AYSO Region 55 - Huntington Beach

Game Day Resources for Referees

After Referee Certification Process

1. The Referee Admin will verify completion of the following mandatory items:

Online Regional Referee Course, if taking Companion Course
Regional Referee Certification (for 8U only certification)
AYSO Safe Haven Training (available on AYSOU)
AYSO Concussion Awareness Training (available on AYSOU)
AYSO Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training (available on AYSOU)
Current Safesport training (available on AYSOU)
Be a Current MY2024 Registered Volunteer (available on AYSOU)

10U and Up: once verified, an email from our scheduling system known as MATCHTRAK (please be sure we have a valid email on file):
Username: John Doe
Temporary Password: AYSO

CLICK HERE for learn how to use Matchtrak

TIPS & REMINDERS:

Choose a game to referee immediately before or after your child's game!
If you're just starting out as a Referee, feel free to start with an Assistant Referee role and move into the Referee role. You will need to do a bit of both in order to fulfill your team's referee points requirement.
DO NOT referee your own child's game at 10U and up. If you are a spectator and the need for an Assistant Referee arises, and you can be neutral and unbiased, offer to assist. Email [email protected] to make sure you get credit for the game. If you are in full uniform, you will receive credit.
Only Region 55 Home games, 10U and up, count towards your team's season referee points.
In order to receive your uniform and referee supplies, you must sign up for at least ONE GAME, 10U and up.
Experienced referees usually wear their shorts and socks all day Saturday and have their gear bags with them, you never know when you can assist to gain points for your team!
NEED A MENTOR? Email [email protected] and we'll send a mentor out to you!

RECOMMENDED PROGRESSION:

Center at least two 7U or 8U games.
AR at least two core/recreational program 10U games.
Center for your first 10U game in the core/recreational program; consider asking the RRA for recommended placements.
Request a Mentor for your next game.
Alternate between Center and AR for at least 3 more core/recreational program games
Sign up for your first Advanced Play game in the 9U division
Keep going at your own pace

Helpful Referee Resources

Referee Points

Referee points are required for teams in 10U through 14U to qualify for playoffs. Points are awarded only for certified referees in uniform officiating Region 55 home games. Parent "line runners" during their child's game do not earn points.

Important Notes

Only certified Regional Referees may officiate Region 55 Home games, 10U and up - points will count towards your teams referee tally
To ensure fairness and neutrality, referees may not officiate their own child's game (10U and above). No points will be awarded if this occurs.
EXCEPTION: If you are a spectator at your game and the referee requests an assistant referee, you may step in only if you can remain neutral and unbiased (points may be awarded in this circumstance).
Referee points will only be awarded when officiating in full referee uniform.
Limit sign-ups in Matchtrak to 1 game per week until Friday AM.

Thank you to all our volunteer referees! Your time and effort make it possible for our players to enjoy a safe, fun, and fair soccer season!

Referee Guidelines

Know the accepted mechanics, signals, and procedures for Referees and Assistant
Youtube is your friend. Here is a video on Referee signals from the Ken Aston Referee Society.

Referee Signals

Arrive to the field at least 20 minutes prior to kick-off
Be professional and approachable, yet confident and firm
Be sure to dress in appropriate AYSO approved Referee uniform with socks pulled up and a watch with timer capability
Take charge but do not dictate
Always start the game on time

The Referee and ARs should work as a team and never disagree publicly. This one's important for newer Referees. If you're an AR in the match and you'll feel strongly on a call, please do not disagree with the Center Referee at the time of the call. The Center Referee makes the final call at the end of day. Concerns can be brought up as a team during quarter breaks or at the end of a game.

Use sunscreen & maintain hydration before, during the half, and after the game
Inspect the Field – Goals must be anchored or the game cannot be played
Check in the players 10 minutes prior to kick off
Introduce yourself to the coaches, be respectful, courteous, and professional
Referee should have a pre-game conference with his Assistant Referees
Referees (Center) should help mentor new ARs. Remember that you were a rookie at some point too!
Referees should be running, ARs should be running
Be decisive and control the game, even in 6U/8U. Tell the players when their behavior is unacceptable.
Coaches should be positive, instructional, and encouraging ONLY. Be proactive with coaches and let them know that public, Persistent, provocative, or personal actions or words towards any officials will not be tolerated. Advise them to stop.
Head Coaches can be cautioned with a yellow card. If the Head Coach receives a two cautions or a send-off (red card), the Coach will be ejected from the game. In this scenario, the Assistant Coach takes over (unless he/she is the one ejected). Contact the RRA for help with a report.
Ask the coach to control problem spectators/parents. If he or she is unable or unwilling to control parents that are crossing the line, cautions or a send-off will be the end result. Contact the RRA to file a report
Learn from experienced Referees. Mentoring and peer review is part of soccer officiating.

Referee Report
If an incident occurs, whether it's an injury or misconduct related, a referee will need to fill out a Referee Report and turn this report to the Referee Administrator for review >>>>> CLICK HERE Referee Report Document

Contact

Jose Meza
Referee Administrator
[email protected]

Helpful Referee Resources

Region 55 Handbook

Social Media

CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Google account is required. If you do not have one (or do not want to create one), please send your photos/videos to [email protected] (please include your division and team name).

If you follow us, simply tag us at @aysoregion55 for a shoutout!

Referee Signals

Assistant Referee Signals

Offside Explained

Build-Out Line (9U & 10U)

1. The build-out line shall be placed across the field equidistant between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line.

2. The opposing team must move behind the build-out line for a goal kick or when thegoalkeeper has possession. (Note: BOL does NOT apply to Free Kicks taken by the defending team behind the BOL. LOTG Law 13 still mandates that for Free Kicks taken within a team own penalty area, all opponents must be outside on the penalty area and 10 yards from the ball until the ball is put into play)

3. The player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for opposing players to move behind the build-out line to put the ball into play. The goal kick may be played to either side of the buildout line. The ball is in play after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, after which the opposing team may cross the build-out line. If an opponent crosses the build out line before the ball is in play and interferes with the goal kick, the kick is retaken. (Note: Be aware that the players do NOT need to wait for the ball to leave the penalty area before they can cross the BOL)

4. The goalkeeper in possession of the ball in their hands does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build out line to release the ball. The ball may be released to either side of the build out line, after which the opposing team may cross the build out line. If an opponent crosses the build out line before the ball is released and interferes with play, an indirect free kick is awarded to the goal keepers team at the point where the opponent crossed the build out line.

5. The build-out line in the opponent's half of the field shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.

14U/16U/19U Free Substitution Instructions

All substitutions must be approved and recognized by the referee.
Substitutions may be made for injured players.
Substitution for a player receiving a yellow card is permitted.
Coach signals the Referee for substitutions
AR signals CR for a substitution by the team in possession on a throw-in, or by either team at a goal kick or kick-off. The team not in possession may substitute on a throw-in if the team in possession substitutes AND the players are standing at the halfway line, waiting to substitute.
All substitutes must be standing at the halfway line ready to enter the field at the Referee's indication. If the players are not ready, the referee may decide not to acknowledge the substitution request, and play on.
Substitution is performed by the substituting player at the touchline calling the name of the player to be substituted, the substituted player runs off field, and the substituting player is invited onto the field.
As of 2019-2020 LOTG, Substitute may leave the field of play at the closet line adjacent to their position.