How to Arrange for an Observation or Assessment

1️⃣ Schedule Your Match & Request an Assessment (or Observation) 

Set up your match and submit your observation/assessment request at least 2-3 weeks in advance to stay ahead of the game.

2️⃣ Submit Your Request to the ADRA via the Request Submit Button below

All assessment requests must be sent to the Area Director of Referee Assessment (ADRA) who will coordinate the process.

3️⃣ ADRA Assigns Your Assessor 

Assessments: Your ADRA will select and assign an assessor to evaluate your performance.
Observations: you can request an assessor using this form. Or your region can elect to assign a Mentor/advisor assigned by your Regional Referee Admin or Director of Referee Assessment.
 

4️⃣ Assessor Approval Required

The assigned assessor must be approved by the ADRA before your assessment can proceed.

5️⃣ Organize Your Referee Team

Make sure you have a strong referee crew to support you on game day.

6️⃣ Keep Your Schedule Open

Avoid planning any activities right before or after your match—this gives you time to prepare and debrief properly.

7️⃣ Expect Contact from Your Assessor

Your assessor will reach out with additional details, so be ready to communicate and ask any questions.

8️⃣ Arrive Early & Ready to Go!

You and your referee team should be at the field at least 30 minutes before kickoff—this sets the tone for a well-organized match.

Observations & Assessments: Your Path to Growth!

Observations and assessments aren’t just steps toward a badge upgrade—they’re fantastic opportunities to receive valuable feedback and continue improving as a referee! While they are required for formal advancement, they can also be done informally to help you gain structured insights and refine your skills.

• Observations are required to upgrade from a Regional Referee (10U) to an Intermediate Referee (12U)

• Assessments help referees advance from Intermediate (12U) to Advanced (14U) to National (16U & 19U).

Every step forward is a chance to grow, learn, and become an even stronger referee—so embrace the process, stay confident, and enjoy the journey!

Get Ready for Your Intermediate Referee Observation!

Your Intermediate Referee Observation is designed to be a positive and rewarding experience! This is an opportunity to showcase your skills in a real game setting while receiving valuable feedback to help you grow as an official. The Observation process is meant to be informal, supportive, and focused on development, ensuring you walk away with confidence and new insights.

Once you’ve completed your game and received a debriefing, you’ll have successfully met the Observation requirement for your Intermediate Referee upgrade. Observations can also be used outside of the upgrade process as a great learning tool to sharpen your abilities on the field.

How to Meet the Observation Requirement

To complete the Intermediate Referee Observation, you'll need to: 

✅ Officiate a regular season AYSO 12U match

✅ Receive a debriefing from an AYSO Assessor, National Assessor, or a Mentor/Advisor assigned by your Regional Referee Administrator (RRA) or Regional Director of Referee Assessment (RDRA).

Be Prepared for Success!

Preparation is key to making the most of your Observation experience!
The resources below will help guide you through the process and ensure you're set up for success:

✅ National Referee Program Manual 
This outlines the standards for an Intermediate Referee Observation (see page 36) and includes guidance for Assessors and Mentors/Advisors (see page 47).

✅ Referee Observation Worksheet 
Your Assessor or Mentor may use this to identify strengths and areas for improvement to help you continue growing as a referee.

Ask Questions, Stay Confident!

Got questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to your Assessor or Mentor before your match to clarify anything you need. Taking the initiative to prepare shows your commitment to growth and excellence!

Get ready to step onto the field with confidence, enthusiasm, and a learning mindset—this is your chance to shine and take your referee skills to the next level!

Get Ready for Your Advanced or National Referee Assessment!

Your Referee Assessment is designed to be a positive and rewarding experience—a chance to demonstrate your skills, receive valuable feedback, and take your officiating to the next level! Assessments provide insightful guidance on both your strengths and areas for growth, helping you refine your abilities and boost your confidence on the field.

Set Yourself Up for Success!

Preparation is key! The resources below contain everything you need to understand the standards and expectations for your assessment. Even if you’ve reviewed them before, taking another look will ensure you're fully prepared to make the most of this experience.

✅ National Referee Program Manual
Outlines the standards for assessing Advanced Referees (page 38), National Referees (page 41), and National Assistant Referees (page 44).

✅ Referee Assessment Checklists 
Used by your Assessor to evaluate key skills and pinpoint areas for improvement. (Separate checklists exist for Referees and Assistant Referees.)

✅ "Preparing for Assessments" Guide 
A summary of the entire assessment process, packed with helpful tips to ensure a smooth and positive experience.

✅ Ken Aston Camp Notes – "Preparation for National Assessment" 
Offers real-world advice from experienced referees, including key insights and common pitfalls to avoid.

Ask Questions & Stay Confident!

Your Assessor is rooting for you to succeed, so don’t hesitate to reach out before your match with any questions. A little extra clarity can make a big difference in your preparation!

Who Conducts Your Assessment?

• Advanced Referee Assessments must be done by Referee Assessors or National Referee Assessors from outside your Region but within your Area (for us, Area 1R).

• National Referee Assessments must be conducted by National Referee Assessors from outside your Region and Area.

• Your Area Director of Referee Assessment will help connect you with the right Assessor and Assessment opportunity.

Physical Fitness Test Requirement

A key part of the Advanced and National Referee upgrade is completing a physical fitness test. This may be part of your classroom training or scheduled separately before or after your Assessments.

Be sure to review the criteria so you're prepared!

Crush Your Assessment with These Pro Tips!

Want to ace your referee assessment and step up your game?
Here are the key things you can do to make the process smoother, easier, and more successful!

✅ Start Strong with a Solid Pre-Game Discussion
A great match starts before kickoff! Clear communication with your referee team helps avoid confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page. While a poor pre-game might not fail you at the Advanced level, it can cause avoidable mistakes in the match. At the National level, a weak pre-game WILL cost you—so be prepared!

✅ Stay Close to the Action
Positioning is everything! Stay within 10-15 yards of play so you can see fouls, maintain credibility, and ensure player safety. If you're too far away, you risk missing key moments and losing control of the game.

✅ Master Foul Recognition & Match Flow
Find the perfect balance between enforcing the laws and letting the game flow. Keep players safe, ensure fairness, and most importantly—let them play!

✅ Show Teamwork & Strong Communication
Eye contact, acknowledging signals, and working seamlessly with your ARs makes a huge difference. A well-connected referee team keeps the match running smoothly and earns respect from players and coaches.

✅ Use Clear Signals, a Sharp Whistle & Your Voice
Confidence matters! Strong, decisive signals and a commanding whistle show that you're in control. If your communication is weak, you risk losing credibility with players, coaches, and spectators.

✅ Assistant Referees: Stay in Position & Hustle!
As an AR, staying even with the second-to-last defender (or the ball if it passes the defender) is crucial. We have high standards in Area R, and missing an offside call—especially on a goal—can lead to major match control issues. Stay sharp and hustle down that line!

✅ Know the Laws & Restarts Inside Out
Confidence comes from knowledge. Know your laws and restarts so you can stay in control and avoid costly mistakes. Errors here can make an otherwise great match spiral out of control—so study up!

Own Your Assessment & Bring Your Best!

Preparation, awareness, and confidence will set you up for success. Take charge, stay sharp, and show what you’ve got! You’ve put in the work—now go out there and make it happen!