A Parent's Guide to AYSO - ABC's of AYSO

AYSO and Its Mission

The AYSO develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs which promote a fun, family environment based on our Six Philosophies:

• Everyone Plays® - Our goal is for kids to play soccer - so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least half of every game.
• Balanced Teams - We require every region at the start of each season to set up teams as evenly balanced as possible. It's more fun when teams are of equal ability.
• Positive Coaching - This builds a positive team spirit. We train and encourage our coaches to make the extra effort to understand and offer positive help to our players, rather than negative criticism.
• Open Registration - Our programs are open to all children ages 4 - 18 who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only requirements for playing.
• Good Sportsmanship - We create a positive environment based on mutual respect, rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude. All of our programs are designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.
• Player Development - We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.

Everyone Helps Out

AYSO is a volunteer organization with more than 250,000 parents and friends, many of them working as coaches, referees and administrators. It's not unusual to find two, three or more children in the same family playing AYSO soccer - while Dad serves as referee and Mom as coach. It can be a total family experience! The Growth of AYSO

AYSO was founded in 1964 in Torrance, Calif. with about 125 players. Today that number has grown to more than 625,000 nationwide.
Click here for "How Do I Volunteer?"

Why AYSO Works

AYSO works because our volunteers work. The volunteers work because they believe in the AYSO philosophies. Our phenomenal growth underscores AYSO's commitment to a healthy competitive atmosphere for youth soccer players, combined with dedication toward the development of responsible individuals.

What Makes AYSO Tick. AYSO was founded on community involvement. Volunteer staff members are encouraged to organize in ways best suited to their needs. The foundation of AYSO is the "Region," or basic community program. Each Region is headed by a Regional Commissioner who, with the help of a regional board, conducts business within the framework of AYSO's philosophies, Rules and Regulations and Bylaws. Depending on its stage of development, a Region may have as few as 200 players or as many as 5,000, grouped into boys and girls divisions based on age.

Several bordering regions compose an "Area". Each Area is headed by an Area Director who is responsible for performance and growth of the Area.

Area Directors report to Section Directors, who are responsible for the general welfare and administration of a "Section." A Section may cover a portion of a state, an entire state, or several states.

A National Board of Directors governs the overall AYSO organization. Regional Commissioners, Area and Section Directors, along with the National Board Members, serve as executive members with voting rights.

The staff at AYSO's national headquarters in Torrance, Calif. works closely with these volunteer executive members and interfaces directly with each Region. The National Office provides many services: computerized registration; publications; liability and accident insurance; training for coaches, referees and administrators, and more.

Become a team parent today!!   Go to "Register Now" and click on "I am new to AYSO and want to volunteer" or email our Volunteer Coordinator at :  [email protected]

How does AYSO protect its athletes?

Kids Zone®
Safe Haven^®Safe Haven is a program designed to address a growing need for child and volunteer protection by:  The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 1.     Screening and registering all AYSO volunteers2.     Requiring training and certification3.     Providing specific child and volunteer protection policies and guidelines4.     Promoting safety and injury prevention
Kids Zone^®
Kids Zone is a dynamic program targeted to eliminate negative sideline behavior. Kids Zone buttons and signs can be distributed throughout the Region and parents asked to sign the Kids Zone Pledge promising to behave within the guidelines of the program.

Play It Safe
Safety is a big part of keeping things fun. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind: Buddies
Advise your child never to leave a practice or game alone. Walk with a buddy whenever possible.

Goal Posts
NEVER let your children play on soccer goals. Portable goals have been known to tip over when people play on them, resulting in serious injury and even death.

Code Word
If you normally pick your child up from the field, but have to send someone else, use a code word. That way, if someone comes up and says "Your mother sent me to pick you up," but they don't have the code word you and your child have established, your child knows not to go with the stranger.