REGISTRATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I haven't heard from my coach!
We ask coaches to notify players by August 1st. Coaches receive rosters in late July. Most begin practicing 2nd or 3rd week in August.
In Region 114, if you've paid, then your player should be on a team with a Coach. We will email families if we do not yet have a coach for your player. But if you have not received such an email from the region, then it means your player has a coach. (No news, is good news.) If your player is on the waitlist, then you will not hear from a coach until we assign you to a team.
If you are NOT on the waitlist and have paid your registration, then you should hear from your coach by the second week of August. If it is PAST the second week of August, and you have not heard from a coach, email the Coach Administrator Team.
We will strive to respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. (We are all volunteers, and answer these emails in between our "real" jobs.)
Please keep in mind our coaches are parents and family members just like you. So while we ask everyone to reach out by the deadline, sometimes vacations, work trips, crazy family life, etc. draws their attention away from soccer. So when you reach out to them, go easy. Our coaches are volunteering time out of their busy schedule to help your player have a great soccer experience, so please treat them with respect.
When does the Fall season start and end?
Practices start around mid-August. The practice schedule is up to the coach -- typically younger divisions practice once per week, and older divisions practice at least twice per week. Games begin after Labor Day. The U5-U14 season runs through November, with games played weekly -- usually Saturdays but occasionally Fridays. U16-U19 games are usually Saturday with occasional Friday or Sunday games. The U16-U19 "Upper" season must end before November due to CIF Rule 600 for high school athletes.
When and where are practices?
All practices are at Heartwell Park between Woodruff and Palo Verde. The field location as well as practice schedule is entirely up to the Head Coach. We can't tell you when your team will practice. This is the best reason to volunteer as a head coach -- you guarantee a schedule that works for your family. Practices start in mid-August. Coaches set their practice schedule to be once or twice per week, depending on the age group.
The practice schedule my coach picked conflicts with my schedule. Can I switch teams?
Regrettably, Region 114 cannot make accommodations for your player due to scheduling conflicts. We still believe your players can enjoy the soccer experience even if they are only able to participate on game days. While this is not ideal, we give our volunteer coaches complete control over their practice schedule -- this is a benefit of volunteering as Head Coach. If you have conflicts on your calendar, perhaps next year you will consider becoming a head coach to set your own schedule.
What equipment does my player need?
Shin guards under socks are mandatory during practice and games. Socks must cover all parts of the shin guard. Full-coverage shoes are required, and it is advisable to use shoes designed specifically for soccer (e.g., soccer cleats). Baseball / football cleats are not permitted (those are typically ones with a single cleat at the very front of the shoe).
Balls are not required, but are recommended, especially so your player can practice on their own. (U6-U8 Size 3 ball; U10-U12 Size 4; U14+ Size 5)
Region 114 provides game-day jerseys, shorts, and socks to each player on a team, but players should have their own weather-appropriate clothes for practices. Players must wear their team-issued jersey and socks for games or the referee may not permit them to play.
Players should always have plenty of water available for both games and practices. Don't forget the sunscreen!
The following items are NOT PERMITTED: bracelets (metal or plastic), wristwatches, barrettes, necklaces, earrings, hard-hair accessories, or any other such object, including casts or splints, which could possibly cause injury to him/her or another player. NO EXCEPTIONS.
In which program should I register my child -- Core, EXTRA, EPIC, or Playground?
The Intro to Region 114 page describes all our programs in detail.
If you're not sure, it's probably Core you want. AYSO Core is the most common, recreation-level soccer program AYSO offers for children ages 4 - 18. Core is our primary program in the Fall season.
AYSO EPIC is a Special Needs program, for children and adults with physical and/or intellectual disabilities.
EXTRA™ is AYSO's advanced program that offers a higher level of competition and requires try-outs. Players must be invited to be on an EXTRA team.
Playground is a soccer-themed group adventure program for 3-year-olds where parents/guardians and their players explore fundamental motor skills together.
How do you determine in which age group a child will play?
AYSO divisions are based on gender and birth year (January - December). See Age Matrix below.
Can my child "play down" in a younger age group?
No, per AYSO National Guidelines, players MAY NOT "play down" into a younger division. Players are assigned to divisions based on their year of birth. Review the above Age Matrix.
As parents, we understand the challenge this presents to players born late in the year or those without much soccer exposure. That's why AYSO is the best fit for your young player! AYSO is structured to be recreational and low-pressure. Having your child interact with his/her peers in a fun environment will allow your child to gain self-confidence and grow their skills regardless of experience level. One of AYSO's core philosophies is Everyone Plays... regardless of skill level or month of birth every child gets to play on the field and be encouraged to go their hardest.
Can my child "play up" in an older division?
Yes, if you or someone you trust is willing to step up as Head Coach to coach the team. If you or someone you know is willing to volunteer as Head Coach, please reach out to the AYSO 114 Coach Administrator ([email protected]) about your plans for playing up.
Can I request one or more teammates for my player?
At the friendy levels U5-U8, where scores and standings don't matter, we allow parents to submit ONE teammate request when registering their player. This is not guaranteed, but we do our best to honor one teammate request.
At the competitive levels, U10 and above, we do not accept any teammate requests, in order to create balanced and fair teams.
HOWEVER Head Coaches may "lock" one volunteer (such as a referee, assistant coach, or team parent) and thus the player associated with the requested volunteer. This is permitted for all divisions levels (U5 - U19). We also allow Head Coaches who are active referees to lock an additional referee and the player associated with that referee. If you would like to be a Head Coach in order to request a volunteer + teammate, please email the Coach Administrator at [email protected].
Will siblings be placed on the same team?
Yes, if your players are in the same age group and are both registered under the same account, our Registrars will put the players on the same team. (Although adding the name to the teammate request field at the time of registering will act as a safety net.) Sometimes we don't catch siblings -- so email [email protected] to let us know.
If the siblings are NOT in the same age group, they can still play together, but one will have to "play up," and in addition we will need a parent/guardian to act as a Head Coach. If you would like your younger child to play on the same team as your older child, please email the Coach Administrator at [email protected].
Can I request a Head Coach?
At U5-U8, if you want to be paired with a particular coach, then enter the player associated with that Coach in your teammate request box, when registering. At U10 and above, we do not allow Coach requests.
However, at all age levels, a Coach may use their one volunteer lock on YOU if you are a volunteer and if they haven't used their lock yet. Talk to the coach you want to play with, and see if they have a volunteer yet. (If they are a referee and you are a referee, they can lock you as a free second lock.)
What are the costs?
Below is cost information for our primary soccer season, which runs (roughly) August through November for U5-U14 (or October for U16-U19). The costs below are subject to change each year, and this webpage may not always get updated, so consider the below fees a ballpark amount. The exact amount will be shown to you during your sign-up / registration.
| Program |
Fees |
Core
Ages 4-18 |
$180 + $20 City Park Usage Fee/player + $25 AYSO Annual Membership = $225
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT BEFORE MARCH 25TH, gives you $20 off = $205.
Above fees are for first and second child. Third child (and thereafter) each receive $75 discount.
|
| EPIC | $65 + $20 City Park Usage Fee/player + $25 AYSO Annual Membership |
| Playground | $90 + $20 City Park Usage Fee/player + $25 AYSO Annual Membership |
| EXTRA™ | Above Core cost plus amount determined later (around $250) based on number of EXTRA™ teams and players. Plus uniform costs. See EXTRA™ page for more info. |
What's included in my fees?
Your fee includes: AYSO membership, uniform (jersey, shorts, socks for Core/EPIC/EXTRA™), photo package, and supplemental accident insurance. EPIC, Playground, and U5 - U8 players receive a participation trophy or medal.
What's not in my fees?
You will need appropriate athletic wear for practices. Cleats are recommended. (We run a CLEAT BANK where you can donate and pick-up gently used cleats.) Balls are helpful to your coach, but not required. (Size 3 for U5 - U8; Size 4 for U10 - U12; Size 15 for U14+) Always bring a water bottle. Your coach or team manager may ask parents to pay money to cover costs of a Team Sign, as well as team-items for the Opening Day Festival.
What is the AYSO Membership Fee? Or the Park Fee?
$25 of your registration fee goes to AYSO National. This is your AYSO Membership Fee for the year, which covers your player from August through July (the "soccer season"). Visit the AYSO National website for more information on the annual AYSO Membership Fee.
$20 of your registration fee goes to the City of Long Beach parks and recreation, as a park usage fee. All families pay the Park Usage Fee. This is how the City of Long Beach allocates field space.
Are there try-outs?
Not really. It depends on what program. Our primary program is the Recreation level "Core" program in the Fall. (Fall is our only season.) And there are never try-outs for Core teams. Any child who is registered is placed on a team. We do offer try-outs for our more competitive/advanced teams, Long Beach United. But we only hold those a few times per year-- visit our Long Beach United team page.
I've registered my player. Now what?
Now you wait. After registration closes, we fill Head Coach vacancies and try to make sure every player can be placed on a team with a Head Coach. Coaches receive rosters in late July or early August. Coaches are asked to reach out to their players by the second week of August. Practices typically begin in mid-August. If you have not heard from any team by August 10th, please reach out to the Region 114 Coach Administrator ([email protected]).
I'm ready to be a volunteer Coach!
Great. Visit our Coach Sign-up page!
How do I register for Spring?
In the Spring, we offer Winter / Spring Academies and Camps -- which are weekly practices plus Saturday scrimmages. We do not have a typical Spring season -- Fall is our only season with open registration.
What is the Cancellation / Refund policy?
Please see the Cancellation / Refund Policy description above.
Return Check Policy
All returned checks will be charged a service fee of $25.00. Families with returned checks will not be permitted to participate in the program until the service fee plus the amount of the returned check are paid in full. The fee must be paid to the Treasurer with a Money Order or Cashier's Check. Players will be placed on a wait list until the fees are paid.
What is the AYSO membership fee? Do I have to pay it?
The AYSO National Membership Fee is a yearly non-refundable fee to play in AYSO. It goes directly to AYSO National and covers soccer accident insurance, annual subscription to PLAYSOCCER magazine, newsletters and special offers & discounts.
Registration Questions?
We're here to help. You may find answers to most common registration questions below in our Registration FAQ. We also invite you to send your registration questions to AYSO Region 114 Registrar at [email protected].