Referee Training Courses

(See below for Intermediate and higher referee training courses)

All referees with a Regional Badge or Higher (for 9U and older), please review the 2022 Annual Update on the Referee Guidelines page.

Returning referees are also encouraged to retake the Regional Referee Training  - Online course on AYSOU as a refresher.  See step 3a below.

2023-2024 Referee Training Courses in Palos Verdes 

To referee in 8U, all training is online on AYSOU. See below for the steps to register as a volunteer, take the one-time required courses for all volunteers and then take the 8U Official course.

To referee in 9U and older, the course is taken in 2 parts: The online Regional Referee Training and then the required In-person "Companion Course" - at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, 27118 Silver Spur, RHE 90274.

Training Courses times and dates are tentative and scheduled to change

In-Person "Companion Course" Schedule:

Please note: You cannot just show up to these classes.  You must complete the online course, step 3a below, and be registered for the Companion Course, step 3b below.

If none of these classes work for your schedule, look in AYSOU for nearby classes in other South Bay Regions 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 34, or 92. 

Please follow these instructions to use AYSOU to sign up for referee courses:

Please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY, and follow the steps to the letter!  If you have any questions signing up, please call the Help Desk numbers below.

To referee in 8U you must be at least 10 years old; to referee in 9U or older, you must be at least 12 years old.  All referee training courses are free of charge, and we provide to Region 10 registered volunteers the uniform or t-shirt that you will wear on the field.

1. Every year, register as a volunteer in Region 10 by following all of the steps in this document. (If time is short, you may complete the 3 Save Haven and SafeSport courses AFTER you complete the more important Regional Referee Training course).
   
   
   
2. To referee in 8U or younger (in Fall and Winter), in AYSOU, click on TRAINING LIBRARY. Find the Refereeing block, click on VIEW COURSES, find 8U Official Course - Online, click ENROLL.  Take all the modules in order, including the exam at the end.  You will be provided with a referee T-shirt and whistle at one of the September classes listed above.  The equipment is available starting 2 hours after the start time.  If you are unable to make it there, please email Shannon Mastan (SMastan@me.com) and she will make arrangements for you to pick these up at her house near Ridgecrest Intermediate School.  Then read the Referee Guidelines for 8U, and go to our referee scheduling system.  (Create a login account if you do not have one.  You will be approved within 24 hours and can then sign up to referee your child's home games.)  NOTE: For reffing in 8U in Spring Select games, you must be certified at the 9U level, so please follow Step 3 instead of Step 2. Thank you for helping make a great soccer experience for kids in Region 10.

   
   

3. To referee in 9U or older, you must enroll and FULLY COMPLETE the 90-minute online course - Part 1 of the 2-part bundle - BEFORE COMING TO CLASS, and also enroll and come to one of the in-person classes - Part 2 of the 2-part bundle - at PV Peninsula High School. 
   
   
   1. In AYSOU, click on TRAINING LIBRARY.  Find the Refereeing block, click on VIEW COURSES, find Regional Referee Training - Online + In-Person Companion Course (2 Part Bundle), click ENROLL.  Take all the modules in order, including the exam at the end. Take a picture on your phone of the Completion Certificate to show in the in-person class. (Note that the AYSO Summary of the Laws of the Game is a quick reference, but this does not replace taking the entire course.) 
      
      
   2. Also, in AYSOU, enroll in one of the required in-person courses - Part 2 of the 2-part bundle. Click on TRAINING EVENT. In the Regions box, Region 10 should be listed (or click on the "X" to find courses in all regions).  In the Locations box, enter your zip code to limit courses to within a set distance from your zip code. In the Courses box, enter REGIONAL REFEREE to limit the search, and click on Regional Referee - Online + In-Person Companion Course (2 Part Bundle). Find the desired course on the selected date, click on the course and then click ENROLL.  Be sure to read all the instructions and pre-requisites.
      
      
   3. If other local courses are more convenient, you can find them by removing the Region 10 filter on the Training Event calendar page.  Look for other courses in other South Bay Regions 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 34, or 92. 
      
      
   4. Special note for Youth Referees coming to the Companion Class: All referees who are under age 18, are welcome to take the referee training classes to learn the Laws of the Game. Please understand that becoming a referee takes a significant commitment from the referee and his/her parent or guardian. We require all Region 10 youth referees to bring to the Companion class a signed Youth Referee Commitment Form and a check in order to receive the referee uniform. Please see the Youth Referee Commitment Form for all details.

Common Problems:

For any technical problems with logging into SportsConnect or AYSOU or signing up for courses, make sure that you are using your own BlueSombrero account and not a spouse's or parent's account, and if needed, contact the Sports Connect Help Desk at (866) 672-1067 during business hours) or by email: aysosupport@stacksports.com. Also, please see: https://wiki.ayso.org/wiki/Troubleshooting_AYSOU_Button_Not_Showing.

For any questions on which course to take, please email the lead instructor: Larry.Flusser@gmail.com

For more information on the Laws of the Game and how they apply to AYSO, see the AYSO’s Summary of the Laws of the Game - Online in AYSOU: Training Library tab, Referee Courses and also the entire FIFA Laws including annual updates here: www.theifab.com/laws

Player Development Initiatives - Special Rules for 9U through 12U:

PDI Explanation  (NOTE: in our Section, heading is banned in 12U and below, even though there may be single-age divisions)
FAQ for Referees on the PDI

Short Video Explanation of the PDI

Other Referee Training

Want to get your name on the Referee Hall of Fame (bottom of the Referee page here). Then upgrade your referee badge this year to Intermediate, Advanced or National.  Ask any of the referee staff if you have questions.

What are the requirements to upgrade your badge? See this attachment: Ref Certification Requirements. Contact Michael Wolff to let him know that you want to start the upgrade process.

Referees in 11U/12U are expected (highly encouraged) to have the Intermediate Referee badge, and in 14U and older, the Advanced Referee badge.  These take a commitment to study the laws, attend a course, pass a law exam and be observed or assessed in a match.  Once you achieve this level you will have more confidence in your abilities as a referee and will be looked up to as a leader on the field.  There are courses offered in nearby regions or at the locations mentioned below (look for the courses in AYSOU).  Ask any of the Referee Administrators for more information.

Section 1 has Referee Training in Arcadia every January.  All classes from Regional through National, as well as Instructor and Assessor are offered and taught by very good instructors.  See https://ayso1ref.com for all details.

The Ken Aston Camps are a great opportunity to take these classes over a summer weekend in Orange County.  See Ken Aston Camps for more info.

Has your child moved up to an older age division?  Make sure you know the specifics for refereeing in that age division: read the Division Referee Guidelines.