Frequently Asked Questions
Questions?
Have a question? Perhaps the answer is below. If not, feel free to contact us.
Answers to some of the more popular questions follow.
How do I register my child to play AYSO Soccer?
Region 45 uses an on-line registration system. Registration is simple using this new system and it greatly reduces the paper work locally. To register, go to the Registration page. You do not need to send in any hard-copy application form when you register or any other documents. However, after registration, you are linked to the payment section where you can either pay online using your credit card through PayPal or send us a check. Information on how to do this will be shown in the Registration pages..
Do I need to volunteer for my child to play?
Is it an absolute requirement? No. However, remember that AYSO is an all volunteer organization. No one is paid for what they do, not the board members, not the coaches, not the referees. If positions that are need by the region go unfilled, we may not be able to field a team for every child who wishes to play. Its up to you, your child as well as others will benefit if you do volunteer. Besides, it's fun and we try to limit most positions to just a few hours per season.
Is is possible to get my children onto teams with their friends?
A child may specify one "playing buddy" to be on the same team through the Buddy Form. This form needs to be filled out and mailed to the address on the form and signed by the parents of both buddies. We must receive this form by May 31st for the requests to be considered. Players already paired with a sibling or a child of a coach who requests or plans to request a specific coach/assistant coach pairing may not request a playing buddy. Submission of a buddy form does not guarantee placement of players together as balanced team formation takes precedence.
What days are practice days and when are the games?
Practice times are chosen by each coach from a set of available times and fields. They are during the week, after school and before dark. A few coaches may opt for sessions on Sunday. Coaches will pick 1-2 practice sessions per week. Some may go down to one session later in the season when it gets dark earlier.
Games for all divisions, except U16 and U19 are on Saturdays. Each team plays one game, with game times starting at 8:30 and going to as late as 2:30 or 4:00. U16 and U19 teams play on Sundays. U06 players participate on Saturdays only with a combined practice and game.
When will I know which team my child is on?
The coaches meeting is normally held at the end of July. It is at this time that we know definitively how many children we can handle within each division. Once we have confirmed all of our coaches and ensured that we have enough playing fields, we publish the rosters in WebYouthSoccer within 1-2 weeks after the coaches meeting.
Where are games played?
The game fields are worked out each year based on the fields we are given by Mountain View and Los Altos. However, a map of the fields we generally
use can be seen at Team Schedules are available via WebYouthSoccer which is the program used to register players
and form teams. Use this link to access WebYouthSoccer. You will
need to log in with the name and password used to register your child. Every player is guaranteed to play 1/2 of each game unless he/she shows up to the game after half time or too late to be
substituted in for enough playing time. It is the policy of AYSO45 that every child plays 3/4 of the game before
a player plays a full game. Because of the nature of the numbers of kids on a team, this may not be possible for
every individual game but is our policy for playing time over the course of the season. Exceptions to this policy
include a player that is consistently late or not showing up for practices, being disruptive to the team, or being
disrespectful to the coach, their teammates or their opponents. In cases such as this, the coach has the right
to play that player only 1/2 game.
Regrettably, Region 45 does not have access to the playing fields in the spring due to field use by other sports.
Several neighboring Regions offer Spring Soccer, including Cupertino Region 35 (www.ayso35.org) and West San Jose Region 64
(www.ayso64.org). Visit their websites for more information. When you register, indicate you want to be a head coach. Your assistant should register as an assistant coach. This summer,
you will be contacted by your division coordinator and will ask you who you would like to be your No casts or splints are allowed at
anytime in a game, this includes anything whose purpose is to prevent a bone or
joint from moving. No player who recently had to wear a cast or splint should not be allowed
to practice or be in a game until the player has a signed release by their doctor and parents.
A brace, whose purpose is to protect a joint but allow movement, may
be allowed if in the opinion of the Referee... Soccer is a contact support. We wish to ensure that it is safe for the players, their teammates, and their opponents.
The Referee always has the final decision. The Coach is responsible for having the game card / roster ready before the game. The Referee and/or Assistant Referees use the card
to track playing time, scoring and misconduct.
The duties of an assistant coach vary from team to team. Also, the number of parents that help out will also dictate the duties that are shared. Sometimes,
the assistant coach is the one that runs most of the practices but the head coach might focus on the administrative aspects of the team. On most teams, the
assistants are requested to attend as many practices as possible. For the safety of the children, there needs to be 2 adults at each practice.
It is critical that the head coach and assistant coach work out an arrangement that both suits them and maintains the best environment and enthusiasm level
for the team. Some teams have their assistants because the head coach cannot attend all of the team functions. If you have additional questions,
feel free to contact the Regional Coach Administrator via email at coachadmin@ayso45.org.
The Referee assigned to the match has the responsibility for the safety of the players. If conditions arise that make continued play unsafe,
the Referee will abandon the match. If the match had already started and must be abandoned, the Referee cannot declare a winner of a match
that has been abandoned. TheReferee will report the situation to the Regional Commissioner.
The day of the game, call the AYSO Region 45 message phone at 650-964-2976. Note, if is raining, it
is likely that the games will still be played, so unless you get
the word, assume the game is afoot. Games are abandoned only when
the conditions make it unsafe to play or the City requests that we
do not play to prevent damage to the fields.
See above question. Assume the game will be played unless you hear otherwise. At the
field, only the Referee has the ability to abandon (cancel) a match. Why aren't team schedules and standings posted on this web site?
Is there a minimum playing time for each child during a game?
Does Region 45 have soccer in the Spring?
As a head coach, can I pick my assistant coach?
assistant. As a head coach, you are allowed to pick ONE assistant coach. This is the best way to assure you will be teamed up correctly. What type of casts or braces, if any, may my child wear while playing?
Who should fill out the game card (roster) and is there a special way it should be filled out?
What are the responsibilities for assistant coaches?
Who determines if a match should be abandoned?
How do I find out of a game is canceled due to weather or unsafe fields?
What do we do if it rains?