• Volunteer Points Related: Center Referee will earn 2 points per game. Assistant Referee will earn 1 volunteer point per game.

• 16U/19U Divisions Only: Only an Intermediate Referee or Above can serve as the center Referee 

• 16U/19U Divisions Only: To act as an Assistant Referee, you must have two seasons of Refereeing experience.

• Please try whenever possible to work with the Head Coach of your team(s) to sign up for games as a Ref Crew of 3 (Center + 2 AR), please avoid signing up for a single slot as this makes it more difficult for a team Ref Crew to sign up for a match

•  Until Thursday, please only sign up for 1 game to allow volunteers from other teams the chance to sign up and earn volunteer points (exception to this rule is if you have two children on different teams and you are part of 2 different Ref Crews)

•  Remember that you cannot referee games in the same division as your child's team (ie. your child plays on a 12U Boys team, you cannot referee another 12U Boys match).  Any exception to this rule must be approved by Ref Admin and RC for emergency coverage.

• Starting Thursday morning, the sheet will become "open sign up" and you may sign up as an individual or as a full Ref Crew for any open slots

• After Friday at 4:00 pm, PLEASE DO NOT go to the sheet and remove yourself from a match you have volunteered for.  In instances of late conflicts, illnesses, etc., please work to find your own coverage if possible AND email the three email addresses below so that we can make sure all the matches are covered.

2022/2023 UPDATES TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME
This year, the six changes are minor, and only two have any impact on AYSO games.


Hit this image to watch a short video updates to the Laws of the Game 2022/2023

Law 8 now states, “the referee tosses a coin”, a coin toss is conducted at the start of a match, and for extra time (if needed). The referee has always been responsible for the coin toss and now it explicitly states this. 

Law 14 now requires the defending goalkeeper, to have at least part of one foot touching in line with, or, behind the goal line at the taking of a penalty kick, or when the ball is kicked from the penalty mark. The IFAB believes there is no unfair benefit gained, with a foot positioned behind the goal line so it should not be punished.

The next three could apply to our program, but the events will be rare.

Law 10 added that a player, substitute, substituted player or team official (coach) may be cautioned or sent off during kicks from the penalty mark. 

Law 12 added, “If the referee stops play for an offense committed by a player, inside or outside the field of play, against an outside agent, play is restarted with a dropped ball unless an indirect free kick is awarded for leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission; the indirect free kick is taken from the point on the boundary line where the player left the field of play.” This is a finer point of the laws that we at the youth recreation level may never see.

Law 12 also added, “where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offense, the player is sent off wherever the offense occurs except a goalkeeper within their penalty area.” Goalkeepers are allowed to use their hands to play the ball within their own penalty area, and this was added to avoid misinterpretation of the laws.

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.