U5/U6 - 10 minute half's and 20 minute games
U7/U8 - 20 minute half's and 40 minute games
U10 - 25 minute half's and 50 minute games
U12 - 30 minute half's and 60 minute games
U14 - 35 minute half's and 70 minute games
U16 - 40 minute half's and 80 minute games
U19 - 45 minute half's and 90 minute games
The referee for your child's game will monitor the start time and duration of the game.
Q: What size ball should I buy?
A: Please refer to the following table for ball sizes appropriate for the various divisions.
BALL SIZE CHART
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| AYSO Division |
Ball size |
| U19, U16, U14 |
5 |
| U12, U10 |
4 |
| U8, U6 & U5 |
3 |
Q: Nick's coach has never coached a team. Can we ask for a new coach?
A: NO. AYSO coaches are parents and members of our community who enjoy working with kids. If you have knowledge of the game or coaching techniques, this is great time to offer your help, or better yet, contact the Regional Coach Administrator before the season starts and take a team yourself. Region 57 will get you properly coach certified.
Q: Katie doesn't get along with her coach. Can she change teams?
A: Discuss the problem with your child and the coach and try to resolve the problem between yourselves. It is almost impossible to move teams around after they're assembled. If you still feel the problem is serious and are unsatisfied, you can attempt to contact the Division Coordinator and Regional Commissioner for assistance.
Q: Jessica is 8 years old, but is very, very small. Can she play on a team with younger players?
A: No. A player can never "play-down" into a younger age group. Most players in this situation do quite well. Soccer is one game in which size is generally not a hindrance.
Q: Jimmy can't make it to practices on the days the coach has chosen. What can I do?
A: If the problem is transportation, just speak to the coach or team parents. There is always someone who will be available and willing to give your child a ride. If there are other activities (such as lessons of some kind), maybe it would be possible to adjust the schedule. Please try to make it to practice. Your child is involved in a team sport. The team cannot learn to work together if there are players who consistently miss practices.
Q: Ricky's best friend lives right next door. Can they be on the same team?
A: NO. Everyone has a friend they would like to play with, but if it was done for Ricky, it would have to be done for everyone. This would be an administrative nightmare and would make team balancing impossible.
Q: What do the registration fees cover? Are there any other "hidden" costs?
A: Registration fees cover a portion of the costs of running the program, a uniform that your child keeps at the end of the season, the "basic" photo package and supplemental accident insurance for AYSO-sponsored activities. You must pay separately for shoes, shin guards and a soccer ball. Proper equipment is essential for safety.
Q: How do I determine what division my child will be playing in?
A: Go to the Age Division Chart link at the top of this page.
REGISTRATION FAQ'S
Q: What is the cost for fall?
A: Regular registration fees are $120 per child. Late registration fees are $300.
There is no multi-child discount. Scholarships may be available in cases of financial hardship. To request consideration for a scholarship, contact the Regional Commissioner at rc@cdmayso.org during regular registration. There are no scholarships during late registration. Check calendar for each season's regular and late registration dates.
Q: Where and when is registration?
A: Forms must be completed and payment made online. Go to the Registration link at the top of this page. Forms must be mailed, dropped-off or turned in as explained on the registration screens.
Q: I missed all the registration days; can I still register my child?
A: After late registation we, you may go to the Registration link at the top of this page to register for the waitlist and pay the $300 fee. However, you are NOT guaranteed to have your child placed on a team. If your child is not placed on a team, your fees will be refunded.
Q: Can my neighbor register my child?
A: No. Registration forms can only be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Q: Who needs to provide a copy of a birth certificate?
A: Any player who did not play in Region 57 last year needs to provide a copy of birth certificate. This includes children who played in other regions or who played in Region 57 prior to last year but did not play last year.
Q: Is there anything I need to bring to registration?
A: Registration is performed online and you need to provide a signed original of the registration form as explained on the registration online instructions.
Q: When will I know what team my child is on?
A: Teams are determined after registration is closed. The number of teams is based on the number of children who register in each age group. Coaches and players then need to be assigned to teams. Practice and game schedules are determined once number of teams by age group is known. We hope to have all teams formed by the end of July. Delay in team information and schedules can occur if we are short volunteers to coach and/or referee. AYSO57 is an all-volunteer organization that serves over 2100 children. The people who assign the teams and determine the schedules are all involved in the region and do these activities in addition to their work and family obligations.
Q: When will I know my child's practice/play schedule?
A: See above. Request for particular practice days cannot be honored.
Q: What is the refund policy?
A: See our refund tab.
Q: Can I request that my child be placed with friends or a specific coach?
A: Reasons such as favorite coach; most hated coach; carpool needs; time/day of practice; time/day of games; swapping similarly rated players; how good the team looks; how bad the team looks; and a host of other issues are insufficient reasons to support parent/player requested team placement.
COACHES FAQ'S
Q: How much time is required?
A: That depends on the age level you're coaching. U5, U6, U7 and U8 players can practice about an hour per week and have one game per Saturday. U10 and older players can practice twice per week for about 90 minutes each session and one game on Saturday.
Q: I've never coached before. How do I become a coach?
A: Becoming a coach is very easy. First, just volunteer. AYSO provides the training you'll need and the age group division coordinators will provide you with the players.
Q: Will I have help?
A: Yes. You'll always have the resources of the region and parents are usually always ready to help out at practices and games.
Q: I know nothing about soccer, how can I coach?
A: A big part of coaching is having the right attitude and wanting to work with children. AYSO will provide the age specific training you need to coach. We even conduct a clinic for first time and beginning coaches, as well as more advanced sessions.
Q: Will my child be on my team?
A: Yes. We always make sure your child(ren) is(are) on your team.
Q: How do I get a team?
A: During online regisration, check the box to Head Coach a team. The age group division coordinators will contact you. Once the number of teams is known, the coordinators assemble the teams. Based on the AYSO philosophy of balanced teams, all teams in age group divisions U10 and older have the teams assembled according to the players rating from the previous season.
Q: Do I need to be trained or have any special certification?
A: Yes. All coaches are required to attend an AYSO Safe Haven course and be coach certified for the age division they are coaching. Check the website for updates on specific dates and times.