How to Become a Football Referee in Texas

Football referees get the opportunity to attend football games, learn the nuances of the sport and develop a professional relationship with coaches and athletes. Though you will start by officiating games at the junior-high level, you can eventually become a college or professional football official. Football officials sometimes receive unfair criticisms for calls they make on the field, from both coaches and athletes, and must handle the pressure with self-restraint.

Things You'll Need

  • All-black cleats
  • Official's uniform
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Instructions

    • 1

      Join the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO). The TASO has locations in Austin, Tyler, and Houston. In addition to the training sessions, the association conducts rules clinics throughout the year.

    • 2

      Schedule a training class with the Texas Association of Sports Officials. In 2010, the Austin chapter requires a $70 fee and training began on July 12. The class will meet once a week for several months. The training sessions will review the rules at the high school, college and professional levels, as well as professional expectations for referees.

    • 3

      Attend all training assignments. The association will schedule you to officiate junior high and youth football games, so that you can learn how to make field calls and process information quickly. The assignments will be on Thursday and Friday evenings and throughout the weekend. You will be paid for officiating these games.

    • 4

      Officiate high school games, once the association assigns you to do so. You will be rewarded with these assignments, based on your exam scores, points from officiating games and attendance at clinics. Your on-field performance will also be evaluated by other, more experienced officials.