Information for Referees

The job of Referee is one of the most important jobs in AYSO. Without Referees, no games could be played. The requirements for becoming a Referee are that you enjoy working with children and are willing to learn the Laws and apply them during the game. AYSO Region 473 provides training classes for all Referees, so previous experience in soccer, although helpful, is not required.

The job of Referee is open to all adults (both men and women) and also to experienced players age 12 and over. To learn more about becoming a referee please contact us here!

We ask that Referees keep the following points in mind:

The primary duty of a Referee is to ensure the safety of the players. If it looks dangerous to you, it probably is a foul. Be sure to put the safety of the children above all other considerations. "Safe, fair and fun!" is the Referee's motto.

Beginning Referees must attend a four-hour Referee class, and must pass a simple test on the Laws of Soccer.

Referees in younger Divisions are encouraged to help teach the Laws to the players. A brief explanation of an unusual call helps everyone. Allowing players to ask questions for a short period prior to the game is appropriate at all age levels. Avoid coaching the players - your remarks should focus on explaining the Law, rather than telling players how to play soccer. Being available after the game for questions is a good way to promote better communication.

Referees are strongly encouraged to develop their skills through more advanced training. Upon passing the entry level test, Referees receive a U8 Referee Badge. After 1-2 years of experience it is recommended that Referees attend the Basic (U10) course and obtain a Regional Referee Badge. Higher badge levels are Intermediate, Advanced and National.

Please keep in mind that the players and Coaches put in lots of time during the week to prepare for the game. They have the right to expect a competent Referee. It's important that you take your job seriously, and work hard to provide a fair game for everyone. Taking a little time each week to review the Law Book, or to discuss a call with your fellow referees are important ways to ensure you are on top of the Laws of the Game.

Occasionally the positive atmosphere of a game is disturbed by antagonistic comments from Coaches or spectators. The Referee has the right to suspend the game until a Coach, spectator or unruly player has left the area. If the individual refuses to leave, the Referee has the right to terminate the game.

Any unusual discipline issues (yellow cards, red cards, Coach or spectator harassment or ejections) should be reported immediately to the Regional Referee Administrator. It is the policy of Region 473 that a player who receives a red card, or a coach who is ejected from a game, shall be automatically suspended for the next game. Any player who receives a second red card in one season is automatically suspended for the remainder of the season, and may not, in the Regional Commissioner's discretion, be allowed to register in succeeding seasons.

Information for Assistant Referees

Currently, most games in our AYSO region are called by a single referee assisted by parent volunteers, or “club linesmen.” However, many referees have shown an interest in learning the skills of an assistant referee. Trained assistants can help the referee call offside much more accurately, and the extra “eyes on the field” are very helpful, especially in the U14 and U19 divisions. The following is a brief guide for assistant referees.

Primary Duties

  • Indicate when the ball is out of play

  • Indicate when an offside offense has occurred

  • Verify whether a goal has been scored

Additional Duties

  • Indicate fouls or misconduct that the referee may not have seen

  • Handle substitutions

Basic Mechanics

The AR's flag should be visible to the referee at all times. Hold it straight down at your side. Hold it in your left hand most of the time, in case you need to turn quickly (to your right) to follow an attack.

Throw-ins: When the ball goes out of play over the touch line, raise the flag from your side and up to a 45-degree angle in the direction of the throw-in. Don't cross the flag in front of your body. Instead, switch hands quickly below the waist.

Goal Kicks & Corner Kicks: When the ball goes out of play over the goal line, keep running and stop a few feet from the corner flag before indicating the restart. It is important to be near the goal line, as this is the best position to spot potential problems. Point your flag at the goal for a goal kick. Point your flag down at the nearest corner for a corner kick.

Ball Enters the Goal: When a goal has been scored, turn and run quickly toward the half line, about fifteen yards. Keep your flag down at your side. Make eye contact with the referee.

When you consider a goal to be invalid: Stand with your arms at your sides and make eye contact with the referee.

Offside: Stay even with the second-last defender. This is the proper position to call offside. When you see an offside offense, stop, raise the flag straight up and make eye contact with the referee. When the referee whistles, lower the flag in front of you to indicate the restart position (near, center or far.)

Fouls and Misconduct: When you see a foul or misconduct that the referee may not have seen, stop, raise the flag straight up and make eye contact with the referee. Shake the flag quickly by bending your wrist. When the referee whistles, lower the flag to a forty-five degree angle to your side indicating the direction of the restart, as you would for a throw-in.
NOTE: This duty varies at the referee’s discretion.

Tips

  • Stop and face the pitch before making any signal with your flag.

  • Think of the flag as an extension of your arm and always hold it with your wrist straight.

  • Don't cross the flag in front of your body. Instead, switch hands quickly below the waist when you need to signal with the other hand.

  • Make frequent eye contact with the referee, whenever the ball goes out of play and especially when you signal.

  • Side-stepping: Most of the time, you should face the pitch and use a side-stepping motion along the touch line. This gives you the best view of the game. When speed is necessary, turn and run with your flag straight down at your side.

  • Assist, don't insist: You are there to provide additional information to the referee, whose decision is final in all matters. If you disagree about a call, simply lower your flag and resume the proper position.

Referee Scheduling

How do I sign up for games?
Follow these steps to use the Referee Self-Scheduler on the inLeague Web site:

Login to https://inleague.brooklynayso.org/app/welcome

In the horizontal menu bar click Referees, then Referee Schedule Signup. The upcoming weekend will be displayed. You can select a different weekend, if you wish.

Under the "CR" column, click the "SIGN UP" button next to the game(s) you wish to cover. Your name will appear with PENDING as the status.

What if I don't see the Referees menu on the inLeague Web site?
You are not designated as a referee volunteer. Follow these steps to correct this:

  • On the home page, in the Quick Links menu bar, click "My Volunteer Preferences,"

  • Check the box next to "Volunteer Prefs: Referee"

  • Below that, select the division(s) you prefer to work in.

  • Click "Update Volunteer Preferences" to save your selections.

Who gets first choice of a game?
The referee who enters his or her name into an open slot when it becomes available.

What if I want to referee a game, like my own kid's, and it is already taken?
Please try to select another game. If that is not possible, and you feel strongly about working a certain game, contact the Referee Administrator by e-mail. He will try to accommodate you.

How many weeks in advance may I schedule myself?
As many as you like. The entire season becomes available shortly before opening day.

What should I do if I sign up for the wrong game by accident?
When you first sign up for a game, your request is in the "pending" state. This remains until Friday at 9 PM before a game day, when all games for the coming weekend are approved and change to the "assigned" state. While your request is pending, you can remove it yourself. Just click the "REMOVE" button next to the game. After the game has been approved, however, you must e-mail the Referee Administrator or one of the referee division coordinators and request that your assignment be removed. See the contacts below.

What should I do if I sign up for a game and then find I cannot do it?
No problem — we all have busy and unpredictable schedules. Follow the instructions above to remove your assignment request.

Do I need permission to schedule myself for a game in an older division than I normally work?
No, but the Referee Administrator scans the schedule before approving assignments to make sure each referee is qualified for the games they have selected. The Referee Administrator will be the final judge in this matter.

My child wants to be a Youth Referee. How can they sign up for games?
Follow these steps to register your child as a new youth referee volunteer:

  • Login to https://inleague.brooklynayso.org/app/welcome

  • In the Quick Links menu bar, click "Player and Volunteer Registration."

  • Click "Add New User."

  • Enter your child's e-mail address. Use the same e-mail address your child used to register for the referee course on http://eayso.org. This must be a unique e-mail address, that is, different from others in your family.

  • Click "Create User Account" at the bottom of the form.

  • Log out and login again as the new user created for your child, using the new email address."

  • On the home page, in the Quick Links menu bar, click "My Volunteer Preferences,"

  • Check the box next to "Volunteer Prefs: Referee"

  • Below that, select the division(s) you prefer to work in.

  • Click "Update Volunteer Preferences" to save your selections.

  • Now, your child can use the referee self-scheduler, as described above.