FAQ’s

The referees provide their names, team numbers, and code letters on the game cards. If a team’s referee works that team’s assigned game (code A), or if a pre-arranged substitute works that team’s assigned game (code B), then the team receives credit for completing one assignment. Each game that a team’s referee works, regardless of code, is also counted. The number of “referee wins” is the GREATER of these two numbers. The number of “referee losses” is the number of assignments NOT fulfilled by either code A or code B referees. A team is liable for a “referee loss” if the game was covered by a code C referee or if fewer than three referees worked the game.

The number of referee wins and losses determines each team’s referee “winning percentage.” This percentage is converted to a maximum of 9 points, equivalent to 3 extra wins for the team, pro-rated during the course of the season.

Referee points = (ref wins / (ref wins + ref losses)) <== winning percentage x (number of weeks played / number of weeks in season) <=== pro-rated x 9 <== maximum number of points by the end of the season. rounded to the nearest integer.

The referee points are added to the team’s points to determine the standings.

AYSO and Region 13 have always been committed to good sportsmanship. It is a significant part of the learning experience we want our children to have and it is also closely related to the success of our volunteer-run activities. The cooperative spirit on which Region 13 depends is itself an example of good sportsmanship.

Our program follows the positive emphasis of AYSO’s governing philosophy. Each week, referees, using a 5 point scale, separately rate the players, the coaches, and the fans on each team. Our expectation is that teams will receive minimum scores of 9 at every match. More or fewer points can be assigned based on conduct.

For the U10, U12 and U14 divisions, the sportsmanship points earned, along with the game scores, will be posted on a weekly basis.

Experience shows us that the most likely cause of loss of sportsmanship points is poor conduct by parents and others on the sidelines. Please remember that everything our children see and hear adults do determines their developmental pattern. Set a good example, no matter what level of play is involved.

Two factors determine the standings: the TEAM’S point total and the TEAM REFEREES’ point total.

A team earns 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. This is the same system which is used in most professional leagues around the world. Region 13 adopted the practice in 2006.

The team referees earn up to 9 points, equivalent to 3 wins, by the end of the season, based on the “referee winning percentage” (see “How are referee credits determined?”)

The standings are based on the total points for each team, earned both on the field and by the team referees.

Contact the statistician, Bill Owen, at stats@ayso13.org or 626 791-8268. We’ll investigate and correct the records if necessary.

If two teams have accumulated the same number of points, the tiebreakers are, in order:

1. Sportsmanship points, provided that the difference is at least 10.
2. Head-to-head play. If 3 or more teams are tied, we use the point total in their mutual round-robin games, and any remaining ties are resolved by rules 3-5.
3. Most victories on the field.
4. Fewest goals allowed.
5. Coin flip.

The season schedule is based on round-robin play within each division. If a division has more than 12 teams, it is broken into pools, with round-robin play within each pool. If a pool has an odd number of teams, then each week one team plays a friendly game against a team from another pool. The results are not included in the standings, but the sportsmanship points and the referee team credits are tabulated as for any other game.

Practice games are scheduled at the beginning of the season. The results are not included in the standings, but the sportsmanship points and the referee team credits are tabulated as for any other game.

Sometimes, but not always, the referee crew writes notes on the back of the game card to explain why points were deducted. The game cards go first to the statistician, who keeps them for a week and then gives them to the division coaches. Inquiries to these people are encouraged; direct contact with the referees is not.

The game was either a practice game or a friendly. These games are listed in the Scores section followed by either ***PRACTICE*** OR ***FRIENDLY***.

It is also possible that the game card hasn’t been turned in yet. When this occurs, we contact the referee and both coaches, as necessary, to determine the outcome of the game. This process may take a few days. Please be patient. The game will show up shortly.