AYSO Area 12-D - Phoenix, Arizona

The Referee program has been revised, with new training classes, and new badge levels.  Complete information is posted below.  

The U-8 Official Course (old Referee Course) is conducted in seven modules ranging from one quarter to one hour in length. These modules, to be delivered in sequence, provide a total of four hours of training, including one hour of safe haven certification (Safe haven certification may be conducted separately). The content of these modules is very similar to the current Referee Course and will train individuals to officiate U-8 AYSO matches.

The Assistant Referee Course comprises the seven U-8 Official modules plus at least two additional modules. These additional modules are taken from the Intermediate Course (old Area Course) or the advanced Course (old Section Course). The two additional modules can be attended in any sequence include instruction in offside, fouls, and referee and assistant referee communications. Total time required for certification as an Assistant Referee, including the U-8 Official Course, is between five and one half and seven and one half hours. The time will depend upon which additional modules are attended by the candidate.

The Basic Referee Course (old Regional Referee Course) is taught in six additional modules that total four and one quarter hours. These modules range in length from one half to one hour in length and are to be taught in sequence. This training, which contains all of the material in the current Regional Referee Course, will provide the educational requirements for certification as a Regional Referee. This referee, who will receive a total of eight and one quarter hours of training, will be able to referee an AYSO match under FIFA Laws of the Game and AYSO National Rules and Regulations.

It is recommended that the U-8 Official, Assistant Referee and Basic Referee courses be conducted concurrently. Using the modules in sequence will provide the flexibility to conduct the training over several evenings, two half days, or one full day.

Replacing the old Area and Section Courses will be training modules that can be presented and taken in any sequence. They can be taught as a course or used as individual training for meeting education requirements for up-grade or for continuing education. The total time required to complete these modules has been reduced by almost 30% by eliminating duplication and rearranging the existing material. While there is adequate reinforcement of concepts, there has been a significant reduction in redundancy.

The Intermediate Referee Course (old Area Course) consists of six modules ranging from three quarters of an hour to two and one half hours (most are one hour or less). Total additional training of seven hours is required to meet the education requirements for up-grade to Intermediate Referee. These modules provide training that will make the Intermediate Referee comfortable refereeing more physically and mentally demanding and challenging AYSO matches under FIFA Laws of the Game and AYSO National Rules and Regulations. In addition to the material in the old Area Course, concepts including coach, player and referee accountability, principles of play, the diagonal system of control, and foul play are introduced in these modules.

The Advanced Referee Course (old Section Course) is a total of seven hours in five modules ranging from one to two hours in length. As in the Intermediate Course, current material was retained and additional concepts introduced. Flow versus control, gamesmanship and player tactics are introduced. Greater emphasis is placed on referee positioning and foul recognition. Completion of these modules will provide necessary training for the Advanced Referee to referee most AYSO matches under FIFA Laws of the Game and AYSO National Rules and Regulations.

A new National Referee Course has been developed which is designed as a residence course 18 hours in length. This course incorporates the concepts currently taught in the old National 2 and National 1 courses. Reduction in redundancy and combining several concepts such as the decision making process with decision making in match management have allowed the total time commitment to be reduced. None of the core training concepts of the old National courses has been deleted.

NEW! Online Referee course
There is a new online option to obtain the Basic (Regional) Referee certification in lieu of the on-site class. This course was designed for individuals who have access to a computer and does not have the time to attend the on-site classroom course. Instructions for the class are listed below. If you have any questions about this course, please contact Tom Lagerhausen.

ONLINE BASIC REFEREE COURSE INSTRUCTIONS: The AYSO National Referee Advisory Commission has developed an ONLINE course for BASIC REFEREE CERTIFICATION. This course has two components. The first component is the online self-paced interactive video and the second portion is a 3 hour in person class with a test. In order to complete the first portion, the candidate will need the following:

1. An AYSO ID number from eAYSO. To obtain this number, they will need to contact their regional Child Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA).
2. Go to www.aysotraining.org and enter their last name and AYSO ID number as indicated.
3. Complete the SAFE HAVEN CERTIFICATION course (approximately 45 - 60 minutes), take the short test at the end, and PRINT OUT the completion certificate.
4. Complete the ONLINE BASIC REFEREE COURSE, take the short test at the end, and print out the completion certificate.

In order to complete the second portion, the candidate will take BOTH certificates to an ONLINE BASIC REFEREE COMPANION COURSE. These certificates will serve as your ticket to admission. Complete this 3 hour course and take the exam.

 For information regarding any referee clinic you can contact Tom Lagerhausen, Area Director of Referee Instruction. 

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