Referee Resources
Check out the many resources available to AYSO Referees including refereeing information, tools, documents and forms, suppliers, and important contact information.
Offside Easy as one...two...three
To Whistle Or Not To Whistle?
What's The Correct AYSO Answer?
Referee Forms
Soccer Governing Rules
FIFA Homepage
USSF Homepage
Rules & Regulations
Online Training
eAYSO Courses
Laws of the Game
Want to look up something in the rules? Check it out at FIFA's website.
Official Laws of the Game - FIFA (pdf)
Sportsmanship Rating Guide
Referees are responsible for assigning sportsmanship ratings to each game. Refer to this guide to determine appropriate score.
Leeward AYSO Referee
Game Encouragement Rewards
L.A.R.G.E.R.
Beginning in the Fall of 2006, Leeward AYSO has created a reward system for referees who frequently officiate games. Like most airline frequent flier programs, this program will award points to referees for doing games, mentoring other referees, upgrading to a higher level or instructing courses. These points may then be redeemed for equipment that they use as a referee.
Rules of the program are simple. Referees must report and record their games the week they officiate at the main tent. Assistant Referees must also report and record their games. When sufficient points are accumulated to redeem for an award, the referee will inform the regional referee administrator or designee and the award will be ordered for the referee. Points may be accumulated across seasons and do not expire.
Referee Reminders
U6 and U8 Rules - Corner kicks are to occur when the defending team last touches the ball before it goes over the goal line. Previously this resulted in a corner throw in, but this was changed in 2004. Please use corner kicks only.
No one is suppose to kick the ball inside of the arc in front of the goals, except for a goal kick. A defender kicking the ball inside the arc should result in the attacking team being awarded a corner kick. An attacker kicking the ball inside the arc should result in the defending team receiving a goal kick.
Coaching from the sidelines - Coaches are to remain near the center of the field on the sideline. They are not to roam up and down the line coaching. Please remind them of this requirement.
Kids Zone - Leeward AYSO 269 is a Kids Zone region. Parents and coaches are expected to behave. Individuals who complain or question referee calls should simply be reminded that we are a Kids Zone Region.
Score Cards - Please turn in your completed score cards to the region tent before you leave. Completed means, sportsmanship filled out for both teams, any problems noted and explained and your name (legibly written or printed).
Heading - Leeward AYSO 269 has the following policy for heading in U10, U8 and U6 age groups.
1. No coaching heading in U10, U8 and U6.
2. Heading in a game is to be avoided for these age groups.
a. Deliberate attempts to head the ball in these age groups should be whistled by the referee as a foul.
The interpretation to all concerned is that it is dangerous play and should thus result in an INDIRECT Free kick for the opposing team, from the spot of the infraction.
b. Inadvertent heading - i.e. the ball is kicked into the air and it strikes a player in the head. This was not deliberate heading and as such should be ignored by the referee as a foul.
Referee No Shows - Should you be required to referee a game for another team because they did not show up, please note this on the score card.
U-8 Referees - Three referees will be used for U-8. The center referee will be a neutral referee from one of the teams before or after the game. The two sideline referees (officially know as Assistant Referees) will be provided by the teams playing the game, one from each team. The center referee will brief the assistant referees on responsibilities prior to the game.