AYSO Philosophies
Open Registration
Balanced Teams
Everyone Plays
Positive Coaching
Good Sportsmanship
U-8 Official Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Laws of the Game
FIFA (Federation International de
Football Association) governs the
worldwide game
USSF (United States Soccer
Federation) is the national
governing body
AYSO is a National Association
member of USSF
Basic Referee Course - Lesson 1
Laws of the Game
The Laws of the Game can be
summarized in three simple words:
Fun
Fair
Safe
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Philosophy of Refereeing
The Laws of the Game are intended to provide
that games should be played with as little
interference as possible, and in this view it is
the duty of the referee to penalize only
deliberate breaches of the Law.
Constant whistling for trifling and doubtful
breaches produces bad feelings and loss of
temper on the part of the players and spoils the
pleasure of spectators.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Field of Play
Penalty
Area
Goal
Area
Halfway Line
Corner
Flag
Halfway
Flag
Goal
Goal Line
Penalty
Arc
Penalty
Mark
Corner
Arc
Center
Circle
Touch Line
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Arrive early
Check field and equipment
Introduce yourself to the Coaches
Check players equipment
Brief Assistant Referees
Conduct coin toss
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Arrive early
At least 15 minutes prior to game time
(20-30 mins if first game of the day)
In proper uniform
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Arrive early
With required equipment
U-8 Official Course 1.1 - Lesson 3
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Check Field and Equipment
Markings
Holes, glass, rocks, debris, etc.
Goals (properly secured)
Nets (secured, no holes/gaps)
Corner flags
Ball
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Introduce yourself to the Coaches
Learn their names
Be approachable
Not flippant, cold
or arrogant
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Check players equipment
Team Uniform
Shirt, Shorts, Shoes, Socks, Shinguards
If thermal shorts are worn, they
must be the same color as the shorts
Shinguards must be under the socks
Goalkeeper’s shirt must be distinguishable
from all other players and the referee
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Check players equipment
Nothing dangerous (in your opinion)
No jewelry, watches, earrings
No casts or splints (even if padded)
Knee braces are okay, but only if padded and
safe to all players (in your opinion)
Medical alert bracelets may be worn, but must
be secured to the player with tape, cloth
wristband or something similar that is safe.
The information must remain visible
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Brief Assistant Referees
Neutral AR’s:
Work as a team
Follow standard signals
Discuss non-standard signals
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Pre-game Duties and Activities
Brief Assistant Referees
Club Linesmen:
Non-neutral
Explain expectations;
Put at ease
Only call in/out of play
Raise flag straight up when ball has
gone completely over the line.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Post-game Duties
Collect the game ball and
return to owner.
Supervise team handshake
Complete lineup card and
misconduct report (if any)
Congratulate referee team
and seek feedback
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Now that we’ve finished our
pre-game activities....
How do we start the game?
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Starting the Game
Conduct coin toss
Brief introduction (no long lectures)
Doesn’t matter who tosses
the coin or who calls it
Winner of the coin toss
chooses which goal to attack
The other team takes
the kick-off
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Kick-Off
Verify the correct number
of players on the field
(no visible/audible counting).
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Defenders
All playersmust
mustbebe10on
yds
their
from
own
theside
ball
A
A
D
D
A
A
D
D
D
A
A
A
D
A
D
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
D
Kick-Off
The ball is stationary in
the center of the field.
Referee blows whistle to start play.
Ball is in play when kicked
and moves forward.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Keeping Time
Time starts when the ball has been put
into play (kicked and moves forward).
The match consists of two equal periods.
The clock is stopped (or time added) for
excessive time lost due to substitutions,
time wasting or unusual delays.
The amount of time lost (if any) is
determined by the referee.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Stopping the Game
There are seven reasons to stop play:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Ball goes out of play
The referee deems it necessary
Goal is scored
Foul is committed
Injury
Substitution
Halftime / End of Game
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
The lines of the field are part of
the area they define:
In Play
In Play
IN
OUT
In Play
Either in the air or on the ground
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Out of Play
The ball’s position determines
whether it is in or out of play;
Not the player’s position
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Play is stopped when the referee
deems it necessary
Sometimes there are
outside influences that
make it necessary to
stop play.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Play is stopped when a goal is scored
When the ball crosses
wholly over the goal line,
between the goalposts
and beneath the crossbar.
It does not matter which
team put it there.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Play is stopped when
a foul is committed
This is something that is
unfair or unsafe.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Play is stopped for injuries
ANYTIME IMMEDIATELY
In younger players’
games it’s better to
err on the side of
caution
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Play is stopped for injuries
Blood on
clothing must be
neutralized.
Blood on the
body must be
removed.
This is the coach’s responsibility
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Play is stopped for substitutions
There are four opportunities for substitutions
during a regulation match:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Injury
Approx. midway through the first half
Halftime
Approx. midway through the second half
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Play is stopped at the end of the
first half and at the end of the game
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Fouls and Misconduct
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
A foul is an unsafe or unfair act:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Committed by a player
Against an opponent
On the field of play
While the ball is in play
All four elements must
exist for the incident to
be a foul.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Fouls are categorized into two types:
Direct Free Kick fouls
Indirect Free Kick fouls
These categories are
named for the way
play is restarted
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direct Free Kick fouls
There are 10
1. Kicks an opponent
2. Trips an opponent
3. Strikes an opponent
Even the attempt to
commit any of these
three actions is a foul.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direct Free Kick fouls
There are 10
4. Jumps at an opponent
5. Unfairly charges an
opponent
6. Pushes an opponent
7. Tackles an opponent
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direct Free Kick fouls
There are 10
8. Holds an opponent
9. Spits at an opponent
10. Handles the ball deliberately
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direct Free Kick fouls
Six of these fouls most commonly occur
in U-10 and younger age groups:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Kicks an opponent
Trips an opponent
Pushes an opponent
Holds an opponent
Unfairly charges an opponent
Handles the ball deliberately
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Indirect Free Kick fouls
There are 7
The first four pertain solely to the
goalkeeper in his own penalty area.
1. Takes more than six
seconds while controlling
the ball with his hands,
before releasing it from
his possession
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Indirect Free Kick fouls
The first four pertain solely to the
goalkeeper in his own penalty area.
2. Touches the ball again
with his hands after it has
been released from his
possession and has not
touched any other player.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Indirect Free Kick fouls
The first four pertain solely to the
goalkeeper in his own penalty area.
3. Touches the ball with his
hands after it has been
deliberately kicked to
him by a team-mate.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Indirect Free Kick fouls
The remaining three pertain to all players.
5. Plays in a dangerous manner
6. Impedes the progress of an
opponent
7. Prevents the goalkeeper from
releasing the ball from his hands
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Indirect Free Kick
Two of these fouls most commonly occur
in U-10 and younger age groups:
• Plays in a dangerous manner
• Goalkeeper takes more than six
seconds to put the ball into play
Be prompt with the Dangerous Play call.
Don’t be too ticky-tacky with the “six second” call
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
MISCONDUCT
Behavior that is in serious conflict with the
spirit of the game and good sportsmanship
(Something that’s very rare in the U-10 game)
Two types of Misconduct:
Those resulting in a Caution
Those resulting in a Send-Off
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Misconduct is rare in U-10 games.
Referees should deal with it informally
without showing cards.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
For some reason, the game has been stopped.
(Injury, goal, foul, ball out of play, etc.)
How do we restart play?
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Field of Play
Penalty
Area
Goal
Area
Halfway Line
Corner
Flag
Halfway
Flag
Goal
Goal Line
Penalty
Arc
Penalty
Mark
Corner
Arc
Center
Circle
Touch Line
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
THROW-IN
When the ball passes out of play over a
touch line, play is restarted with a Throw-in.
The throw is taken by the opponents of the
team that last touched the ball.
The throw is taken from the approximate
point on the line where the ball left the field.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
THROW-IN
At the moment of delivering
the ball, the thrower must:
• Face the field of play;
• Have part of each foot touching the
ground either on or behind the line; and
• Use both hands to deliver the ball from
behind and over the head.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
THROW-IN
• The ball is in play as soon as released
and any portion of it is on or over the
outside edge of the touchline.
• Opposing players must be
at least 2 yds. from the
point of the throw-in.
• A goal may not be scored
directly from a throw-in.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Field of Play
Penalty
Area
Goal
Area
Halfway Line
Corner
Flag
Halfway
Flag
Goal
Goal Line
Penalty
Arc
Penalty
Mark
Corner
Arc
Center
Circle
Touch Line
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
GOAL KICK
When the whole ball passes over the goal
line, last touched by an attacker (not a
goal), play is restarted with a Goal Kick
for the defending team.
The ball is placed anywhere
in the goal area.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
GOAL KICK
All of these balls are legally placed
within the goal area.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
GOAL KICK
The ball is in play when it leaves the
penalty area into the field of play
The kicker cannot touch the ball a second
time until it’s touched by any other
player.
A goal can be scored directly from a goal
kick, but only against the opposing
team.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Field of Play
Penalty
Area
Goal
Area
Halfway Line
Corner
Flag
Halfway
Flag
Goal
Goal Line
Penalty
Arc
Penalty
Mark
Corner
Arc
Center
Circle
Touch Line
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
CORNER KICK
When the whole ball passes over the goal
line, last touched by a defender (not a
goal), play is restarted with a Corner Kick
for the attacking team.
The ball is placed
anywhere
within the corner
arc area.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
CORNER KICK
All of these balls
are legally placed
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
CORNER KICK
Players from the opposing team
must be 10 yds. from the ball.
The ball is in play when it is kicked
(with a kicking motion) and moves.
It does not have to leave the
corner arc area.
The kicker cannot move the corner flag.
A goal can be scored
directly from a corner kick.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
DROPPED BALL
A way to restart play for
an unusual but neutral reason.
Examples:
Injury
Dog on the field
Stray ball on the field
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
DROPPED BALL
The referee drops the ball where it was
when play was stopped.
The ball is dropped from the
players’ waist height.
The ball is in play when it hits the ground.
If a player kicks the ball before it hits the
ground, the ball is dropped again.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
FREE KICKS
A way to restart play when the Referee
has stopped play because of a foul.
There are two
types of free kicks:
Direct Free Kick
Indirect Free Kick
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
Direct Free Kick (DFK)
A goal can be scored directly from the kick
(against the opposing team)
Indirect Free Kick (IFK)
The ball must touch any other player before
a goal can be scored
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
To signal an Indirect Free Kick,
the Referee holds his hand
straight up into the air.
The hand remains in this position
until the ball either (a) touches
any other player, or (b) goes out
of play.
There is no signal for a Direct Free Kick
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Restarting the Game
The kicker may not
touch the ball a
second time until it
has touched
Exception: If a free kick taken by the
another player.
defending team in its own penalty area is
touched a second time before the ball
leaves the penalty area, the kick is
retaken.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
In most cases a Free Kick (both types) is:
• Taken from the location of the foul, and
• In play once it is kicked (with a kicking
motion) and moves.
• All opponents must
be 10 yds. from
the ball.
But there are
some exceptions.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
PENALTY KICK
(U-10 and above, only)
• A penalty kick is awarded when a direct
free kick foul has been committed by a
team within its own penalty area.
• All players (other than the kicker and the
goalkeeper) must be:
- Outside the penalty area and penalty arc
- Behind the ball
Until the ball is played.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
PENALTY KICK
(U-10 and above, only)
• The goalkeeper must remain on the goal
line (but can move side-to-side) until the
ball is in play.
• The ball is in play
once it is kicked
and moves forward.
• The kicker may not touch the ball a
second time until touched by any other
player.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Checking for Learning
The ball goes completely over the touch
line, last touched by an attacker.
What is the restart?
Throw-in for the defending team
The ball goes completely over the goal line
(not a goal), last touched by a defender.
What is the restart?
Corner Kick
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Checking for Learning
How many players must be present for the
taking of a dropped ball?
There is no requirement
The ball goes completely over the goal
line (not a goal), last touched by an
attacker. What is the restart?
Goal Kick
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
OFFSIDE
The Offside Law is the only law that restricts
tactical positioning during dynamic play.
The offside law is intended to ensure that players
earn the right to shoot on goal.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
OFFSIDE
Elements of the offside infraction:
1. Position
2. Time of Judgment
3. Active Involvement
All three elements must be
present or there cannot be an
infraction
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
OFFSIDE
Offside Position
A Player is in an offside position if he is:
1. In the opponents’ half of the field;
2. Closer to the opponents’ goal line than at least
two opponents; and
3. Closer to the opponents’ goal line than the ball
All three elements must be present or the
player is not in an offside position, and
there cannot be an infraction
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Offside Position
It is not an offence to be in an offside position
It just means that player is
momentarily off his team.
He cannot interfere with play or any of the
opposing players.
He cannot have any involvement in the match.
He’s off his team.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
OFFSIDE
Time of Judgment
Offside Position is judged at the moment
the ball touches or is played by one of his team
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
OFFSIDE
Active Involvement
A player may be involved in active play by:
1. Interfering with play;
2. Interfering with an opponent; or
3. Gaining an advantage by being in that position.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
OFFSIDE
Once all three of these conditions have been met:
POSITION
TIME OF JUDGMENT
ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT
An offside infraction has occurred
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing
team from the place the infringement occurred.
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
OFFSIDE
Exceptions
There is no offence if a player
receives the ball directly from:
Goal Kick
Corner Kick
Throw-In
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
OFFSIDE
A1
A2
D
A
D
A
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
NOT
OFFSIDE
D
A2
A
A1
D
A
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
NOT
OFFSIDE
D
A
A2
A1
D
A
A
A3
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
A2
NOT
OFFSIDE
A1
A
D
Goal Kick
A
D
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
OFFSIDE
A
D
D
A
Deflection off goalpost
or goalkeeper
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
NOT
OFFSIDE
D
A
D
A
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
OFFSIDE
A
A
D
D
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
OFFSIDE
A
D
D
A
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
OFFSIDE
D
A
A
D
D
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR
NOT
OFFSIDE
D
A
D
A
D
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Direction of attack
AR Corner Kick
A
A
D
OFFSIDE
D
D
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Key Takeaways
It is not an offence to be in an offside position
Wait for Active Involvement before penalizing
for offside
The player is not required to
touch the ball for the offside
to be penalized
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
In AYSO,
It’s about more
than the game !
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
ASST. REFEREE DUTIES AND SIGNALS
Neutral Assistant Referee:
• Indicate ball out of play
• Indicate which side gets
throw-in, goal kick or corner kick
• Indicate when offside infringement has
occurred
• Indicate when substitution is desired
• Assist the referee to control the game
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
ASST. REFEREE DUTIES AND SIGNALS
Club Linesmen
Only indicate ball
in-and-out of play
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1
Key Takeaways
The Referee’s role is to ensure the game is
Fun, Fair and Safe
Assistant Referees assist the Referee
The referee team positions
themselves to “box” play
Basic Referee Course 1.1 - Lesson 1