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Millbrae AYSO

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

AYSO Frequently Asked Questions

Index
1.   Is my child the right age for AYSO soccer?
2.   What makes AYSO different?
3.   What other soccer expenses can I anticipate this year?
4.   My child does not meet the minimum age range for the AYSO Fall season, but he/she is [very big/strong/athletic/coordinated] for his/her age....
5.   In school, my child is with classmates who are [younger/older]. May my child "play down" in a younger division...
6.   What is the duration of the games?
7.   What should I bring to my child’s practices and games?
8.   Do I have to get soccer shoes for my child to play?
9.   What size soccer ball should I get for my child?
10. Why are the children required to wear their soccer socks over their shin guards?
11. Is it OK for players to wear jewelry during practice and games?
12. The doctor said that my child can play with his arm splint...
13. What about eyeglasses and hearing aids?
14. It can be cold during the early morning Fall season games. Can my child wear a sweatshirt during the games?
15. What kinds of hair accessories are acceptable?
16. I want my kid to play on the same team as their friends A, B, C, and D...
17. What is your refund policy?



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Questions Answers

1. Is my child the right age for AYSO soccer?

Children between the ages of 4 and 18 as of December 31 of the year in which the fall season begins can play AYSO soccer. Please see the Registration FAQs for specific age group eligibility. 

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2. 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

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3. What other soccer expenses can I anticipate this year?

Not included in the registration fees are the required shin guards, appropriate shoes, and a strongly recommended practice ball. In addition, the team parents will possibly request a small amount to cover the expenses of a team banner, end of season team party, and a small "thank you" gift for the coaches. Also, each family is often requested to bring snacks for the team at one game during the season. 

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4. My child does not meet the minimum age range for the AYSO Fall season, but he/she is very [big/strong/athletic/coordinated] for his/her age. Can we still sign up for the upcoming Fall season?

No. AYSO is a national organization with very strict guidelines regarding age requirements. AYSO’s accident and liability insurance depends on the players being the proper age to play and being placed in their age appropriate divisions. Children who do not meet the age requirement are not permitted to play. Be patient – they’ll grow up before you know it! 

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5. In school, my child is with classmates who are [younger/older]. May my child "play down" in a younger division or "play up" in an older division to be on teams with kids with whom he/she goes to school?

No. AYSO is a national organization that determines the player divisions based on birthdates. The AYSO "year" runs from January 1st through December 31st. AYSO’s accident and liability insurance depends on the players placed in their age appropriate divisions.  Many children are in "different" divisions than their school classmates. We encourage you to view this as a positive experience - it will allow your child to broaden his/her relationships outside of school and enjoy making new friends.  We should be able to work with coaches and division coordinators for children with physical or medical needs to allow them to play in the age-appropriate division.

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6. 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. 

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7. 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!

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8. 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.

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9.  What size soccer ball should I get for my child?

Divisions 5U (Playground) 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.

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10. 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.

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11. Is it OK for players to wear jewelry during practice and games? No. Jewelry of any kind (necklaces, watches, earrings, rings, bracelets, etc.) cannot be worn during practice or games.  Wearing of jewelry voids coverage for Soccer Accident Insurance (SAI), and leaves players at risk.

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.

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12. Our 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 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.

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13. 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.

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14. It can be cold during the early morning Fall season 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.

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

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16. I want my kid to play on the same team as their friends A, B, C, and D...

The only placement we can guarantee is for siblings at the same age/division level
 
AYSO is governed by a set of six core philosophies, one of which is "balanced teams":
https://ayso.org/faqs/

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.
 
Coaches rate players every year, and upon team formation through random selection based on the ratings assigned, and after a peer review process, try our best to balance teams to get different players of all skill/experience levels playing together.   Often, 
A, B, and C will be new, as is typically the case with young players.  
 
Regularly fulfilling these types of requests would not be in the best interests of our program, and would set a precedent that would create unnecessary difficulties for our registrar, as we want to evenly distribute new players versus assign them based on who they want to play with, in order to prevent the appearance of "stacking" teams, which is a concern at all age levels, but especially in 12U and above where participants will start playing teams from other regions,  While we are sympathetic with having your first-time 6U or 8U show up to practices or games seeing a familiar face, and will try to fulfill requests (within reason), it may not always be possible, so do not be so hasty to deny your little one the possibility of being able to make new friends through playing.
 
To quote one of our coaches:
 
"My own experience as a coach attests that it just as fun for children to compete against their close friends versus having them on the same team.  I know children of that age tend to group together and want to play with one another--not necessarily always soccer, which can make practices interesting--but it's an important aspect to player development (another one of our core philosophies referred to above) that we expose them to opportunities that allow them to develop their skills, which has proven to be more favorable in situations where coaches and players themselves believe the playing field is level."
17. What is your refund policy?

For Millbrae AYSO, refunds of the regional portion of your registration fee is available throughout the season.  Up until the end of the second week of Fall season games, we will issue a full refund, minus uniform costs, if used.  

After that date, in addition to the uniform fee, the field usage fee currently paid to the City of Millbrae will also be deducted.

Please contact the Registrar with the name of the player and the reason for refund.

Note:  The National Fee, being a membership fee assessed directly by our National Organization, is not subject to refund.


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Millbrae AYSO

AYSO Region 145, P.O. Box 1461
Millbrae, California 94030

Email Us: [email protected]
Phone : 650-697-0750
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