Referees

Referees are as critical to soccer as players and coaches. In AYSO, the game can’t be played if there aren’t enough referees. It’s most common for a volunteer to begin their AYSO referee career by refereeing their own child’s game. However, as they learn the rules, develop their own techniques for managing players, coaches and fans, and gain an appreciation for how important the role of the referee is to a fun, fair and safe soccer experience, they often find it very rewarding to expand their knowledge and experience through AYSO’s advanced training and certification process. AYSO’s referee training is considered some of the best in the U.S. and includes both in-person courses in your community and online opportunities. Soccer knowledge is a plus, but is certainly not required. The AYSO referee training will give you all you need to know to have a terrific experience on the field.

How do I become a referee?

You must first complete an AYSO volunteer application form and be approved as an AYSO volunteer by your local AYSO Region. This can be done by registering at on our website and completing the background check. Once you are approved as a volunteer, the training to become an AYSO referee is provided to you for free. You should contact the Region's Referee Administrator to get more information about the training schedule for referees in your Region. Their contact information is on the board members page.