Clinics to train football, soccer officials

In an effort to help officials get started in football and soccer, the Minnesota State High School League will sponsor preseason training clinics at sites throughout Minnesota.

Registered officials from local associations will conduct classroom sessions, followed by on-field training at preseason scrimmages. Veteran officials will shadow less experienced officials in these live scrimmage situations.

Soccer clinics

Soccer clinics will be conducted Aug. 20 in Blaine, Duluth, Eden Prairie, and Rochester.

Clinics at Blaine's National Sports Center, Eden Prairie High School and Rochester Century High School will begin with classroom sessions at 7:45 a.m., followed by scrimmages at 9 o'clock.

The clinic at Duluth Public School Stadium will begin at 10:45 a.m., with the scrimmage following at noon.

There will also be a clinic at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School, St. Louis Park, 6 p.m. Aug. 23, also followed by a scrimmage.

Registration will begin 15 minutes prior to each clinic.

Football clinics

Football clinics will be at nine sites throughout the state Aug. 28. All clinic sites are at high schools and/or football practice fields.

Clinics at Detroit Lakes, Hermantown, Hopkins, Mahtomedi, Slayton's Murray County Central and Thief River Falls will start at 9 a.m., followed by 10 a.m. scrimmages.

Clinics at Byron and Sartell will begin at 8 a.m. The clinic at Mankato West will begin at 8:30 a.m. and scrimmages will follow one hour later.

Registration will begin 30 minutes before the clinics.

Clinics are free and pre-registration is not required. Officials should arrive dressed to officiate. Bring a whistle. Information about how to become a registered official and how to join local officials associations will also be provided.

For more information visit the MSHSL Web site at www.mshsl.org, or call the MSHSL office (763) 560-2262.