How many players are on each team?
This entirely depends on YOU 😊. The more volunteers we have to coach, the more teams we can form, the fewer kids per team and more playing time for your child.
Please consider coaching, even if you have little/no experience. AYSO has extensive training/support for coaches. And at the younger levels, coaching is about basic soccer skills and helping the kids run the right direction and shoot toward the correct goal 😊
How can I help if I don’t want to coach?
AYSO IS ENTIRELY VOLUNTEER-POWERED. WE NEED YOU!
The only way AYSO works is when parents and community members give their time and energy to make it work.
We have many volunteer roles (event planners, division coordinators, social media coordinators, tournament coordinators, IT specialist, uniform manager, equipment manager, picture day coordinator, Executive Board).
You can referee (even your teenage child can referee the younger kids divisions!).
We promise that we have a role for whatever skills you bring to the table.
What does it take to become an AYSO volunteer?
All AYSO volunteers must clear a background check and complete online training modules (Concussion Training, Safe Haven, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Safesport).
Coaches additionally complete an online coaching module and 10U/12U/14U Coaches complete a field training session.
Referees additionally complete an online referee module and in-person training.
See our website for more information or email
[email protected]
When is the soccer season and how long is it?
Our regular season starts the Saturday after Labor Day and runs for 10 weeks which includes the Harry Nunn Jr. League Cup (which is a round-robin Regional tournament for Divisions 8U-14U on the last weekend of the season).
Teams that win that tournament go on to play in an Area Tournament and can then qualify for a Sectional Tournament in Spring.
We also sponsor All-Star post-season teams that play local tournaments from December through the Spring and can earn invitations to the Area and Sectional All-Star Tournaments.
How are teams formed?
Teams in Divisions 10U-14U are formed based on player evaluations to promote balanced teams.
The 8U Division teams are formed based on player observations, age and school affiliation. When player enrollment allows, the 8U division is divided into 2 separate birth years to mitigate the varied player size and skill level (at this age level these can vary greatly). We also do our best to ensure that each student has at least one player from their school on their team as well, to increase the likelihood that they’ll know at least 1 player on their team.
The 6U Division teams are formed based on school affiliation with the same goal in mind as described above.
Playground Division: No teams in this division. Players are broken into small groups during their sessions.
Can I request my child play on a team with their friends?
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests to be placed on same team with friends or carpool buddies. There are simply too many players.
When/where/how often are practices held?
Divisions 8U & above: Practices are held 1-2 times per week at the discretion of the coach. Once teams are formed, coaches choose when and where they practice anywhere between Santa Ynez and Buellton (SY Elementary, Sunny Fields Park, Ballard School, Oak Valley School, Jonata School). We cannot accommodate requests to be on a certain team based on where they practice.
6U Division: Teams practice 30 min before their games on Saturdays.
Playground Division: Saturday soccer clinic/session. No weekly practice.
When/where are games held?
Games for Divisions 6U-14U are on Saturdays. Playground Division does not play formal games, but will do 3 vs 3 with small goals intermittently starting a few weeks into the season after basic skills are introduced.
6U, 8U & 10U games are held at SY Elementary School fields. Some 12U & 14U games are held in Lompoc as those divisions play Lompoc teams as well as SY teams.
Why aren't there any referees on my child's games?
AYSO is 100% volunteer powered. Due to the lack of volunteers signing up and training to become referees we simply do not have enough for all games. Games in the 8U division should have 1 referee while games in 10U, 12U, and 14U should all have 3 referees (1 center referee and 2 sideline assistant referees). If you want games to run smoothly and fairly then we need your help. Sign up to be a referee. We will train you.
How do I stay informed about Region 180 updates/events?
Region 180’s website is aysosyv.org and you can find us on Facebook as well. Once you register your player, you will also receive periodic email updates from the Region leadership.