The Whistle Stop: Info for Referees

Who are AYSO 1336 Referees? Click here.

YOUTH REFEREE OPPORTUNITIES

Anyone is welcome to become a youth referee and this is an excellent way to earn community service credits and experience. Referees do not have to be a soccer players to join AYSO.  They simply need to complete the Youth Volunteer Registration form and be willing to learn the laws of the game.   National guidelines state that youths 12 years old and older can become certified Referees (U6-U8 games) or Regional Referees (U6 to U10 games). Age policies and practices vary from Region to Region.  If you are interested in participating as youth referee, please contact the Regional Commissioner or Referee Administrator Chuck Ward. NOTICE: Many youth referee programs quickly run into problems of verbal abuse of youth referees. Therefore, Region 1336 supports a zero tolerance policy and will take swift and immediate action against any spectator or coach who verbally abuses a youth referee.

Is He Waving at Me? Referee Hand Signals Made Easy
Follow this link to find out what those hand signals really mean.

AYSO Officiating Workshops (Powerpoint Downloads)

When all else fails…. AYSO MISCONDUCT REPORT
Never get involved in a hostile or potentially violent confrontation. Any time you feel like you do not have control of the situation, remove yourself immediately. Report all incidents to the Referee Administrator or Regional Commissioner.

OFFSIDE – IT’S A REFEREE’S CALL
No law is as misunderstood or misinterpreted as often as offside. In our Region, offside laws come into effect in the U-10 age division. Due to the novelty of the rule and varied interpretations: comprehension is a common struggle for young players, their parents and, sometimes, even the referees and coaches. The intent of the offside rule is simple – to prevent a player from standing in front of the goal waiting to be served a ball. According to the Laws of the Game (FIFA) a player is offside if he or she is nearer to the opponents goal line than the ball unless: there are at least two opponents(including the goalkeeper) between them and the opposing team’s goal Offside is called ONLY if the player becomes involved in active play by

Interfering with the play

Interfering with opponent

Gaining an advantage by being in offside position.
Offside infractions are determined at the time the ball is played from one attacker to another. For example, if the player were positioned onside at the moment the ball was passed by a teammate, he/she does not become offside by running to an offside position while the ball is in flight. Of course, this is where the law becomes questionable. The position of the player at the moment the ball was passed depends greatly upon the opinion of the referee. If this explanation did not assist you – try this computer animated video “Making Offside Click” created and hosted by dynamic thought:.