For Referees

Referee Information


Thank you for your interest in refereeing!

Region 45 needs over 200 volunteer referees every season to ensure that our 1900-plus kids have a rewarding experience playing soccer.   If you have not already done so, please consider signing up today!

All of our officials at AYSO soccer games are volunteers from the community - people like you and me.   True to the all-volunteer approach of AYSO, we do not use any paid referees.

We referee because:

  • It helps Los Altos and Mountain View     kids learn and play soccer safely!
  • It's not hard to learn how and experience is not necessary!
  • Training and mentoring are at hand to help you learn the rules easily.
  • It is a great way to help kids learn ethics, values and sportsmanship
  • It's great for exercise and building self-esteem and self discipline!
  • There is no better vantage point to be involved in the game!
  • We have fun!

    • The returning referees are the backbone of the referee organization.  Your experience and dedication are greatly appreciated.  We hope that all the wonderful people who were referees for us last year will volunteer again this season.

    Region 45 is especially looking to the parents of our younger Under-8 and Under-10 division players to volunteer to referee.   The time commitment is minimal because the majority of the games you referee will be those in which your own child is playing.

    Players (in the U14 division and above) and older siblings are welcome to referee also. This is a great community service activity to earn high school service hours and list on college applications!


    New Referee Procedures

    All new referees must go through the following four steps in order to referee matches in our region.

    Step 1:  If you are not yet trained, register for the referee training class(es)
                 you plan to attend.

    Step 2: Register as a volunteer in the National AYSO database through eAYSO.

    • Go to www.eayso.com to register as a volunteer for this season.   If you have registered as a volunteer in prior years, your information will already be in the database.    Be sure to verify that all of it is correct and current, especially your email address!  


    • Tutorials are available to help you with this process and likely include answers to most questions you will have.   You may find it useful to open a second browser window so you can access the tutorial quickly while using eAYSO if you need it.
      Tutorial:  Creating a new volunteer form and login id
      Tutorial:  Changing your region
    • Register only yourself in eAYSO.   Please do not register your children as players in eAYSO!


    • Once you have entered the required information online, print and bring (2) copies of your completed eAYSO volunteer form along with a drivers license or passport to your next training session.   The volunteer forms and your id validation are required in order to get an eAYSO ID.    Referees will not receive their badge at the end of the training class without the volunteer form.


    • Once you have turned in your volunteer forms, you will be issued your eAYSO ID within 24 hours so that you can take Safe Haven training online.  AYSO National has separate Safe Haven classes for referees and coaches.

    Step 3: Complete the online Safe Haven class (20-30 minutes).

    • You must have your eAYSO ID in order to sign into the online class.


    • AYSO Safe Haven training is an absolute requirement for all referees. If you have not previously taken the training and do not take it this year, you may not referee. Basic Safe Haven training is good for life and is now taken on-line here.

    • This process has been implemented by AYSO National for the safety and security of all involved with AYSO and we apologize for any inconvenience this process creates.


    • Print one copy of the certificate of completion after you have finished the course.


    • Safe Haven only has to be taken once in your lifetime, but referees and coaches have different versions of this class.

    Step 4: Attend your classes.

    • Attend the class you signed up for. A record of your attendance will be entered into the WebYouthSoccer database and you will be issued a badge at the end of the class.   You will also be issued a uniform if you do not already have one.

    Returning Referee Procedures

    All new referees must go through the following four steps in order to referee matches in our region.

    Step 1:  If you need additional training, register for the referee training class(es)
                 you plan to attend.

    • U10: You need to take the U08 class PLUS the U08-to-Regional Upgrade class.


    • Review the schedule of classes and sign up using the Parent->Volunteer section in WebYouthSoccer http://r45.webyouthsoccer.com or the following links:

      Overall Training Calendar:
             http://www.ayso43.org/Referees/RefereeTraining.htm.
      U8 Official Training Calendar:
             http://www.ayso43.org/Referees/RefereeTraining.htm#U8Official.
      U8-to-Regional Upgrade Training Calendar:
             http://www.ayso43.org/Referees/RefereeTraining.htm#Upgrade.


    • The training calendar also has links to the training classes offered by other AYSO regions in our area, such as Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino.   Referees may take the training class in any AYSO region.  (Note that referees will receive their referee equipment from their ”home” region).


    • The training calendar also has links to the training classes offered by other AYSO regions in our area, such as Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino.   Referees may take the training class in any AYSO region.  (Note that referees will receive their referee equipment from their ”home” region).

    Step 2: Re-register as a volunteer in the National AYSO database through eAYSO.

    • Go to www.eayso.com to record yourself as a volunteer again for the current season.  Your information will already be in the database.    Be sure to verify that all of it is correct and current, especially your email address!  


    • Tutorials are available to help you with this process and likely include answers to most questions you will have.   You may find it useful to open a second browser window so you can access the tutorial quickly while using eAYSO if you need it.
      Tutorial:  Creating a new volunteer form and login id
      Tutorial:  Changing your region
    • Once you have entered the required information online, print and bring (2) copies of your completed eAYSO volunteer form along with a drivers license or passport to your next training session.  Referees will not receive their badge at the end of the training class without the volunteer form.


    • If you forget your eAYSO ID number, email our Child and Protection Advocate at advocate@ayso45.org and he/she will email it to you.

    Step 3: Attend your classes.

    • Attend the class you signed up for. A record of your attendance will be entered into the WebYouthSoccer database and you will be issued a badge at the end of the class. You will also be issued a uniform if you do not already have one.

    Returning Referee Refresher

    For all referees who completed their training in previous years and are returning to referee again this season (and not taking the U8-Official-to-Regional-Referee upgrade class), AYSO National requires one continuing education class each year.   Region 45 provides a "referee refresher" meeting to meet this requirement.

    Sunday, August 26th, 2008
    6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
    Springer School, muti-purpose room
    1120 Rose Avenue
    Mountain View

    Advanced Referee Training

    The following advanced clinics for the experienced referee are also offered in the area:

    • Intermediate Referee    - Recommended for referees doing U12 and above
    • Advanced Referee         - Recommended for referees doing U14 and above
    • National Referee           - Recommended for referees doing U16 and above

    The Intermediate Referee training clinic is offered periodically by AYSO Area 2A.   The Advanced Referee and National Referee training clinics are offered each July at the Golden Gate Camp (http://www.section2.org/goldenga.htm) at St. Mary's College in Moraga, and at the Ken Aston Referee Camp in Long Beach.

    If you are interested in any of these, please join the Region 45 referee mailing list and watch for training clinic schedule announcements.


    Refereeing and Game Procedures, by Division

    Referees are used for all divisions beginning with U7 (under-7) but each division uses referees to a different extent.   The different referee procedures for each division are explained below.   Please note that there is no difference between the game rules for boys versus girls. within any division.


    Under-6 (U6)

    No formal matches.  No formal referee process but referees may be provided if desired.


    Under-7 (U7) Division and Under-8 (U8) Division Refereeing

    Referees normally start in the U7 or U8 divisions.

    • Each U7 and U8 team is required to provide a trained referee for the team’s "home" games.  Referees must have taken one 4-hour training clinic to be certified as AYSO "U8 Officials".

    • Games are worked by one referee only, as center ref. This referee is provided by the home team.
    • On game days, the U7 teams play a 5-on-5 game while the U8 game is 7-on-7.
    • Matches are two 20-minute halves, with a 5-minute half-time break.
    • Fields are approximately half the full regulation field size.
    • Goals are portable hockey-size nets.  No goalkeeper.
    • No offside enforced.
    • Standings are not kept and scores are not recorded in U7 and U8 divisions. In the AYSO spirit, the fun is in playing the game!
    • Referees however must still collect game cards from each coach prior to the match, record quarters played and goals scored by each player, and enter that information into WebYouthSoccer after the match.   This information is key to helping us monitor if one team is having consistent blowouts and to help us form balanced teams in future seasons.
    • For more information on the rules of play in this division, see Special Rules for U7/U8 Games .


    Under-10 (U10) Division Refereeing

    Three officials are used at each match - a referee (center) and two assistant referees (linesmen).

    • Each team must provide a trained Regional Referee for every game.  The team referees also work selected other games as a "neutral" referee (games that do not involve their child) as center referee.  These assignments are done by the referee team captains and are generally for the match immediately preceding or following their own child's match.  If a team cannot supply their assistant referee (linesman) for a game, it is the responsibility of the team to arrange for an alternate referee.
    • In the U10 division, refereeing requires somewhat more skill and training.  Referees for the U10 division take one day-long training clinic (also offered as three evening clinics) to be certified as AYSO "Regional Referees".
    • U10 teams play 9-on-9 games.
    • Matches are two 25-minute halves, with a 5-minute half-time break.
    • Law 11 (the offside law) is introduced at this level.
    • The center referee is responsible for collecting the game cards from each coach prior to the match, recording quarters played and goals scored by each player, and entering that information into WebYouthSoccer after the match.

    Under-12 (U12) and Under-14 (U14) Division Refereeing

    Three officials are used at each match - a referee (center) and two assistant referees (linesmen).

    • Each team should have at least one parent who has completed the AYSO "Regional Referee" training to help as a member of the U12/U14 referee pool.
    • In U12 and U14 divisions, players become much more skillful.   Refereeing requires increased skill and a complete three-person neutral referee team at every match.
    • The U12 teams play 9-on-9 matches, U14 teams play 11-on-11 matches.
    • Fields are full-size but will vary according to the site used.
    • Goals are full-size.
    • Matches are two 30-minute halves, with a 5-minute half-time break.
    • For U12 and U14 divisions, referees are expected to have earned AYSO Intermediate or Advanced referee badges, or have comparable experience.   The center referee is responsible for collecting the game cards from each coach prior to the match, recording quarters played and goals scored by each player, and entering that information into WebYouthSoccer after the match.
    • Region 45 organizes referees for U12 and U14 into four referee teams that rotate on a weekly basis from field to field.   Referees typically officiate at two matches each day.   The team captains of the four referee teams schedule referee assignments.

    Under-16 (U16) and Under-19 (U19)

    Three officials are used to officiate each match - a referee (center) and two assistant referees (linesmen).

    • Matches are played on Sunday.
    • Matches are area-wide combining Area 2A and Area 2J, not just Region 45.
    • Matches are 11-on-11.
    • Fields and goals are full-size. Exact field dimensions will vary according to the individual site used.
    • Three referees on the field: center plus two assistants.
    • U16 matches are two 40-minute halves, with a 5-minute half-time break; U19 matches are two 45-minute halves, with a 5-minute half-time break.
    • U16/U19 referee coordinator schedules three neutral referees for each match, from the pool of trained Area 2A volunteer referees.
    • No team referees.

    Entering Game Results in WebYouthSoccer

    Region 43 has put together a helpful guide to entering match results into WebYouthSoccer.  You will find the details here:

    http://www.ayso43.org/Referees/Lineup%20%Card%20Procedures.pdf?

    Region 43 also provides a general FAQ about lineup cards, primarily for coaches but also of interest to referees:

    http://www.ayso43.org/Main/GameCard.html

    Note:   Currently there are only a few minor differences between Region 45 and Region 43 procedures, all relating to how U7 and U8 teams and matches are structured. Refer to the previous section of the Region 45 website, Refereeing and Game Procedures in Region 45, by Division , for the specific procedures in Region 45.

    Weekly Referee and Coach Pizza Get-Together

    Every week we host a casual get together where people can ask questions of our experienced referees or coaches or participate in some fun dialogue about our games.   This weekly "Talk it Out" session, over pizza and drinks, is held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Wednesday or Thursday nights each week during the season.   These sessions are held at Milan Pizza, located in the Blossom Valley Shopping Center, at the corner of Cuesta Drive and Miramonte Avenue in Mountain View.

    Because of occasional conflicts with the availability of the meeting room, the day/date and any special topics planned are announced on the Region 45 referee and coach mailing lists early each week.   Be sure to join the referee mailing list (instructions for joining are under the "Referee Mailing List and Contacts" section) and watch for the weekly announcements.

    Referee Mailing List and Contact Info

    To stay informed about refereeing in Region 45, please join the Region 45 Referee email list.

    You can unsubscribe at any time, and the addresses on our mailing list are not shared outside the region.

    If you have questions about becoming a referee or refereeing in general, please use this form.

    Refereeing Mentoring and Assessment

    Feeling lost on the pitch?   Want some help to improve your performance as a referee?   Need a formal assessment to advance?   Need to do some mentoring for service hours for advancement?   See our Referee Mentoring and Assessment page.

    2008 Changes in the Laws of the Games and Other Stuff

    The changes in the laws of the games for 2008 are very minor. See AYSO's explanation of the 2008 Law Changes for detailed information.

    For lots of information about the Laws, advice for the referee and lots of other referee information, see socref.net at http://socref.net/index.html.

    Interested in a different and useful Referee to Area Referee level pre-game instruction, see Gil Weber's http://soccer-ref.quietfire.com/pregame.html

    The AYSO Section 2 annual meeting provided lots of great training material and can be viewed at http://www.aysohelp.org/referee/workshops/referee_workshops.htm.