Referee game scheduler – thanks for signing up J.

How do I become a referee?

Anybody 12 years or older can be a referee, it’s easier than you think. Maybe you’re a coach, maybe you used to play, maybe you still play or maybe your child just signed up for AYSO and you don’t know a thing about the game. Becoming a referee is the best way to learn about the game of soccer. We can teach you everything you need to know to start refereeing AYSO soccer games in just 3 days. We will provide you a uniform and give you lots of support. We hold classes two or three times throughout the year. Our lead instructor is Dan Dyckman; send him an e-mail to find out when the next class will be.

Do we need any more referees?

Ummmmmm, YES! We always need more referees. And being a referee is the easiest way to get involved with AYSO. Unlike coaching, being a referee doesn’t require any time during the week. And referees aren’t assigned games, they sign up for them, so if you don’t want to get up early or if you’d prefer to be done by lunchtime, it’s no problem; you choose the games, so you choose the times.

Referee badge levels

All referees wear a badge. If you look at a referee’s badge it will tell you his level. The level is an indication of the amount of training the referee has had. AYSO has 4 different badge levels. You progress to the next level by taking the corresponding referee course. I’m surprised at the number of referees that when asked about getting the next badge reply that they just aren’t aware who they should contact. So if you’ve had the same badge for a couple of years, then it’s time to take the next step. All the courses are either free, or the cost is reimbursed by FC AYSO.

• Regional – Contact Dan Dyckman.
• Intermediate – Contact Martin Bittner.
• Advanced – Contact Maurice Bizzarri. This class is normally held at Golden Gate Camp.
• National – Contact Maurice Bizzarri. This class is normally held at Golden Gate Camp.

If you’re going to take a course or if you want to have an idea of what will be covered, go here to get the pre-test.

Referee resources – Here are some links to other web sites that contain very useful information for referees

Fields On The Peninsula – if you’re doing an out-of-town game and don’t know where a field is, this is the place to look.

U16/U19 Misconduct Report – I hope you never need it.

AYSO Help Page – There’s lot of information here about both refereeing and coaching.

Golden Gate Camp – Golden Gate Camp (GGC) is where you can attend a variety of AYSO training courses; including the Advanced and National referee courses. GGC is actually held at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. You’ll spend the weekend there, sleeping in the dorms, eating in the cafeteria and attending class. It’s a great experience. I guarantee you will meet some new people and make some new friends.

Advice To Referees – this book is a must have referee for all referees. It contains in-depth explanations of Law 11 (Offside) and Law 12 (Fouls and Misconducts) that every referee should read. Look for the answers to these questions:

• Which restarts can you be called for offside? (hint: there are only two)
• Blue is called for dangerous play in Red’s penalty area. Red takes the IFK. When is the ball “in play” (e.g. can be touched by another player)?
• A Blue player takes a throw-in. He miss-throws the ball and it hits the referee in the foot and bounces back towards the Blue player that took the throw who proceeds to start dribbling the ball. Is this allowed? If not, why? And what’s the restart?

Guide To Procedures – among other things, this book covers all the official signals between a referee and the assistant referee. Look for the answers to these questions?

• The AR calls a foul against Blue in Blue’s penalty area. How does the AR signal to the referee that the foul was in the penalty area? If you think you should hold the flag pointing down in front of your legs, you’re wrong!
• A Blue attacker in a non-offside position takes a shot and the ball goes into the goal. However, the ball went into the goal because another Blue attacker that was in an offside position interfered with play by blocking the goalkeeper. How does the AR signal this to the referee? If you’re going to pop the flag, think again.

US Soccer – the US Soccer Federation web site contains a wealth of information for soccer enthusiasts and especially referees.

• Laws of the game – this page contains links to a variety of papers relating to the laws
• Position papers this page contains links to a variety of papers relating to the interpretation of the laws
• Ask a referee – this page allows you to submit a question to the US Soccer Federation referees. Also on this page are lots of questions that others have asked along with the answers given.

Questions, comments, or problems with this web page can be sent to Bill Durney

Last updated: 7/15/08