AYSO Game Cards for Effective Game Management

AYSO game cards are designed to help support one of the most important AYSO philosophy that everyone plays. For younger players, this is especially important.

Each coach will provide pre-filled game cards with players names against the jersey numbers. It is important for the referee team to check the player numbers with the player’s jersey numbers to ensure they match. I also like to make note of absent players on the game cards. This makes managing substitutions a lot easier as well.

Game Cards Track Number of Quarters Played

While the rules might vary from region to region, a player is required to play a minimum of 75% of the game. Therefore, dividing the game into quarters helps to manage this aspect of the game.

Because the number of quarters that each player plays is already marked on the cards, the referee can easily keep track of the quarters played by player. This helps to reinforce one of the core AYSO philosophies that everyone plays a minimum of time.

TIP: Tracking the quarters that a player is out of the game is easier to manage than when the player is playing.

Track Volunteer Points

Because AYSO is a volunteer organisation, it is important to motivate and reward volunteers accordingly.

Most AYSO regions award referee points. Game cards can help track volunteer points that the referees can accumulate for their designated teams. Some regions award more volunteer points for referees than assistant referees. I find that this encourages people to step into the important referee role.