FAQ

Is my child the right age for AYSO soccer?
Children between the ages of 4 and 18 as of January 1st of the year in which the fall season begins can play AYSO soccer. Please see the  Registration Age Breakdown  for specific age group eligibility. Your player must turn 4 by December 31st. 

How do the age divisions work, what division does my player go in? I am new to AYSO.
Each division is based on birth year. U8 will be for any players under 8 years old, so 6 & 7 year olds. If your player will be turning 6 anytime this year they would be U8. 

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:

1. Everyone Plays ®
2. Balanced Teams
3. Open Registration
4. Positive Coaching
5. Good Sportsmanship
6. Player Development

When does Fall Registration begin and what happens next?
Fall/Core Soccer Registration Begins in April. Team building happens in July. Coaches will contact players the week before practices begin in mid-August to late August. Practices are held for U6 & up. Games begin in September. 

**EVERY YEAR WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF COACHES, WHICH MAKES IT VERY HARD FOR TEAMS TO BE FORMED. IF YOU ARE CONTACTED BY A BOARD MEMBER TO COACH, PLEASE VOLUNTEER! *No Experience Required* The best part about coaching, is that you get to choose your practice schedule, best part about coaching more than one team? You wont miss a game!

NOTE: U10 & UP teams are REQUIRED to have one PARENT referee per team. (Not required to ref every game)
If your team does not have a referee parent, they will not be able to advance to playoffs if qualified. Please consider signing up to referee! WE WILL TRAIN YOU!

When does the Fall Soccer Season begin and end?
The season practice (U6 & up) begins in mid to late August and games are in September-November.

Do you offer a Spring Soccer Season in Santee?
No, currently we do not offer a Spring Season

Do I have to live in Santee to register?
Registration is open to everyone, not just Santee residents.

What does the Registration fee include?
AYSO  national membership, complete uniform (jersey, shorts, and socks), supplemental accident insurance, field use, equipment use, practices, games, league picture package, and fun on the soccer field! 

What do I need for Registration?
Upload your child's birth certificate online. If you complete and pay for registration online, you do not need to come to the walkup registration in June. You are all set!

How Do I Register my player this season?
RETURNING USERS : If you have an AYSO account, LOGIN here . If you have forgotten your user name or password please do NOT create a new account.  Instead retrieve your user name or reset your password.

NEW USERS: If you are new to AYSO, please click on the REGISTER NOW button and create your Family Account.  Participants are your family members, and can be parent volunteers, players, or youth volunteers who are not necessarily players.

The ONLY way to enter the second parent's name on the Player Form is to add him/her to the Family Account.  They are then invited to join, and need to follow through. Complete, e-sign, and Submit the Player and Volunteer Forms. Remember to keep your Login information for future use.

If you need tech support, call 866-258-3303

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, hair pieces (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.

When are practices (for U6 and up)?
Practice times are determined by the coach’s schedule and request. Practices can be Monday-Friday from 4ish-7pm. U10 and up has 1 hour practices twice a week. 

When are games and where are they held?
Games are on Saturdays and are played at local fields near Santee. Fields vary by division. U8 (born in 2015 & 2016) play at Cajon Park. U10 (born in 2013 & 2014) play at Hill Creek.

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.

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!

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.

What size soccer ball should I get for my child?
Divisions U5 through U8 use a Size 3 ball.
Divisions U10 and U12 use a Size 4 ball.
Divisions U14 and above use a Size 5 ball.

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. 

Is it OK for players to wear jewelry during practice and game?
No. Jewelry of any kind (necklaces, watches, earrings, rings, bracelets, etc.) cannot 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.

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
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!

In school, my child is with classmates who are [younger/older]. May my child “play down” in a younger division?
No. AYSO is a national organization that determines the player divisions based on birthdates. The AYSO “year” runs from August 1st through January 1st. 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.

The doctor said that my child can play with his arm splint
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. 

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.

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. 

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.

I'd like to volunteer, how do I signup?
Interested in improving the AYSO system? Join us as a board member today by email [email protected]  You can signup to volunteer during the player registration process. Volunteer signup is done through the player signup system. Once logged in, look for the "Volunteer" tab on the left.