Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ABOUT FALL CORE
General FAQs
Q: What is Core? How long does it run?
A: Core is our main season. It takes place from late August to mid-November for U8 and under, and from late August to early December for U10 and older.
Q: Do you offer refunds? If so, how do I withdraw my child/get a refund?
A: Please see our refund policy on our website and fill out our withdrawal form under the registration tab if you would like to withdraw.
Q: What is the deadline for registration?
A: June 15th. Please join the waitlist if beyond this date, as we take players off the waitlist on a first-come, first-served basis
Q: Where can I find the region calendar?
A: Visit the region calendar tab on our website. To subscribe to the calendar and stay aware of important dates, follow these instructions:
On your computer, open Google Calendar.
On the left, next to "Other calendars," click Add and then From URL.
Enter the calendar's address: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=aysoregion69%40gmail.com&ctz=America%2FLos_Angeles
Click Add calendar. The calendar appears on the left, under "Other calendars." Tip: It might take up to 24 hours for changes to show in your Google Calendar.
Game Day FAQ:
Q: What should my child wear/ bring to their game?
A: What we provide: Their Uniform- Jersey/Shorts/ Soccer Socks.
What you need to provide: Cleats with rubber soles (no metal), shin guards a water bottle (please label)
Q: When/where are my child’s games?
A: Games take place on Saturdays. We have several fields, including Pacific Palisades Recreation Center, Paul Revere Middle School, Calvary Christian School, Will Rogers State Park, and Palisades High School Football Field. Exact times and locations will be provided in August.
Q: Can I bring my dog with me?
A: Unless it is an actual certified service animal (not an emotional support animal) It is unfortunately not allowed on any AYSO field regardless if the field is usually able to have dogs on it (ie the park). This is our insurance’s policy. Further if a dog is caught on any LAUSD field or Calvary field it will put our permits at risk. Please, help us keep our permits! Trust us we love dogs too… I’m sitting here writing this surrounded by my three Golden Retrievers.
Q: How long before a game should my child show up?
A: 30 minutes before the game starts.
Q: Is it OK for players to wear jewelry during practice or games?
A: No jewelry of any kind (necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, rings) can be worn during practice or games. It is pretty incredible the accidents that have occurred. Please trust us on this one.
Q: But my child just got their ears pierced and can’t take out their earrings. What should we do?
A: Earrings are not allowed for any reason. This is an AYSO National rule. Our suggestion is not to pierce your child’s ears during soccer season as they cannot be covered with tape or a headband etc. and must be removed during games and practices.
Q: When will my child find out their team?
A: Schedules and teams will be emailed the first week of August.
Practice FAQs
Q: When/where are my child’s practices?
A: For U7 and above, practices are during the week (U4/U5/U6 do not have practices). The day and location are based on the preference indicated on your registration form. Practice days, locations, and teams are announced the first week of August.
Q: What time are my child’s practices and how long are they?
A:
U7/U8: 1 hour, once a week.
U10 and Up: 1.5 hours, once a week.
Practice times vary depending on team breakdown and available field space each year. We aim to schedule our youngest players (U7/U8) in the earliest time slots (4:00/4:30 PM) and older players (U10/U12/U14/U16) after the younger players. Most practices conclude no later than 7:30 PM, though there may be exceptions for U14s or U16s due to field availability.
Q: What does my child need to bring/wear to practice?
A:
Player Provided: Cleats, water bottle, shin guards.
Region Provided: Black socks, practice jersey, black shorts. Practice uniform is required.
Q: Who is in charge of practices?
A: A volunteer parent coach and a professional trainer oversee practices. Each team follows a “lesson plan” to ensure each player learns age-appropriate skills and meets the same learning milestones as their peers.
Teams and Team Formation FAQ:
Q: What division is my child in?
A:
2020 = U5
2019 = U6
2018 = U7
2017 = U8
2016/2015 = U10
2014/2013 = U12
2012/2011 = U14
2010/2009 = U16
2008/2007 = U19
Q: How are teams created?
A: Teams are created by our division commissioners with the goal of creating equal teams so every child enjoys their experience. Competitive games every week make it the most fun. Factors considered:
Preferred location and day of practice (indicated on your registration form)
What school your child attends (we aim to mix children from different schools to foster new friendships)
Teammate requests are not permitted for any reason so please do not reach out to your child's division commissioner for an exception.
For further questions, contact your child’s division commissioner.
Q: Can I request a friend to be placed on my child’s team?
A: No, players are placed on balanced teams with members of the community. It is a great way for them to meet others they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to get to know.
Q: My child is on the smaller/younger side; can they play in the division below? Or, my child is the strongest in their division; can we move them up?
A: It is a rare exception that we move children between divisions (whether up or down). In any given year, we may have 1 or 2 children that we move up or down. If you would like to discuss the possibility, please fill out our move up/move down form on our website.
Q: Can my child switch teams?
A: No, your child cannot change teams once they are made. If your child’s practice day changes, they will be placed on a waitlist in hopes a new practice day becomes available, but there are no guarantees and no refunds once teams are formed. If it is our error and we placed your child on a team on one of their two no-practice days, we will correct it if possible or refund you. Contact your child's division commissioner for more info.
Q: I have a question about my child’s coach/team/practice schedule, etc. Who do I contact?
A: Please look up your child’s division commissioner’s email address by going to our Board of Directors tab under our Volunteers heading on our website.
Referee FAQs
Q: What is the deal, Why does my team need a set amount of referee points to make it to the U8 tournament or Play offs? That seems incredibly punitive and unfair to my child’s team that doesn’t have enough points to qualify.
A: The U8 tournament and playoffs are special events designed to reward teams for contributing to the league by providing referees. This system isn't meant to penalize but to appreciate the crucial role referees play in our region. When teams have enough referee points, it shows they are helping to ensure every game has the proper officiating, which significantly enhances the overall experience for all players. By volunteering as a referee, you are directly supporting your child's team and the entire league, creating a positive and fair environment for everyone. Plus, it's a great way to stay involved and be a part of the excitement on the field!
Q: I heard training is a ridiculous time commitment, is that true?
A: As the Regional Commissioner and a coach I was not certified to referee. I had heard this over and over and wanted to find out for myself so I got certified last season so I would know the true answer to the question. I had heard the same rumor and I too was worried.
Good news for me and happy to report– the rumors weren’t true. Or anywhere close.
To obtain your regional certification it is a 3 hour online course done on your time at your pace and a 3 hour in person training. The in person course was painless and flew by and the online portion definitely did not take me 3 hours. This is also a one-time certification (so get certified once for all your kids!) There are then a couple of federally mandated courses such as safesport which is required for any volunteer in any youth organization.
Q: My schedule varies, is there a way to know in advance what games I will be refereeing?
A: Yes, you self sign up for the games you would like to ref so you are completely in charge of that. If you are unsure of your schedule or you work during the week and can’t volunteer during the week this is a great way to be involved
Q: Can I referee my child’s game?
A: in U7 and U8 you may referee your child’s game. In U10 and above you may not. Why not you ask? While many may say we don’t care and no one will care who the ref is. We tried to have parents be able to ref their child’s games in U10 and every weekend was a multitude of emails of lack of fairness, about misconduct, etc. While in theory we understand, the reality is it really didnt work. You can sign up to ref the game before or after your child’s game however.
Any further questions should be directed to our Regional Referee Administrator, Marc Gordonson at [email protected]