Referee Info & FAQs

EPSA new or returning referees
Contact [email protected] for information about EPSA Fall 2024 season.

EPSA REFEREE MISSION
The EPSA referee mission is to maximize safe, fun and fair play at EPSA. The referee program is staffed primarily by youth and teens from the Eden Prairie community who are learning more about the game of soccer from another vantage point. With help from adult referees, volunteer coaches and support from all families, we can develop another dimension of youth sports engagement.

REFEREE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Learning all the skills required to be a referee takes time and practice which is why our referee development program will facilitate hands-on learning during the practice season and will continue to reinforce rules and mechanics on game days. We will focus on building fundamental referee skills in the following areas:

Building confidence during pre-game sessions to ensure games run more smoothly.

Understanding and executing game mechanics including managing a game clock, scorecards, water breaks, game setup, and restarts.

Mastering center referee hand signals and whistling that clearly communicates to players, coaches and spectators decisions made on the field.

Performing assistant referee (AR) flag signals including possession, offsides, goal and corner kicks, and fouls.

Communicating with language that youth players can clearly understand to help them continue to learn and ensure games keep moving along.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD I BECOME A REFEREE?
Being a soccer referee can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Not only do referees play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the game, but they also gain a variety of benefits from their involvement in the sport. Below are some of the top reasons to become a referee.

1. Get paid for doing something you love.

2. Develop leadership, decision-making, and communication skills: As a referee, you are responsible for making important decisions on the field and communicating effectively with players and coaches. This experience can help to develop your leadership, decision-making, and communication skills, which can be valuable in other areas of your life.

3. Connect with others: By becoming a referee, you will have the opportunity to connect with other referees, coaches, players, and fans. This can be a great way to make new friends and expand your social circle.

4. Stay active and healthy: Soccer referees are required to stay active and maintain a high level of fitness. By officiating games, referees are able to stay in shape and promote a healthy lifestyle.

5. Give back to the community: Referees play an important role in the community by helping to ensure that soccer games are played in a safe and fair manner. By becoming a referee, you will be able to give back to your community and make a positive impact on the sport.

6. Become a better player: Learning the game from a new vantage point gives you advantages as a player as you continue to develop your level of play.

HOW OLD DOES A REFEREE HAVE TO BE?
We prefer that referees are at least 12 years old (you must be at least 13 years old to be certified).

DO I NEED TO BE CERTIFIED TO BE A REFEREE?
No, you do not need to be certified, however we highly recommend it. EPSA will help to offset some the initial costs if you decide and will cover up to half of the costs.

HOW DO I BECOME CERTIFIED OR RECERTIFY?
Please review the details listed under the Minnesota SRC Certification page.

I’M NEW TO REFEREEING, WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
We highly recommend you go through the certification process which provides robust online, classroom, and in-person training.

If you do decide not to become certified or are under the age of 13, we have curated some training materials for new and returning referees. In addition, we plan to host in-person training sessions before the beginning of the season. Please review the Referee Training Resources page.

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