Purpose

The AYSO volunteer position of referee is intended to control soccer matches played between teams of youth players in the age groups from U6 to U19 according to the AYSO National Rules and Regulations, the FIFA Laws of the Game and the prevailing guidelines provided at AYSO training courses. The referee is expected to cooperate with coaches and other officials to develop a positive self-image in the players and to provide a good role model for all AYSO participants.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The referee is expected to:

1. Attend regional referee meetings before and during the season as required;

2. Attend specific referee training courses to develop refereeing skills;

3. Attend referee refresher courses as necessary to maintain AYSO rules and FIFA Law knowledge and
   become familiar with any changes in prevailing guidelines;

4. Officiate matches to which he/she is assigned according to the AYSO rules, the FIFA Laws and prevailing guidelines;

5. Keep a record of each match he/she officiates and make special reports as necessary;

6. Support the AYSO philosophies;

7. Support the regional commissioner and staff;

8. Cooperate with the regional referee administrator and referee staff on topics pertaining to refereeing;

9. Refrain from smoking, the drinking of alcoholic beverages and the use of insulting, embarrassing, foul or
   abusive language or behavior;

10. Carry out any other refereeing tasks as necessary;

11. Have FUN!

Qualifications and Desired Skills

To be considered for the position of referee, the applicant should:

1. Be reliable;

2. Have an interest in helping children;

3. Have good character;

4. Be interested in promoting the benefits of youth sports, especially soccer;

5. Be physically capable; and

6. Be trained and certified as an AYSO referee.

Supervision Protocols

While performing as the referee, the volunteer is:

1. Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of AYSO;

2. Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by the regional referee administrator, and
   supervised indirectly by the regional commissioner; and

3. To maintain the recommended supervision ratio of 1:8 or less; that is one adult for every eight or fewer
   children and two adults (one of whom may be the coach and one of whom should be of the same gender
   as the group) present at all times. For the protection of both the children and the volunteer, no volunteer
   should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own)
   during AYSO sponsored activities.

Orientation, Training, Certification, and Continued Education Provided

To prepare a volunteer for the position of referee, AYSO will offer the following educational opportunities. It is the duty of the volunteer to attend these sessions.

1. Orientation by the regional referee administrator;

2. Referee certification;

3. Various referee track workshops at the annual section meeting;

4. Referee training classes: Assistant referee, referee, regional referee, area referee, section referee,
   national 1 referee and national 2 referee;

5. Referee Assessor training classes: Grade 2 Referee Assessor and Grade 1 Referee Assessor;

6. FIFA Law and AYSO National Rules and Regulations update and refresher courses; and

7. Annual regional update.

Activity Locations

While performing the duties of referee, the volunteer is limited to the following locations, unless expressly authorized in writing by the regional commissioner to hold activities in another location.

1. Regional board meetings;

2. The annual section meeting;

3. Assigned field locations;

4. Assigned classroom locations;

5. Independent work at home alone, in committees of adults, or in a properly supervised situation with children; and

6. Tournaments.