Referee

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Referees

Keeping The Game Safe, Fair And Fun

Why should you become an AYSO Referee? We need you. We can't have games without referees. More importantly, it's rewarding and working with kids is great fun!

Referees are critical to soccer - the game can't be played without them. The referee's job is to be the official in charge of the game. He is the independent arbiter and manager of the game. Her authority extends to everyone at the field, including players, substitutes, team officials, spectators, and even assistant referees.

The referee's No. 1 one 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 and fun for everyone: the players, the coaches, the spectators and themselves. He interferes with the game as little as possible, avoiding making calls for doubtful and trifling offenses. Referees only make calls for offenses they are sure occurred.

We want our kids to continue to play, and they keep playing as long as it is fun. Referees learn that fun soccer varies from age group to age group of players.

Contact our Referee Administrator, Rob Jensen at [email protected] if you are ready to become a referee.

Volunteer Requirements

All of our volunteers are required to participate in:
1. Background check (completed in the volunteer registration)
2. Live Scan finger printing through an AYSO event or approved site. You can complete this by visiting this website: AYSO Live Scan
3. Log onto your account at aysoregion6.org and take online trainings on ETRAINU/AYSOU for the following:
    Under "Training Library" > Safe Haven
    - Safe Haven
    - CDC Concussion Safety
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest
    - Safe Sport (90 min course)
    Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate and locate the online trainings.
4. Regional Referee online and in-person companion class OR Intermediate Referee online and in-person companion class. You must be a Regional referee before you can become an Intermediate referee.

Referee Resources

Referee Report Form

Whistle Stop - June 2024

National Rules & Regulations Modifications

Laws of Game Updates (2024-2025)

Laws of the Game Updates (2023-2024)

U10 Build-out Line

Pre-game Card

AYSO Line Up Card (Game Card)

Great video's from Region 34 Referee, Bob Hayes

Pregame Procedures

Game Time Procedure and Positioning

Post Game Procedures

AYSO Whistle Stop
Whistle Stop - June 2024

Whistle Stop - July 2024

Abuse –

This has been a hot topic for a while now, and sadly continues to happen.
I think it’s even more frequent this time of year as we have several programs, including tournaments, that are played outside of a team’s home region.

I think this leads to a sense of anonymity for players, coaches as well as parents as they think no one knows them and nothing can or will be done.

We need to work even harder to put a stop to it. By we, I mean, as all of us: referees, coaches & parents as well as our local program (Regions, Areas and Section), and tournament leaders. It is our job to address and report abuse and the program leaders to take appropriate action.

As referees, we need to be careful to properly identify abuse, and distinguish abuse from a temporary emotional outburst, although continued emotional outbursts are likely the beginning of abuse. Recognize the difference between disappointment and dissent that becomes personal, public, and persistent.

On a close match, an offside call, for example, may lead to players, coaches and spectators reacting; while that is likely not abuse, but if it continues, it is leaning towards abuse.

There are many ways to handle abuse and we each have our own style.
This article will not get into how to handle it as its complicated and each situation is different.

Perhaps a future article, but for now, we will leave it at bad behavior and/or abuse must be reported.

Regardless of your style and how you handle it, it MUST be reported; via a Referee Misconduct report or an AYSO Incident report. Check with your local Region or Area; as its likely on one of their websites.

Here are a few tips on how to report it.

Stick to the facts and leave opinions out
Your report should be detailed to give the reader, who likely was not there, a realistic sense of what was happening.
The better the reader, likely an RC, or AD or Tournament Director, can sense what was happening, the better they can take the appropriate action and issue appropriate sanctions.

Depending on the severity of the behavior, teams, players, coaches or even parents may not be approved to participate in future games or even seasons.

Also important to know, is that AYSO is working with USSF on a Referee Abuse Policy and once that is finalized, AYSO will then work that policy into our AYSO Rules and Regulations.

Lastly, if you feel abused and don’t report it, you are condoning the bad behavior and the bad behavior will continue, and likely worsen for the next referee, who may be a youth referee.

It’s all a part of the AYSO Triangle, and we need to hold each other accountable.

Region 6 Silent Saturday is October 12th!

Silent Saturday is a throwback to the old schoolyard days when kids would congregate after school and on weekends just to play all day, without regard to who was winning and repercussions for poor play and decision-making. Coaches are requested to communicate and reinforce this with spectators!

The objectives of Silent Saturday are:

To emphasize that the game is about letting the kids have fun and play.
To show that kids can play well on their own with limited instruction.
To help the few parents and coaches who feel they must provide constant direction, understand how disruptive it can be.
To give players the chance to trust their skills and instincts without sideline input.
To encourage leadership skills among the individual players as they have the unique opportunity of giving their own instruction on the field.
To encourage a sense of true teamwork as the players must learn to rely upon one another and communicate with each other accordingly.
To support our volunteer referees, both youth and adult, by eliminating sideline interference and comments.

The spirit of Silent Saturdays is to allow players to make decisions and learn the game. After all, if the child doesn’t make their own mistakes, it will hinder their development in the sport. If parents think their children are confused and don’t know what to do without sideline instruction, that’s an indication that players haven’t been allowed to make their own decisions. Players will learn the game by making their own decisions, learning from their mistakes, and continuing to play.

For more information, watch this video discussing the benefits of having a Silent Saturday. This interview was featured on the Hallmark Channel and talks about best practices, why screaming from the sidelines is bad for player development and what to do when all of this becomes unmanageable. Consider sharing this video with families during your kick-off meeting or as needed when sideline behavior becomes an issue.

Basic Rules for Silent Saturday

Spectators
We request that you make no verbal comments about the game or direct any comments to the players, referees or coaches. Clapping IS allowed! Be creative in how you choose to cheer your child’s team – make signs to hold up or bring a rally towel in the team’s color and wave it wildly. There are lots of ways to cheer other than verbally – applaud/clap, but please no horns, whistle or noise-makers.

Coaches
It is recommended that you do not provide any direction – verbal or non-verbal – to players who are on the field. Speak to the team before the match, at substitution breaks and at halftime as you normally do. During the match, speak quietly to players on the bench about the game. If required, quietly call a player on the field over to the touchline to provide tactical instruction. Then let them convey the message to the team.

Players
While on the field, you are encouraged to speak to each other as normal. Continue to support and provide direction to each other, as you have in the past. Substitute players on the bench, should remain quiet and not cheer or provide tactical instruction to their teammates. Lest they simply replace the coach or act on their behest.

Referees
For this special day, referees are asked to monitor the spectators and coaches’ adherence to these guidelines and to offer gentle reminders if the recommendations are not being followed. Continue to verbalize often during the game as you normally do. You are there to help the players have a safe, fair and fun time.