1. When do they practice and when do they play their games?

Practices are arranged with your child's coach. Since the volunteer coach will be devoting a significant amount of time to the program, the players and their parents need to work around their coach's availability. Practices are generally held once a week at lower levels and twice a week at higher levels. 

2. When does the season start and when does it end?

Practice for the fall season will begin during the last two weeks of August, exact date TBD.  Games will be held on Saturdays and will start on September 7th.

3. Where are the games played?
Exact locations TBD, but we will be utilizing field space at Southside Elementary, Peterboro St. Elementary and the Roberts Street Complex. 

4. What Division does my child belong to?
Please reference the age chart. We offer U6 to U15 divisions.  If we don't have enough U15 players, we coordinate with Oneida.


5. My child is a very good player, can he play in the next higher division?

Please reference our move up policy

6. My child is not a strong player, can he play in the next lower division?

No. Players are not allowed to play "down."

7. How are the teams formed? I would like my child to car pool with his friend, can they be on the same team?

The Balanced Teams philosophy of AYSO requires every region at the start of each season to set up teams as evenly as possible. It's more fun when teams are of equal ability. Teams are formed using a double blind draft system. Players are drafted based on their rating from the previous season and/or from the player evaluation. The coaches do not have control over which team they will ultimately get. So it is in their best interest to make sure the teams are balanced. Remember that all divisions do not keep scores or standings.

8. When will I find out what team my child is on?

For the fall, the teams are formed in early August. For the spring, the teams are formed in early April. The team roster as well as the uniforms will be provided to the coaches soon after team formation. Each coach will contact the players. If you did not receive a call from the coach by the end of August (spring), or end of April (spring), please contact the Regional Coach Administrator

9. What will the region provide and what do I have to provide?

Each player will receive a uniform consisting of jersey, shorts, and socks in the fall.  In the spring, a t-shirt will be provided and traveling teams will wear their full uniform from the fall.  Uniforms are yours to keep, but should be worn only for games. Each player must provide their own shoes, shinguards, and a soccer ball of the correct size (see below).  It is a good idea to buy a few pairs of soccer socks to wear for practice. Soccer shoes are not required.

Correct ball size for your age group
U-19, U-16, U-15, U-14:  Size 5

U-12, U-10:  Size 4

U-8, U-6: Size 3

10. Can I put my child's name on his uniform?

No. AYSO national guidelines does not allow names, patches, or any other markings on the uniform.

11. My child has baseball shoes, can they be used for soccer? What about screw-in cleats?

Baseball shoes are usually considered dangerous and are not allowed in a soccer game. Any shoe with a toe cleat or stud also is not allowed. Screw in cleats are fine as long as a sharp ridge is not formed around the cleat; this comes from wearing the cleat on hard surfaces.  However, all uniform decisions are at the discretion of the referee.

12. Is it true that my child will not be allowed to practice or play with any jewelry on? What about casts or splints?

That is correct. All jewelry must be removed prior to practices and games. Medical and ID bracelets that cannot be removed must be taped down. If your child intend to get their ears pierced, plan ahead and have it done early so that the earrings can be removed for practices and games. Taping of earrings is NOT allowed. Also, watches, rings, and metal (or hard plastic) hair clips should be removed before practices and games.

As for casts and splints, they are not allowed at practices or games. The doctor prescribed them for a reason and that reason is not so that they can continue to play a contact sport. After the cast or splint have been removed, your coach will require a release from the doctor authorizing your child's return to normal activities.

13. Does my child have to wear shinguards at practices?

All players must wear shinguards during practices and games. The shinguards must be completely covered by their socks. Wearing the shinguards over the socks and then folding the socks down on top of the shinguards is not acceptable.

14. How much do the Board Members, Coaches, and Referees get paid?

We are an all volunteer organization. We do not receive any monetary incentives for being a board member, a coach, or a referee. Working with children and seeing them develop is our reward.

15. My child was on a losing team last year. How can I get him on a better team?

Before you seek out a better team, reflect on who places more importance on winning and losing. Is it you, your child, or the coach? In general, the player will mirror their views on winning and losing based on the role models around them, namely, their parents and coaches. A good coach will place the need to win a game far below the need to develop the players and letting them have fun. So instead of trying to put your child on a better team, make sure the coach is working toward developing the players and not just searching for the right formula for a winning season. At the end of the season, ignore the win/lost records and do a selfish analysis and ask yourself, "Did the coach help my child to be a better player?" The answer to this question is the true determination of whether your child won or lost this season.

16. I see some real bad referees out there. What can we do?

Contact the Regional Referee Administrator, and find out when the next referee class is. Then, come to class and become a certified referee. We need people that know the game and can make the calls as they see them. What you cannot do is harass the referee no matter how poorly you think he is performing. His poor performance may be the result of the lack of understanding of the laws on your part. Volunteers willing to referee games are difficult to come by and we cannot play without them. 

17. I have never played soccer and I don't know anything about soccer. Can I still become a coach or a referee?

You sure can. AYSO will provide you with all the training for free. The only thing we as for are your time and commitment. Contact the Regional Coach Administrator, or the Regional Referee Administrator, to learn more. If coaching or refereeing is not for you, there are others way you can help. Talk to the Commissioner or a board member and ask how you can take part in bringing this quality soccer program to our community. You'll be glad you did. 

18. As a spectator, I've been told that I cannot smoke on or near the soccer field. Why is that?

All elementary and middle schools in the area have been declared "Smoke Free Zones" by their respective School Districts. When we obtain permits to use their fields, we have to agree to abide by their rules. Any violations may jeopardize our future use of these fields. Also, the players and coaches are working hard out there and they need oxygen and not second hand smoke.

19. Can I bring my pets to the game?

All elementary and middle schools in the area do not allow any pets on the school property. When we obtain permits to use their fields, we have to agree to abide by their rules. Any violations may jeopardize our future use of these fields.

20. Can my child play soccer in the Spring and Summer?

We offer soccer in the fall and spring.  However, other AYSO programs have winter and summer programs.  Camps are offered in our region and other regions.  

21. I don't know anything about the volunteer who will be coaching my child. How do I know my child will be safe?

Safe Haven is a child and volunteer protection program that was the first of its kind in youth sports.

The child protection aspect is intended to stop child abuse, educate or remove its perpetrators, and screen out predators before they get into the program. It includes proactive steps which provide a medium for positive, healthy child development, precluding the outbreak of child abuse in a weak, unfocused, none powering environment.

Volunteer protection comes in to play as a result of volunteer training, certification and continuing education. The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides certain legal protections for volunteers who have been trained and certified, and act in accordance with a written job description. Safe Haven has these three elements, giving volunteers the highest degree of protection available under the law.

22. How to determine if a child has a concussion?

Click on this link ---> http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html