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AYSO Region 9697 Torrance

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Here are some great FAQ sections from other Regions - their website is linked at the bottom!

We're Registered - What now?

What’s the Board doing?

Immediately after the last registration date, your Region Board begins the process of putting the teams together for the upcoming season. When this is completed, the uniforms will be ordered and the coaches will be notified.

When do the coaches get their teams?

Coaches should expect to receive their team rosters in January for the Spring season and in July (at the team draft) for the fall season.


When do the players get called?

Teams may begin practice on or after February 1 for the spring season and August 1 for the fall season. The coaches will call/email the players usually from mid to late January for the spring season and in late July for the fall season. They will give you all the information you will need in regards to practice times and location. Each coach sets his/her own practice days, time and location. The practice fields are located throughout our region. We use Gillespie Park in Westminster and Fountain Valley Sports Park for the Spring (only locations with lights). During the Fall season we use Gillespie Park, Fountain Valley Sports Park, Cox Elementary, and Plavan Elementary. Please be aware that only Fountain Valley Sports Park has restrooms.


It’s after February 1 (Spring) or Aug. 1st (Fall), and my child has not been called. What do I do?

Please do not panic if you see teams practicing and your child has not been called. Not all teams begin practice at the same time. The very young teams usually do not always begin practice as early as other teams. Also some coaches may be out of town. If your child has not been called by August 20 or February 7, please contact the age appropriate division coordinator listed on our website under board members.

What else does my child need?

The registration fee and player fee includes: complete uniform (jersey, shorts, socks) supplemental accident insurance, team and individual pictures. In addition, you may need to obtain shoes, shin guards, a soccer ball (size depends on age) and a water bottle.

How often are practices and games?

Practices are held 1-2x/week (field and times to be determined by your child’s coach). Games will be on Saturdays with the first game the first weekend of March for Spring and the first weekend following Labor Day for the Fall Season. Refund? Please see the refund policy on our site under the registration tab.

Please Remember… AYSO is a parent-based volunteer organization established to provide a positive experience for our children. Go to the games. Learn the rules. Above all, be tolerant of the children’s coaches and referees mistakes and weaknesses.
 

Questions?

Contact the registrar Contact information under the contact us tab.

Info from: https://www.ayso5.org/Default.aspx?tabid=954838

Soccer Ball Size

What Size Soccer Ball Do I Get?

Age/Division Size

5U - 6U - 8U 3
10U - 12U 4
14U - 16U - 19U  5
info from: https://www.ayso5.org/Default.aspx?tabid=954838

Frequently Asked Questions at AYSO 1463

1) What is the registration fee for the upcoming season? 

Please visit our Player Registration page for this information: Registration Portal

2) What is the deadline to request a refund?
Each season has it's own unique Refund Request deadline. For more information please visit the Refund Request website. Refund Request Site 

3) If I live in Murrieta / Temecula will my kids practice in nearby?
AYSO 1463 has a select number of approved fields to use for Practices. Please visit our fields page for more information. 
Approved Fields at 1463

4) Can friends be put on same teams together?
We cannot promise that friends be placed on same team. One of AYSO’s philosophies is Balanced Teams. We balance teams in several different ways. For new players to the region, we have them attend a Player Evaluation event where they are evaluated using several different metrics. Toward the end of each season, we ask Coaches to provide evaluations as well. With this data, players are then placed in buckets based on their evaluation scores. We will them randomly place children on teams using this information. 

5) How old does my child need to be to start playing soccer?
We have programs for children as young as 4 years old. Players must be 4 yrs of age prior to Jan.1st.

6) Where and when are the games?
Games are held on Saturdays. Times TBD. For divisions 10U and below, all games are held at Warm Springs Middle School. For upper divisions there's a high possibility for away games at our neighboring Regions. 

7) Where and what times are the practices?
Practice times and locations are decided by the coach. Since the coaches are volunteering their time to coach the team, they usually choose a time and location that best suits their schedule. However, we try our best to keep all practices centralized to Murrieta parks. 

8) When does the season begin?
For Fall, practices will start sometime in September with games starting in late September/early October.
For Spring, practices typically start in February with games starting in late February/early March. 

9) When does the season end?
Fall season typically consists of 9-10 games with a possible additional weekend for the Commissioner Cup tournament.
Spring season typically consists of a 8 game season.   

10) Can my two children play on the same team? (usually involves one playing up)
Yes. Siblings who are of a similar age and division can play in the same team. We do not recommend players "playing up", however we have made accommodations for siblings in the past.

11) We live in ....(Menifee, Lake Elsinore, French Valley...) can we play for AYSO 1463 Murrieta/Temecula?
Yes. One of AYSO's philosophies is Open Registration which means you may play no matter where you reside.

12) Can I pay at the registration event with a credit card or check?
Unfortunately, no in regards to checks. However, Credit Card payments can only be made during the registration process on Sports Connect.

13) Can my child switch teams?
No, once teams are formed, players may not switch teams.

14) How are teams formed?
One of AYSO's philoshpies is Balanced teams (see information above on Balanced Teams).  

15) My child has never played before, can they still play?
Of course! Everyone was new once.

16) How do I register online?
If Registration is open, you may register your child by visiting the Registration Portal

17) What is the extreme weather policy? When do we cancel games?
Always assume we are playing unless notified otherwise. Rain will not automatically cause us to postpone games, unless lightening is present.

18) What kinds of hair accessories are acceptable?
Hair accessories cannot be made of metal or plastic, and should not be rigid. Soft hair accessories such as "scrunchies" and soft rubber bands or hair ties, are recommended and acceptable.

19) Can parents use bells or bull horns to cheer with at games?
No. Noise makers such as air horns, bells, bull horns or the like, are not permitted. They are a distraction to players and referees.

20) What are good snacks to bring?
Best half time snack is cold fruit. Granola bars are good also. Sweet treats are ok for after game snacks. Energy drinks are not recommended.

21) Are our teams co-ed?
6U is the only division that we co-ed normally. However in Spring season, some other divisions may be co-ed as to give the teams a larger pool of teams to compete against.

22) 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

23) Why should I volunteer and how can I do so?
AYSO is a volunteer operated youth soccer association. If we do not have volunteers, we cannot have a program for our children. Best place to start is to volunteer as a head coach, assistant coach, team parent, or referee.

If you are interested in volunteering or joining the Board please feel free to visit our Volunteer Portal for more information

24) Does AYSO provide training for the volunteer positions?
Yes! We provide coaches training and referee training. We give you all the tools you need to be successful. If you wish to coach, you also get luxury of setting up your team’s practice schedule based on your availability.

25) What other soccer expenses can I anticipate this year?
Not included in the registration fees are the required shin guards, appropriate shoes, and a practice ball. In addition, the team parents will possibly request a small amount to cover the expenses of a team banner, hair accessories (for the girls), end of season team party, and a small gift for the coach. Also, each family is often requested to bring snacks for the team at one game during the season.

26) What size soccer ball should I get for my child?
Divisions 6U 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

27) What is the duration of the games?
For the younger divisions, the games take about 1 hour to complete. For the older divisions, the games take about 1.5 hours to complete.

28) What should I bring to my child’s practices and games?
Shin guards (required), soccer shoes, a soccer ball, uniform (games only) and water. Also, bringing a well rested, well hydrated, nutritionally balanced child with a positive attitude and willingness to learn is highly recommended!

29) Do I have to get soccer shoes for my child to play?
Soccer shoes are not mandatory but are highly recommended (regular athletic shoes with no cleats are the alternative). When buying soccer shoes, they cannot have a toe cleat (baseball shoes have a toe cleat). Generally speaking, nearly all players at all age levels use soccer shoes for practices and games. If your child needs a pair of soccer shoes, and you are unable to provide a pair, let us know, we may have some in their size.

30) Why are the children required to wear their soccer socks over their shin guards?
Safety 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 their 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.

31) Is it OK for players to wear jewelry during practice and game?
No jewelry of any kind (necklaces, watches, earrings, rings, bracelets, etc.) can be worn during practice or games.

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.

32) The doctor said that my child can play with his arm splint. Will AYSO allow him/her to play?
No. While the doctor may be representing your son's/daughter’s interest appropriately, the risk to other players mandates that he limit his 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 the games as well as at practices.

33) What about eyeglasses and hearing aids?
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.

34) It can be cold during the early morning games. Can my child wear a sweatshirt during the 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 turtle necks (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.

35) Who do I contact if I have a question?
If you ever have a question you can start by contacting us at [email protected] and it will be directed to the appropriate board member. You may also ask any of the Board Member on the field or at the Board tent on game days.

Region & Registration FAQs

When does the fall season start?

Practices usually start about Aug 15.  The season starts 1 or 2 weeks after Labor Day, depending on age. The regular season ends before Thanksgiving with playoffs for some of the older divisions after that.

When does the spring season start

Practices usually start about Feb 1. The season starts the first weekend in March. The regular season ends in early May with season ending tournaments usually scheduled mid-May. These dates can vary year to year by up to 2 weeks.


What kind of volunteer jobs are available?

Coaches and Assistant Coaches, Referees, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator, Division Managers, 2 or 3 hour volunteer blocks for future walk-in registrations, opening day picture day events.  For these latter positions we will ask you to sign for specific hours of duty on specific days.


Why is it necessary to register so early?

The logistics of running the program are complex.  A lot of up-front work is required.  We need to secure facilities, buy uniforms, equipment, assemble balanced teams, recruit and train coaches and referees, create player game schedules, etc.  All of those activities require planning that is dependent on the number of players that we have. The closer we get to our final player count the more accurately we can prepare for the season.

Where do my fees go?

We pay for every hour of field time on the Fountain Valley Sports Facility with additional charges for our lighted fields. We buy uniforms, balls, goals, nets, cones, pictures, trophies, etc.  We pay for the training and training materials of board members, coaches and referees.  We pay for player insurance, AYSO membership fees, player clinics.  We pay for meeting space, meeting expenses, advertising, printing costs and more. In addition to our own internal costs we support the city’s park and recreation events.  Our budget is available to the public for viewing. Please note that none of this money goes to salaries – everyone is a volunteer including the regional commissioner. To request a copy of the budget contact [email protected]


What kind of volunteer jobs are we talking about?

Coaches and Assistant Coaches, Referees, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator, Division Managers, 2 or 3 hour volunteer blocks for future walk-in registrations, opening day picture day events.  For these latter positions we will ask you to sign for specific hours of duty on specific days.

Can I request that my child play with specific children or a specific coach?

You can and we will try to accommodate requests when possible, however our policy of building balanced teams supersedes all requests.

Can I use one check to pay for multiple children?

You can. Please write the name of all players covered by the check on the check memo line.

Will I have the opportunity to pay with a credit card?

Yes

Why does AYSO play short-sided games (less than 11 players on a team)?

The number of players on a team is determined by the player’s age group.  It has been recognized around the world that younger players can only keep track of a limited number of teammates, that they develop more by getting more contact with the ball and by getting more attention by the coaching staff.  Our coaches too can better focus on a smaller number of players in the critical development years. We all want smaller class sizes in school to improve our children’s education and same principles apply in soccer or any other learning activity. Did you know that those “rival” organizations that try to use this against AYSO are violating their own parent organization guidelines?  No joke – check it out!!! 

Are scholarships available?


A limited number of scholarships are available however you should be prepared to put in volunteer time.  Specific volunteer activities and fund-raising opportunities will be available for this. 

Can I request that my child play up in an older division?

Yes under the following conditions:

    1. The parent must be the certified coach for the team
    2. The player must be evaluated by members of the board
    3. The move must be approved by the Regional Commissioner 


Can I request that my child practice, or not practice, on certain days?

No.  Practices are scheduled by the coach to fit his/her schedule.  We have no way of knowing the coach’s schedule in advance and we can’t wait until teams are formed to place your child so we cannot accommodate requests to avoid certain days. Also, moving a child from one team to another after the fact is disruptive to both teams and creates much more work for our volunteers 


Game Related Questions

What is a "free kick"?

Any one of a number of situations in which a team is awarded an opportunity to put the ball back into play with no opponents within 10 yards of the ball.  Examples include, kick-offs, corner kicks, goal kicks, and direct & indirect free kicks awarded after a foul.

Why does the referee not call a foul for something he just called a foul for earlier in the game?

It may be a case of the referee applying "advantage".  This is a situation, where if, in the opinion of the referee, it would be to the advantage of the team that was fouled to allow play to continue than to stop play to award a foul.  An example would be a player getting tripped as they are attacking the goal, but recovers from the trip and continues his attack.  It would take away a clear goal scoring opportunity if the referee were to stop the game at that point to award the foul.  If, within a few seconds, the advantage does not materialize; the player appears to stumble, recover, than fall before taking the shot, the referee can then still call the foul.

Why doesn't the referee call any "handballs"?

The foul is actually "handling the ball", which implies that it is not only contact with the hand, but contact with any part of the hand or arm that is deliberately used to control the ball.  Who decides if it was deliberate?  If, in the opinion of the referee, the contact was deliberate and not incidental, it materially affected the game, then a foul was committed.  Many so-called "handballs" called for by sidelines are just incidental contact between the ball and a players hand or arm that, in the opinion of the referee, has no consequential effect on the game.

Why doesn't the referee call more fouls?

Soccer referees are actually instructed to avoid calling fouls as much as possible in order to avoid disrupting the flow of the game.  If a referee feels he can control the match using tools other than signaling fouls, they are encouraged to do so.  You might see evidence of this when a player comes in a bit hard on a challenge, and the referee may speak to the player briefly in passing rather than stopping the game to award a foul on a questionable offense.  Many successful referees can get by with communicating with players during the match and preventing problems before they arise.  If you walk away from a game and can't recall that the referee had much involvement, then you just witnessed a very well officiated match.


Why does the schedule seem to come out so late every season?

The scheduler is one of many volunteers that are involved in orchestrating the start of every new season and is responsible for scheduling hundreds of games in a typical season.  In an effort to include as many kids playing as possible, sometimes teams are added to the schedule at very late dates, which, of course, disrupts much of the schedule as the changes will reverberate through the schedule in the form of field and time changes to accommodate the extra games.  Other disruptions include late field information; sometimes school districts or cities are not very prompt at issuing permits or will even revoke or change permits at the last minute, and sometimes during the season!  New teams form at the last minute, teams fold at the last minute.  Every one of those changes has a big impact on producing a timely schedule.  Every effort is made to produce a quality schedule that takes into account field availability, local field restrictions, SAT testing, even distribution of games from field to field, and of course, maximizing the number of kids playing soccer.

info from: https://www.ayso5.org/Default.aspx?tabid=936422

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American Youth Soccer Organization - Region 9697 Torrance, CA

 
Torrance, California 90502

Email Us: [email protected]
Phone : 800-872-2976
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