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AYSO 114 Long Beach

A Welcome From Our Regional Referee Administrators

Welcome Region 114 Referees

Hello referees, coaches, parents, guardians, and other members of our Region 114 Community. We hope you are as excited as we are to support your players and provide a soccer development environment that is fun, safe, and fair.

For the children of Region 114 to play, more than 250 open referee positions must be filled by volunteers - like you - each week. Your kids - and all of the 2000 kids in AYSO Region 114 - need your help to continue providing quality youth soccer programs.

AYSO referees are parent volunteers who receive no monetary compensation for their work. We welcome anyone over the age of ten (10) to become a referee. Coaches and players are also welcome to come referee to help enhance their knowledge and appreciation for the game. We provide all the training necessary to help you become a confident and knowledgeable official.

We, along with the Regional Board members, will stand behind you in not tolerating verbal abuse by coaches, parents, or other spectators. When you volunteer as a referee, you help enrich the lives and soccer experience for of all our children.

Thank you,
Brian Cleven, Regional Referee Administrator
[email protected]

Referees

We Need Your Help to Keep the Game Safe, Fair And Fun

Why should you become an AYSO Referee?

We need you! The kids need you! Referees are critical to soccer - the game can't be played without them. We provide free training and a uniform. You choose the matches you wish to officiate. Participate as much or as little as you want. More importantly, it's rewarding and working with kids is great fun!

Becoming a referee is easy

Visit the Region 114 Referee Sign-up page for more information about becoming a certified AYSO Referee.

Upcoming Referee Courses

Referee Training Courses 

Below is a list of Region 114's current Referee Training Courses. You may sign up for one of our courses, or select a course at a nearby region that is convenient for you. No matter where you choose to take your course, you must register for the course at AYSOU. (Log into your account, click Volunteer tab, and if you have submitted an application you will find a link that says "AYSOU".)

Note: Region 114 Regional Referee Courses are free for Region 114 referees; while you may attend a course offered by other regions, they may require a fee. If you pay a fee to another region, get a receipt and submit a Reimbursement Form.

Before attending any referee course, you MUST register for the course through AYSOU.

In-Person Regional Referee Courses

New referees must take the Regional Referee Course. Additionally, you MUST complete your AYSOU online safety courses: Safe Haven, Concussion Awareness, SafeSport, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest modules BEFORE attending any portion of the online or in-person Regional Referee course.

  • Saturday, August 12th, 2023. 8am-4pm 
    Location and additional details listed on AYSOU

This is a fully in-person course. Free to volunteers from Region 114. For participants registered outside of Region 114 - Long Beach, there will be a $35 fee to cover course materials. Please bring check/cash to class made payable to "AYSO Region 114".

To register for this course, log into your ayso114.org account, click Volunteer, and if you have submitted a referee application follow the link for "AYSOU." You must register for this course at AYSOU or you cannot attend this course.

Hybrid Regional Referee Courses

New referees must take the Regional Referee Course. Additionally, you MUST complete your AYSOU Regional Referee Course, Safe Haven, SafeSport, Concussion Awareness, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest online modules BEFORE attending the in-person portion of this training..

  • February 27th 6:30pm - 9:30pm Costa Mesa, Region 120
  • February 28th 6:30pm - 9:30pm Costa Mesa, Region 120
  • March 5th 6:30pm - 9:30pm Costa Mesa, Region 120
  • March 6th 6:00pm - 9:00pm Hawthorne, Region 21
  • March 9th 9:30am - 1:30pm El Segundo, Region 92
  • March 10th 1:00pm - 4:00pm Los Angeles, Region 1031
  • March 12th 5:00pm - 8:30pm Huntington Beach, Region 55
  • March 14th 6:00pm - 9:30pm Chino Hills, Region 779
  • March 14th 6:00pm - 9:00pm Redondo Beach, Region 17

This is a HYBRID Companion Course That means you must complete/pass the Online Regional Referee Companion Course through the AYSOU Training Library, prior to enrolling in the part 2 in-person class.

To register for this course, you must first complete a Volunteer Regional Referee application through your AYSO region (such as ayso114.org). This is required in order to be able to access the AYSOU training portal for volunteer courses. Once you've completed the application, log into ayso114.org, click Volunteer, and if you have submitted a volunteer referee application find the link that says "AYSOU." You must register for this course at AYSOU or you cannot attend this course.

This class is for refereeing in 8U & 10U divisions, and by the end of the season some of you may be able to assist on 12u games. Minimum age is 10 years, but 12 is recommended. The in-person companion course will have a classroom review, referee mechanics training, and review recent changes to the Law of the Game. Bring pen and paper for notes.

Prior to attending the in-person portion of the course, you must complete the Online Regional Referee Course. You must bring your completed Online Regional Referee Certificate with you, or you will be turned away from the companion class.

Intermediate Referee Courses

Dates: Anyone interested in an Intermediate Referee Class, email Jason Rollo at [email protected].

Location: TBD.

What is provided: Referee training material, refreshments, light lunch on Saturday, and water.

What you need to bring: Pencil or pen and paper for notes and the exam, (bottled beverage and snack if desired). For candidates outside Region 114, a pre-paid registration fee of $90 is required by cash, personal check, or region check, 3 days prior to the first night of class.

Pre-registration FOR BOTH SESSIONS at AYSOU is REQUIRED.

This is geared to referees that will be refereeing in 11U/12U (and older). You must have a Regional Referee Badge, suggested 1 to 2 seasons of referee experience to be certified as an Intermediate Referee. Please complete the online prerequisites mentioned below before arriving on the day of the class (if not done already).

  • You must be registered as an AYSO Youth or Adult Volunteer (e.g., a Referee) in ayso114.org (or your local AYSO region)
  • At aysoU, complete online AYSO's Safe Haven course in the past three years
  • At aysoU, complete onine CDC: Concussion Course course
  • At aysoU, complete onine Sudden Cardiac Arrest course
  • At aysoU, complete onine SafeSport course

There is MUCH MORE information about this class on AYSOU. Email Region Region 114 Regional Referee Instructor at [email protected] with any questions.

Refereeing Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sign up to referee games?

Our region uses Matchtrak.com for referees to sign themselves up to games. Once you have completed your online safety courses and received your certification (by passing the in-person class), you will be granted access to Matchtrak. If you have any issues, contact the Assistant Referee Administrator at [email protected].

Who gets first choice of games?

It's first come, first served. You can sign up for any game in which you are qualified to referee as far in advance as you'd like.

How many weeks in advance may I schedule myself

As many weeks as you'd like. As long as the schedule is posted on Matchtrak and the game is available, you can sign up for it.

What if I need to cancel?

Matchtrak allows you to cancel your game if it is more than 24 hours before the game begins. If it is within 24 hours of the game start time, please contact the Assistant Referee Administrator at [email protected].

How do I request a mentor?

Mentors are experienced referees who can stand by your side and observe and answer questions / offer tips. You can request a mentor at the same time you reserve your game on Matchtrak by clicking the Mentor Request checkbox, or you can email the Assistant Referee Administrator at [email protected].

Can I referee my own child's games?

To avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest, we ask referees to avoid refereeing within their own gender-division. (If your daughter plays U-10, then avoid refereeing Girls U-10. You are free to referee Boys U-10 or Girls U-12.)

With that said, it can be a challenge to recruit referees. In some situations at the lower age divisions, when there is a shortage of referees, having a parent officiate their own child's game may be the only option.

Who is responsible for setting up and putting away away goals/flags?

The first home team of the day sets up the goals, nets, and corner flags. The last home team of the day puts them away. (See Goal Storage on the Region 114 Field page.) The referees should remind coaches, but the referees are not responsible.

What do I do with lineup cards after the game?

The information on the back of the lineup cards should be validated and signed by all referees participating, and then dropped off at the nearest referee tent. If it is late in the day and the tent has been put away, you may slide them into the slot at the Region 114 Storage Container. (See location on Field map.)

What is Safe Haven?

AYSO makes a commitment to provide a safe place for children to play and compete. The referee has a responsibility to help make the environment safe, as well as fun. To ensure the safety of both children and volunteers, each volunteer is required to take a short in-person or online training session called Safe Haven™. It focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children as well as first aid and other on-field issues. Agreeing to a background check is also required for each volunteer.

Safe Haven™ is a unique program that all AYSO volunteers are required and how we can all participate in making the AYSO experience a positive one for our kids. In addition, there is an online class. Safe Haven™ certification is mandatory for all AYSO coaches and referees on a nation-wide basis, and can be obtained by attending a clinic where Safe Haven™ training is offered. A referee who has been Safe Haven™ certified will be entitled to legal protection for work as a referee under the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997.

I am a soccer player and understand the game very well; can I just take the certification test and avoid some or all of the beginning course?

Currently this is not an option. Many of those who have played the game and think they know the Laws of the Game are surprised to find out how much there is to learn when they actually start studying to become a referee. Attending a face to face training course with an experienced instructor is a valuable learning experience. Plus during the in-person course we review information specific to Region 114.

What are the certification levels?

There are the six certification levels for AYSO referees. Here is a brief description of the requirements for each:

U-8 Official
minimum age 10
Complete the 8U Official Course and pass the 8U Official Exam.

Assistant Referee
Minimum age 12
Complete the Assistant Referee Course and pass the Assistant Referee Exam.

Regional Referee
Minimum age 12
Complete the Basic Referee Course and pass the Regional Referee Exam.

Intermediate Referee
Minimum age 14
Complete 25 games as referee with at least five in 12U games, complete the Intermediate Referee Course, pass the Intermediate Referee Exam and be (observed) mentored in a 12U game.

Advanced Referee
Minimum age 16
Complete 50 games as referee with at least 10 in 14U and five as an assistant referee (in 14U), complete the Advanced Referee Course, pass the Advanced Referee Exam, pass one assessment as referee and one as assistant referee in a 14U match, pass the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.

National Referee
Minimum age 18
Complete 100 games as referee with at least 30 in 16U/19U games and 25 as Assistant Referee with at least 10 in 19U, complete the National Referee Course, pass the National Referee Exam, pass two assessments as referee in 16U or 16U matches and one as assistant referee in a 19U match, complete the AYSO Physical Fitness Test.

Who is the Referee Administrator? What do they do?

The Referee Administrator is the person responsible for implementing the AYSO National Referee Program in specific parts of the country (Region, Area, Section or National).

Do I have to ref little kids before I can ref the older kids?

There is no requirement to referee younger players before refereeing older players. You may request referee assignments at whatever age level you feel comfortable. Refereeing at the various age levels requires different skills and just because the players are young doesn't necessarily mean the games are easier - they are different! Managing six or seven year olds (and their parents) and managing 14 or 15 year olds requires different skills. Officiating at the 16/19U is by invitation of the RRA.

What do I do if I have a problem at a game with a coach or a spectator?

Report to the Referee Coordinator for the appropriate age group all incidents in which a coach or a spectator behaves in a way that makes a game something other than a safe, positive, enjoyable growth experience for the children.

Is it safe for a teenage player or sibling to referee?

Teenagers who already like soccer have no trouble adapting at all - they know the game and what it takes to keep it safe, fair and fun. The training and time refereeing games can also earn them community service points as AYSO is a non-profit, volunteer, community organization.

What is the appropriate referee badge for AYSO referees?

The only badge appropriate for referees to wear during AYSO games is the current AYSO referee certification level badge earned by the referee. Exceptions: An International Referee may wear his or her FIFA badge; and, if provided, special referee tournament badges may be worn by referees during that tournament's games.

May referees wear hats or sunglasses?

Sunglasses are not allowed. USSF has modified their recommendations related to the use of referee caps to enhance their support for the health and safety of referees.

AYSO has applied the USSF recommendations as follows:

  • The cap must not endanger the safety of the official or the players.
  • The cap should be solid black or predominately black color.
  • The cap may display the logo of AYSO (preferred), USSF, or FIFA, but should not display other logos, slogans, or commercial marks.

Who is responsible for the players' Medical Release Forms?

It is the coach's responsibility to be in possession of the Medical Release Forms at all practices and games. Referees may ask coaches if they have the forms in their possession. Referees may not ask coaches to prove that they have players' Medical Release Forms in their possession at games.

Are referees required to see a "Participation Release Form" before allowing a player to participate in games following a known serious injury or sickness which required professional medical attention?

No, this is not the referee's responsibility. It is the coach's responsibility to see and provide the Region Safety Director and/or Regional Commissioner with a copy of the form.

Questions About Referee Volunteers or Training Courses?

For questions about training courses, please contact Regional Referee Instructor at [email protected].

For general questions about volunteer referres, contact our Regional Referee Administrator [email protected], or Assistant Regional Referee Administrator [email protected].

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AYSO Region 114

Heartwell Park 
Long Beach, California 90808

Email Us: [email protected]
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