AYSO National Referee Program
Becoming a Better Tournament Official
Workshop Objectives
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Understand AYSO tournament play
Learn why and how to be prepared
Reinforce new skills thru scenarios
Take away knowledge:
– Specifics of tournament officiating
– How to improve every day officiating
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Why Hold Youth Soccer
Tournaments?
Reasons Include:
– Provide higher level competition
– New experiences
– Provide Referees assessment / mentoring
opportunities
– Raise money for Area/Section uses
– College recruiting
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How do AYSO Tournaments Differ
From Regular Season AYSO Matches?
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Officiating with unknown Referees
More emphasis on winning
More assertive and aggressive play
Often, more dissent
More game management needed
Tournament rules may differ
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How do AYSO Tournaments Differ?
What You Must Remember:
• AYSO Philosophy: EBOPSP
– Everyone plays
– Balanced teams
– Open registration
- Positive coaching
- Sportsmanship, good
- Player development
• AYSO Vision Statement
– Provide world-class programs
– Enrich children’s lives
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What Should You Know
About AYSO Tournament Rules?
Every tournament has unique rules that may
include:
– Match lengths
– Adding time
– Who handles pre-game inspections
– Coin toss
– Team size
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What Else Should You Know About
AYSO Tournament Rules?
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Substitution protocol
Weather rules
Point systems (awards/deductions)
Tie-breaking procedures
Post-match reporting
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General Referee Preparation
Examples of Preparation Include:
• Better understanding of the LOTG
• Complete Referee kit – what is this and
what to include?
• Check the pitch – goals – flags
• Meet your Referee team
• Pre-match Referee instructions
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General Referee Preparation:
Meeting with the Referee Team
• Pre-Game Referee Conference:
– Why critical to success
– Prepare pre-match instructions in writing
– If AR, ask clarifying questions of the Referee
• Half-Time and Post-Game:
– Importance
– What and why to cover
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Game-Specific Preparation
Details for This Match:
– Start time/end time
– Size of ball
– Tie break procedure, if any
– Substitution policy
– Players per team / Coaches per team
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Tournament Refereeing:
Understand Team Motivations
• Understand the psychology of tournaments
– Winners and losers
– Winners play for the title
• Delay tactics / frustration
• Game management approaches
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Tournament Refereeing:
Intense Games Focused on Winning
• Shorter games often more intense
– Potential for spiraling out of control
– More frequent fouls and misconducts
• Team standings may impact your match
– Intensity will increase during tournament
– Different player tactics
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Tournament Refereeing:
Know the Rules of Competition
• Familiarize yourself with rules for this
tournament
• Pre-tournament group Referee meeting
– Pick up helpful tips
– Develop sense of camaraderie
– Learn attitude of tournament officials
• Pack a complete Referee kit
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Tournament Refereeing
Recommendations – Be Prepared!
• Show up especially early for your first game
• Essential to start / end on time
• Take care of your body
– Dress appropriate for the weather forecast
– Hydrate early and often
– Sun tan lotion & band aids
– Potassium, bananas & cramps
– Use of a hat
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Tournament Refereeing
Recommendations – No “I” in Team
• Your game’s Referee Team
– Develop rapport
– Assess experience and abilities
– Pre-game instructions – Critical to success
– Be honest
• Frequent eye contact during match
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Tournament Refereeing:
Learning and Helping Others Learn
• Learn from other Referees
– Formally: assessments or observations
– Informally: watch and discuss – Self evaluation
– Mentoring: a great way to learn and grow
• Have other Referees learn from you
– Mentoring: formally or informally
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Tournament Refereeing:
Final (Humorous) Recommendations
• Use common sense
• Just in case you have a bad game, prepare for a
quick exit:
– Back your car into an isolated parking space
– Leave car unlocked
– Leave keys in ignition
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Scenarios -- Group Work
Pay special attention to your pre-game
conference.
Make it meaningful – adjust for badge
levels.
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Group 1 Scenario
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Antietam Cup Tournament in Maryland
Intermediate Referee / two Regional ARs
Round-robin B-10 match
Warm/humid conditions
Ten unique tournament rules
Referee to provide pre-match instructions
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Group 2 Scenario
• Cactus Classic Tournament in Arizona
• Two Advanced Referees as ARs, Intermediate
Referee as Referee
• Round-robin B-12 match
• Warm/dry conditions
• Seven unique tournament rules
• Referee to provide pre-match instructions
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Group 3 Scenario
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Section 8 Tournament in Michigan
Semi-final G-14 match ended in a tie
Referee team is tired, and one AR is ineffective
Warm/humid conditions
How to deal with tired team and one poor AR
Referee to provide pre-overtime instructions
Tie-breaking procedure – KFTM mechanics
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AYSO National Games
The AYSO Tournament of Tournaments
• July 2016 – Palm Beach, Florida
• Thousands of players on hundreds of teams
on 30 pristine soccer fields
• Need hundreds of Referees
• U10 thru U19
• aysonationalgames.org
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Goal For Referees
• Support the delivery of a great AYSO
experience for players and others
• How will this workshop help you support this
goal?
Thank you!
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