Many players, parents, and fans complain about the refs, but few actually take to time to discover what it takes to be a ref.  For those that are interested, here are some resources that can help you take the first step to becoming a ref.

Intro Course Links

Here are some links that are useful to those who are in the US Soccer Referee Grade 8 Entry Course, and studying for the grade 8 referee test.

• USSF Laws of the Game
• USSF Guide to Procedures
• USSF Advice to Referees
• FIFA Interactive Guide to Offside
• USSF 7 Cautions + 7 Send Offs
• USSF Grade 8 Course Review Quiz
• USSF Introduction for New Referees

Scoring Sheet

The sheet is pretty basic. Fill in as much as you can before the coin toss. Once that is done, mark which team has the kickoff in the first half. Then what I do is always face the field from the benches, and circle which direction the kick is going.