Everyone trains in a different way and will have different training requirements, for example referees who are on Supply League football or above will be required to undertake annual fitness tests as well as maintaining a level of fitness in keeping with that level of football.
Referees wishing to be promoted to that level will also have to go through a similar process including a fitness test which comprises of the following:
- 2x 50m sprints completed in 7.5 seconds
- 12 minutes of continuous running completing a minimum of 2500m
If you would like more information on the full promotion criteria please click here
Whilst referees operating at grassroots are not required to undertake a test fitness is crucial to ensure you in the correct position to make accurate decisions in your game. Additionally as age catches up with us all a fit referee is less likely to be subject to those niggling injuries that can see us sitting on the sidelines for a few weeks.
For some fitness comes easy for others it is a bit of a chore but to be able to referee effectively at any level it is a necessity
Regardless of which level you operate at, be it the football league or a local youth league, there is one statement that is true for all
"Keep fit to referee not referee to keep fit"
No one training session will be suitable for all however the need to train effectively is a must and the FA have produced a very good fitness manual which can be downloaded by clicking on the link in the related documents section on the right of this page.
If you need specific information then please contact the RDO by clicking here