Becoming a Referee

Referees are as critical to soccer as players and coaches. In AYSO, the game can’t be played if there aren’t enough referees. It’s most common for a volunteer to begin their AYSO referee career by refereeing their own child’s game. However, as they learn the rules, develop their own techniques for managing players, coaches and fans, and gain an appreciation for how important the role of the referee is to a fun, fair and safe soccer experience, they often find it very rewarding to expand their knowledge and experience through AYSO’s advanced training and certification process. AYSO’s referee training is considered some of the best in the U.S. and includes both in-person courses in your community and online opportunities. Soccer knowledge is a plus, but is certainly not required. The AYSO referee training will give you all you need to know to have a terrific experience on the field.

- If you have any questions, please email your Region's Referee Administrator by clicking HERE!

Job Description

The AYSO volunteer position of referee is intended to manage soccer matches played between teams of youth players in the age groups from U-5 to U-19 according to the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, the FIFA Laws of the Game and the training curriculum as specified in the AYSO National Referee Program. The referee is expected to cooperate with coaches and other officials to develop a positive self- image in the players and to provide a good role model for all AYSO participants

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The referee is expected to:

Support the AYSO National Referee Program in both specifics and spirit;
Attend regional referee meetings before and during the season as required;
Attend specific referee training courses to develop refereeing skills;
Attend referee refresher courses (continuing education training) as necessary to maintain AYSO rules, the FIFA Law knowledge, and to become familiar with changes;
Officiate matches to which he/she is assigned according to the AYSO rules, the FIFA Laws and prevailing guidelines;
Keep a record of each match he/she officiates and make special reports as necessary;
Support the AYSO philosophies;
Support the regional commissioner and staff;
Cooperate with the regional referee administrator and referee staff on issues pertaining to refereeing;
Present a healthy environment and model by refraining from consuming alcoholic beverages or using tobacco products in the immediate vicinity of the soccer fields; and
Carry out any other refereeing tasks as necessary.

Qualifications and Desired Skills

To be considered for the position of referee, the applicant must:

Successfully pass a screening, including a background check;
Annually submit a Volunteer Application Form and be approved as a volunteer in an AYSO region;
Complete AYSO referee certification.
Complete AYSO Safe Haven Referee Certification.
Be reliable;
Have an interest in helping children;
Have good character;
Be interested in promoting the benefits of youth sports, especially soccer; and
Be physically capable.

Full AYSO description » Click Here

Begin Referee Steps

Steps to Becoming a Referee

Step 1 – Register as an AYSO Volunteer

All referees must register as volunteers annually. Youth volunteers (ages 10-17) will need a parent or guardian to complete the on-line volunteer process for them. Register on-line as a Volunteer with AYSO at http://ayso56.org -- HERE!

Step 2 – Complete Safe Haven and Concussion Awareness

All new referees must complete:

AYSO's Safe Haven (Course MT02)
Concussion Awareness (AYSO CDC Concussion Awareness)
Link for the two courses: AYSOU.org

Step 3 – Attend a Basic Referee Course

All New Referee’s complete the Basic Referee Course requirement to earn a badge. Classes listed on next pages & additional classes on www.AYSOU.org.

Two ways to complete Basic Referee Training:

1) Take an 8 hour classroom course called “Basic Referee.” Pre-register for this classroom course & Pass the test

OR

2) Take both the Basic Referee online course and attend “Basic Referee Online Companion Course” in a classroom & Pass the test. Find these classroom courses at AYSOU.org. (PRIOR TO TAKING THIS COURSE THIS OPTION, YOU MUST COMPLETE AYSO SAFE HAVEN & CONCUSSION AWARENESS TRAINING AND BASIC REFEREE ONLINE TRAINING AT www.AYSOU.org BRING THE COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATES WITH YOU AS PROOF. ALSO BRING A PEN OR PENCIL AND A NOTE PAD TO WRITE ON. THE EXAMINATION WILL BE HELD AT THE END OF CLASS)

You must pre-register for each classroom course at AYSOU.org

Pay attention to the contents of Basic Referee Online Training. There is a written exam that you need to pass in the Companion Course.

Step 4 – Field Mentoring

All New Referees must be mentored by one of Area 11K’s approved mentors or attend another Region’s mentoring event with experienced referee mentors. Region 41 Referee Uniform Distribution

Once the volunteer has completed all steps above a Referee Uniform will be distributed.

REFEREE APPRECIATION PROGRAM

Referee Appreciation Program

For all referees…

1. Mid-season and end of season referee community get-together with food

2. One free snack at the snack bar each Saturday you referee (snack bars are at Hawes and Peterson)

3. For U10 and older teams where their referees sign up for 46 points in Matchtrak prior to September 10 (23 in first half of season, 23 in second half) or for U7/U8 teams where their referees sign up for five home games in Matchtrak prior to September 10 (for U7/U8), team is entered into a raffle for each player to win an AYSO sweatshirt from the Teamstore

4. Any referee who centers five or more games, receive a $50 gift card as a thank you.

5. Gift card raffle mid-season and end-of-season: Earn 1 raffle entry for each U7/U8 games officiated, earn 2 for U10 games, earn 4 for U12 games, earn 6 for U14 and older games

For new referees…

6. Any referee who did not ref in the Fall 2023 season, receive a $25 gift card after centering or ARing four games as a thank you

For referees with less Center experience (U10 and older only) …

7. Any referee who centered zero, one or two games in the prior Fall season, receive a $50 gift card after centering four games this season as a thank you

Referee Support…

8. Be able to request a mentor through Matchtrak for formal mentor help while you referee a game. They will stand near you while you center or AR a game

9. We will send a list of experienced referees closer to the start of the season who are willing to referee games with you. This may help some of you to AR older games, knowing a center referee is there to support you.

10. We will be using an app for referee conversations, announcements and questions. This will keep the AYSO Region 56 referee community always at your fingertips. Details to be announced soon.

11. Additional Regional referee training sessions before and during the first month of the season. This will include a special Regional referee training session for Youth Referees only (age 12-18).