San Mateo AYSO Region 36 P.O. Box 5316, San Mateo, CA 94402 650-341-4112

Introduction to the AYSO Referee Levels

The AYSO program provides for 6 levels of referee training.  At each level the depth of understanding of the game is increased, matching the needs of the players as they become stronger and more experienced. 

The two entry level positions in the San Mateo AYSO referee program are the Team Parent and the Regional Referee.  Knowledge of the game is not required prior to training at either of these levels.

• For the youngest players, team parent referees are typically in control of the games.  Since the level of play is very low and the simple guiding principals "Safe, Fun, and Fair" are the over-riding concerns of the game.
• The Regional Level is most appropriate for refereeing play of more experienced players, typically in divisions U12 and younger.  These players are transitioning from a fun Saturday activity to a somewhat faster and more technical game where knowledge of the laws of the game is required for game management.

Referees are volunteers too...

Referees are critical to the game of soccer - without them the game cannot be played.  Volunteers generally referee between one game a week (especially as a team referee in the lower divisions) and several games each Saturday plus a weekday night game each week.  Refereeing is a great way to help the youth in our community, while watching a game or two. 

AYSO games are designed to provide a safe, fun, and fair environment for the game of soccer.  As an all volunteer organization, our goal is to provide an environment where the parents, spectators, coaches, players, and referees are all members of the same team.

Referee levels

Team Parent Referee		Intermediate Referee Level
Trained in the BASIC aspects of refereeing Supports AYSO principles "Safe, Fair and Fun" in short sided matches		Trained in the MECHANICAL aspects of refereeing The "Must Knows" of refereeing
Assistant Referee Level		Advanced Referee Level
Trained to assist refereeing of the game of soccer Primary responsibilities is to "run the sidelines" Assists the Referee with offside calls and throw-ins Informs the Referee of fouls which may not be visible from the on the field		Trained in the MECHANICAL aspects of refereeing The "Must Knows" of refereeing
Regional Referee Level		National Referee Level
Trained in the PRACTICAL aspects of refereeing How to start, when to stop and how to restart		Trained in the PHILOSOPHICAL aspects of refereeing Spirit and Intent of the Law and the Philosophy of Refereeing Trained in the PROFESSIONAL aspects of refereeing Refereeing is Thinking, Flow and Control of the Game

AYSO Referee Certification and Training Requirements

(Team Parent Referee) (minimum age 10)
	No. of Games:	No minimum number of games required
	Training:	Complete the Referee Course (Includes Safe Haven Referee Certification)
	Testing:	Take Referee Exam
	Assessment:	Not required
	Fitness Test:	Not required
	Service:	Not required
Regional Referee (minimum age 12)
	No. of Games:	No minimum number of games required
	Training:	Complete the Regional Referee Course (Includes Safe Haven Referee Certification)
	Testing:	75% or better on the Regional Referee Exam
	Assessment:	Not required
	Fitness Test:	Not required – an introduction to the AYSO Physical Fitness Test is recommended
	Service:	None required
Area Referee (minimum age 14)
	No. of Games:	25 as referee with at least 5 in U-12 matches
	Training:	Complete the Area Referee Course
	Testing:	90% or better on the Area Referee Exam
	Assessment:	See note 3 below
	Fitness Test:	Not required – practice for AYSO Physical Fitness Test is recommended
	Service:	Do a minimum of 3 service units. See notes 4 and 5 below.
Section Referee (minimum age 16)
	No. of Games:	50 as referee (10 in U-14) and 5 as an assistant referee (in U-14)
	Training:	Complete the Section Referee Course
	Testing:	90% or better on the Section Referee Exam
	Assessment:	One as referee and one as assistant referee in a U-14 match
	Fitness Test:	Complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test for this level
	Service:	Do an additional of 5 service units. See notes 4 and 5 below.
National 2 Referee (minimum age 18)
	No. of Games:	75 as referee (20 in U-16) and 15 as an assistant referee (10 in U-16)
	Training:	Complete the National 2 Referee Course
	Testing:	90% or better on the National 2 Referee Exam
	Assessment:	One as referee and one as assistant referee in a U-16 match
	Fitness Test:	Complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test for this level
	Service:	Do an additional five service units. See note 4 below.
National 1 Referee (minimum age 18)
	No. of Games:	100 as referee (25 in U-19) and 25 as an assistant referee (10 in U-19)
	Training:	Complete the National 1 Referee Course
	Testing:	90% or better on the National 1 Referee Exam
	Assessment:	Two as referee and one as assistant referee in a U-19 match
	Fitness Test:	Complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test for this level
	Service:	Do an additional five services units. See note 4 below.

Notes:

1. Field assessments for level upgrades must be done in a typical AYSO match for the age group specified, using the Diagonal System of Control. Matches used for upgrade assessments must be of a duration as specified for that particular age group in the AYSO National Rules and Regulations except that U-16 and U-19 matches shortened by no more than 5 minutes per half are acceptable.
2. If requested by the referee being assessed, a higher division match or a non AYSO match of the equivalent age division (or higher) may be used for the assessment.
3. Applicants for Area Referee level must be mentored by a Grade 3 Referee Mentor (or higher level assessor) and recommended for upgrade by the Regional Referee Administrator or the Regional Director of Referee Assessment. At least one observation as a referee is required, and one as an assistant referee is recommended.
4. Service units consist of:
   • Observer-Friend observations,
   • mentoring of new referees for development or upgrade,
   • serving as a Referee Administrator, Director of Referee Instruction or as a Director of Referee Assessment,
   • instructing Assistant Referee and Referee Training Courses,
   • instructing Referee Assessor Training Courses,
   • and, if qualified, assessing candidates for upgrade in referee level.

   No more than two (2) service units may be credited by an applicant for mentoring/observing an individual referee, or one (1) service unit per instruction course or one (1) service unit per year for an administrative function.

   The requirement for performing service units is waived in the case of candidates who are under 18 years old.

5. Team Parent and the Regional Referee candidates do not require prior soccer experience.

   Referees who desire to upgrade their certification should have the following minimum experience as a referee:

   Upgrade to:	Minimum experience:
   Area	One year as a Regional Referee
   Section	One year as an Area Referee
   National 2	One year a Section Referee, and
   National 1	Two years as a National 2 Referee

    

05/22/07