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Referee FAQ

Referee Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started
  • I never played soccer and I don't know the rules. How can I be a Referee? Turns out this is true for many, if not most, of our referee volunteers. The AYSO Referee program has training and mentoring for new referees that provides for development of referee skills and capability, with a progression that follows the development of the players. The types of refereeing scenarios encountered in the 8U division are less complex and the game speed slower than upper division play. We will teach you what you need to know and give you the feedback you need. ↑ Back to top
  • Can my son or daughter become a Referee? Absolutely! One of the great aspects of the AYSO Referee program is that it allows and encourages youth to become trained referees. It is a great way to learn responsibility and judgement and also helps build a deeper understanding of the game, what a volunteer organization looks like, and how it runs. Being a Youth Referee is also recognized as volunteer service hours by many organizations (CJSF, Scouts, Churches, Student Councils). ↑ Back to top
  • What are the age requirements to be an AYSO Referee? Per the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, the age requirements by division and referee badge level are as follows: U8 Official - 10 years or older. For U10 and higher the age requirements are based on badge level, with Regional Referee being the entry level badge. Regional Referee - 12 years or older. Intermediate Referee - 14 years or older. Advanced Referee - 16 years or older. National Referee - 18 years or older. ↑ Back to top
Training & Certification
  • How much training is involved? Every AYSO volunteer has to complete several volunteer certification courses that are offered online: AYSO Safe Haven, AYSO Concussion Awareness, AYSO Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SafeSport. From start to finish, these should take 2 to 4 hours to complete. 8U Official training is a single class about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. 10U Regional Referee combines an online class and an in-person review session followed by a field clinic. More information on referee training can be seen here. The referee training calendar for the upcoming season can be seen here. ↑ Back to top
  • How do I complete my certifications, background check and/or SafeSport? Please see our page on "How to Volunteer" to learn more about completing certifications and the required background check and fingerprinting. ↑ Back to top
  • What is the difference between Referee and Assistant Referee? We use a three-person Referee Team for U10 and older divisions. The Referee is the official who is on the field and carries the whistle. The two Assistant Referees take one sideline each from one goal line to the halfway line, on alternate halves of the field. The Assistant Referees carry a flag. The Referee is responsible for the start and stoppage of play, indicating restarts, calling fouls and infractions, and keeping official game records. The Assistant Referees are responsible for sideline and goal line decisions and help with offside rulings. ↑ Back to top
  • Which Regional Referee training class should I take? See above answer - "NEW Regional Referee - Online + In-Person Companion Course (2 Part Bundle)". The Regional Referee - Online + In Person Companion Course bundle involves self paced, online training which should take 3 to 4 hours, followed by an in-person on-field clinic that runs about 3 to 4 hours. Region 177 offers multiple in person field clinics per season, and these are also available in nearby cities if the R177 offerings are not convenient. See the Area E-11 calendar for dates. ↑ Back to top
  • The Training Site has both a "Regional Referee" class series and an "Assistant Referee" class series. If I just want to be an Assistant referee, should I take this class? No - our policy is to have all referee candidates for 8U or higher divisions complete the full Regional Referee training. The curriculum is not that much different, and even the exposure to what the Referee is required to do is helpful for someone to be an effective 8U or Assistant Referee. We do not offer the Assistant Referee in-person class, and we strongly urge candidates to only take the Online Regional Referee training. ↑ Back to top
  • What resources are offered to help new or inexperienced referees? We offer a referee mentoring program where experienced referees can assist new or inexperienced referees by either pairing with them directly during games or observing games and offering feedback afterwards. Please see our Referee Mentoring page for more information. ↑ Back to top
Game Rules & Roles
Logistics & Expectations
  • How does refereeing work? You sign up and get certified/trained. We then publish a game assignment sheet that lists all the games by game time and field. Referees can then sign up for games they wish to cover. Our main season is in the Fall, starting around early September through mid-November. U8 through U14 games are on Saturdays. U16 and U19 games may be held on other days of the week. ↑ Back to top
  • How much time does it take every week? The U8 games involve two (2) 20-minute halves with a short halftime. We ask that you show up before game time to check in the players. End to end should be less than an hour. U10 games have two (2) 25-minute halves plus a short halftime. U12 games are 30 minute halves, and U14 games are 35-minute halves. For each of these divisions, we ask that you come 30 minutes before game time for check-ins and coin toss, along with a Referee team pre-game discussion. You are not required to referee every week. If you have the time to spare and are enjoying it, you are free to take more than one assignment per week. ↑ Back to top
  • How many games do I have to referee? This will largely be up to you based on the time you want to commit. As the age divisions increase, the fields get bigger and the halves get longer. It is not unusual for referees to take one assignment per week, though you can skip weeks if you need to. You are also welcome to take more assignments. We have to have at least a Referee and one Assistant Referee to properly cover a game. If we don't have referees assigned to a game, that game cannot be played per AYSO guidelines. Another consideration is that once you have completed your training, it is best that you get out there and practice doing the job so that the learning becomes more concrete. There is no substitute for on-field experience. ↑ Back to top
  • Can I watch my kid's game? We do not allow for parent referees to participate in their kids' games. During the regular season and for U10 and above, we may allow last minute fill-in assignments, preferably as Assistant Referees. However, for end-of-season tournaments, parents may not referee their own children's games. ↑ Back to top
  • Will I have to travel to referee games? The majority of Fall Core games are played at locations in Long Beach, with some games for older age groups taking place in nearby regions. At the end of the season, top teams may advance to Area and Section tournaments in nearby regions. ↑ Back to top
  • Do we cancel games when the weather is bad? Soccer in the rain is one of the most fun activities there is. However, fields may be closed due to weather or safety conditions such as lightning or poor air quality. The Referee has final authority to stop a game if conditions become unsafe. ↑ Back to top
  • Will I get yelled at by Parents or by Coaches? It is an unfortunate reality that sideline behavior can sometimes be challenging. Referees are trained and supported by mentors and board members to handle these situations. While rare, these incidents do occur, but are generally outweighed by the positive experience of volunteering. ↑ Back to top
  • Do Referees get paid? No - AYSO referees are not paid. An AYSO Referee who upgrades to the Intermediate level can cross certify with USSF, and may take paid USSF assignments. ↑ Back to top
Cross Certification
  • If I am a USSF Referee, can I referee with AYSO? Yes. USSF referees may cross register with AYSO by completing the required volunteer registration, Safe Haven courses, and submitting the cross certification form. ↑ Back to top
  • Can I use my AYSO training and become a USSF Referee? AYSO referees at the Intermediate level may cross register with USSF as Grassroots Referees. Additional requirements and fees apply depending on certification level. ↑ Back to top

Excuses Not to Referee

I'm thinking of refereeing but...

I have no time.
Referees get to pick their own games. Choose as few or as many as you'd like. Plus, refereeing is a much smaller commitment than coaching and you still make just as big an impact on the kids.

I'm not comfortable refereeing on the field.
Most referees start out as Assistant Referees (ARs). The ARs are the sideline referees who raise flags when the ball goes in and out or help with calling offsides. If you're not comfortable being the center referee (the main referee in charge of the game), the AR is a great way to ease into the refereeing world.

I have little to no experience with soccer.
Great. Your mind is an empty cup. We teach you the laws of soccer, and train you for free.

I don't have a uniform.
Region 177 supplies a complete referee "kit" (shirt, shorts, socks) to all referees who complete their Referee Training and online safety courses. We also provide all the accessories you need: a referee booklet, flags, and reference links for Laws of the Game.

I don't have a whistle.
We give you one of these too!

I never played soccer. I'm not familiar with its laws.
We train you on all laws of the game and provide reference materials for you to use. You can also request a mentor to stand on the sideline and answer your questions, one-on-one, while you referee.

Fine. I am out of excuses. I will referee!
It is the best view on the field and most importantly: IT'S FUN AND REWARDING TO WORK WITH KIDS!

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Questions?

Contact our Regional Referee Administrator at [email protected].

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AYSO 177 Long Beach/ Belmont Shore

 
Long Beach, California 90804

Email Us: [email protected]

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