How to Become a Flag Football Referee in Central Florida: Step-by-Step Guide

Becoming a flag football referee in Central Florida is a fantastic way to stay involved in the sport, earn competitive pay, and develop leadership skills. Whether you’re looking to officiate youth leagues, high school games, or competitive tournaments, the process to get started is straightforward.

If you’re ready to begin your officiating journey, Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO) provides training, certification support, and game assignments.

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Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

Before starting the certification process, ensure you meet the following criteria:

• Minimum Age: 16 years old (some youth leagues may allow younger referees for lower-age divisions).
• Physical Fitness: Ability to move quickly and maintain focus throughout the game.
• Basic Knowledge of Flag Football Rules: While not required, understanding the game will be beneficial during training.
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Step 2: Register with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)

To officiate flag football games in Central Florida, referees must become certified through the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), which governs officiating for high school and competitive leagues.

How to Register:

1. Visit the FHSAA website and complete the online registration process.
2. Select Flag Football as Your Sport when choosing officiating categories.
3. Pay the Registration Fee, which varies depending on the level of certification.

Once registered, you’ll gain access to training materials and officiating resources.

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Step 3: Complete Officiating Training

New referees must complete training that includes:

• Online Rules & Mechanics Course: Covers NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) flag football rules.
• On-Field Training Clinics: Hands-on instruction covering positioning, signaling, and mechanics.
• Game Management & Communication Training: Helps referees learn how to interact with players and coaches while maintaining control of the game.

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Step 4: Pass the Certification Exam

To become fully certified, referees must pass:

✅ Rules Exam: Tests knowledge of flag football rules, penalties, and officiating procedures.
✅ Mechanics Exam: Evaluates positioning, signals, and real-time decision-making.

Once you pass these exams, you’ll be officially certified and eligible to officiate games.

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Step 5: Get Your Referee Gear

Before stepping onto the field, you’ll need to purchase:

• Official referee uniform (black-and-white striped shirt, black pants or shorts)
• Whistle with lanyard
• Black athletic shoes
• Penalty flag and stopwatch
• Down indicator wristband

Proper gear ensures professionalism and consistency in officiating.

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Step 6: Get Assigned to Games in Central Florida

After becoming certified, it’s time to start officiating. Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO) helps new referees get assigned to games at all levels.

To get started:

• Connect with Primary Coverage Officiating for game assignments.
• Register for youth, high school, and club leagues to gain experience.
• Attend ongoing training and development opportunities.

With numerous leagues and tournaments available, referees can quickly gain experience and start earning.

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Step 7: Gain Experience & Advance to Higher Levels

As you gain more experience, you can move up to officiate higher-level flag football games, including:

• High school varsity matches
• College flag football (NAIA, NCAA)
• Club, semi-professional, and professional leagues

With continued training and commitment, referees can progress to more competitive and higher-paying games.

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Why Become a Flag Football Referee in Central Florida?

✅ Earn competitive pay while officiating flag football games
✅ Flexible scheduling with evening and weekend matches
✅ Stay active and connected to Central Florida’s football community
✅ Develop leadership, decision-making, and communication skills

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Ready to Start Officiating?

Becoming a flag football referee in Central Florida is a great way to earn money, stay involved in the sport, and build valuable experience. If you're ready to take the next step, Primary Coverage Officiating (PCO) is here to help with training, certification, and game assignments.

Contact Primary Coverage Officiating today to begin your journey as a flag football referee!