REFEREE ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY (RAP) 
U.S. Soccer has announced the implementation of Referee Abuse Prevention Policy 531-9, a significant step in safeguarding match officials across all levels of play. This policy, effective March 1, 2025, applies to both Youth and Amateur players, reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance on referee abuse.

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Key Provisions of Policy 531-9:

•  Zero Tolerance for Abuse: Any form of verbal, physical, or social media abuse toward referees will result in strict disciplinary action.
  
  
• Mandatory Reporting: Referees are required to report any incidents of abuse immediately to AYSO league or tournament officials.
  
  
• Standardized Penalties: Consistent disciplinary measures will be enforced for violations, including suspensions and potential bans.
  
  
•  Education & Awareness: Players, coaches, and spectators should receive training on respectful conduct towards referees.

What This Means for Players and Coaches

• Youth and Amateur players must adhere to stricter behavioral guidelines during matches.
  
  
• Coaches and team officials are responsible for fostering a culture of respect and ensuring their players understand the consequences of referee abuse.
  
  
• Spectators will also be held accountable for their conduct at matches.

Enforcement and Compliance

Leagues and clubs affiliated with U.S. Soccer, such as AYSO, must integrate this policy into their operations and ensure all participants are aware of its provisions. Reports of Referee Abuse should be documented and submitted to our AYSO 1463 Referee Administrator Mauro Guevara - [email protected].

Violations will be reviewed by AYSO disciplinary committees, and appropriate actions will be taken in accordance with the policy.

Commitment to Protecting Officials

Referees play a crucial role in the game, and AYSO and U.S. Soccer is committed to ensuring their safety and well-being. Policy 531-9 serves as a proactive measure to prevent abuse and promote a positive match environment for everyone involved.

For more details, visit U.S. Soccer’s Official Policy Page or contact our Referee Administrator.

Stay informed. Stay respectful. Protect the game.

Other resource links
USSF RAP Policy Main Page 
Penalty Overview Matrix

REFEREE REFRESHER MATERIALS
Date: September 5, 2024 
Lead: Mauro Guevara - Referee Administrator
Support: Al Prado - S1 Director of Referee Assessment / 1463 Director of Referee Instruction
Steve Diethelm (Director of Referee Assessment)

Hit each image below to open referee refresher related materials. 

REFEREE REFRESHER VIDEO PRESENATION


REFEREE REFRESHER PRESENTATION (14 Slides)


REFEREE COURSE CONDENSED (149 Slides)

3 | Section 1: Pre-Game Duties
19 | Section 2: How to Start the Game
29 | Section 3: Stopping the Game
42 | Section 4: Offside
54 | Section 5: Offenses/Fouls
70 | Section 6: Misconduct
78 | Section 7: Restarting the Game
105 | Section 8: Player Development Initiatives - Headers / Goalkeeper Punting / Build Out Line
129 | Section 9: Referee & AR Mechanics
145 | Section 10: Post-Game Duties

The AYSO National Board of Directors recently adopted a new clarification of the AYSO National Rules and Regulations regarding Hair Beads, Clips, and Adornments.  The following screenshots provide referees with guidance on the new clarification.  This clarification is effective immediately.

Fill out information on computer on one side/save it and print weekly. 
Print Page 1 - 1st, then put the same sheet back into the printer and print page 2. Once printed on both sides, cut in half - now you have 2 cards.

High-Level Guidelines for All Referees

Know the accepted mechanics, signals, and procedures for Referees and Assistant
Youtube is your friend. Here is a video on Referee signals from the Ken Aston Referee Society. 

Referee Signals

* Arrive to the field at Least 20 minutes prior to kick off

* Be professional and approachable yet confident and firm

* Be properly attired with only AYSO approved Referee uniform with socks pulled up & a wristwatch with chronograph capability (timer)

* Take charge but do not dictate

* Always start the game on time

The Referee and ARs should work as a team and never disagree publicly. This one's important for newer Referees. If you're an AR in the match and you'll feel strongly on a call, please do not disagree with the Center Referee at the time of the call. The Center Referee makes the final call at the end of day. Concerns can be brought up as a team during quarter breaks or at the end of a game. 

/// Use sunscreen & maintain hydration before, during half, and after the game

/// Inspect the Field – Goals must be anchored or the game cannot be played

/// Check in the players 10 minutes prior to kick off

/// Introduce yourself to the coaches, be respectful, courteous, and professional

/// Referee should have a pre-game conference with his Assistant Referees

/// Referees (Center) should help mentor new ARS.  Remember that you were a rookie at some point too!

/// Referees should be running, ARs should be running

/// Be decisive and control the game.  Even in 6U/8U.  Tell the players when their behavior is unacceptable.

Coaches should be positive, instructional, and encouraging ONLY.  Be proactive with coaches and let them know that Public, Persistent, Provocative, or Personal actions or words towards any officials will not be tolerated. Ask them to stop. Tell them to stop.

Head Coaches can be cautioned with a Yellow Card. If the Head Coach receives a two cautions or a send-off (Red Card), the Coach will be ejected from the game. In this scenario, the Assistant coach takes over (unless he or she is the one ejected). Contact the RRA for help with a report.

Ask the coach to control problem spectators/parents.  If he or she is unable or unwilling to control parents that are crossing the line, cautions or a send-off will be the end result. Contact the RRA to file a report

Learn from experienced Referees.  Mentoring and peer review is part of soccer officiating.  

Referee Report 
If an incident occurs, whether it's an injury or misconduct related, a referee will need to fill out a Referee Report and turn this report to the Referee Administrator for review. 

Referee Report Document

Volunteer Application
Every volunteer (coach, referee, board member, team parent, etc.) must submit a Volunteer Application each year through our Sports Connect portal.  The application is delivered to AYSO National Headquarters for an annual background check, which screens for volunteers’ suitability to work with our participants.  These background checks will be performed by a contracted 3rd party vendor, Sterling. Once the results of the background check are received by National and by Region 1463, the volunteer will be evaluated for the volunteer positions selected.  

Training Requirements
In addition to the annual Volunteer Application and Background Check, there are certain training requirements that must be completed by all volunteers. 

2) CDC Concussion Awareness
The Concussion Awareness training can be completed online through the AYSOU platform.  Once you have successfully completed the course, your certification record will be updated.

3) Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) 
The Sudden Cardiac Arrest training can be completed online through the AYSOU platform. Once you have successfully completed the course, your certification record will be updated. 

To access the online courses, please follow the below steps:

1. Login to your Sports Connect account from the Region 1463 home page by clicking the Login button
2. Click the Home tab (left)
3. Click the AYSOU tab and click Login (no password should be required)
4. Click Online Courses and choose your desired courses.

Here is a brief description of the requirements for each Referee Certification Level. Contact our Referee Administrator (RRA) for more details:

8U Official
(minimum age 10)
Complete the 8U Official Course and pass the 8U Official Exam.

Regional Referee
(minimum age 12)
Complete the Regional Referee Course and pass the Regional Referee Exam.

Intermediate Referee
(minimum age 14)
Complete 25 games as referee with at least five in 12U games, complete the Intermediate Referee Course, pass the Intermediate Referee Exam and be (observed) mentored in a 12U game.

Advanced Referee
(minimum age 16)
Complete 50 games as referee with at least 10 in 14U and five as an assistant referee (in 14U), complete the Advanced Referee Course, pass the Advanced Referee Exam, pass one assessment as referee and one as assistant referee in a 14U match. Pass the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.

National Referee
(minimum age 18)
Complete 100 games as referee with at least 30 in 16U and 19U games and 25 as Assistant Referee with at least 10 in 19U, complete the National Referee Course, pass the National Referee Exam, pass two assessments as referee in 16U or 19U matches and one as assistant referee in a 19U match, complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.