HOW LONG IS THE SOCCER SEASON?
The soccer season runs eight weeks in the fall and eight weeks in the spring. Practices usually begin in mid-August with games beginning the Saturday after Labor Day and running through the end of October. For the spring season we return to practice in mid-to-late March with games resuming in early April and running through the beginning of June. Games are not held on Easter or Memorial Day weekends. When you register for the fall season you are automatically registered for both fall and spring. If you register for the spring season you are only registering for the spring and will need to register again beginning in May for the following fall/spring season.
WHY ARE REGISTRATION DATES SO EARLY?
We register kids in May/June for the fall and in January/February for the spring. Registration is held early because there is a lot of work to be done at the region and area levels to get the season underway. At the region level we need time to recruit coaches and get volunteers prepared for the season. At the area level they need our count of teams early to work on schedules. There is a lot of planning behind the scenes. That's why we register early and stick to deadlines.
WHAT DOES THE “U” STAND FOR IN MY CHILD’S DIVISION?
So your child plays in 8U, what does that mean? The "U" stands for 'under'. In this example the kids on the team are under 8 years old as of the age cut off date of December 31 of that year. That means some older 8U players may turn 8 in their final year of play at that division.
IN SCHOOL MY CHILD IS WITH CLASSMATES WHO ARE YOUNGER/OLDER. MAY MY CHILD PLAY “DOWN” IN A YOUNGER DIVISION?
No. AYSO's accident and liability insurance mandates that players be placed in their age-appropriate divisions based on their birth date.
MAY MY CHILD PLAY “UP” IN AN OLDER DIVISION?
Y
es, in certain situations. For example:
- By parent request. This is usually to help out with logistics for families with multiple players close in age. Another example is a player with a summer birthday. These are usually the youngest kids in their grade and the differences in age cutoffs between the schools and AYSO will sometimes force these players into a younger division in AYSO than where the player's classmates are slotted. If we see that a player is young but in the same grade as older classmates we will usually allow that player to play up.
- To fill out or balance teams in the older divisions. The board may ask certain players to "play up" to the next division if we need to fill out older-age teams. We will never force a player to play up but many times will offer it as an option for more experienced players.
- Player skill. If a player exhibits exemplary soccer skills that necessitate he/she be moved to an older division the Board of Directors will engage the coach and parents to make a determination on how best to address the situation. We want to keep the teams balanced as much as possible while also allowing all players to participate and have fun.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS?
Your primary expense other than registration fees will be for uniforms and equipment. At minimum all players will need to purchase an official West Snyder AYSO jersey, black shorts, black socks, and shin guards. Cleats are optional but you will see most players wearing them. Players are welcome to reuse whatever uniform items still fit and are appropriate for their age group. You can purchase everything but cleats, shin guards and a ball during registration and you can expect to spend about $20 per player for these items.
A soccer ball appropriate to your child's age is recommended although most coaches will have several team balls available to use during practices. In addition, team parents may request a small donation to cover the expenses of a small gift for the coach. Also, in the younger divisions each family is often assigned halftime snack duty for the team.
HOW LONG ARE GAMES? WHAT SIZE BALL DO I NEED?
The table below summarizes game format and length for each division.
|
Division
|
Ball Size
|
Max
Team Size
|
Game
Length
|
Game Format
|
|
6U
|
3
|
12
|
Two 20
minute
halves
|
Two concurrent games of 3 v 3 with brief stoppage midway through each half for substitutions. NO GOALKEEPERS!
|
|
8U
|
3
|
10
|
Two 20
minute halves
|
5 v 5 with brief stoppage midway through each half for substitutions. NO GOALKEEPERS!
|
|
10U
|
4
|
14
|
Two 25
minute halves
|
7 v 7 with brief stoppage midway through each half for substitutions.
|
|
12U
|
4
|
18
|
Two 30
minute halves
|
9 v 9 with brief stoppage midway through each half for substitutions.
|
|
U15
|
5
|
22
|
Two 35
minute halves
|
11 v 11 with brief stoppage midway through each half for substitutions.
|
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO PRACTICES AND GAMES?
For practices:
- Shin guards (required)
- Socks (must cover shin guards)
- Soccer shoes/cleats
- Soccer ball (optional, coaches usually have team balls)
- Water/Gatorade/etc (community water is usually not provided)
- A well-rested, well-hydrated, nutritionally balanced child with a positive attitude and willingness to learn is highly recommended!
For games:
- AYSO uniform (red jersey, black shorts)
- Shin guards, socks and shoes/cleats
- Water/Gatorade/etc
- Please do not bring personal soccer balls to games. Game days are bustling and personal soccer balls are easily lost.
ARE CLEATS REQUIRED?
Soccer cleats are not mandatory but are highly recommended (regular athletic shoes with no cleats are the alternative). Generally speaking nearly all players at all age levels use soccer cleats for practices and games. If you cannot afford to purchase a pair of cleats please inquire during registration. We usually have several used pair in decent condition that were generously donated by players and parents.
WHY ARE THE PLAYERS REQUIRED TO WEAR THEIR SOCCER SOCKS OVER THEIR SHIN GUARDS?
Safety is the primary reason. Some types of shin guards are hard shell instead of soft, and may have sharp edges that could cut a player. By wearing their socks over the shin guards, players protect each other. Also, wearing the socks over the shin guards prevent the shin guards from shifting during running or when being kicked, which allow the shin guards to protect the areas they are supposed to.
MY DAUGHTER JUST HAD HER EARS PIERCED AND WE AREN’T SUPPOSED TO REMOVE THE STUDS. CAN SHE STILL PLAY?
No jewelry of any kind (necklaces, watches, earrings, rings, bracelets, etc.) is allowed during practices or games. There is an exception for Med-Alert bracelets but they must be completely covered with tape or a soft cloth band for the safety of your child and the other players.
MY DOCTOR SAID THAT MY CHILD CAN PLAY WITH AN ARM SPLINT. CAN HE/SHE STILL PLAY?
No. While the doctor may be representing your child's interests appropriately, the risk to other players mandates that the player must limit their participation to that of moral support on the sidelines. NO EXCEPTIONS. This applies to practices and games.
WHAT ABOUT EYEGLASSES, HEARING AIDS OR MED-ALERT BRACELETS?
Prescription eyeglasses, hearing aids, and Med-Alerts may be worn to practices and games. The use of an eyeglass strap or prescription sport glasses are highly recommended. As stated above, Med-Alerts must be completely covered with tape or a soft cloth band as a safety precaution.
CAN MY CHILD WEAR A SWEATSHIRT DURING THE GAMES?
Yes, however any extra articles of clothing must be worn under the uniform jersey so the referee can determine which team a player is associated with. It is recommended that any extra articles of clothing be limited to under shirts, turtlenecks, etc. Try to coordinate with your team colors if possible. Any extra articles of clothing cannot have any zippers or any plastic/metal components of any kind.
WHAT KIND OF HAIR ACCESSORIES ARE ACCEPTABLE?
Hair accessories should not be made of metal or plastic and should not be rigid. Soft hair accessories such as "scrunchies" and soft rubber bands are acceptable.
MY TEAM IS PLAYING ANOTHER WEST SNYDER TEAM. HOW DO WE TELL THE KIDS APART?
The West Snyder team that is the "AWAY" team should wear practice pinnies over their red AYSO jerseys.
WHAT IS SILENT SATURDAY?
All AYSO regions in our area have agreed to promote one weekend per season as a Silent Saturday. The intent is to permit players to play the game free of sideline distractions, further encouraging the kids to let the game be the teacher. Young players must be allowed opportunities to make and learn from mistakes they have made in a game without fear of immediate criticism or judgment. Overall, too many of us as coaches and parents overdo it.
Coaches will quietly provide feedback to players on the bench while players on the field are encouraged to be as vocal and communicative to each other as possible. This is their day where they can self-learn skills, technique, leadership and collaboration without any interference from sideline instruction. Parents are welcome to cheer and applaud nice plays, goals, etc but MUST keep all other sideline chatter to an absolute minimum. Under no circumstances should a spectator be shouting instructions at a player during any match - especially on Silent Saturday.
NOTE: 6U coaches are permitted to provide instructions on field as they are both coach and ref during the game. Parents of 6U players should follow the same low-key sporting approach described above.
While some coaches and parents may disagree with this tradition, the rationale is fundamentally sound; for parents and coaches to refrain from yelling excessive instructions or noise at AYSO soccer players for one of the regular eight games in a season. Feedback from players is overwhelmingly in favor of the Silent Saturday concept and your cooperation is appreciated.
I AM INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED WITH THE AYSO PROGRAM. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?
Awesome! We can always use volunteers. Contact any of our regional board members for further information.