All 6U and 8U games are expected to be officiated by one AYSO-certified referee, typically a parent or relative of a player.

At these age groups, the primary responsibility of the referee is to manage the time and make sure the players are safe and having fun. It is a great way to start your involvement in refereeing.

Referees need to register as volunteers every year. Most certifications only need to be taken once, but a few may need bi-annual or yearly reviews.

To become a referee, follow the steps on the Registration section in the Referees page, in short: register online, do the online trainings, and attend a very-short field session (where you'd get your uniform and ask questions). Once certified, you can referee your games.

For questions or comments about the referee program please contact us at [email protected]. 

All games are self-assigned via MySoccerLeague.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I be the referee for my child's match?
   • Yes. For 6U and 8U parents can referee their own child games.
   • Always bring your referee jersey to the field, sometimes the referee is a no‐show or the acting referee cannot complete the game.
   • We have many matches available and are always needing referees to volunteer. Feel free to sign up for matches before and after your child’s match too.
   • We encourage all referees to sign up for at least 2 matches over the season.
     
2. Can Referees provide coaching advice when officiating the match?
   • No.
3. Are jewelry, taped earrings, or hard casts allowed?
   • No player may wear jewelry, non-medical wristbands, earrings (taped or not), or hard casts during the match. These are considered dangerous for all players.
4. Are Med‐Alert bracelets allowed?
   • Yes, provided they are secured with tape or covered with cloth. Refer to the AYSO Guidance for Referees, Coaches, Other Volunteers, and Parents.
5. Where should the coaches and spectators be during the match?
   • For 6U and 8U games, each team and spectators typically sit on opposite touchlines, at least 1 yard away from the touchline, per AYSO Guidance for Referees, Coaches, Other Volunteers, and Parents.
   • Coaches are responsible of addressing misbehavior by the audience.
6. What are the specific rules for each category?
   • See the cheatsheet at fcayso.org/rules

Quality soccer games require referees. To ensure we have referees in our games we instituted an incentive program:

• Each 8U team must have at least one certified referee, ideally two. Teams with only one coach cannot have their coach be their only referee... coaches should be coaching!
• Adults officiating more than 7 games will be recognized, those doing 12 games will receive shwag.
• Youth refs (ages 10yo-18yo) will get a gift card after officiating 5 games.
• Teams who had more than two games without a certified referee and whose team referees did not do more than four games, will NOT receive medals at the end of the season.
• There are just 10 games in the season
• No previous knowledge of soccer is needed.
• The online U8-referee certification can be completed in less than 35 minutes. We supply the uniform and equipment at no cost to you.
• Once certified, you choose the games you want to referee via webapp.
• You can referee your child's game or any other games.
• Referees of U8 games consistently say it's a lot of fun