About IREF
IREF was founded in 2016 with a mission to educate young referees beginning at the recreational soccer level, providing a more flexible, low-stakes environment for learning referees to grow skills and gain confidence before advancing into club soccer matches.
To date, IREF has trained 866 referees.
What We Do.
IREF courses provide participating referees with a thorough, practical knowledge of the basics of refereeing and match management. Our goal is to break down the core protocols and functions of an effective referee into simple practices that are easy for our referees to remember and implement on the field.
COURSE FOCUSES
GAME DAY PREP
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Uniform and necessary gear
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What to bring to the field
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Recommended fitness preparations
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Other game day preparations
MECHANICS
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Signals and non-verbal communication
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Whistle etiquette
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Field positions
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Game management
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Practical application and scenarios
MINDSET AND LAWS
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Mindset of an effective referee
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Mindset of coaches/administrators
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Mindset of players
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Mindset of parents/fans
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Fouls and recognition
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Laws of the game
and... THE SECRET SAUCE
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Specialized IREF Protocols: These communication and match management protocols, centering around upholding the accountability of players, coaches, spectators, and as a referee to the match, are unique to IREF. They have proven successful through years of applications and refinement.