Like a judge keeping the courtroom fair or a playground monitor keeping the playground safe, the referee is there to ensure fun by ensuring fairness and safety. And "safe, fun and fair" doesn't just apply to our young players - it applies to the adults as well. As an AYSO referee, you are the best guarantee that the games are a kick not only for the teams, but for the coaches, the spectators and for you, too. Refereeing is all about fun for everyone!
Becoming a referee might seem intimidating but AYSO makes it easy. The AYSO National Referee Program (NRP) is the best referee training available in youth soccer, and it eases you into the role of referee through a step-by-step approach. Courses are broken down into short one- to two-hour modules that you can take over time or in a single weekend. Then, once you get a few games under your belt, you can keep taking more modules to increase both your knowledge of the rules and your confidence on the field. And because the focus is on the kids, referee training is more than memorizing the rules of soccer...you learn the spirit of the game from the inside out.
AYSO Referee Training at a Glance...
Your referee training starts with a one-hour Safe Haven Certification Course, which certifies you in child and volunteer protection issues. This is a required certification course for all AYSO volunteers and can be completed online. After that the certification process follows this model:
8U Official(minimum age 10)
Complete the 8U Official Course and pass the 8U Official Exam.
Assistant Referee(minimum age 12)
Complete the Assistant Referee Course and pass the Assistant Referee Exam.
Regional Referee *(minimum age 12)
Complete the Basic 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.
* In addition to the traditional full-day in-person course AYSO now offers an online primer Regional Referee course complemented by a 2-3 hour practical session with our referee administrator. This training enables prospective referees to learn the majority of material in the Regional Referee Course at their own pace using computer‐based instruction.
Advancement through the various levels is based on knowledge, proficiency and experience, and is aided by trained referee assessors, instructors and administrators.
Super Support...
As a referee you will provide essential support for the AYSO team of coaches, other referees and parents as the person in charge at game time. You will help make sure the games are a safe, fair and fun experience for the kids - that's why we need you! As an AYSO referee you provide support for your community, and more importantly, for the kids who play. AYSO not only helps kids gain physical agility and fitness, but also teaches them the values of cooperation, teamwork and fair play. As an AYSO referee, you can help foster those skills and instill those values. Your contribution to youth will pay dividends for years to come to you and to the players.
Certification and Protection...
AYSO's safe, fair and fun environment for players and volunteers is not just talk. We are actively accomplishing this through our accredited Safe Haven Child and Volunteer Protection Program. The Safe Haven program provides both child-specific and discipline-specific training and certification to make sure that both the players and the adult volunteers will be protected. AYSO also provides Soccer Accident Insurance (SAI), supplemental accident coverage, at no cost for all registered AYSO referees.
