Palo Alto AYSO: Practice Fields

General Rules

Practice fields in Palo Alto are always crowded. Your team has been assigned a specific practice field which you will have to share with several other teams. Note that the teams you share with will likely be diffferent on your two practice days. Field assignments are managed by the Palo Alto AYSO Practice Field Coordinator.

No assigned team has any more rights to the practice field than any other assigned team. Showing up first does not give you any more rights. The one consideration is that older teams naturally need somewhat more space than younger teams, but there is no guaranteed minimum size and it is often appropriate to simply share the space equally. We strongly recommend that you introduce yourself to the coaches of the other teams and discuss how the field can be used effectively. In some cases it may be necessary to alternate the use of the space, for example to utilize a single fixed goal. You may find yourself sharing with a non-AYSO soccer group or with a different sport (e.g. fall baseball). If you suspect that a team at your field is not assigned and is "poaching", we advise you to report this by email to to the Practice Field Coordinator - email: pfc-06@ayso26.org .  In case of disputes, be very careful to be diplomatic when approaching another coach. Remember, your young players will be watching and that you are their role model.

Practice Times

Palo Alto AYSO has permits for field use from the City that run from 4pm until 8pm and practice must take place within this period. However, if your assigned practice field is at a school, be aware that school and day care activities take precedence. You must give way to school or day care needs if asked and you should generally keep well away from the area that is used by day care. Most teams practice between 5pm and 6:pm. Please keep your practices to recommended lengths: U7/8: 45-60mins, U9/10: 60mins, U12: 60-75mins, U14-U19: 75-90mins. Note, these times are actual practices times and do not include time spent gathering the team together, putting on soccer gear etc. Finally, please end your practice times on schedule. Even if you are prepared to put in more time, parents may have a differenr schedule and it is disrespectful to keep parents waiting beyond the advertised end time.

Practice Field Changes

The opportunity to change practice fields is extremely limited owing to the field shortage.

You must not change your practice field or days without first:

Irrigation Problems

Much damage to fields is caused by malfunction sprinkers, either under-watering or over-watering, the latter being particularly damaging as well as rendering the field unplayable. If you encounter irrigation problems please call the City of Palo Alto at the following numbers:

Practising in a Small Area

Many coaches over-estimate how much area is actually needed to carry out an effective practice. It is possible to do many skill practices and related games in an area as small as 20yds x 10yds. Scrimmages do not require a large area - the size needs only to be large enough to provide appropriate player spacing. Large fields tend to encourage a breakaway style of play that favors the most athletic players, but does little for skill development or sound positional play. As an example, a U10 or U12 team can practise effectively in an area of 40yds by 30yds.

Practice Field Shortage

Practice field space in Palo Alto has been extremely tight for several years, and this year the situation continues to be severe. Schools continue to use up available field space with new classrooms and the current school renovation program has effectively taken some fields out of use completely.