Become a Referee

Keeping the Game Safe, Fair and Fun

Why should you become an AYSO referee? We need you! We cannot have games without referees. More importantly, it's rewarding and working with kids is great fun!

The referee's number one concern is the keep the game as safe as possible for the players. While there is a risk in all sports, the referee is responsible for minimizing such risks from fiedl 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/she interferes with the game as little as possible, avoiding making calls for doubtful 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.

If you are 10 years of age and older, and would like to volunteer as a referee, please fill out the volunteer section of the online registration when signing up your son or daughter to play soccer or as a volunteer only.

• Registration Instructions (includes registering son/daughter for soccer) - CLICK HERE
• Volunteer Only Registration Instructions - CLICK HERE

Referee Training

Come join the guardians of the game by attending online and in-person training.

To be an AYSO Referee, you must:

• Be at least 12 years of age (youth referees can referee one age group under their playing division)
• Register as a volunteer for AYSO 

  -- CLICK HERE to create a profile account and register if you are new to Region 160
-- CLICK HERE to login and register if you are a returning volunteer with Region 160

• Complete the free online Regional Referee Training course by following the steps below:

1.    Go to www.ayso160.org, and sign in.
2. Click on the profile link located on the upper right side.
3. Click on account.
4. Click on volunteer.
5. Click on "AYSOU" located on the top right.

  Click Online Courses
  Take the following course by clicking Open next to each item
-- AYSO Safe Haven
-- CDC Concussion Course
-- AYSO's Summary of the Laws of the Game
-- Regional Referee Training
  Complete each section of the online training course in descending order starting at the top, clicking Launch

• Pass the referee exam for the Basic Referee Companion course (this is a live instruction course in which AYSO referee instructors will review key concepts). 
• Complete the free online AYSO Safe Haven and CDC Concussion Awareness training courses in AYSOU.
• If you are 18+ you will need to take Safe Sport training.  Go to Safe Sport Training.

You must complete the online Basic Referee Training course before attending the Basic Referee Companion course and taking the referee exam. All of the required referee courses will take approximately 8-10 hours with most of that being online instruction which you can do at your own pace. 

Thank you for stepping up to keep the game safe, fair and fun for the kids!