Our core program is the foundation for all the fun, excitement and learning that happens on the fields. AYSO is best known for our core program – it’s where the large majority of kids fall in love with soccer and make memories that will last a lifetime.

There are six core values – or what we call AYSO’s Six Philosophies – that are the foundation of our core program, and all others: Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development. These are the essence of AYSO and it all starts with Everyone Plays.

Here in AYSO, Everyone Plays means that no kid spends their soccer experience sitting on the bench. Every kid plays at least half of every game. Learn more about AYSO’s Six Philosophies here.

Also, teams are put together in a way that makes playing soccer about the experience, not wins or losses. It’s not about blowing out another team with an unbelievable score; it’s about sportsmanship and learning to be the best possible team mate and opponent. Developing players is what we’re about, because soccer skills and life skills go hand in hand. AYSO’s main purpose is to get kids on the field, provide them with good coaches, and teach them to play soccer.

What days are games?
U5 Schoolyard plays on Sundays
6U-18U play on Saturdays 

When will the game schedules be released?
They are usually available 1wk before the first game. This is a very tidious task and requires a lot of time so please be patient as a volunteer manually handles scheduling. For 12U-14U, the Area handles the scheduling and for 16U-18U, the Section handles the scheduling. 

What times are games?
Historically, Region 157 starts play at 9:00am and ends by 4:00pm.  Each team plays one game on Saturdays.

Where do we play games?
6U- Oddstad
8U- Ortega
10U- Oddstad and IBL
12U- Sanchez
14U-18U- Home games at Oceana High School

Beginning at the 12U level, teams play against other AYSO regions, which can sometimes involve travel to those regions

When are team practices?
Your volunteer coach will determine the times and location for team practices. Coaches can choose a day between M-F and time between 4pm-7pm. This information is not known ahead of forming teams. 

National Changes As of 2017:

*NO goalies allowed in 6U

*8U is now 4v4 (2016 was 5v5)

*Smaller Sided Standards- Fields sizes are to be adjusted to be age appreciate with small sided teams This gives the players a better chance of touching the ball.

*NO throw-ins allowed in 6U during games. This creates less chance of a concussion.

*Punting in no longer allowed in 10U and 12U. Can only be done in 14U and older divisions.

*Online concussion training is required for all volunteers.

Player Development Initiatives (PDI's)

The new U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives (PDI’s) mandate small sided play for all youth soccer programs up to U12.  These PDI’s will apply to all youth soccer programs that are members of U.S. Soccer, including most youth soccer club programs.  Minor adjustments to the AYSO rules are necessary to align with U.S. Soccer for the U5 to U8 age groups to have 4v4 play in place of 3v3 and 5v5.  Otherwise, the AYSO Rules and Regulations are already mostly in-alignment with the PDI’s, and in fact, already offered more player development opportunities now being recognized by U.S. Soccer.

What are the biggest changes to the rules in AYSO and youth soccer?
The biggest changes are in the U10 division. The rule changes mandated by U.S. Soccer are to encourage passing the ball on the ground, especially from the goalkeeper up through the team.  There will be a new line on the field between the half line and the top of the penalty area.    These are called "build-out” lines.  For more specific information on the build-out lines and how they are used, please see U.S. Soccer’s website: US Soccer PDI.

Some Regions that do not already use small sided play will also have to change field sizes and goal sizes.  Regions will be permitted to implement the field and goal changes gradually in order to conform to the US Soccer PDI mandate.

What are the new changes to the player age cutoff dates?
FIFA and other governing bodies in soccer use the calendar year for determining the age for player registration as opposed to most youth soccer organizations that have used the “school year” to form teams.  That practice kept most kids in a given grade in the same age group.  U.S. Soccer PDI’s now require conformity with FIFA practice.  

The following factors in using the calendar year that are different from AYSO’s past practice are:

• The age of the player at the “end of competition” determines the age group division for that player.  In our case, that means December 31 for that membership year.
• Players in a given age group division will now be at the age of that group or under leading to a change in terminology for age group divisions.   For instance, age groups will now be referred to as 6U (age 6 and under), 8U, 10U, 12U, etc.
• See the Registration Page to determine which age division a child will play in. 
• Because of the changes to the age cutoff, some players will have to move up to the next division even though they only played one season in U8 or U10, for example.  Some players who played in the U5 division last season will skip the 6U division and move directly to the 8U division.

When do the rules go into effect?
Fall of 2017 for the rules of play, including the small sided games and the new age determination cutoff.  For goal equipment and field sizes, U.S. Soccer acknowledges that goal sizes and field sizes will change over time.

The build-out lines are to be used beginning in 2017.  Fields that may not be painted with a new line may use flat cones, cones, flags or other means to denote the line.