1. When do they practice and when do they play their games?

Practices are arranged with your child's coach. Since the volunteer coach will be devoting a significant amount of time to the program, the players and their parents need to work around their coach's availability. Practices are generally held twice a week except for U-8 which is held once a week. U6 teams have practice/games on Saturday only.

2. When does the season start and when does it end?

Practice for the fall season will start in late August. The exact date and time will be determined by the team coach. The first game will be played on Saturday September 12, then every Saturday thru the end of October.

Practice for the spring season will start early April. Team coach determines schedule. Traveling spring games for U14 & U16-19 are on Sunday, home games for U6, U8 are Saturday, traveling games for U10 & U12 are Saturday.

3. Where are the games played?
All practices and games (in the fall) are played in Durhamville or Sherrill depending on your child's division. Games in Spring may travel.

4. What Division does my child belong to?

The assignment of your child to a Division depends on their age as of July 31 of this year. The age divisions are Under 6, Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16, and Under 19. The age chart will help in determining which division your child belongs to. U6 & U8 divisions are the only coed divisions.

5. My child is a very good player, can he play in the next higher division?

A player can play "up" one division with the approval of the Regional Commissioner and the two division directors.

6. My child is not a strong player, can he play in the next lower division?

No. Players are not allowed to play "down."

7. How are the teams formed? I would like my child to car pool with his friend, can they be on the same team?

The Balanced Teams philosophy of AYSO requires every region at the start of each season to set up teams as evenly as possible. It's more fun when teams are of equal ability. This philosophy is applied to all teams except U6. For all teams except U6, the teams are form using a double blind draft system. Players are drafted based on their rating from the previous season or from the player evaluation. The coaches do not have control over which team they will ultimately get. So it is in their best interest to make sure the teams are balanced. Remember that the all divisions do not keep scores or standings.

8. When will I find out what team my child is on?

The teams are formed in early August. The team roster as well as the uniforms will be provided to the coaches during a meeting held soon after team formation. Each coach will contact the players. If you did not receive a call from the coach by the end of August, please contact your Division Director.

9. What will AYSO Region 840 provide and what do I have to provide?

10. Can I put my child's name on his uniform?

NO. AYSO national guidelines does not allow names, patches, or any other markings on the uniform.

11. My child has baseball shoes, can they be used for soccer? What about screw-in cleats?

Baseball shoes are usually considered dangerous and are not allowed in a soccer game. Any shoe with a toe cleat or stud also is not allowed. Screw in cleats are fine as long as a sharp ridge is not formed around the cleat; this comes from wearing the cleat on hard surfaces.

12. Is it true that my child will not be allowed to practice or play with any jewelry on? What about casts or splints?

That is correct. All jewelry must be removed prior to practices and games. Medical and ID bracelets that cannot be removed must be taped down. If your child intend to get their ears pierced, plan ahead and have it done early so that the earrings can be removed for practices and games. Taping of earrings is NOT allowed. Also, watches, rings, and metal (or hard plastic) hair clips should be removed before practices and games.

As for casts and splints, they are not allowed at practices or games. The doctor prescribed them for a reason and that reason is not so that they can continue to play a contact sport. After the cast or splint have been removed, your coach will require a release from the doctor authorizing your child's return to normal activities.

13. Does my child have to wear shinguards at practices?

All players must wear shinguards during practices and games. The shinguards must be completely covered by their socks. Wearing the shinguards over the socks and then folding the socks down on top of the shinguards is not acceptable.

14. How much do the Board Members, Coaches, and Referees get paid?

Board members gets the lowest pay, $0. Coaches and referees are more important so they get paid double, $00. We are an all volunteer organization. We do not receive any monetary incentives for being a board member, a coach, or a referee. Working with children and seeing them develop is our reward.

15. My child was on a losing team last year. How can I get him on a better team?

Before you seek out a better team, reflect on who places more importance on winning and losing. Is it you, your child, or the coach? In general, the player will mirror their views on winning and losing based on the role models around them, namely, their parents and coaches. A good coach will place the need to win a game far below the need to develop the players and letting them have fun. So instead of trying to put your child on a better team, make sure the coach is working toward developing the players and not just searching for the right formula for a winning season. At the end of the season, ignore the win/lost records and do a selfish analysis and ask yourself, "Did the coach help my child to be a better player?" The answer to this question is the true determination of whether your child won or lost this season.

16. I see some real bad referees out there. What can we do?

Contact the Regional Referee Administrator and find out when the next referee class is. Then, come to class and become a certified referee. We need people that know the game and can make the calls as they see them. What you cannot do is harass the referee no matter how poorly you think he is performing. His poor performance may be the result of the lack of understanding of the laws on your part. Volunteers willing to referee games are difficult to come by.

17. I have never played soccer and I don't know anything about soccer. Can I still become a coach or a referee?

You sure can. AYSO will provide you with all the training for free. The only thing we as for are your time and commitment. Contact the Regional Coach Administrator or the Regional Referee Administrator to learn more. If coaching or refereeing is not for you, there are others way you can help. Talk to the Commissioner or a board member and ask how you can take part in bringing this quality soccer program to our community. You'll be glad you did.

18. As a spectator, I've been told that I cannot smoke on or near the soccer field. Why is that?

All elementary and middle schools in the area have been declared "Smoke Free Zones" by their respective School Districts. When we obtain permits to use their fields, we have to agree to abide by their rules. Any violations may jeopardize our future use of these fields. Also, the players and coaches are working hard out there and they need oxygen and not second hand smoke.

19. Can I bring my pets to the game?

All elementary and middle schools in the area do not allow any pets on the school property. When we obtain permits to use their fields, we have to agree to abide by their rules. Any violations may jeopardize our future use of these fields.

20. Can my child play soccer in the Spring and Summer?

It depends on your child's age and availability of coaches. Region 840 does offer a Spring Soccer Season for players in U8 and above. Planning for the spring season will start in November and December with the season beginning in April of the following year. If your child is interested in spring soccer, please check the registration page for times and fees. Please keep in mind that there will be additional cost for the Spring Season and that traveling may be required. As for the Summer, there are a few camps but no teams. Check the registration page for more details.

21. I don't know anything about the volunteer who will be coaching my child. How do I know my child will be safe?

Safe Haven is a child and volunteer protection program that was the first of its kind in youth sports.

The child protection aspect is intended to stop child abuse, educate or remove its perpetrators, and screen out predators before they get into the program. It includes proactive steps which provide a medium for positive, healthy child development, precluding the outbreak of child abuse in a weak, unfocused, none powering environment.

Volunteer protection comes in to play as a result of volunteer training, certification and continuing education. The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides certain legal protections for volunteers who have been trained and certified, and act in accordance with a written job description. Safe Haven has these three elements, giving volunteers the highest degree of protection available under the law.

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