FAQ SHEET How to become a Regional (beginning) referee
RETURN TO REFEREE RESOURCE PAGE

• Who can become a referee?
• What will I learn at the referee clinic?
• When are the clinics?
• How do I sign up for the clinics?
• I've looked at the referee class schedule and I can't make every night, what do I do?
• What are the physical requirements?
• I don’t know how to even play soccer...how can I possibly referee?
• How many games will I be expected to do?
• What if I try one game and decide I am not cut out to be a referee?
• What about equipment?
• I worry about being yelled at, or making a mistake.
• Can I coach and referee?
• What other requirements are there to become a referee?
• I have more questions, not addressed in the FAQ. Who should I talk to?

Who can become a referee? There are no perquisites. Any adult or youth, who is 12 years when the season begins, may be come a referee [BACK TO TOP]

What will I learn at the referee clinic? The BASIC referee course teaches new referees how to start, manage and end a soccer game and to keep the game fair, fun and safe. You'll learn the laws of the game, the signals, and the basic skills of refereeing. Each referee is given a Law Book and a work book, plus all the equipment needed to referee a game. [BACK TO TOP]

When are the 2008 clinics?
 

I've looked at the referee class schedule and I can't make every night, what do I do? The course is taught in modules, so if an individual cannot complete the entire set of modules (called Basic) in one weekend, they can continue in a later session without having to retake the entire course.  [BACK TO TOP]

What are the physical requirements? There are no physical requirements needed to earn a Basic referee badge; however there is physical activity required in order to referee. New referees are placed in games for youths that are under 10 year old. New referee do not start out in the center, they are placed on the sideline with the task of judging when the ball goes out of play and signaling offside. About 50% of the time, the line referee will be walking, 25% of the time the referee will need to jog and from time-to-time, the line referee will need to run fast enough to keep up with a seven to nine year old. U10 games are 50 minutes long. Every 12-1/2 minutes there is a two to five minute break while the teams substitute players onto the field. [BACK TO TOP]

Since I don’t know much about soccer...how could I possibly referee? the majority of new adult who join the referee referee program have no experience at all. That’s why AYSO provides a comprehensive, interesting and complete training program. Virtually all of the senior referees you see on the field, knew nothing about soccer when they took their Basic referee class. [BACK TO TOP]

How many games will I be expected to do? One, just to see if you like it. Once you get past that one game, we’d like you to do at least six games in our ten week season. All we ask is for you to try it. The majority of referees actually find it exciting and exhilarating--plus its great exercise! [BACK TO TOP]

What if I try one game and decide I am not cut out to be a referee? Frankly, that rarely happens, but if it does, we will respect your decision. Part of our mission is to help you get past the initial confusion and concern that you might have in trying something new. We provide on the field mentors and we have an onsite monitor who are there to help you.  [BACK TO TOP]

What about equipment? Region 14 provides the jersey, shorts, socks, whistle and flags. You'll need to provide your own black shoes and watch with a timer. Three or four times during the season, we’ll even buy your dinner. [BACK TO TOP]

I worry about being yelled at, or making a mistake. Relax. As a new assistant referee, you’ll be teamed up with an experienced center and for your first several games, a mentor will run the line with you. There will also be an onsite monitor at the field. [BACK TO TOP]

RETURN TO REFEREE RESOURCE PAGE