WHY BECOME AN AYSO REFEREE?
Referees are critical to soccer – games can’t be played without them. The referee’s job is to be the official in charge of the game.
- like being involved (you tend to get fidgety on the sidelines);
- enjoy sports and/or wish you were playing
- enjoy/need physical activity (refereeing is a great, light, regular workout);
- don’t have quite enough time, patience or soccer skills to be a coach.
If any of these describe you, you should give refereeing a try. MDSA will provide you with all the needed training, equipment and mentoring to be successful. When you do, you’ll find out that it’s fun! We also need volunteers – “no certified referee, no game”!
REFEREE DUTIES & REQUIREMENTS
Mt. Diablo Soccer has a very clear philosophy – its games are to be played so that they are a safe, positive, enjoyable, growth experience for the children.
However, this is not achieved by adopting idiosyncratic or peculiar rules. Our games follow standard international soccer (FIFA) Law very closely, with only a very few changes to adapt to AYSO philosophy (e.g. controlled substitution to ensure that “everyone plays”) and, at the youngest age levels, to adapt the game to the physical and mental maturity of the players.
HOW TO BECOME A REFEREE
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL REFEREES
As with all AYSO Volunteers, becoming a referee involves 3 easy steps:
- Volunteer Registration (incl background check)
- ONE-TIME Fingerprinting
- Mandatory Volunteer Training
- Referee Certification
- Self-Assign games through inLeague
Step 1 – Register as a Volunteer with AYSO
| Adult Volunteers | Youth Volunteers | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | – Complete current year registration in inLeague (annual requirement) – Select Referee volunteer role |
– Parent must add the youth as a new user on their inLeague Account – with a unique email address – Select Referee volunteer role |
| Background Check | – Once the Volunteer Application is submitted it will trigger a background check to Sterling Volunteers to complete the (AYSO National requirement) – CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR AN UPDATE FROM STERLING VOLUNTEERS. Follow the steps in this email to submit your Background Check. – You will receive an email from Sterling Volunteers when your Background Check is complete, and you are eligible to volunteer. – Background check must be completed annually |
No background check is required until the volunteer reaches their 18th birthday |
- For info and FAQs on the Volunteer Registration, see the inLeague Help Section.
Step 2 – Fingerprinting With Capital Live Scan (one-time only)
- Starting January 1, 2022, California AB 506 requires all adult volunteers who have direct contact with children in California to have a one-time background check as approved by the California Department of Justice to exclude individuals with a history of child abuse. This form of background check requires live scan fingerprinting.
- Request a code to cover the cost of the fingerprinting from MDSA through volunteer@mdsoccer.org
- Make an appointment and get fingerprinted at a Live Scan Service Center: www.applicantservices.com/AYSO
- Please note, this only needs to be done ONCE unless there is a 5 year gap in volunteer service. It is not transferable from another organization.
Step 3 – Complete Mandatory Volunteer Training
- Sign in to your inLeague account and then select the “graduation cap” icon on the menu bar to login to eTrainU for your online training
- Select Training Library Menu / Safe Haven (View Courses)
- AYSO’s Safe Haven – outlines the important elements around protecting our children and volunteers
- CDC HEADS UP Concussion Training – understanding the signs and required actions for concussions
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest training – understanding the signs and required actions for possible sudden cardiac arrests
Step 4 – Complete the applicable age-appropriate official Referee Certification
It’s time to learn how to be a referee! We provide training options depending on the age group you want to referee, both online and in person (subject to current health guidelines). All class options will be found by logging into inleague / eTrainU / Training Library / Refereeing Courses. Specific course names are listed below and you can search for in-person and virtual options.
| Age Group | Certification Required | Course Options (eTrainU) |
|---|---|---|
| 8U | 8U Referee | 8U Official Course – Online
or 8U Official – Full In Person Course or Take the Regional Referee course below to avoid having to take it when your child moves up to 10u (highly recommended) |
| 10U | Regional Referee | Regional Referee – Online + In-Person Companion Course. (This is online + in person field session)
or Regional Referee – Full In-Person Course (2-3 in person sessions) |
| 12U | Intermediate Referee | Intermediate Referee – Full In Person Course |
| 14U | Advanced Referee | Advanced Referee Course – Full In Person Course |
| 16U+ | National Referee | National Referee Course – Full In Person Course |
Contact our Referee Admin Team for any questions on what class may be best for you or if you are having difficulty locating a session. Once you have completed your training, we will provide you with the basic referee gear to get started:
- 8U referees will receive a shirt, whistle and 8U badge
- Regional referees will receive shirt, shorts, socks, whistle, flags, MDSA coin, referee wallet.
- Achieving your Intermediate or above certification will earn you another referee shirt with your color preference!
Want to be an Elite Team Referee? You will need your USSF certification as well in order to referee USSF matches:
- Cal North website has all the details including contact names for more information – https://www.cnra.net/new-referee/
- USSF training details on the USSF Grassroots Referee website
- Register for Diablo Valley Wolves Game Officials Account (click for more details)
- If you have at least an Intermediate AYSO referee certification – you can cross certify to a USSF Grassroots referee here without needing additional training. Email Referee Admin Team for details
Step 5 – Self-Assign on Game Schedule
Once all your required training is complete – the referee schedule should be available for self-assignment. AND always bring your gear to the game as you will likely be asked to help out.
- For Fall, Spring and Select Program games: inLeague (someone from refadmin will approve the self-assignment).
- For Elite program – sign in to GameOfficials