Ask the Ref (Q&A Website ... answers are not reviewed or approved by USSF or AYSO)
For the Integrity of Soccer - the Art and Science of Refereeing - Blog by Bob Evans (former FIFA referee) discusses current issues in the soccer referee world.
You are the Ref! - Great site with fun questions - see how well you can answer these questions. New questions every week.
Whistle Stop - Whistle Stop is the National AYSO weekly newsletter for referees and referee related positions. Every other week, Whistle Stop will contain refereeing tips, interesting anecdotes from other referees, Q & As and other important information. You can also submit any questions or suggestions for articles.
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2009 USSF Referee Directives
The 2009 U.S. Soccer Referee Directives are now available online. The ten (10) Directives are provided to assist in the management of games at the highest levels and, hence, are of interest not only to match officials but coaches and administrators as well. The objective of the Directives is to provide a more unified and consistent approach in key areas of game management.
Click on the following link to view the directives: 2009 USSF Referee Directives
Jewelry, Earrings and Studs
Jewelry, including earrings of any kind, whether or not worn in any body piercing (visible to the referee), must be removed (taping or using a band aid is not acceptable) before a player is to be allowed to participate in a match. The same is true of any stud which is used in a body piercing when the jewelry is not being worn. This rule also applies to practices.
General Information
AYSO provides a great opportunity to give back to your community and it's children. AYSO needs volunteer referees every season to ensure that our kids have a rewarding experience playing soccer. If you have not already done so, please consider signing up today! No soccer knowledge is required. AYSO is nationally recognized as the #1 soccer referee training organization.
All of our officials at AYSO soccer games are volunteers from the community - people like you and me. True to the all-volunteer approach of AYSO, we do not use any paid referees.
We referee because:
- It helps ensure that our children learn and play soccer safely!
- It's not hard to learn how to referee and experience is not necessary!
- Training and mentoring are at hand to help you learn the rules easily.
- It is a great way to help kids learn ethics, values and sportsmanship.
- It's great for exercise and building self-esteem and self discipline!
- There is no better vantage point to be involved in the game!
- We have fun!
Youth (ages 12 and up) are encouraged to volunteer also. This is a great community service activity to earn high school service hours and list on college applications!
Volunteer Application Forms: All referees need to fill out a volunteer application every year. This is required in order to continue being a referee. To complete the volunteer application, visit eAYSO,print two copies, and bring them to the next registration or training session.
AYSO Referee Program
The referee program provides for multiple levels of referee training and certification. At each level the depth of understanding of the game is increased, matching the needs of the players as they become stronger, faster and more experienced.
The entry level positions are: U8 Official, Assistant Referee and Regional Referee. Knowledge of the game is not required prior to training at any of these levels.
Beyond the entry level positions Regional Referees can upgrade to Intermediate, then Advanced and finally National Referee certification levels. Each certification level is shown below.
U-8 OFFICIAL: Trained in the fundamental skills needed to officiate short-sided games for players under 8 years of age.
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Trained in basic skills needed to be an AYSO Assistant Referee.
REGIONAL REFEREE (U10): Trained in the basic skills needed to referee AYSO matches under AYSO (FIFA) Laws and AYSO National Rules and Regulations.
INTERMEDIATE REFEREE (U12): Trained in the skills needed beyond the basic level to referee soccer matches that are more physically demanding and challenging under the AYSO (FIFA) Laws and AYSO National Rules and Regulations.
ADVANCED REFEREE (U14): Trained in the advanced skills needed to referee most upper level AYSO soccer matches under the AYSO (FIFA) Laws and AYSO National Rules and Regulations.
NATIONAL REFEREE (U16-U19): Trained in the professional aspects of refereeing needed to referee the more challenging upper level matches under the AYSO (FIFA) Laws and AYSO National Rules & Regulations
The AYSO National Referee Program Manual is an easy to use source of additional information.
Link to view referee upgrade requirements
Link to referee upgrade application
We encourage all our referees to upgrade!
As a special incentive Regional referees upgrading to intermediate referee will recieve a Blue referee shirt.
Intermediate Referees upgrading to Advanced will receive a Black referee shirt.
Advanced referees upgrading to National will receive a Red or Green Shirt.
To get started or for more information please contact Dan Hannah, Referee Administrator at ref@cvayso.org or you can call (775) 265-1711.