FAQ

How many players are on each team?

Region 180 will make the best effort to ensure that each team has enough players to field a full team with 3 alternates at the beginning of the season. For instance, a 10U team fields 7 players and should have 10 players on the team.

But...this also entirely depends on YOU. The more volunteers we have to coach and referee, the more teams we can form, the fewer players per team, and more playing time for your player.

Please consider coaching or refereeing, 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 players run in the right direction and shoot toward the correct goal.

How can I help if I don’t want to coach?

AYSO IS POWERED BY VOLUNTEERS. WE NEED YOU!

AYSO succeeds only when parents and community members give their time and energy to make it work.
We promise that we have a role for whatever skills you bring to the table.

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 teenager can referee the younger divisions and earn volunteer hours. You do not have to need to enroll a player in the region to volunteer.

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 are required to complete an online coaching module and 10U/12U/14U Coaches complete a field training session to be certified.

Referees also complete an online referee module and in-person training to be certified.

See our website for more information or email [email protected] and learn how you can get involved.

When is the soccer season and how long is it?

Our regular Fall Core Program typically starts the Saturday after Labor Day and runs for 10 weeks which includes the Harry Nunn Jr. League Cup (a round-robin Regional Tournament for Divisions 8U-14U on the last weekend of the season).

Teams that advance from the Harry Nunn Jr. League Cup may go on to play in an Area Q Invitational Tournament and may then qualify for the Sectional 10 Tournament in the Spring.

We also sponsor All-Star post-season teams that play local tournaments throughout the Central Coast from December into the Spring. All-Star Teams may advance to Area Q and Sectional All-Star Invitational Tournaments.

How are teams formed?

AYSO Core Philosophy: Balanced Teams
In AYSO, teams are balanced to make playing soccer about the experience, not wins or losses. This way, we teach children about good sportsmanship and learning to be the best possible teammate and opponent. By focusing on player development over winning, AYSO is truly child-first and child-focused. This approach makes AYSO one of the finest player development programs dedicated to youth athletics and creating happy, healthy kids. Learn More

At a local level, all divisions of play use team building strategies that utilize Coach Evaluations from prior years of participation when available as well as information submitted at registration. For our 8U and 6U divisions, we do also take the player's school into consideration as well as we hope to always place players on a team where they have a good chance of knowing someone on day one.

Playground Division: Teams are not formed at this level. Players are broken into small groups during their field play sessions.

Can I choose my player's team or coach?

We cannot accommodate requests to be placed on same team with friends, carpool buddies, or a specific coach. Doing so would violate AYSO National laws and guidelines and the core philosophy of having balanced teams.

When/where/how often are practices held?

Once teams are formed, coaches choose when and where they practice anywhere between Santa Ynez and Buellton, and may include Santa Ynez Elementary School, Ballard School (no bathrooms). We are working to make more locations available for the 2025 season.

Divisions 10U & above: Practices are held 2 times per week at the discretion of the coach.

8U Division: Practices are held 1 time per week at the discretion of the coach.

6U Division: Teams practice 30 min before their matches on Saturdays at Santa Ynez Elementary School. No weekday practices.

Playground Division: Saturday field play sessions at Santa Ynez Elementary School. No weekday practices.

When/where are games held?

Matches and play for all divisions are hosted on Saturdays at Santa Ynez Elementary School starting at 8 AM into the afternoon.

12U and 14U Divisions should expect some travel games, typically in Lompoc or Nipomo on Saturdays.

Why aren't there any referees on my child's 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).

AYSO is 100% volunteer powered. We encourage you to sign up to support our players to have a safe and fun experience on the field by becoming an AYSO Certified Referee. Training time commitment is approximately 2 hours and may require travel up to 30 minutes typically to Lompoc or Nipomo.

How do I stay informed about Region 180 updates and events?

Region 180’s website is aysosyv.org. Once you register your player, you will also receive periodic email updates from the Region leadership.
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AYSO Santa Ynez Valley - Region 180

Frequently Asked Questions