instructors statewide. Ask to have the materials presented at your Referee Association Meetings prior to the start of the H.S. Season which begins the last week of March.

Iowa High School Soccer Coaches reported 3 principal areas of concern in their 2011 post-game reports. These concerns constitute the points-of-emphasis for this presentation:

(1) - Foul Recognition

(2) - Match Control

(3) - Professionalism & Fitness

Note: Even though the presentation deals specifically with the H.S. concerns, the material is applicable to other venues as well.

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"IA Soccer Referees" Facebook Group

In looking for additional ways to communicate with the Iowa Referee Community, we've created the Closed "IA Soccer Referees" Facebook Group. With the roughly 2000 soccer referees we have registered in Iowa, we ought to get 1000 Members in this Group. We’d like to use this space to communicate Federation points-of-emphasis, LOTG changes, USYS State Cup / Regionals observations, Iowa Referee Academy details, Youth Referees of the Year, USSF / AYSO Clinic opportunities, the AYSO Region Games, High School / College information, Tournaments, recognize referees' accomplishments, have general Q&A, and more.

Go to IA Soccer Referees and request to join.

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