Scheduled Games with no Referee - Coach-Led Scrimmages
For games hosted by AYSO Region 498 for which no certified and approved referee is present, a friendly scrimmage can be played in lieu of a game per the guidelines outlined below.
AYSO National Rules and Regulations stipulate that a certified official must be present for any game to be played. For games hosted by AYSO Region 498 for which no certified and approved referee is assigned, a friendly scrimmage can be played in lieu of a game. Games scheduled within other regions will be subject to the host region’s policies. Many regions in our area will cancel games if a referee has not signed up by the previous evening. Scrimmages do not count towards referee points, sportsmanship points, or tournament results if applicable.
For coach-led scrimmages, one coach from each team must be on the field with the players to help ensure a safe and friendly environment for the players. In a scrimmage, the role of the coaches is to guide the scrimmage, NOT REFREE, and to maintain a safe environment for the players, and let them have fun while learning in a game-like environment. Coaches may use this as an opportunity to teach and may also provide instruction during the scrimmage.
Coaches must ensure the safety of all players during the scrimmage, and should discourage overly aggressive or dangerous behavior. Either coach may warn a player for such behavior, and if the behavior continues the player may be removed from the scrimmage. The scrimmage is not required to adhere to the usual game length and number of periods but must end within the scheduled time to prevent delaying other games. Either coach may terminate the scrimmage for any reason--misconduct by players, coaches, or parents, adverse weather conditions, field conditions, or at will.
To help set the expectation of the spectators regarding the process and outcome of the scrimmage, coaches should explain to the spectators that in the absence of a certified referee, teams will be allowed to play a friendly coach-led scrimmage, no official score will be kept or recorded, and that Laws of the game will not be strictly enforced in the absence of a certified official. .
ONLY approved AYSO volunteers who are registered for the current year and meet the minimum training requirements are allowed to participate on the field with players. Non-approved individuals, such as parents who volunteer to referee at the last minute, may not officiate or manage a game or scrimmage. To ensure officials are approved to officiate, they must sign up as referee for the game in sportac.us prior to the game. Coaches should verify they are signed on Sportac.us prior to commencement of the game. Parents, family members, and players themselves are encouraged to become certified referees so there are adequate referees to cover all soccer matches.