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AYSO Youth Referee Registration Notes & Requirements

(For Volunteers Ages 12–17)

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Youth Referee with AYSO Region 279! Our youth referees are an essential part of creating a safe, fair, and fun soccer environment. Below are the steps, requirements, and expectations to help you get started.

1. Who Can Become a Youth Referee?

AYSO welcomes youth volunteers who are:
- At least 12 years old by the start of the season
- Interested in learning the Laws of the Game
- Responsible, positive, and willing to help younger players
- Able to attend required training sessions

No prior referee or playing experience is needed.

2. Registration Requirements

All youth referees must complete the following steps before officiating any match:

✔ AYSO Volunteer Registration

- Register as a Youth Volunteer through your AYSO Region 279 account.
- A parent/guardian must electronically sign the youth volunteer form.

✔ Online Training (AYSOU)

Youth referees must complete:
- AYSO Safe Haven
- Concussion Awareness
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
- Regional Referee Online Course (for 10U and above)
- 8U Official Course (for those starting with 8U games)

All courses are found in AYSOU → Training Library.

✔ In‑Person Field Training

Required for:
- Regional Referee (10U and up)
Optional but encouraged for 8U Officials

This session covers mechanics, signals, positioning, and game management.

3. What Youth Referees Do

Youth referees help officiate games in:
- 8U (as center referees)
- 10U (as assistant referees or center referees depending on certification)
- 12U and above (as assistant referees with experience)

Responsibilities include:
- Keeping the game safe and fair
- Using proper signals and mechanics
- Encouraging positive play
- Modeling sportsmanship

Youth referees are always supported by adult mentors.

4. Uniform & Equipment

AYSO provides youth referees with:
- Referee jersey
- Shorts
- Socks
- Whistle
- Flags (for ARs)

Referees should bring:
- Water
- Comfortable shoes or cleats
- A watch with a stopwatch function (if available)

5. Expectations for Youth Referees

We ask all youth referees to:
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early for assignments
- Be respectful to players, coaches, and spectators
- Stay calm and confident during games
- Ask questions when unsure—our mentors are here to help
- Maintain a positive attitude and willingness to learn

Parents are encouraged to support, not coach, their youth referee during games.

6. Scheduling & Game Assignments

- Youth referees will receive access to the Region 279 referee scheduling system.
- Assignments are based on age, certification level, and comfort.
- Mentors will be present for early games to provide guidance and support.

7. Why Become a Youth Referee?

Youth referees gain:
- Leadership skills
- Confidence and communication skills
- Community service hours
- A deeper understanding of the game
- A fun way to stay involved in soccer

Many youth referees continue into high school and beyond.

8. Questions or Need Help Getting Started?

Please contact the Region 279 Referee Administrator or Youth Referee Mentor Team.
We are committed to helping every youth volunteer feel prepared, supported, and successful.

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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.