Is my child the right age for AYSO soccer?
Children between the ages of 4 and 18 as of December 31 of the year in which the fall season begins can play AYSO soccer. Please see the Fall 2023 Registration Page for the Age Determination Chart located at the bottom of the page.
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What makes AYSO different?
Our mission is to provide quality youth soccer programs where everyone builds positive character through participation in a safe, fun, family-oriented soccer environment. AYSO's six philosophies separate us from the pack:
• Everyone Plays
• Balanced Teams
• Open Registration
• Positive Coaching
• Good Sportsmanship
• Player Development
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What programs do you offer in AYSO Region 146?
A list of the programs offered in Region 146 can be found on our Programs offered in Daly City AYSO page with detailed information on each program in the navigation drop downs
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In school, my player is with classmates who are younger, can my player "play down" in a younger division...
No. AYSO is a national organization that determines the player divisions based on birth year. The AYSO "year" runs from January 1st through December 31st. AYSO’s accident and liability insurance depends on the players placed in their age-appropriate divisions. Many children are in "different" divisions than their school classmates. We encourage you to view this as a positive experience - it will allow your child to broaden his/her relationships outside of school and enjoy making new friends. We should be able to work with coaches and division coordinators for children with physical and/or medical needs to allow them to play in the age-appropriate division. As a reminder, you can reference Age Determination Chart located at the bottom of the Fall 2023 Registration Page.
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I want my player to play on the same team as their friends….
The only placement we can guarantee is for siblings at the same age/division level. AYSO is governed by a set of six core philosophies, one of which is Balanced Teams.
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What team will my player be on and what division will he/she play in?
Children will be assigned a team and division based on age obtained through registration. Any requests to play up in a higher division must be requested in advance and are granted at the discretion of the Regional Commission, CVPA and Coach Administrator.
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What happens if my player is waitlisted?
Players in our upper divisions are waitlisted until enough players register to field a team.
Once your player(s) has been activated off the waitlist, you will have 72 hours from the date and time the email was sent to accept and pay your fees/setup a payment plan, or your registration will be canceled and offered to the next player on the Wait List. We will send out a Region wide email a few days prior to moving players off the waitlist. If your registration is canceled due to missing the deadline, you will have to re-register to be added and your priority number will drop to the bottom of the Wait List.
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What additional soccer expenses can I anticipate over the course of a season?
Not included in the registration fees are the required shin guards, appropriate shoes, and a strongly recommended at home practice ball. In addition, the team parents will possibly request a small amount to cover the expenses of a team banner, end of season team party, and a small "thank you" gift for the coaches. Also, each family is often requested to bring snacks for the team at one game during the season.
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What does my child need to play?
A desire to have fun, shin guards and soccer cleats or athletic shoes.
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What size soccer ball should I get for my child if desired?
Divisions 5U through 8U use a Size 3 ball.
Divisions 10U and 12U use a Size 4 ball.
Divisions 14U and above use a Size 5 ball.
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What is the expected duration of time needed for warm-ups and games?
For the younger divisions, plan on being available for the warm-ups and games to take about 1 hour to complete. For the older divisions, the warm-ups games take about 2 hours to complete. Your players coach will let you know what time they expect players to arrive and game schedules will be posted on our Region Calendar and under Team Central on our website roughly two weeks prior to the start of the season.
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Where can I find Important Dates or Game Schedules?
Important Dates and Game Schedules will be posted on our Region Calendar – game schedules will be posted roughly two weeks prior to the start of the season. We will send around email updates as we get closer to the season in early August.
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Where and when are practices/games held?
Games are generally scheduled between 8:30am and 2:00pm on Saturdays (first games are 9/9 and last games are on 11/4 for our 12U and under divisions) and are held at Gellert Park for our 10U and lower divisions. 12U and upper division teams are considered traveling teams. Our 12U and 14U divisions participate in inter-Area play, travelling between our sister regions of San Bruno, Millbrae, Brisbane, and Pacifica and competing for a chance to go to the Area tournament at the end of the season. Our 16U and 19U divisions compete with our sister regions in our Area and travel to the rest of San Mateo County to play with teams in Hillsborough, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, and Burlingame.
Practices are scheduled by the volunteer coach based on his/her schedule (but they generally are held once or twice a week for 30/60 min depending on the age group and are all held within Daly City at either Gellert park or a pre-agreed location with the team’s coach and the Regional Board).
A great way to decide on the practice schedule is to volunteer to coach. AYSO is a completely volunteer run organization. The more people that help, the better the program runs and the better experience our children have. Kids love it when their parents and family members are involved as well! It helps them feel part of the larger AYSO community and they know that the whole organization is there to support them and their friends.
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What should I bring to my player’s practices and games?
Shin guards (required), soccer cleats/athletic shoes, uniform (games only) and water. Also, bringing a well-rested, well hydrated, nutritionally balanced player with a positive attitude and willingness to learn is highly recommended!
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Does my child need soccer cleats to play?
Soccer cleats are not mandatory but are highly recommended (regular athletic shoes with no cleats are the alternative). When buying soccer cleats, they cannot have a toe cleat (baseball shoes have a toe cleat) and only soccer cleats are the acceptable type of cleat allowed on AYSO soccer fields. Nearly all players at all age levels use soccer cleats for practices and games.
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Are Shin Guards required?
Shin guards are MANDATORY for all games and practices, no exceptions.
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Why are the children required to wear their soccer socks over their shin guards?
Player safety is at the top of our list, and this 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 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.
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Is my player able to wear prescription eyeglasses (or prescription sunglasses)?
Glasses, hearing aids, and med-alerts may be worn to practices and games. The use of an eyeglass holder/strap or sports-glasses is recommended. As stated above, Med-Alerts must be completely covered with tape or a soft cloth band as a safety measure.
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Is it OK for players to wear jewelry, watches or wearable fitness trackers during practice and games?
No. Jewelry of any kind (necklaces, watches, earrings, rings, bracelets, etc.) cannot be worn during practice or games. Wearing of jewelry voids coverage for Soccer Accident Insurance (SAI), and leaves players at risk.
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 all the other players.
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The doctor said that my player can play with his/her arm splint (or type of hard cast), is this allowed?
No. While the doctor may be representing your son or daughters’ interest appropriately, the risk to other players mandates that he/she limit his/her participation to that of moral support on the sidelines. Players may not wear casts or splints which could possibly cause injury to himself/herself or another player. NO EXCEPTIONS. This applies at all games as well as at all practices.
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Can my player where a sweatshirt during games?
Any extra articles of clothing must be worn under the uniform (so you can still determine which team a player is associated with). It is recommended that any extra articles of clothing be limited to undershirts or turtlenecks (under the uniform). Try to coordinate with your team’s colors if possible. Any extra articles cannot have any zippers or any plastic/metal components of any kind.
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