Frequently Asked Questions - Registration
When do practices start?
For the U8 division and up, practices typically begin in the last week of August. U5 and U6 players do not have separate practice days - they have a practice session on their game days - so their practices will begin on the first day of the season.
When does the season start?
First day of games is September 7.
Why do you ask everyone to volunteer?
AYSO is an all volunteer organization. Every position, from the head of the Region, to the coaches and referees, right on through the webmaster and the game scheduler, are filled with parents who are volunteering their time. Our ability to put on a successful program depends on the willingness of every family to help out in some way.
I would like to be an AYSO coach; what should I do?
The first step is to indicate that you wish to volunteer as a coach when you register your child to play. Next, consult the Coaching section of our website to learn about volunteer registration and coach training. Your name will be forwarded to the Coach Administrators, who will send you information concerning the registration and training requirements for your child's division. In July, the Division Commissioners will contact coach volunteers and compile a list of likely head coaches. Assistant coach volunteers will be contacted after the teams are formed in August.
I would like to be an AYSO referee; what should I do?
The first step is to indicate that you wish to volunteer as a referee when you register your child to play. Next, consult the Referees section of our website to learn about volunteer registration and referee training. Training opportunities exist during the summer months and through the Fall. The referee administrator and scheduler will contact you in September about training and game opportunities.
My child is under 8 years of age - How do you structure play for the youngest kids?
AYSO is designed to provide a fun learning environment for the youngest players. U5 and U6 play (for kids under age 6) is primarily a clinic environment with fun games and instruction. Kids play 3v3 games on a small field (30x20) with no goalkeepers. U7 and U8 play introduces the basics of team play, with a focus on passing and team participation. Kids play 5v5 on a small field (45x30) with no goalkeepers. Larger team play with goalkeeping is introduced at age 8.
Can I request a specific teammate or coach for my child?
Historically, we have not accepted teammate or coach requests, with two exceptions: All coaches are guaranteed to be assigned to their own child's team, and we will place siblings on the same team when requested. Starting in 2013, we will make limited exceptions to that restriction in the younger divisions (U5-U8). We cannot accommodate such requests in the older, competitive divisions because it would violate AYSO's core philosophy of "Balanced Teams," and it would likely be unmanageable in a Region of 1400 children.
In the U5 and U6 divisions, we recognize that children are just learning, and we want to promote a supportive social enviroment for families. Accordingly, we will attempt to accommodate most teammate requests up to a limit of four children per team. Please recognized that we will not be able to accommodate every request, and there may be issues of team balance or coach assignment that prevent us from satisfying a specific request.
In the U7 and U8 divisions, we will attempt to accommodate individual requests from certified coaches and certified referees to coach and/or referee with another coach or referee volunteer, which has the effect of grouping their children, up to a limit of two children per team. In other words, we will attempt to honor a request to coach or referee with a particular individual, but will not permit requests for larger groups of children or volunteers. As with U6, we may not be able to accommodate every request, and there may be issues of team balance or coach assignment that prevent us from satisfying a specific request.
In the older divisions (U10-U14), no such requests will be accepted.