STAR Program
Special Team Assistant Referees
PURPOSE
The NCSL STAR Program provides trained certified assistant referees to U12, U13, and U14 matches when neutral assistant referees are not assigned.
STARs are expected to help others appreciate the difficult role of a referee in competitive youth soccer.
STARs are encouraged to officiate other games in NCSL, WAGS, their house leagues, or elsewhere to gain experience and additional insight into the art of soccer officiating. The NCSL strongly encourages STARs to serve as assistant referees for other NCSL and WAGS matches, especially those games that are immediately prior to or immediately following their match. However, if selected by their team to serve as a STAR, their primary duty on game day is to the team, not officiating other matches.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Each team must identify by the first game of the season at least three STARs who are willing to serve as assistant referees.
2. STARs must be certified referees in USSF Grades 12, 9, 8, or 7.
3. Minimum age for an NCSL STAR is 18 on the day the match is played, regardless of certification grade.
4. STARs must carry identification to prove age and identity if requested by the referee.
5. Coaches, assistant coaches, or trainers, listed on the roster of the participating teams may not serve as a STAR.
6. STARs may not serve as both TSL and STAR for the same match.
7. Team Managers are responsible for ensuring their STARs are listed in the Contacts Section of the NCSL website, including their USSF Referee Grade. For those referees with at least one season experience, their USSF ID number should also be included.
8. One individual may be listed as a STAR for no more than two (2) teams.
9. STARs who are Grade 8 or senior referees must not turn back previously accepted assigned league matches in order to perform their STAR responsibilities.
10. NCSL will pay the teams at the end of the season for the services provided by their STARs. The rate of pay will be the same as that for assigned assistant referees. No payment will be made for use of assistant referees who are not currently certified by USSF as they fail to meet NCSL requirements for STARs. Teams have discretion regarding whether to compensate their STARs.
TRAINING
1. The State Referee Programs of Maryland and DC/Virginia manage Training and Certification of assistant referees as required by USSF.
2. Assistant referees are initially certified in classes ranging from 8 to 18 hours depending on the level of certification sought by the individual referee. USSF Referee Grades 12, 9, and 8 are all acceptable entry classes for STARs.
3. All referees are required by USSF to recertify annually by attending a five-hour clinic and passing a USSF written exam. Grade 12 and Grade 9 STARs may complete a "Bridge to Grade 8" clinic in lieu of the recertification clinic.
4. For a list of available certification classes and recertification clinics, see:
5. STARs may attend classes and clinics in Maryland, Virginia, or DC, regardless of where they live.
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
1. STARs must be dressed with the USSF approved uniform consisting of black shorts (without stripes or logos), black socks with three white horizontal stripes, the current USSF approved gold jersey, and the current year USSF badge. An alternate color jersey (black, red, or blue) may be worn at the discretion of the center referee when one team is wearing gold or yellow jerseys. However, STARs are not required or expected to own an alternate color jersey.
2. Footwear suitable for running is required. Black footwear is highly encouraged to present a professional appearance.
3. A basic uniform is available for about $36 online from Official Sports Inc. and at several local retailers.
4. When at the field, including before and after the match, referees should present a professional appearance, including socks pulled up and shirts tucked in.
5. STARs may wear a hat. The hat should be a baseball cap type, and black, without any logo or seal except for that of USSF.
6. STARs must also have flags (provided by the center referee), a log for recording the score and other game events, pen or pencil, and watch.
GAME DAY PROCEDURES
1. Approach the referee and determine whether assistant referees have been assigned for the match. If two STARs are needed, each team may provide one STAR, should one be available from each team. If two STARs are needed and one team has none available, and one team has two available, the two available from one team will serve. If only one STAR is needed by the referee, and both teams have a STAR available, the STARs will decide among themselves who will serve. If they cannot come to a decision, the center referee will choose one STAR to serve the entire match. Two STARs may not share the duty of one position, whether from the same or opposing teams. If two positions are available and only one STAR is available, the one STAR may serve, and the center referee will determine whether or not to use another person for the second position.
2. STARs serve the entire match and will not be substituted except in severe extenuating circumstances, and only with the permission of the referee. In case a STAR fails to complete a match, the center referee has wide discretion on whether to replace the STAR with a certified referee, another person, or leave the position vacant.
3. STARs should meet with the referee at least 15 minutes before the scheduled game start, and from then until the end of the match should not participate with their team in warm-ups, training, administration, etc.
4. STARs serve as directed by the referee, who serves as directed by USSF, their state referee organization, and NCSL. During the pre-game meeting, the referee should instruct the assistant referees regarding field and equipment inspection, positioning, mechanics, and how in-and-out-of play, offside, fouls, etc. should be signaled. The referee has wide discretion utilizing assistant referees, including positioning the assistants, and directing the assistant referees whether or not to signal fouls.
5. Once the game begins, the STARs should not communicate with the players or spectators except in their capacity as a referee.
6. STARs must stay with the referee during halftime.
7. STARs should meet briefly with the referee after the match to discuss match events and ensure the game results (score, cautions and ejections, injuries, etc.) are properly recorded.
8. STARs must ensure the referee signs the orange team star cards so that their team receives payment for their services.
9. Teams are required to report STAR coverage when they submit their score reports to their division scorekeepers.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS
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| STAR Training - Howard County |
USSF Grade 12 - Assistant Referee commonly referred to as STAR (Special Team Ass't Referee) training and recert will be held in Howard County, Maryland in March 2010.
On Monday March 1, and Tuesday March 2, 2010 from 5:30pm to 9:30pm there will be a Licensing Course/Clinic for individuals who want or need to become a STAR - USSF Grade 12 Referee. Attendance both days is REQUIRED. Pre-Registration is also REQUIRED! See the NCSL Web site for details on how to register.
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USSF Grade 12 - Assistant Referee commonly referred to as STAR (Special Team Ass't Referee) training and recert will be held in Howard County, Maryland in March 2010.
There will be a One (1) Day Recert Clinic for those who were licensed STARs (USSF Grade 12) on Sunday March 21, 2010 at the Administrative Offices of the Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County located 4560 Centennial Lane in Ellicott City, Maryland. The clinic is expected to run from 9am to 5pm (subject to change).
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