What does it mean on the Registration form when is says Waitlist or No Programs Available?

When are player tryouts/player evaluations?

There are no tryouts.  One of the key AYSO philosophies is that EVERYONE PLAYS.  Every player gets out onto the field - no benchwarmers.  Our programs goals is for kids to play soccer so we mandate that every player (with proper equipment) on every team must play at least 50 percent of every game.  It's no fun to spend the game on the bench.

These are scheduled on a Saturday's (approx. 1 hr long), and all the children are run through some basic drills and observed by the coaches.  This information is ONLY used to help us balance our teams.  No one gets cut!

How are teams formed? 

Players are divided into "divisions" based on their age. Each division has players within a 2-year age range (except for the youngest divisions, which have a 1-year range, and the oldest players, which have a 3-yr range. Players stay in their division for both the fall and spring seasons, like the school year, and move-up in the fall.

What are Spring 2024 evaluations dates?

10u and up Saturday March 2nd, 2024 - Times will be announced based on weather on Sunday February 25th, 2024.
6u&8u Saturday March 9th, 2024 - Times will be announced based on weather on Sunday March 3rd, 2024.
You can also see Evaluations page.

What are balanced teams?     

Each year we form new teams as evenly balanced as possible because it's more fun and a better learning experience when teams of similar ability play. It allows for each player to gain the experience of a wide variety of teammates of different skill levels. This is a chance for all the coaches to evaluate the players to assist in forming balanced teams. 

How often do we practice?  How long is the season?  When do we get game schedules?

Generally, most teams practice one night per week.  Regular games are played on Saturdays, although makeup games may be rescheduled for weeknights.  We start practices two to three weeks before the first games, and a season has 8 games.

Game schedules will be provided by your coach.  They usually are available a week or so before the first games.. (The reason is that it takes a lot of work to develop the schedules, and our regional volunteers need the time after registration to form teams and make/coordinate schedules.)

What night is practice?

AYSO is an all volunteer organization. Our coaches get to pick the practice night that best meets their schedule, so your practice night and time will depend on your assigned coach. Practice nights can be Monday - Friday 5:30pm - 8:00pm for any age division. If you can't practice on a particular night OR time, please note it on your form, and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule.

Will I have to travel to away games?

Our U6 and U8 teams play other teams from within our Region.  We are Region 325, Loudon County, so these teams play only play in Lenoir City and Loudon. 

Our U10, and U12 teams will play teams outside our Region in Our Area 5G, so approximately 1/2 of their games will involve travel to 'away' games.  These other teams could include Sweetwater, Kingston, Oak Ridge, and Athens.

14u, 16u and 19u teams will play teams outside our Region and majority outside of our Area 5G. We enter into Area 5B schedule 5I will also enter into 5B. We do not know how many home games or away games there will be. 

5B Regions include: Knoxville, Sevierville, Blount, and Norris.
5I Regions include: North and Northeast of Knoxville, Covers Harrogate, Morristown, Rogersville, Newport and Onedia.
5G Regions include: Lenoir City, Loudon, Oak Ridge, Sweetwater, Athens, and Kingston

Can we request to be with a particular coach? 

Each season (fall and spring), we form new teams within our region (Loudon County/Region 325). It is our goal to form teams as evenly balanced as possible because it’s more fun and a better learning experience when teams of similar ability play. It allows for each player to gain the experience of a wide variety of teammates of different skill levels. 

Balancing teams is perhaps the most difficult activity our region volunteers face each season and we use our best efforts to distribute our players fairly. Coaches do not get to pick their favorite players to form a select team. Teams are formed using player skill evaluations provided by the coaches. Players are distributed among teams to provide an even balance of skills for each team. We will consider placing a child with a particular coach in case of a special need. 

If we miss a practice, do we have to sit out for the next game?

No.  All players who show up for the game with proper equipment, get to play, regardless of whether they attended practice or not.  Of course, players who attend practice have had the chance to learn and improve their soccer skills and will be better prepared to play.  But, EVERYONE PLAYS.  We realize that life happens, and occasionally a practice will be missed.

What are the costs to play?