Visit our Referee Signup page to find a game to referee.


Referee Instructions: Getting Started

Thank you so much for refereeing in AYSO Region 1533. 

These instructions will prepare you to get out on the field and start having fun with the kids. Please complete all steps before you referee your first game. If you get stuck anywhere, please reach out. We’re always available to help. 

1. Get registered as an AYSO Volunteer. To register as a volunteer, create your own account at www.ayso1533.org

If you are under 18, please do not register as a volunteer under your parent’s account. Make sure you have your own account.   Then click on the “Volunteer” tab on the left hand side of the screen.

Then choose “Find Volunteer Roles'' in the upper right hand corner. You will then scroll over and find the Referee tab:

You will then be prompted to complete the volunteer registration forms. You can register as a referee for any division. You will not be restricted to refereeing for that one division. If you get stuck, remember to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and hit ‘'continue.” You will get an auto-generated email confirming your volunteer registration.

2. Getting  trained.  From the www.yso1533.org website, in the upper right corner you will find a like to the AYSOU  portal:

Log in with the same username and password that you use at ayso1533.org. Choose the online courses tab. There are three courses you need to complete. They take some time. Don’t try to complete them in one day.

• AYSO’s Safe Haven (found under the Safe Haven tab)

• CDC Heads Up Concussion Awareness (found under the Safe Haven tab)

• Regional Referee Training (found under the Refereeing Courses tab)

Once you complete the online training and pass the online referee test, you are ready to attend the in-person training. This live training is taught by our most experienced referees. It will give you instruction on the practical side of refereeing like how to start the game, what to do if someone questions your calls, and of course the inevitable off-side review. At the conclusion of this course, you’ll receive your referee gear. To find out when the next in-person referee course will be held, email our Regional Referee Admin, Ryan Schneider, at [email protected].

3. Sign up for games. Our region uses a google doc to schedule games. There will be a link on our website.  This keeps other referees from showing up at the same field expecting to referee the same game. Also make sure you enter the final score of the game in the google doc this way you will not be asked to return your game cards. If you are open to refereeing multiple games each week, feel free to sign up for as many games as you can. Experience is the best teacher when it comes to being a good referee. Expect to make plenty of mistakes at the beginning. And remember, even great referees make mistakes every single game. Mentors are also extremely helpful.