AYSO National Referee Program

Youths may participate in games and practices while wearing medical alert bracelets.  It is important that this information remains visible.  However, to ensure the bracelet does not present a danger to the player or other players it must be secured to the player with tape, a cloth wristband or something equivalent taking care to leave the information visible.

We must all recognize that if the bracelet is removed and lost or hidden in any way, the child might be put in danger, particularly if the parents are not present to ensure that the medical condition is known.

We must also recognize that it is unlikely that a medical alert bracelet, when properly covered, will pose a danger to the other players.  Medical alert sports bands with a snug fitting soft, polyester ribbon band are available and should be permitted without modification.

AYSO National Rules & Regulations paragraph VI.E. states: “Team members shall not be allowed to practice or participate in any match with any type of cast or splint.”

AYSO National Rules & Regulations paragraph VI.E. states: “Removal of any type of cast or splint at the field or surrounding area in order to participate shall disqualify the team member from practice or match participation.”

Removable casts are designed to facilitate personal hygiene and dressing; they are not meant to be removed so that a player may engage in contact sports.

AYSO National Policy Statement 2.9 titled “Knee Braces” reads as follows: “AYSO will not prohibit the use of knee braces by players in AYSO events and programs; provided that the knee brace is adequately covered and padded in the opinion of the Referee so as to eliminate the possibility of its use causing injury to other players on the field of play.”

The difference between casts or splints and knee braces is that a cast or splint is used for the treatment of a temporary injury to provide for healing.  The use of a knee brace is different in that it is used to provide support and/or flexibility.  Knee braces are designed to allow for flexibility of movement, while conversely, a cast or splint is designed to restrict mobility.

If the device is needed to restrict mobility, protect an injury or support proper alignment to expedite the healing process of a temporary injury and is hard (cast, spliIf the device is needed to restrict mobility, protect an injury or support proper alignment to expedite the healing process of a temporary injury, and is hard (cast, splint, etc.) then this is not allowed. If, on the other hand, the protective device is used to provide support, and flexibility or enable an otherwise healthy player to function normally such as a knee brace, prosthesis, hearing aid, insulin pump/monitor, monitoring device, concussion impact reduction aids such soft header helmets and collars that are age and size appropriate, etc., then this would be allowed provided the device was sufficiently padded to prevent injury to other players. The Laws of the Game specify that “A player must not use equipment or wear anything dangerous.” The Referee is the sole judge of whether or not the individual item in question is permissible to wear in the game.

Players who require prescription glasses are to be allowed to wear them during practices and games.  For the greatest safety, retaining straps should be worn or rubber bands may be used for this purpose.  Prescription goggles, such as the type used by racquetball players, are also permitted subject to the approval of the Referee prior to the start of the match.  Spectacle guards made of plastic or other hard material are not permitted.

Players who normally wear hearing aids are also allowed to wear them during practices or games. Hearing device implants must be protected with the manufacturers protective headband device to aid in keeping the unit protected and secure. Parents should consult their medical professional for further guidance.

AYSO does not prohibit the use of mouth guards.  Parents are encouraged to consult their child’s dentist or orthodontist to determine what, if any, mouth guard is appropriate for their child.  Players wearing mouth guards should not be prevented from participating in practice or games.

Jewelry (removable and those designed to be non-removable), including earrings, of any kind worn in any visible body piercing or any hard replacement stud used when the jewelry is not being worn must be removed before the player is allowed to participate in a practice or game. Covering the jewelry or hard replacement stud with tape, padding or bandage is not sufficient; the jewelry or hard replacement stud must be removed before playing. Subject to the approval of the Referee, various soft, flexible materials that present no danger to the player or other players may be used to keep recent body piercings open for participation during games. In the case of visible taped-over or bandaged suspected piercings, Referees must not ask players to lift or remove articles of clothing or bandages. It is acceptable, however, to ask a player if the tape or bandages is covering an earring. The Referee must accept the answer provided, regardless of suspicion, and if in the opinion of the Referee, the item is deemed to be dangerous, the player will not be allowed to participate on that day. Coaches have the responsibility of not allowing players wearing jewelry to participate in practices or games. Coaches and Referees are role models and should avoid wearing jewelry, earrings, and hard replacement studs during practices or games.

The Laws of the Game specify that “A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous.” The Referee is the sole judge of whether or not the individual item in question is permissible to wear in the game.  The Referee has the obligation and the right to allow or disallow players wearing additional equipment depending upon the Referee’s best judgment.

Players are generally not permitted to wear hats, but items used to secure hair such as sweatbands, bandanas, scarves, etc. are sometimes permitted.  Players may be allowed to wear soft hats or caps without hard brims if the weather is inclement.  Goalkeepers may wear a soft brimmed hat or cap.  In addition to the above requirements the brim must also be made of a soft material and must be approved by the Referee.  Baseball-style caps with hard brims are not acceptable even if worn backwards.  These items should be a neutral color free of inappropriate design, logo or meaning.  They must not constitute a danger to the player or to other players and must be approved by the Referee.

Referees may allow a player to wear a hat with a soft brim and otherwise not dangerous to the player or other players if, indeed, the player is known to be unusually susceptible to skin cancer from exposure to the sun or the head garment is required by the players religion.

There is no official AYSO or USSF position on the length of players’ fingernails.  Players are not allowed to “wear” anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player.  The acceptable length and shape or adornment of fingernails is up to the good judgment of the Referee.  In general, long or fake fingernails are not to be considered dangerous by themselves.  However, the use of such as a deterrent should be sanctioned according to the severity of use.

Soccer shoes and shinguards made by any established soccer equipment manufacturer are acceptable.  Other shoes are acceptable if, in the opinion of the Referee, they are not dangerous to the player wearing them or to another player and the shinguards afford the player a reasonable degree of protection.  A piece of cardboard rolled up newspaper or similar makeshift items do not constitute proper shinguards.  The Referee must inspect all cleats to ensure there are no sharp edges; this is especially important for aluminum and nylon cleats.

Shinguards must be completely covered by the player’s stockings.  Players are not allowed to wear their shinguards over their stockings and then roll the stockings down over the shinguards.  The shinguards must be worn completely under the stockings.

It has been perpetuated that toe cleats are illegal in soccer.  This may have developed from the fact that some players new to the game felt they should wear cleats for soccer games and showed up in baseball shoes which often have cleats on the toe.  Many styles of soccer shoes are now on the market and some of them have cleat configurations that wrap across the toe.  A blanket statement that toe cleats are not allowed is too narrow.  The myth that metal cleats are not legal is also not uncommon.  Metal cleats (usually aluminum) are acceptable, but the Referee must inspect all types of cleats on shoes to ensure that there are no burrs or sharp edges and, if they exist, burrs or sharp edges must be removed before the player is allowed to participate.  The Referee must examine the particular footwear in question and determine if it presents any unreasonable danger to the participants.

Although Law 4 states that jerseys must have sleeves, it is still the position of both USSF and AYSO that no individual or team should be kept from playing because their jerseys do not have sleeves.  Players are also not prohibited from rolling or tying up jersey sleeves provided it is done in a safely.

Although Law 4 states that captain armbands are required, AYSO just requires the the captain on the field of play be identified by the coach but is not required to be wearing a Captain’s armband.

Hair Beads and Clips: Hair control devices and other adornments, such as beads, worn in the hair must meet the following criteria: - Be securely fastened to the head. - Do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates, or opponents. - Flat clips less than two inches in length may be used to hold the hair in place close to the head so long as their placement on the head does not present an increased risk to the player, teammates or opponents. - Hair charms are still considered jewelry and are not permitted. (See Safety Requirements for Player’s Equipment – Law 4)

The Referee makes the final decision on what is safe to wear during the game.

The Laws of the Game specify the following regarding other equipment:

"Non-dangerous protective equipment, for example headgear, facemasks and knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight padded material is permitted as are goalkeepers’ caps and sports spectacles."

AYSO neither endorses nor refutes the claims of companies which produce products intended to increase player safety.  It is the responsibility of the Referee to examine the specific piece of equipment in question and then make a decision regarding whether or not it presents any danger to the player themselves or to other players.  The Referee has the obligation and right to allow or disallow players wearing the item depending upon the Referee’s best judgment.

Face masks similar to the type hockey goalies or football players wear are not allowed for goalkeepers or field players because they are constructed of hard material and would pose a danger to other players.

Players may be allowed to wear soft hats or caps without brims.  They must not constitute a danger to the player or to other players and must be approved by the Referee.  Goalkeepers may wear a brimmed hat or cap.  In addition to the above requirements the brim must also be made of a soft material and must be approved by the Referee.  Baseball-style caps with hard brims are not acceptable even if worn backward.

The Referee is the sole judge of whether or not such items may be worn based on the Referee’s assessment of the particular item and its function.  Supplemental items worn for adornment are generally not permitted.  Items the Referee believes are not dangerous to the player or to other players and serve the purpose of hair control, perspiration absorption or to conform to religious requirements are permitted.  These items should be a neutral color and be free of inappropriate design, logo or meaning.

Goalkeepers are traditionally allowed to wear gloves.  Other players may also wear gloves if, in the opinion of the Referee, the equipment poses no danger.

All players (male and female) may PROTECT themselves from being hit by the ball by using their hand or hands.  This may happen unexpectedly during play or from a free kick when they are positioned as defensive players in a wall (commonly seen at upper levels of play).  Self-defense is not an offense; however, DELIBERATE use of the hands to CONTROL the ball or otherwise alter its path, is an offense.

Referees are charged with determining whether or not the contact of ball and hand was to control the ball or for self-protection.  Female players who use their hands or arms to CONTROL a ball which is about to hit them in the chest are guilty of handling the ball.  The same would be true for male players who used their hands or arms to CONTROL a ball which was about to hit them in the face or groin area.

The AYSO National Referee Program encourages Referees, and Assistant Referees to follow the uniform standards for match officials established by USSF. Throughout the soccer community, Referees, and Assistant Referees are identified by their uniforms.

AYSO referees should wear the shirt style, and colors currently recommended by the United States Soccer Federation. The colors are as follows:

• Yellow
• Black
• Red
• Blue
• Green
• Pink

The jersey worn should provide a clear contrast to either team’s shirt colors. Uniformity on the part of Referees establishes initial credibility for them as a team. The Referee, and ARs should wear shirts of similar color, and style. If the Referee wears an jersey of a color that the ARs do not have, the ARs’ jerseys, whenever possible, should match each other.

The only badge appropriate for Referees to wear is the highest AYSO Referee certification level badge earned by the Referee. Exceptions: A FIFA Professional Referee may wear their FIFA badge, and, if provided, special Referee tournament badges may be worn by Referees during that tournament’s games.

AYSO National Rules & Regulations prohibit players from participating in practices or games while wearing a cast or splint (even with a doctor’s permission). However, there is no such prohibition for Referees to officiate while wearing a cast or splint even if they are youth Referees. The likelihood of an injury to players occurring from contact with the Referee’s cast or splint is very remote. Some padding on the cast may add a measure of protection.

If hats are worn for sun-protection health reasons, the following guidelines should be observed:

• Solid black or predominately black with white trim
• Hats should bear no logo or slogans, with the exception that AYSO logos (traditional, Regional, or tournament) are permitted.

Sunglasses are discouraged for Referees as this restricts communication through eye contact with players, and are generally considered unnecessary adornment.

It is the Coach’s responsibility to have the Player Registration Forms at all practices, and games.

Referees are not required, nor recommended, to ask Coaches to prove that they have Player Registration Forms in their possession at games. Referees should not require Coaches to produce the forms at matches as this would, in effect, put the Referee in the position of assuming a responsibility that properly belongs to the Coach.

No, this is not the Referee’s responsibility.

Many possible scenarios of violence exist. The Referee must assess each situation, and determine appropriate action considering personal safety, player safety, and game control.

The Laws of the Game do not require anyone to place themselves in peril, and AYSO Referees should not subject themselves to undue personal risk. However, violence needs to be stopped if it erupts, and Referees need to assist in controlling it when it can be done without unduly risking personal safety.

Recommended procedures for Referees:

• Move quickly to the location of the problem.
• Blow the whistle loudly in the vicinity of the fracas to distract the “combatants”.
• Assess the risk to the Referees’ personal safety by further intervention, and do not attempt to intervene if it is unsafe. Referees are not required to put their safety at risk.
• Consider intervention only if possible without undue personal risk. A Referee who intervenes during player violence must:
  • Remain in a “passive role.”
  • Refrain from physically touching any players or other persons involved.
  • Endeavor to form a barrier between “combatants”.
  • Urge the Coaching staff to assist.
  • Endeavor to contain the fracas.
  • Be aware of the reactions of other players and discourage them from joining the fracas.
  • Provide a detailed report of the facts of the incident in the game report for reference.

Addressing violent conduct is everyone’s job. Regional, Area, and Section staff should be proactive in taking steps to address the issue with programs such as Safe Haven, and Kids Zone.

Prompt disciplinary responses are encouraged if violence occurs during matches.

A mandatory additional one-game suspension is required for any player, substitute, or substituted player sent off (red card). The governing body of the competition may impose additional disciplinary action against any person, including players, Coaches, and spectators, guilty of misconduct.

The Referee is required to provide the appropriate authorities with a match report, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken, and any other incidents that occurred before, during, or after the match.

It is the governing body’s responsibility to review the Referee’s match report and to take whatever additional action they feel appropriate.

Misconduct is rare in younger players’ games, but if it occurs in the 9U or 10U game, cards should not be shown. The referee should approach the offending player's coach, explain the misconduct to the coach while showing the coach you are recording the misconduct on your match report. The misconduct should also be recorded on the back of the game card and a misconduct form completed as required by the competition authorities. In 11U and 12U games, the display of a card is discouraged, and handling it through the Coach is preferable, but in rare cases, the display of the card may be appropriate.

Circumventing the Player Development Initiative is not allowed and the referee should stop play, explain this to the goalkeeper, and to restart with a dropped ball back to the goalkeeper.

Players are permitted to drink water during a stoppage in the play but only on the touchline; they may also do so during play on their touchline if they don’t interfere with active play. It is not permitted to throw water containers onto the field.

Law 5 requires the Referee to stop the match if, in their opinion, a player is seriously injured. Law 5 also requires the Referee to ensure that the player leaves the field of play.

The determination of what constitutes a ‘serious injury’ should take into account the player’s age. The younger the player, the quicker the Referee’s whistle to stop the game. The Referee should then beckon the Coach to come to assess the injured player.

If the Referee believes the player is only slightly injured, play should be allowed to continue until the ball is out of play. In this case, the injured player is not required to leave the field of play unless someone has entered to assess the injury.

As soon as it is safe to do so, the person responsible for checking the injured player’s condition must escort the player off the field of play. This allows time for determination of the player’s ability to safely continue playing.

If a goalkeeper is injured but not being substituted, he or she may be treated on the field of play and is not required to leave. Injuries involving a goalkeeper, and another player, and any severe injury to a player such as a concussion, broken leg, swallowed tongue, etc. may also be treated on the field of play.

Before an injured player may return to the field of play, the match must have restarted, and the Referee signaled permission for the player to return. If the ball is in play, entry must be from a touchline; if the ball is not in play entry may be from a goal line or a touchline.

The Referee and the Assistant Referees must remain alert as to when the player is ready to return, and the Referee should give permission to return at the earliest opportunity so that the player’s team is returned to full strength.

When thunder is heard, it is within striking distance. Seek shelter immediately. Do not wait for the rain to start before seeking shelter, and do not leave shelter just because the rain has ended.

Restart games after no thunder has been heard for 30 minutes or if there is a warning system in place, the community ALL CLEAR SIREN has been sounded.

Many communities and parks systems have lightning detection, and tornado warning systems in place. Obey the rules established at these facilities. When storm warning systems indicate severe weather danger, usually by siren, cease all field activities, and seek shelter immediately.

The very first line of the AYSO National Rules & Regulations states, “All AYSO games shall be conducted per the current IFAB Laws of the Game, and decisions of the International Board…” The bulk of the remaining content of the AYSO National Rules & Regulations clarifies the kind of specific exceptions which are permitted. In the beginning of the IFAB Laws of the Game under “Modifications” it states, “Subject to the agreement of the national association concerned, and provided the principles of these Laws are maintained, the Laws may be modified in their application…”, and then specifies the kinds of modifications that are permissible. These statements endeavor to make it clear how AYSO games should be played, and who, how, and to what extent the Laws may be modified.

Making a local rule in the presumed interest of player safety may appear well-intentioned on the surface but careful consideration must be given to the overall effect of the rule, and whether or not it is permissible or, in fact, beneficial. It is the job of Coaches to teach players correct techniques to help them avoid injury to themselves, and others. It is the job of Referees to learn to recognize when skills are executed correctly or not.

Players should develop, Coaches should teach, and Referees should learn to recognize the skills that are a part of the game of soccer. When we make a local rule that takes away one or more of the skills used in playing the game this lessens the opportunities for players to learn to execute the skill correctly, Coaches to teach the skill, and Referees to recognize the skill performed legally. An argument could be made that such local rules actually may cause more injuries than they prevent because Coaches will be discouraged from teaching correct techniques to the players since there is a local rule prohibiting the skill.

There are no such rules in AYSO to deal with games where one team is dominating the scoring. In any competition, there is a chance that the score will be lopsided. We believe such things as “Blowout Rules,” “Mercy Rules,” “Slaughter Rules,” etc. that end a game prematurely or “play short” rules that require the winning team to play with fewer than the allowable number of players or rules that require teams to somehow stop scoring goals only penalizes a team for accomplishing what it has been trained to accomplish (score goals), and sends the wrong message to the losing team.

A major part of the sport is enjoying the process of playing by the players- not just who ultimately wins. The message we want to send is “keep on trying”- not to give up just because it is difficult. Losing, when dealt with appropriately, builds character, and resolves to improve. Mercy Rules, play-short rules, or similar rules potentially build a willingness to give up early or to want rules in place to give teams an unfair advantage just because they are losing.

Each team is entitled to start and play the game with the maximum number of players allowable. Nowhere in the Laws of the Game or the AYSO National Coaching or Refereeing Program is it suggested or required to have a winning team play with fewer players than the losing team or for the game to end early or similar rules because the score is lopsided. AYSO’s “Balanced Team” concept refers to making an honest attempt to balance the skill level of teams within an age group when teams are formed before the beginning of the season. In situations where one or both teams are short a significant number of players; a “friendly match” could be organized by combining/sharing players from one or both teams. Where won/loss standings are recorded, the outcome of the “friendly match” would not affect the standings. It should be predetermined and agreed upon in advance how the official outcome of the regularly scheduled game is to be recorded. Regions should not adopt local rules, and Referees should not interfere with games because of lopsided scores. It is a player’s game, and they should be given the full playing time without undue interference to enjoy, and learn from the process.

Monitored Substitution is allowed in 13U/14U, 15U/16U, and 17U/18U/19U age divisions only if it is handled in a manner that will ensure that every participant plays at least one half of every game by requiring a separate time monitor, independent of the Coaches, who checks each player in or out of the game.

Where Monitored Substitution is being used in 13U/14U, 15U/16U, and 17U/18U/19U games, substitutions will be permitted with the Referee’s permission during any stoppage in play as specified in the IFAB Laws of the Game, Law 3 (The Number of Players) as well as in the section titled “Practical Guidelines for Match Officials”. Substitution rules used in High School, College, or other soccer organizations do not apply to AYSO games. The substitution procedures used in games played according to the IFAB Laws of the Game will be in effect. Namely, when a substitution is requested (the Assistant Referee signals a substitution has been requested), the Referee will determine when there is an appropriate stoppage in play, and will then allow the substitution to occur. Stoppages in play include the eight identified restarts plus other stoppages where, in the opinion of the Referee, the substitution will not unfairly interfere with play, e.g., injury stoppages, outside agent stoppages, stoppages to administer misconduct sanctions, and free kicks where the team taking the kick has not elected to take a quick kick.