American Youth Soccer Organization
Region
26-Palo Alto
Season Handbook
2003200465
PALO
ALTO’S
LARGEST
AND OLDEST
YOUTH SOCCER ORGANIZATION
AYSO
2003200465
AYSO PALO ALTO—OUR 31ST 323nd 34th SEASON!
Welcome to AYSO’s 31st 323nd 34th yyear
in Palo Alto! That’s 31 3243 years of kids
learning soccer skills, running, playing, and having a great time. To make all this possible, we need
volunteers. AYSO is an all-volunteer
organization, all the way from team parent up to the AYSO National
Chairman of the Board. Each month our
volunteer Board of Directors meets to discuss the business of running the
program and how to improve our program to better serve our children and
community. There are always openings
for positions on our board and we would welcome your participation.
This year we have made a few changes. In the past, the girls Under-19 division had
been combined with the girls Under-16 division, and competed with other purely
Under-19 teams. This year we have
decided to split the division into separate girls Under-19 and girls Under-16
divisions. We think this will make it
fairer for all players. Conversely, we
have decided to combine the girls Under-11 division with the girls Under-12
division. Last year was the first year
we split the Under-11 and Under-12 players into two divisions. We think the split was successful for the
boys, but not for the girls. There were
not enough girls Under-12 teams to offer the quality program we expect, so this
year we have combined the two divisions.Last yearTwo years ago we introduced online
registration with
WebYouthSoccer (formerly WebAYSO). This was a big change for our organization that enabledThe system has some quirks but it
has enabled
us to vastly simplify our task of collecting player and volunteer information.
Almost all of our
registrations were completed online by parents with the remainder done at our walk-in registrations in
May. WebYouthSoccer has enabled us to have our player information entered
accurately by the parents and our teams to be formed all within a single
system. With
WebYouthSoccer, parents are able to see team rosters and schedules and we are
able to manage the AYSO season. We plan to continue using WebYouthSoccer for
the upcoming season. Hopefully the newness of the system has worn off
and parents will be able to use it with
fewer troubles and misunderstandings. To
register for Palo Alto AYSO, go online to http://www.ayso26.org and
follow the link to the registration pages.
If you have any questions or
trouble with registration, please visit our WebYouthSoccer FAQ on our website at: http://www.ayso26.org/faq_registration.html
Perhaps our most significant change this year is an
extension of the dual game format used in Under-7/Under-8 to the Under-9 age
group. We are also continuing last year’s the scheme
dual
game format in the Under-7, Under-8 and Under-9 divisions to provide more balanced competition
and
competitivein games in these divisions. These decisions were
madeWe
are continuing this format in response to the very
positive feedback that we have received
from the parent and coach surveys we conduct at the end of each season last fall. The format works like this: on odd numbered weeks coaches divide their
teams into two evenly balanced mini teams and play two half-length games
against both of the two opposing mini teams.
On even numbered weeks, coaches divide the roster into one mini-team of
the stronger players and one mini-team of the weaker players, called
"World Cup" and "Olympic,",
respectively. Each mini-team then plays a single
full-length game against their opponents, that is World Cup versus World Cup
and Olympic versus Olympic. The aim is
provide more balanced competition and more fun., especially for the
weaker players on the roster, who often struggle to get involved in a game when
strong players are in the same game. Under-9 teams will have 12 players on the
roster and play dual 5v5 games on Saturdays.
As
has been the case for the last few years, practice field space has been
exceedingly tight and will likely not improve this year. The proposed soccer field at the Mayfield
site, at the corner of El Camino Real and Page Mill Road, is not a reality yet,
and if the proposal between Stanford and the City of Palo Alto does go forward,
the fields will not be constructed in time for the Fall 2005 season. Stanford
has offered to construct will two lit soccer fields with sports
turf, restrooms, and a storage facility, plus parking and landscaping. When it
does open, this site will be a great benefit to Palo Alto and we wish to thank
all the people who worked so tirelessly to make it happenAs
has been the case for the last few years, practice field space has been
exceedingly tight and will continue to be tight in the coming year. We have been doing what we can to improve
the situation by calling the shortage to the attention of city officials. The City of Palo Alto has responded by
creating a committee to investigate solutions for the lack of playing field
space in Palo Alto. One of our board
members is on that committee and we will try to keep the pressure on, but the
committee has its job cut out for it.
There just isn’t that much space available.The City of Palo Alto
has responded by negotiating
to lease the Mayfield site at the corner of El Camino Real and
Page Mill Road from Stanford
University for $1 per year. Stanford will construct will two lighted soccer
fields with sports turf, restrooms, and a storage facility, plus parking
and landscaping. When
it opens, this site will be a
great benefit to Palo Alto and we wish to thank all the people who worked so tirelessly to make it
happen.
As always, get out there and have a great soccer season!
Dave ElwardCaroline LambertScott ChristensonSaul Rotblatt – AYSO
Regional Commissioner – Region 26
CONTENTS
HOW TO BE A SPECTATOR
Being a spectator at an AYSO game differs from many other sports, including baseball, basketball, American football, and hockey. As a spectator, you are part of the AYSO Team. It cannot be over-stressed that the AYSO program is for the players. We emphasize good sportsmanship exemplified by fairness, self-control, and having a good time, all within a positive learning environment. Spectators, coaches, and officials are role models for our children. Overzealous behavior, negative comments, and a “win at all costs” attitude are, therefore, totally inappropriate. The soccer we promote is a balance of development, fun, and competition.
With this in mind, please observe the following:
š Cheer positively for the things you like and encourage your team. Have fun!
š Never put down the other team or any of the players on either team.
š Please leave the coaching to the coach. Spectators frequently yell instructions to the players that contradict those of the coach, thereby confusing the players.
š Our referees are volunteers, just like coaches and spectators. They are not paid professionals. While their decisions may not always be agreeable to all participants and spectators, they are final. No useful purpose is served by shouting disagreement or derogatory remarks, and such behavior sets a poor example for the players. Referees have the authority to suspend play until disruptive individuals leave the field, and, if necessary, can even terminate the game. Don’t ruin the game for everyone by forcing them to exercise that authority.
š Every year we have many new referees and coaches. Each is volunteering to do a difficult job, and mistakes inevitably occur. Heckling the referees or the coach is totally unwarranted. Serious problems involving coaches or referees should be brought to the attention of the appropriate Division Commissioner after the game.
š For the safety of all and to permit referees to do their job, coaches and spectators must stand at least 1 yard back from the edge of the field (touch line). No one is allowed behind the goal, or within 18 yards of the goal line on either side of the field. Coaches should assist referees in enforcing this requirement.
š To provide a healthy environment for the players, no smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed at games or practices.
š Thanks to the Palo Alto Unified School District and the Palo Alto Recreation Department, we have the use of fine facilities. It is our responsibility to encourage everyone to use these facilities properly and to keep the fields clean and free from litter. If you see anyone misusing the facilities (climbing on goals or fences, playing ball near windows, throwing litter on the field, etc.), please bring the matter to the attention of a coach, referee, or other AYSO official.
REGISTRATION
ELIGIBILITY: Palo
Alto AYSO is open to all boys and girls aged 5-18 (as of July 31st,31,
2003200465)
within Palo Alto Unified School District, covering Palo Alto, Stanford and part
of Los Altos Hills.
DATES AND LOCATION: Returning
players receive mail-in registration materials instructions in early mid-April, which should be
completed and returned immediatelyonline at
http://www.ayso26.org. We
cannot guarantee placement on a team for players whose registrations are
received after June 2nd. May 31st.
We will also hold registration
sessions at CUBBERLEY COMMUNITY CENTERSCORE! Palo Alto, 4000 2645 Middlefield Road,
Palo Alto, at the following times and locations:
Wednesday MayWednesdaySundayFriday May 7521st,6,
2003200465,
7:006:30 PM - 9:008:30 PM, Room H-1
Saturday FridaySunday June 2nd,May 17155, 2003200465,
12:00 PM – 34:00 PM, Room A-3
These sessions are for new players or returning players
that didn’t
receive a form in the mailcannot register online.
PLAYERS NEED NOT BE PRESENT AT
REGISTRATION.
FEES: For players in divisions U7 through U19
(see age chart below), the registration fee is $65 75 if received by June 2nd16th.May 31st. After then that $90 100 is required. Payments of $85 100 prior to June 16th June 2nd May 31st will
be retained in full. For U6 players,
the fee is $2530.
REFUND REQUESTS must be in writing and received before
September 1st 15th (or October
1st for U6). See the address
of the back cover of this booklet. Refunds will be issued after the season ends. A $15 administrative fee is deducted from the
refund. No refunds are allowed once a player has attended any practice or
games.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO PLAY AYSO. Only registered players with completed registration forms can participate in practices or games.