Referees

⚽️ AYSO REGION 128 REFEREE PROGRAM ⚽️

Why Referees Matter

Soccer can only be safe, fair and fun when trained referees are on the field. Every match is overseen by a referee team consisting of a center referee and two assistant referees. When assistants are unavailable, club linespeople may help with out-of-bounds calls. Referees protect players and ensure that AYSO's six philosophies - Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development-are upheld in every game.

Why Volunteer to Referee

Refereeing is a rewarding way to support young athletes and the community. Adults and youth 10 years and older are welcome to volunteer. Officiating teaches leadership, communication and confidence and can help youth earn volunteer hours for scholarships. Region 128 provides all training and equipment at no cost, and referees can self-schedule matches around their personal commitments. Youth officials are paired with adult mentors to ensure they feel supported and respected.

Who Can Volunteer

Volunteering is open to:

Adults and youth (age 10+)
Parents who wish to stay involved when they cannot coach due to work or travel
Players who want to learn the game from a new perspective and build confidence

All volunteers must complete a background check and the safety training listed below before taking the field.

Safety & Training Requirements

To protect players and volunteers, AYSO requires that every volunteer complete several safety courses. These courses are available through AYSOU and, where applicable, SafeSport:

CDC Concussion Awareness Training
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training
AYSO's Safe Haven - child and volunteer protection guidelines
US SafeSport Training - a federally mandated training available free to AYSO volunteers

Volunteers must complete these before taking a referee course. Certificates stay on file and may require periodic renewal.

Referee Training Path

Referees develop with experience. AYSO offers progressive training courses, and officials typically start with younger divisions before moving up. Each level includes classroom instruction, on-field practice and a mentoring component:

8U Official - Online or full in-person course for officiating 8U games.
Regional Referee - Online course plus in-person companion class or a full in-person course for 10U and below games.
Intermediate Referee - Course and assessments for 12U and below games.
Advanced Referee - Course and assessments for 14U and below games.
National Referee - Course and assessments for 19U and below matches.

As referees gain confidence, they can cross-certify with the US Soccer Federation (USSF). AYSO provides free training, whereas USSF certification involves fees.

How to Become a Referee

Register as an AYSO Volunteer. Visit the Region 128 registration portal (linked on the Volunteering page) and sign up as a referee.
Complete a Background Check. All adults must pass a Sterling Volunteers background check.
Finish Safety Courses. Use AYSOU to complete Concussion, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Safe Haven and SafeSport training.
Take the Appropriate Referee Course. Sign up for the course that matches the age group you plan to officiate.
Get Your Gear. Region 128 will provide uniforms, flags, whistles and other equipment at no cost.
Scheduling is done by our Referee Administrator using shared Google Sheets document so please our Referee Administrator at [email protected] to add you to the mailing list.
Record Your Games. Fill out the back of the game card after each match. If there are cards, injuries or unusual incidents, submit an AYSO Referee Game Report Form.
Ask for Mentoring. If you'd like feedback or additional training, contact our Referee Administrator at [email protected].

Support & Development

AYSO believes in continuous improvement. Region 128 offers mentoring, evaluations and advanced courses to help referees develop and move up to higher divisions. Once you reach the Intermediate level or higher, you may pursue USSF certification to referee club matches.