Mentor Resources

Profile of the Referee Mentor

The Referee Mentor Profile is a job description for a licensed US Soccer referee mentor detailing the purpose and roles and responsibilities of the position. The focus of the Referee Mentor is on the development of Grassroots Referees.

Profile of the Referee Coach

The Referee Coach Profile is a job description for a licensed US Soccer referee coach detailing the purpose and roles and responsibilities of the position. The focus of the Referee Coach is on the development of match officials transitioning from Grassroots Referee to Regional Referee.

Profile of the Grassroots Referee

The Grassroots Referee Profile describes the roles and responsibilities of a Grassroots Referee before, during, and after a match. The Grassroots Referee officiates youth and adult games in small-sided 7v7, 9v9, and/or 11v11 competitions.

Profile of the Regional Referee

The Regional Referee Profile describes the roles and responsibilities of a Regional Referee before, during, and after a match. The Regional Referee officiates youth and adult games in 11v11 competitions working primarily with Grassroots and Regional Referees and may include National Referees.

FIFA Considerations

The detailed FIFA Considerations provide the referee with a standard match analysis system based on decision-making principles and match report writing. In line with the IFAB Laws of the Game, the guidelines list the factors to be considered when assessing a match incident.

PEACE Model

The PEACE Model is a simple template that referee mentors and coaches follow to engage referees during classroom instruction, when facilitating on-field exercises, and when evaluating referee crew performance.

Sequence for Presentation of Video Clips

The process to be used for facilitating discussion of a video match incident using the FIFA Considerations. The sequence is suitable for both analysis (a decision has been made) and instruction (a decision is to be made).

Referee Evaluation Manual

The Referee Evaluation Manual for Referee Coaches describes the General Performance (GP) parameters, Critical Match Incidents (CMIs), and Clear Refereeing Errors (CREs) to be considered when evaluating Regional Referees, Assistant Referees, and 4th Officials.

Practical Assignment Form

US Soccer’s Practical Assignment Form used by Mentors and Coaches to record completion of annual recertification requirements: Leading a Field Session, Leading a Video Analysis Session, and Evaluating the Performance of Match Officials. Completed forms are uploaded to the Learning Center.

Mentor / Coach Forms

  • The US Soccer Evaluation Form for Regional Referees, used for the upgrade and maintenance of regional officials, is designed to provide specific feedback to referee crews in 6 key areas: match control, interaction with participants, game management, teamwork, offside, and involvement & assistance. Using the information gathered, it will be possible to identify trends in performance, and then amend courses and produce specific training as needed. The form will also bring consistency in the approach to providing feedback.

    “How To” Video Guides (for PC and Mac) have been developed to assist in creating PDF files that can be sent individually to each match official. These can be found in the Learning Center under RESOURCES.

    IMPORTANT: All licensed Referee Coaches should e-Mail their completed game evaluations to RefEval@ussoccer.org.

  • The Referee Coach Evaluation & Feedback Form is a Google Form based on the Referee Evaluation Manual for Referee Coaches when evaluating Regional Referees. It is to be used when assessing the performance of MWPL, NPSL, USL2, and WPSL referee crews for the 2024 season.

  • The High School Soccer Official Mentor Form is a Google Form to be used when mentoring a high school soccer official during the Spring ‘24 Season.