Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

Region 5 - Fountain Valley, Home of the HI5 Tournament

Welcome to AYSO 5 Referee!

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 to Become a Referee

Apply as a Volunteer

Log in to Blue Sombrero (ayso5.org)

On the right side, click on the person icon, then click on Account. Click on Volunteer (left side), then Find Volunteer Roles Enter all of the information. Might take 10 minutes. Good thing is, you only have to do this once, each year after, all the info is still there. The Application is complete when you click “Submit”. It will be on the second page that looks like a form.Make a note of your AYSO volunteer ID. (It will be an 8-digit number)

How to Apply as a Volunteer

Take the Online Course(s)

Go to AYSOU.org. It will ask your AYSO ID and your last name.

Take the Safe Haven course. (This is probably about 45 minutes, you can even do it tonight.)

Take the ONLINE CONCUSSION AWARENESS COURSE
PRINT OUT the completion form for both the Safe Haven and the Referee training. Bring it to the class.

Take the In-Person Portion of the Course

Go to AYSOU.org and search for the Regional Referee Course and enroll. This may be out of region training and any fees will be reimbursed with a receipt. To find our class, search for Fountain Valley or 11/K/5.

Bring the Printout of the final page (looks like a certificate) that shows you did Safe Haven, and one that shows you did the Ref training.

If you have any questions contact Russell AYSO 5 Referee Administrator or Ken AYSO 5 Referee Instructor

Referee Volunteer Staff

Regional Referee Administrator (RRA)
Russell Poucher

Assistant Referee Administrator (ARRA)
Sam Diep

Assistant Referee Administrator (ARRA)
Mark Oster

Region Youth Referee Administrator
Ryan Vu

Director of Referee Instruction
Ken Barckley

Region Mentoring Administrator
Gary Green

Area K Assistant Director
Rick Niedermayer

Youth Refereeing is FUN!

Referee Training Steps

Step 1 – Volunteer Application

Create/Update Volunteer Application Form: How To Submit

Step 2 – Referee Pre-requisite Courses

Course MT02 – AYSO's Safe Haven (1-1.5 hours)
AYSO CDC – Concussion Awareness (1 hour)

Step 3 – Basic Referee Training

Take the an 8 hour classroom/field course called Basic Referee and pass the test. Sign up at www.AYSOU.org

Step 4 – Mentoring

All New Referee’s can sign up for mentoring on MatchTrak for their first few assignments.

AYSO Safe Haven

AYSO's Safe Haven was developed to protect both children and volunteers. The program covers protection guidelines, safety and injury prevention as well as the important of role modeling sporting behavior and supporting the philosophies of AYSO.

How-to sign-up for the online AYSO Safe Haven Course

Log in to https://aysou.org (use your Blue Sombrero login info)
Select "My Courses"
Click the "Open" button next to "AYSO's safe haven". (See image below)

You will need to complete all the modules listed below and pass the Final Exam.
- Introduction to Safe Haven
- Volunteers
- Protection Guidelines
- Child Protection
- Emergency Medical Conditions
- Play it Safe
- Role Models
- Final Exam
- Safe Haven Certificate
- Safe Haven eBook Download Site

If you have any questions, you will need to contact the Website Admin.

AYSO CDC: Concussion Course

By taking this free, online course and using what you learn, you will be well positioned to improve the culture of concussion. Your actions can help create a safe environment for young athletes so that they can stay healthy, active, and thrive - both on and off the playing field. Upon completion of this training, you can print out a certificate, making it easy to show your league or school you are ready for the season. Also, this online course has to be taken annually for every new MY Year

How-to sign-up for the online CDC: Concussion Course

Approximate time to complete is about 60 minutes
Log in to https://aysou.org (use your Blue Sombrero login info)
Select "My Courses"
Click the "Open" button next to "CDC: Concussion Course". (See image below)
You will need click the "launch" button next to "Heads Up" and complete the CDC: Concussion Course. (See image below)

If you have any questions, you will need to contact your division coordinator.

Referee Badge Levels

Take your referee skills to the next level

The following referee levels outline the requirements required to advance to the next level referee certifications.

Regional Referee (minimum age 12)

# of Games: No minimum number of games required
Training: Basic Referee Course (Includes Safe Haven Referee Certification)
Testing: 75% or better on the Regional Referee Exam
Assessment: Not required
Fitness Test: Not required
Service Units: None required

Intermediate Referee (minimum age 14)

# of Games: 25 as a referee with at least 5 in U-12 matches
Training: Intermediate (Area) Referee Course
Testing: 90% or better on the Intermediate Referee Exam
Assessment: See note 3 below
Fitness Test: Not required - practice for AYSO Physical Fitness Test is recommended
Service Units: None required

Advanced Referee (minimum age 16)

# of Games: 50 as Referee (10 in U-14) and 5 as an Assistant Referee (in U-14)
Training: Advanced (Section) Referee Course
Testing: 90% or better on the Advanced Referee Exam
Assessment: One each as Referee and Assistant Referee in a U-14 match
Fitness Test: Complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test for this level
Service Units: Do a minimum of five service units.

National Referee (minimum age 18)

No. of Games: 100 as Referee with at least 30 in 16U and 19U matches of which at least 15 must be in 19U, if available, and 25 as Assistant Referee with at least 10 in 19U, if available. The Section Referee Administrator may authorize substitution of 16U for 19U, if 19U matches are not available.
Training: Complete the National Referee Course. At least 80 matches as Referee prior to attending the National Referee Course is required.
Testing: 90% or better on the National Referee Exam
Assessment: Two assessments as Referee in 16U or 19U with at least one in 19U, if available, and one as Assistant Referee in a U-19 match, if available. The Section Referee Administrator may authorize substitution of 16U for 19U if 19U matches are not available.
Fitness Test: Complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test for this level.
Service: Do an additional five service units.