So You Want to be an AYSO Referee?
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. Next, the Basic Referee Course will train you in all aspects of both simplified rules (for U8 games) as well as regulation matches for U10+. AYSO now offers the majority of the Basic Referee Course online as an attractive alternative to taking the complete Basic Referee Course in-person. This training enables prospective referees to learn the majority of material in the Basic Referee Course at their own pace using computer‐based instruction.
If you want to move beyond the Basic Referee level you can go through progressively more comprehensive training in the Intermediate and Advanced Referee Courses. Both of these courses cover about seven hours of training and can be taken in one to two-hour modules. If you still want more the AYSO National Referee Course teaches the more professional aspects of officiating needed for upper level play.
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.