Referees are Volunteers
As with all of the roles at AYSO Region 18, ALL OF OUR REFEREES ARE VOLUNTEERS. Please be kind to and respectful of all referees. They are fellow parents and friends from our community, who are donating their valuable free time to the league, to help provide high-quality, low-cost soccer for all of our kids. Please thank them for donating their weekends for our kids.
Please note that all volunteers must register as a volunteer for the current season with AYSO18
(Volunteer Instructions).
Returning Referee Meetings
We are holding two returning referee sessions, but you only need to attend one.
Session #1: Saturday, August 24 at 9 am at Joslyn Community Center
Session #2 Wednesday, August 28 at 7:30 pm at Manhattan Heights Auditorium
Unlike previous years in which our meeting has lasted just 60 minutes, we can't make that promise this year, unfortunately. There are 27 law changes to review, so we expect this year's meeting to last 75-90 minutes.
With the significant law changes this year, attendance at one of these two sessions is mandatory.
The slide deck presented at the Returning Referee Meetings is available for your review here.
AYSO Referee Training Requirements
Below is a chart outlining the Certification Classes that must be completed to become a Referee for each Division of AYSO. In addition, we have an entire page with details on the Referee Training Classes. Please visit our Referee Training Classes page for more details on how to register for classes and a list of some local class options.
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Division
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Referee Certification Requirements*
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Prerequisite
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5U-6U
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N/A
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N/A
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7U-8U
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Safe Haven, CDC Concussion, 8U Official
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none
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10U
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Safe Haven, CDC Concussion, Regional Referee
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none
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12U
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Safe Haven, CDC Concussion, Intermediate Referee
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Regional Referee
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14U
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Safe Haven, CDC Concussion, Advanced Referee
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Intermediate Referee
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16U-19U
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Safe Haven, CDC Concussion, National Referee
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Advanced Referee
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Player Development Initiatives
This year, Region 18 will incorporate several modifications focusing on player development in 6U-10U divisions. Referees will need to understand these initiatives in the 7U-10U divisions. Please review the ten-minute video, which explains these modifications. If you have questions, please review the PowerPoint as it comprehensively covers the Player Development Initiatives.
Referee Scheduling System
The Referee Scheduling System (RSS) will be available for the Fall AYSO season on Labor Day.
To access to RSS, click here: 
.
If you are having any difficulty with RSS, the RSS User Guide can be found here: 
AYSO REFEREE RESOURCES
AYSO Guidance for Referees, Coaches, Other Volunteers, & Parents
AYSO National Rules & Regulations
This is the official version of the AYSO Rules & Regulations. The National Rules & Regulations describe how AYSO conducts age specific programs and games including expectations for participation, details on team formation and registration requirements. These rules may be amended or supplemented by Section and/or Area rules.
2017-2018 AYSO Section 1 Rules and Regulations
All play within Section 1 will be in accordance with to the current FIFA Laws of the Game, AYSO National Rules and Regulations and these Section 1 Rules and Regulations.
UPDATE: By direction of the Section 1 Board of Directors, effective 12 Mar 2018, heading is not permitted in 12U for all Programs (Core, Extra and All-Star).
Youth Referee Program
Manual for Youth Referees
Spirit of the Game and Philosophy of Refereeing
Ready, Set, Ref! - a great primer on officiating in AYSO - coming soon
IFAB / FIFA / US SOCCER REFEREE RESOURCES
2020-2021 Updates to the Laws of the Game
2019-2020 IFAB Laws Of The Game
2019 Changes to the Laws of the Game