Soccer is a game that requires referees in order for the game to be played and to be safe, fair and fun for all involved. The referee team is made up of three trained individuals:

1. The (center) Referee who is responsible for the conduct of the game.
2. Two Assistant Referees who provide assistance to the Center Referee and extra sets of eyes.  When Assistant Referees are not available, the Referee may appoint club linesmen who assist with showing when the ball is out of play across the touchlines.

All adults and youth over the age of 12 may volunteer as referees. Volunteering as a referee can teach youth valuable leadership skills and confidence, and is a great way to get volunteer hours necessary for college scholarships!  Region 128 will provide you with all the training and equipment (Uniforms, whistles, etc.) at no cost. Referees self-schedule in Region 128, so it is a great way to volunteer if you are not available to coach for example because of work requirements for travel, shift work, etc during the week.  You can just signup for a match before and/or after your child's game that week for example.  Youth referees will always have adult referees assigned to help them and monitor fields to ensure they are treated with the respect they deserve for their efforts!

Just as players develop, they become more sophisticated in their game play.  In the same way referees develop over time.  For this to occur, referees start in younger games and as their experience improves and as their own kids develop they normally move up to older and more challenging games.  Referees generally start as a Regional Referee (10U), and then can move up to Intermediate (12U), Advanced (14U), and National (19U) referee grades with support from courses and other educational resources provided along the way. 

Adult and youth referees of AYSO Intermediate and higher grades may also cross-certify to referee for (paid) USSF club matches; which can be a great first job for youth, they can continue through college years, and that they can advance in over the years. However, if you start in AYSO we will provide you with everything you need for free, this is not true for USSF (course fees, annual registration fees, uniform costs, etc. are all born by the referee in USSF). So let us train you, help you advance, and then of course continue to volunteer for us as well!

Ready to join our corps to help keep the matches safe, fair and fun for our children and young adults? Email Regional Referee Administrator Chris Schadt ([email protected]) for more info!

Additional AYSO Region 128 Referee Info:

• Scheduling is done through the Referee Scheduling Site. If you don’t have an account, please contact the Referee Administrator ([email protected]).
• Please fill out the back of the game card for each match and deposit in the box at the south end of Pellissippi fields.  If there are any cards, injuries, or unusual occurrences, please make sure to note that information on the form and you’ll need to fill out an AYSO Referee Game Report Form found here.
• If you would like a mentoring observation or additional training, please contact the Referee Administrator ([email protected]).
  
• A good list of other Referee FAQs is available from AYSO