Expert: Thom Brooks - 1/2/2008

Question
What do you recommend to do to start training to be a Football Referee in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area.  Any schools, camps, contacts would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Kevin, Happy New Year!

You need to contact the following:

Los Angeles Football Officials' Association
Ron Robinson, (323) 295-1724


and :

Welcome to CIF Los Angeles - CIFLA.org

They will get you directed to the exact people that will discuss the requirements to be an Official in your area.

The state training probably starts around July each year.  You will take a couple of exams and get the training to prepare to be a quality Official.  They have weekly meetings and will advise the dates of camps for qualification.

I just finished my third year of Officiating and it is truly amazing.  You can be a player.  You can be a fan.  But, the Official is playing a different game on the field.  It's watching the Art of Officiating, how they keep the play boxed in.  How they learn the rules better than Coaches.  How to communicate to the fans, to the players, to the schools, to the Coaches.  It's great stuff, so hurry up and get on board!

Take care,

Thom Brooks
Savannah, Georgia