Who needs to be certified?

Every coach and assistant coach. If there are multiple assistants then each one must be certified in order to work with the players during practice. Certification means having passed the appropriate class for the age division (meaning, a 8U coach must be certified for 8U; a 10U certification by itself is not valid for 8U), and other mandated courses (Safe Haven, etc.).

How are games handled that don't have a registered, certified, qualified referee?

• This policy applies to all Division levels that use Referees.
• There’s a distinction between Referee Certifications (completed necessary training, tests, etc. for Referee badge level) and Referee Qualifications (completed necessary steps to be an active volunteer for Region 42 for this year including Volunteer registration, Background check, Live Scan fingerprinting, Safe Haven, SafeSport, etc.).
• Games: As long as there is a certified (at the correct badge level) AND qualified center referee, the game can be played. Win/loss points will count and that referee (and any certified AND qualified ARs) can earn Ref Points.
• Games: If there is a certified AND qualified center referee and one or two certified but NOT qualified assistant referee(s), those AR’s can perform all the duties of an AR (not just the ball out-of-bounds calls that club linesmen can make), but they will NOT earn Ref Points.
• Scrimmages: If there is no certified AND qualified center referee for a given match, that match becomes a scrimmage and win/loss points won’t count. Note that all 10U games for the first two weeks of the season will be scrimmages.
• For scrimmages (i.e. 10U for first two weeks), any of the referees who are certified (at the correct badge level) AND qualified CAN earn Ref Points for officiating the scrimmage.
• For scrimmages, if there is a certified (at the correct badge level) but NOT qualified center referee available, that referee can officiate the scrimmage IF there are qualified coaches at the game who would provide the qualifications oversight required at any AYSO event, including a scrimmage. That referee would NOT earn Ref Points for officiating the scrimmage.
• For scrimmages, if there are no certified referees available the coaches will manage the scrimmage as they would when scrimmaging during practices. The coaches would not, of course, earn Ref Points for these scrimmages.
• Note that in theory there should be at least two certified and qualified referees at each game (namely the team referees who are there to watch their own child’s game). If they are certified (at the correct badge level) and qualified, they can step in to referee the game and WOULD earn Ref Points for doing so (within the constraints of Ref Points per week).

I coached 5U/7U last year, do I need to re-certify for 6U/8U?

No. If you coached 5U/7U last year then you should already be 6U/8U certified. The certification levels for the younger divisions are applicable for two years.

I coached several years ago; do I need to re-certify for the same age group?

No. Once you are certified for an age group, that certification is valid forever. However, if it has been a good number of years since you last coached, it might be wise to take the course again just as a refresher.

What happens if I'm out of town and cannot attend a clinic?

Apart from the July and August clinics hosted in Newbury Park, there are several offered by neighboring regions that you may attend. Clinics hosted by Areas E (eastern Ventura County), V (San Fernando Valley) and W (western Ventura County) have an agreement where our Region is not charged. If you plan on attending a clinic outside of these Areas you may be required to pay a fee, which Region 42 will reimburse. Please contact for details. Courses are listed on AYSOU see the volunteer page for instruction.

I took the concussion course for a different sport. Do I have to take it again for AYSO?

No, but you must email proof of completion to [email protected] so that it can be properly logged in the AYSO database.

Who is eligible to coach in the post-season?

Priority will go to coaches in good standing that have coached during the current season. If none of these coaches are available then a certified assistant coach will be considered. If we still need coaches then any other certified person may be considered.

How can assistant coaches get the "Coach Manual"?

The coach manual is available to everyone. Click here for the PDF version.

Where do we practice?

We have several permitted practice locations that you may request and receive a guaranteed spot to train your team. Many coaches choose to use various neighborhood parks. This is fine, but you need to understand that they are on a first come first served basis.

How does refereeing work at 7U and 8U?

All 7U and 8U teams are required to have at least one team referee, which should not be one of the coaches (but may be the assistant if no one else volunteers). Coaches will not be allowed to simultaneously coach and officiate a match. If no referee is assigned to the match, the HOME team will be expected to provide the referee. All referees must be certified with at least the "8U Official Course" or higher. This class is available online at AYSOU or in-person with nearby regions (Newbury Park does not offer this class).

My USSF 'E' license should be good enough, right?

Yes and no. There is some reciprocity between AYSO and Club soccer. Exact information can be found on the AYSO Volunteers site. However, this will not substitute for 6U, 8U or 10U certification.

I’m a coach trying to find referees for tournaments in the post season, can you help?

Yes, please see the Tournament Referees List. This lists Region 42 referees who are interested in refereeing in post season tournaments. You can e-mail any or all of them to see if they’re available for your tournament(s). Please include the name and dates of the tournament(s) when you e-mail them. You can email the referee administrator  if you have further questions on the process.

Still have questions?

Please see "The Coach's Clipboard" on the AYSO web site. For anything not covered there, contact the coach administrator.