Referees
Information For Referees
Keeping The Game Safe, Fun, And Fair
Our kids can’t have a quality soccer match experience without referees. If you love watching your son or daughter play soccer, refereeing is a front row seat!
The referee’s No. 1 concern is to keep the game as safe as possible for the players. While there is risk in all sports, the referee is responsible for minimizing such risks from field conditions, equipment, spectators, and the players.
The Referee is responsible for enforcing the Laws of the Game in such a way as to keep the game Safe, Fair & Fun. The referee is expected to interfere with the game as little as possible, avoiding making calls for doubtful and trifling offenses.
Refereeing in AYSO is a challenging and rewarding volunteer experience. Here is an opportunity for you to join the kids on the pitch as they learn to love the “Beautiful Game”. You’ll have a great time and get some exercise too!
Steps to Becoming an AYSO 300 Referee Volunteer:
Step 1: Register as an AYSO Referee volunteer.
- Login as YOU to your Family Profile.
- If you don’t have your own user login, have your spouse login and under “Volunteers” select the “Add New User” button.
- Select the “Volunteer Now” button or “Review Volunteer Preferences” button next to YOUR name.
- Check the Referee box and the division box of the child you wish to referee for.
- Select the green “Submit Volunteer Preferences” button at the bottom of the page.
- Complete the following pages, forms, and boxes to complete your Referee Volunteer Registration.
- As an adult referee volunteer, you will be required to complete AYSO’s background check application and process.
- Email volunteer@ayso300.org with any questions or issues or trouble-shooting needs.
Step 2: Get trained! Option 1: Complete AYSO Referee Training OR Option 2: Complete U.S. Soccer’s First-Time Referee License training.
Training Option 1: Complete AYSO Referee Training/Certification
- Volunteer Referees should login at the Team Website (ayso300team.org) using their volunteer login and password (not a spouse’s login)
- Look in the bottom left corner of the screen under “My Certifications” and select the “AYSOU” link, OR select the graduation cap icon in the top right corner of the screen to go to the eTrainU/AYSOU landing page.
- Select the “Login to eTrainU” button
- On the Terms & Conditions page, check the “I accept…” box then select the Submit button.
- Select in the left bar where it says “Training Library”.
- Under “Refereeing” select “View Courses”.
- To prepare for U5-U8 matches, complete the online “8U Official Course” and then look for dates to complete the in-person companion course.
- To prepare for U9 and older matches or if you’re a Youth Referee, complete the online “Regional Referee – Online + In-Person Companion Course” and then look for dates to complete the in-person companion course.
- For a list of scheduled in-person AYSO Regional Referee courses, please go to our Training Page
Training Option 2: Complete U.S. Soccer's First-Time Referee License training.
- Those who are 13 or older who want to get paid to officiate non-AYSO matches will need to complete U.S. Soccer’s First-Time Referee License training. To enroll for a licensing course go here.
- The U.S. Soccer First-Time Referee License fulfills requirements to also officiate AYSO matches. Note: While AYSO Referee training is free, there is a cost for U.S. Soccer’s referee license training.
- Email a USSF/AYSO Cross-Certification form signed by USSF State Referee Administrator to ref@ayso300.org as proof of completion.
- Here’s a link with additional information about the U.S. Soccer Licensing Course or feel free to email ref@ayso300.org or youthref@ayso300.org
Step 3: Get your gear!
AYSO 300 will provide all Volunteer Referees with a FREE referee shirt, shorts, and socks + whistle/lanyard + AR flags (if you are a Youth Referee or working U9+ matches). To coordinate a pickup of gear, please email ref@ayso300.org or youthref@ayso300.org
Step 4: Schedule and work games!
Self-schedule yourself for any open AYSO 300 games by logging in at our Referee Scheduleronce the schedule is available.
If earning the U.S. Soccer First-Time Referee license, email youthref@ayso300.org for a helpful tip sheet on getting started working non-AYSO matches.
Ref Reminders – Pre-season
Learn what in-person and online referee training is required.
Have you completed online and in-person referee training?
Review our Training Page to learn how to access and sign-up for both online and in-person referee training. Online training is accessed by logging in to eTrainU/AYSO-U platform.
IF you’re refereeing in U7-U10, are you familiar with the Build-Out Line and rules?
IF you’re refereeing in U9 and above, are you familiar with the offside rules?
Here is a helpful video explainer demonstrating the offside rule. You can read the Offside rules- Law 11- in the Laws of the Game.
Have you reviewed the Division Guidelines for the division(s) you are refereeing in?
Do you have your referee gear and uniform?
Attend an in-person training session or contact ref@ayso300.org or youthref@ayso300.org
To receive uniform and equipment, volunteers must complete required training.
Ref Reminders – During the Season
Have you self-scheduled yourself for your child’s game(s)?
Please help us ensure that as many matches are covered by referees by self-scheduling yourself for future games by logging in at our Team Website
All Referee Volunteers Must Complete:
For Youth Referee requirements, please visit our Youth Referee page.
Volunteer Registration
You must be registered as a parent/user in your Family Profile. If the volunteer is not yet in the Family Profile as a volunteer, the parent who is registered in the Family Profile will need to select “Add New User” to add them to the profile.
Volunteer Preferences
Once the volunteer is listed in the Family Profile, their Volunteer Preferences must be updated with the correct boxes checked.
Volunteer Membership and Background Check
All referee volunteers must annually complete AYSO’s volunteer membership and background check process. Start the process by selecting the Begin Background Check or Renew links near the volunteer’s name in their Family Profile.
AYSO-U Online Training
AYSO-U (aka eTrainU) is AYSO’s Learning Management System. After completing the background check application, only then will volunteers be able to access AYSO-U to complete required and useful online training. This online training is a companion to in-person training sessions.
Online and In-Person Training Requirements:
All adult referee volunteers are required to complete once (not once a year) the online courses listed below and available at eTrainU.
In our Team Website, your Dashboard will show you what requirements you still need to complete. Be sure that you are logged in as YOU and not your spouse.
You can enter eTrainU from our Team Website at any time by selecting the Graduation Cap icon in the top right corner of the screen.
| Safe Haven | Click the “Open” button next to “Safe Haven Courses” then click the Open button for “AYSO’s Safe Haven”. |
| CDC HEADS UP Concussion | Click the “Open” button next to “CDC HEADS UP Concussion Training” |
| AYSO’s Summary of the Laws of the Game | Click “Open” next to “Refereeing Courses”, then “Open” next to “AYSO’s Summary of the Laws of the Game” |
| Online Referee Courses for the Divisions you’ll be refereeing |
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| In-Person Companion Course | Both the 8U Official Course (U5-U8 Referees) and the Regional Referee Course (Youth Referees and U9+ Referees) have in-person Companion courses that are also required. |
MORE INformation
Volunteer Training
Referee Self-Scheduler
Youth Referees
Volunteers
Division Guidelines
Safety
qUESTIONS?
Get in touch with us if you have any questions. A volunteer will get back to you as soon as possible.