8 things football officials must do to rise through the refereeing ranks
Many umpires, especially younger officials, start umpiring football and want to one day make it to a power 5 college conference or the NFL to umpire. However, when they’re starting out, they’ll most likely be refereeing football or high school and have many years and promotions until they get a chance to be on a big stage like that. Here are 8 things soccer officials can do to help climb the officiating ranks.
1. Prepare well for everything.
If you want promotion, you need to show your fellow officers that you care about what you’re doing. If other staff see the work you’re doing, they’re more likely to speak highly of you to supervisors, opening new doors for you.
2. Perform well.
This should be obvious, but officials must do their job well. All football officials will make mistakes, but try to make sure you’re taking the easy calls. Missing a judgment call is one thing, but missing a simple call is harder for supervisors to look past to see its positives.
3. Meet others and network.
Networking is not just for the business world! If you are a soccer official looking to move up, the more people who know you and think well of you, the better. Many officers who have been officiating longer may have relationships with supervisors where they will recommend you for promotion.
4. Contact supervisors.
If you ever want to move up to a higher level of refereeing, the supervisors are the ones who will give you that opportunity. Be sure to introduce yourself and try to get to know you.
5. Go to clinics.
Clinics are not only great places to learn new skills that will help you become a better referee, they are also prime places to network. Use these clinics as places to showcase your skills and introduce yourself to supervisors.
6. Practice and improve.
Hear what other officials are telling you and what you’re learning at the clinics. This is how it improves. After assimilating that new knowledge, practice it. Then it will be a natural thing for you on the pitch.
7. Take every opportunity you can.
Sometimes you may be offered to work on a game at a higher level, even on the day of the game itself. Take that opportunity, accept it and act well. This will impress teammates and supervisors by letting them know you’re ready for that level of soccer.
8. Keep track of what you do.
Keep a list of the games you officiate. Sometimes supervisors want to see what you’ve officiated and it’s easier to give them a list. It also shows that you were prepared for this and that you want to move up.