(2015 Season)
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Introduction:
This handbook is designed to be used as a guide for soccer officiating by the referees in AYSO Region 9. This document is a supplement to the FIFA laws, USSF guidelines, and AYSO referee instructions. The content of this handbook is intended to be consistent with AYSO bylaws, rules, regulations, and policy statements, while providing a single source for information that was obtained from multiple sources.
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Table of Contents:
Volunteer Registration:
Every AYSO volunteer is required to register annually via the organization’s national web site (eayso) before the start of the fall season. Some of the registration information requested from each volunteer is required by federal or state laws. By registering with AYSO the volunteer is covered by medical insurance for accidents or injuries that occur while conducting activities for the organization.
Referee Certification and Training:
AYSO has established five levels of referee certification and training that are used in Region 9: U-8 Official, Regional Referee, Intermediate Referee, Advanced Referee, and National Referee. Below is a brief description of each referee certification level followed by a list of the training requirements for each level.
Referee Certification Levels:
- U-8 Official: Trained in the fundamental skills needed to officiate short-sided games for players under 8 years of age
- Regional Referee: Trained in the basic skills needed to referee ASYO matches (typically U-10) under AYSO (FIFA) Laws and AYSO National Rules and Regulations
- Intermediate Referee: Trained in the skills needed beyond the basic level to referee soccer matches that are more physically demanding and challenging (typically U-12) under the AYSO (FIFA) Laws and AYSO National Rules and Regulations
- Advanced Referee: Trained in the advanced skills needed to referee most upper-level AYSO soccer matches (typically U-14) under the AYSO (FIFA) Laws and AYSO National Rules and Regulations
- National Referee: Trained in the professional aspects of refereeing needed to manage more challenging upper-level matches (typically U16/19) under the AYSO (FIFA) Laws and AYSO National Rules and Regulations
Referee Certification Requirements:
- U-8 Official:
- Age: 10 or older
- Training: Complete AYSO U-8 course
- Test: Take U-8 official exam
- Regional Referee:
- Age: 12 or older
- Training: Complete Regional Referee course
- Test: Score 75% or higher on Regional Referee exam
- Intermediate Referee:
- Age: 14 or older
- Games: 25 as referee with at least 5 in U-12 matches
- Prerequisite: Certification as Regional Referee
- Training: Complete Intermediate Referee course
- Test: Score 90% or higher on Intermediate Referee exam
- Observation: Be observed as a referee in a U-12 match
- Advanced Referee:
- Age: 16 or older
- Games: 50 as referee with at least 10 in U-14 matches and 5 as assistant referee in U-14 matches
- Prerequisite: Certification as Intermediate Referee
- Training: Complete Advanced Referee course
- Test: Score 90% or higher on Advanced Referee exam
- Assessment: Be assessed as a referee in a U-14 match and also as an assistant referee in a U-14 match
- Fitness Tests: Run 1 mile in less than 12 minutes, run 50 meters in less than 10.5 seconds, run 200 meters in less than 42 seconds
- National Referee:
- Age: 18 or older
- Games: 100 as referee with at least 30 in U-16 and U-19 matches (of which at least 15 must be in U-19 matches) and 25 as assistant referee (of which at least 10 must be in U-19 matches)
- Prerequisite: Certification as Advanced Referee
- Training: Complete National Referee course
- Test: Score 90% or higher on National Referee exam
- Assessment: Be assessed twice as a referee in U-16 or U-19 matches (with at least one in a U-19 match) and also as an assistant referee in a U-19 match
- Experience: Minimum of one year of experience as an AYSO Advanced Referee
- Fitness Tests: Run at least 1,800 meters in less than 12 minutes (age-dependent distance), run 50 meters in less than 9.5 seconds (age-dependent time), run 200 meters in less than 40 seconds
Safe Haven and Concussion Training: In addition to the training requirements listed above, all AYSO referees in Region 9 are encouraged to complete both Safe Haven and Concussion training. There are on-line training courses available on the AYSO web site that enable the referee to obtain and retain certification in these two areas.
- Save Haven Training: The purpose of the Safe Haven training is to ensure that the referee is aware of the safeguards employed by AYSO to protect children. AYSO’s Safe Haven program is intended to protect AYSO players and volunteers, including their interactions with each other. It requires that each volunteer completes a volunteer application each year, agrees to background checks, and abides by the policies of AYSO. Safe Haven training focuses on the best ways to work with children and important safety protocols.
- Concussion Training: The purpose of the Concussion training is to make referees aware of the symptoms, risks, and treatments for players who may have suffered a concussion. AYSO has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to use its “Heads Up” training tools. This training provides referees with the common signs and symptoms of concussions, as well as the steps to take whenever a player exhibits one of those signs or symptoms.
Youth Referees:
Special programs are offered for youth referees (ages 12 through 18). The Region 9 Referee Staff includes a person who is responsible for administering the youth referee program in the Region. The Youth Referee Administrator arranges for mentoring youth referees as needed and schedules special events to encourage participation in the program. Youth referees are only eligible to referee teams with players who are younger than the youth referee.
Region 9 strongly protects its youth referees from any criticism or negative behavior by coaches or spectators. We have a ZERO tolerance policy for abuse of our Youth Referees. If a coach or parent is out of line in any way with how they treat a Youth Referee, then that person is immediately removed from the field for the remainder of the match. In addition, the Region 9 Referee Administrator is informed of the problem.
Kids Zone
Kids Zone is an AYSO program that encourages spectators and coaches to use positive language, show good sportsmanship in their attitude and behavior, and create a great soccer experience for every player. It’s a reminder that the soccer fields are a kid’s zone – a friendly, happy, wholesome place for children to play. Parents, coaches, and other spectators are expected to behave according to the guidelines below. The referee should get the field monitor to call for assistance from the referee tent if there are problems like these with coaches or spectators that the referee cannot resolve.
- Kids are Number One
- Fun, not winning, is everything
- Players play, fans cheer, and coaches coach
- No yelling in anger
- Respect the volunteer referees
- No swearing or abusive behavior
- No alcohol, tobacco or drugs
- No weapons
- Leave no trash behind
- Set a proper example of good sportsmanship
Referee Mentoring Program:
Region 9 has implemented a referee mentoring program with the basic goal of helping all Region 9 referees improve their refereeing skills. Experienced referees in Region 9 are trained as mentors and then observe other referees as they officiate matches. A Mentoring Check List is used to assist the mentor in identifying specific referee actions to observe. While observing the match the mentor completes a Mentoring Observation Form that forms the basis for the mentoring discussion with the referee following the match. Weekly referee training sessions are held which offer additional refresher training opportunities for all referees.
Scheduling Matches:
Region 9 has developed an on-line referee scheduling program which allows each referee to select specific matches that they want to officiate as the referee or one of the assistant referees. Additional information about the referee scheduling program and how to use it is available at the following link on the Region 9 web site:
Referee Scheduling
Preparing to Referee the Match:
Region 9 expects each of its referees to use the following guidelines in preparing to referee a match.
- Arrival: Arrive at the soccer fields at least 30 minutes before the match is scheduled to begin. Sign in at the referee tent before going to the field where the match is to be played. This serves three purposes: (1) lets the referee staff know which referees are present, as well as which ones are missing and will need to be replaced; (2) ensures that the referee is aware of any last-minute referee schedule changes; and (3) provides the team referee with a referee point for their team.
- Game Time and Number of Players: Below is a table containing the game time and number of players per team for each age group.
Age
Group |
Game Time
(minutes per half) |
Number of
Players |
Ball
Size |
| U7/U8 |
20 |
5 |
3 |
| U10 |
25 |
7 |
4 |
| U12 |
30 |
9 |
4 |
| U14 |
35 |
11 |
5 |
| U16 |
40 |
11 |
5 |
| U19 |
45 |
11 |
5 |
| Adult League |
45 |
11 |
5 |
- Appearance: Region 9 expects its referees to wear a proper uniform when officiating a match, including the referee shirt, shorts, socks, and badge which have been provided to the referee by the Region. The referee should also have a time-keeping watch, a whistle, and a pen or pencil for each match. Looking like a properly prepared referee lends an air of professionalism that helps the referee sell calls to spectators who might otherwise question them.
- Referee as Spectator: If the referee is watching a match as a spectator off of the field, then the referee should not wear their uniform shirt unless the referee is preparing for the next match on the field. In addition, referees should support each other, so a referee spectator should never criticize decisions made by other referees during a match.
- Pre-Game Instructions with Assistant Referees: The referee should conduct a brief pre-game conference with the two assistant referees. The primary purpose of this conference is for the referee to clarify the roles of the assistant referees, including positioning, signals, and any match-specific issues.
- Game Cards: The referee obtains a game lineup card from each coach, usually when conducting the player equipment check before the match starts. Each assistant referee takes one of the lineup cards and records the items listed below. When the match is completed then these cards become the official match records, so it is important that they be filled out completely and correctly.
The coach is expected to fill out the team name, team number, division, coach’s name, assistant coach’s name, names and jersey numbers of each player, match date, match time, and field number. If any of these items are missing then the referee should ask the coach to complete them.
On the game card the assistant referee marks the following items:
- Player who scored a goal, usually by entering a tally mark beside that player’s name in either the first half or second half column for goals scored
- Players who were substitutes for each “quarter”, usually by entering an “X” in the appropriate “quarter” box beside each player’s name
- Half-time score, where the number of goals scored by the game card’s team is listed first and the number of goals scored by the other team is listed second
- Final score, where the number of goals scored by the game card’s team is listed first and the number of goals scored by the other team is listed second
- Winning team’s team number
- Losing team’s team number
Each member of the referee team should review the final score marked on both game cards to verify its accuracy and then sign the cards.
There is room on the back of the card to make any necessary comments about the conduct of the players, coaches, or spectators. Any misconduct disciplinary action taken by the referee (Cautions or Send Offs) should be documented on the back of the card. In such cases the referee is also expected to obtain a misconduct report form at the referee tent, complete it, and submit it with the game cards.
- Player Equipment Inspection: The referee should conduct an inspection of the players’ equipment for each team. The primary items that need to be checked are the following.
- Shin guards: Check for age-appropriate size and being completely covered by the player’s socks
- Jewelry: Ensure that all jewelry has been removed, including ear rings, necklaces, and bracelets (except medic alert bracelets)
- Other prohibited items: hats, headbands, bobby pins, berets, long pants, jackets, and hard casts or braces (Note: protective headgear recommended by a physician is allowed if the referee determines that it is not a danger to the player wearing it or to other players)
- Uniforms: All players on each team should be wearing the same colors for their uniform shirts, shorts, and socks, except the goalkeeper should wear a contrasting shirt color and may also wear protective pants
- Game Balls: The referee obtains the game balls from the coach of the home team. Usually three game balls are provided so that a spare ball can be placed beside each goal net. The referee inspects the balls to be sure that they are the proper size, have the proper inflation, and do not pose any danger to the players (e.g., lose flaps, cuts or tears in the outer lining, protruding stitching or inflation point).
- Field Inspection: The referee team should inspect each goal net before the match begins to be certain that there are no holes or gaps in the netting and that the goal posts are properly positioned on the goal line. Sometimes the referee will ask the assistant referees to perform this chore at the same time that they place the spare game ball beside the net.The referee team should examine each of the corner flags before the match begins to ascertain the following: (1) the flags are properly positioned at the corners of the field, (2) the flag poles are in a vertical position and not leaning dangerously onto the field; and (3) the flag poles are high and flexible enough so that they do not pose a danger to a player who might run into one of them.The referee team should perform a pre-match field inspection to ensure that the field conditions are safe for both the players and the referees. This includes removing any debris (such as snack wrappers, bandages, plastic, metal, glass, and large rocks or sticks), requesting assistance to apply sand or dirt to any gopher holes or muddy spots, and identifying any other potentially dangerous conditions (e.g., protruding sprinkler heads, spectator umbrellas, tents, or chairs too close to a touchline)
- Coin Toss: The referee asks the Captains of both teams to join the referee team at mid-field. The referee should ask the Captains to shake hands and introduce each other. The referee shows the coin to the Captains and identifies which side is Heads and which is Tails.The referee asks a Captain from the home team to toss the coin and let it hit the ground. The referee then asks a Captain from the visiting team to call the coin toss while the coin is in the air. Alternatively, the referee may toss the coin instead of a player and ask the Captain of the home team to call it in the air. The referee announces the winner of the coin toss and requests that a Captain from the winning team choose which side of the field they wish to attack. The other team kicks off to start the match.