Do I need soccer experience to be a referee?
No. Many referees start with little or no experience. Training is provided, and you will be supported as you learn.

How much time does refereeing take?
Refereeing is flexible. You choose the games that fit your schedule. There is no weekly requirement.

Do I have to referee every week?
No. You sign up for games based on your availability.

How do I sign up for games?
Once certified, you will receive information on how to access the referee schedule and sign up for games.

What training is required?
All referees must complete AYSO Volunteer Requirements and referee-specific training. See the Referee Training & Certification page for details.

Do I have to start with younger divisions?
No. You may officiate at the level you feel comfortable, based on your certification. The Regional Referee certification is the starting point for most referees working 10U and above.

How long does training take?

• 8U Referee: about 1 to 1.5 hours (online only)
• Regional Referee: about 2 to 3 hours online plus a 2-hour in-person session

How old do you have to be to referee?

• 8U Referee: minimum age 10
• Regional Referee: minimum age 12

Can youth referees officiate their own age group?
Youth referees may serve as Assistant Referees in their own age division and as Center Referees for younger divisions.

Does my child need their own email address?
Yes. Each youth referee must have a unique email address. It cannot be shared with a parent or sibling.

Do youth referees need background checks or fingerprinting?
No. Background check, LiveScan, and SafeSport are not required for volunteers under 18.

Will I be assigned games?
No. Referees sign up for games that fit their schedule.

Will I be supported as a new referee?
Yes. New referees are often paired with experienced referees and supported on the field.

Can I referee my child’s game?
Yes, during the Core (regular) season this may happen and can be a great way to stay involved.

For post-season play (including Damon Garcia Cup and beyond), referees will not be assigned to games involving their own player. Assignments are managed to avoid conflicts of interest, and referees are often scheduled in divisions where there is no overlap. This may include officiating games in the opposite gender division.

The Regional Referee Administrator manages all referee assignments, including qualifications and game coverage, and may adjust assignments as needed to support fairness and the overall program.

What are game cards?
Game cards are used starting in 09U and 10U divisions to track player participation, goals, and any game-related incidents. Referees are responsible for completing game cards as part of match management.

Are match reports required?
Yes. Referees must complete a match report for any send-off.

For 16U and 19U matches, match reports are also required for cautions and misconduct in accordance with Section and Area guidelines.

Instructions and report forms will be provided by the Regional Referee Administrator.

Do I need to buy a uniform?
No. AYSO Region 599 provides a referee uniform and basic referee equipment to newly certified referees.

Referees are responsible for their own athletic gear. Soccer cleats are strongly recommended for safety and mobility on grass fields.

Why are referees important for All-Star and Spring teams?
Qualified referees are often the limiting factor in forming additional All-Star teams. Each team must provide a full referee crew (1 Center Referee and 2 Assistant Referees). See the All-Star page for more details.

What is required to be considered as an All-Star or Spring Tournament referee?
Referees must:

• Be in good standing and approved by the Regional Referee Administrator
• Officiate a minimum of 10 games during the Core season
• Be available and committed for post-season tournaments

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee placement.

How are referees selected for post-season teams?
Referees are first approved by the Regional Referee Administrator. Final assignments are made by the All-Star Committee based on experience, qualifications, and availability.

Why is commitment important for post-season referees?
Tournaments require teams to provide full referee crews. If assigned referees do not attend and complete their games, the team may lose a required referee deposit. For this reason, reliability and commitment are essential.

For referees who want to learn more or build confidence, the following resources may be helpful. These are optional and not required to get started.

AYSO Resources

AYSO Wiki – National Referee Program
A central resource for AYSO referees with links to training materials, rules, and guidance.

AYSO Referee Guideline
Updated annually and written specifically for AYSO referees. Covers AYSO-specific rules not included in the IFAB Laws, including items relevant to 10U play (build-out line, no drop kicks, etc.), as well as player equipment guidance.

AYSO National Rules & Regulations (Reference Book – Chapter 2)
Additional rules and policies that apply specifically to AYSO matches.

Player Equipment Guidelines
For a quick reference on what can and cannot be worn on the field.

Laws of the Game

IFAB Laws of the Game
The official rules of soccer used worldwide.

IFAB Laws of the Game App
Recommended for all referees as a quick, on-field reference.

• Available on Apple and Android devices

Additional Learning Resources

Ask A Ref (Online Forum)
A large library of real game scenarios with answers from experienced referees.

US Soccer Referee Program
Additional training and development resources.

FIFA Refereeing
Resources and insights from the international governing body.

Community & Support

Female AYSO Referee Community (Facebook Group)
A supportive space for female referees to connect, ask questions, and share experiences.

Still Have Questions?

Contact our Regional Referee Administrator:
Aaron Hope
[email protected]