Team Divisions

Divisions Summary

Under-6 Division (K-League)

Under-6, or Kinder League, is for the youngest players, kindergarteners and younger 1st graders. Players must be 5 years old by July 31, 2009. A child who will be in kindergarten but won't turn 5 until fall may apply to "play up with grade" during the registration process.

The K-League program is a gentle introduction to organized group athletic activity and the game of soccer, starting with individual drills and working up to small-sided, informal games. No formal teams are created; each coach works with a group of 8-12 boys or girls. Each player must be accompanied by an adult who is expected to participate in most of the activities, often as the player's partner.

K-League usually begins the Saturday after the season starts for the older age groups and continues for 6 weeks. For 2009, the first session is Saturday in September, and it continues for seven weeks. Soccer time is 3 to 4 p.m. Meet at the soccer fields behind JLS Middle School on East Meadow. Each player will be issued a two-color, reversible uniform shirt. Shinguards are required. Please wear good "kicking shoes", and socks that cover the shinguards. Cleated soccer shoes are not required. A water bottle is recommended.

Under-7 Division

4v4 Game organization Info and Tips on 4v4

Players in the Under-7 Division are 6 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have about 10 players on the roster. Games are low-key and instructional in format. Games are 4 players to a side ("4v4"). For a game, the team divides up into two groups, different combinations each week. The two sub-teams play simultaneous games against the two sub-teams of another team on fields set up for side-by-side games. Further description of this format is available on the 4v4 Game Organization page. There is also a page with News, Info, and Tips about this program. Games are refereed by parent volunteers from the teams playing. Refereeing for this age group is described in more detail in the Referee section, U7/U8/U9 Laws page. What to expect in U7 and U8 GAME FORMAT in U7 and U8 Boys and Girls Under-7 and Under-8 (6 and 7 year olds) play their games 4 to a side, with 10 players on the roster. For the Saturday games, each team divides into two "mini-teams" and plays the other team's "mini-teams". This format was piloted in 1998 and 1999 and has been a regular part of the program since 2000. There are NO keepers in U7 and U8. Why? This is part of a trend within AYSO and elsewhere to match the game format to the age and development level of the children. Our region has emphasized the small-sided game as a teaching system in the youth coaching clinics in recent years. Coaches who have used the system at practices have reported great success and an enthusiastic response from the kids. The following observations motivate this format. Young children learn the essentials of the game better in small-sided games. With small-sided games children have more opportunity to participate. With smaller numbers there is more time and space for players to practice basic skills. 4-a-side provides the basic elements of soccer without the complications of positional play that is required in larger-sided games. 4-a-side provides more playing time than former larger teams and a simpler substitution pattern. How Does It Work? Each team divides into two mini-teams of 5. There are 4 players on the field at a time and one substitute. Games are played without a designated goalkeeper, which tends to make for a high scoring game with lots of exciting shots on goal. On odd numbered weeks the teams are evenly balanced. Each mini-team plays both of the opposing team's mini-teams Each game is 20 minutes, with a 2 minute substitution break at the half. There is a 5 minute interval between the two games. 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, 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. On any given game day the players do not switch between mini-teams, but the makeup of the two mini-teams will likely vary from week to week. REFEREES Each of the two mini-games needs one referee. We ask that each team have two certified referees. Only one from each team is needed each week, but we like to have 2 trained referees in case one is absent. Games are "self-assigned", meaning the referees at the game will decide who will referee each mini-game. Referees must attend a 3 hour clinic to be properly certified at this level. If you are already certified, a refresher clinic is strongly recommended. Clinic information can be found at http://ayso26.org/ref/clinics.html. BODY PIERCINGS As mandated in the FIFA Laws of the Game used worldwide, no player may wear anything considered dangerous to themselves or any other player. This includes all jewelry. We run into problems every year with players with newly pierced ears who do not want to remove the studs. Referees are instructed not to let them play unless they remove them; covering them with tape is *not* an option. The best solution - wait until the end of the season to get the piercings.

Under-8 Division

4v4 Game organization Info and Tips on 4v4

Players in the Under-8 Division are 7 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have about 10 players on the roster. Games are low-key and instructional in format. Games are 4 players to a side ("4v4"). Fields are somewhat larger than in Under-7, approximately 40 x 30 yards. For a game, the team divides up into two groups, different combinations each week. The two sub-teams play simultaneous games against the two sub-teams of another team on fields set up for side-by-side games. Further description of this format is available on the 4v4 Game Organization page. There is also a page with News, Info, and Tips about this program. Games are refereed by parent volunteers from the teams playing. Refereeing for this age group is described in more detail in the Referee section, U7/U8/U9 Laws page. What to expect in U7 and U8 GAME FORMAT in U7 and U8 Boys and Girls Under-7 and Under-8 (6 and 7 year olds) play their games 4 to a side, with 10 players on the roster. For the Saturday games, each team divides into two "mini-teams" and plays the other team's "mini-teams". This format was piloted in 1998 and 1999 and has been a regular part of the program since 2000. There are NO keepers in U7 and U8. Why? This is part of a trend within AYSO and elsewhere to match the game format to the age and development level of the children. Our region has emphasized the small-sided game as a teaching system in the youth coaching clinics in recent years. Coaches who have used the system at practices have reported great success and an enthusiastic response from the kids. The following observations motivate this format. Young children learn the essentials of the game better in small-sided games. With small-sided games children have more opportunity to participate. With smaller numbers there is more time and space for players to practice basic skills. 4-a-side provides the basic elements of soccer without the complications of positional play that is required in larger-sided games. 4-a-side provides more playing time than former larger teams and a simpler substitution pattern. How Does It Work? Each team divides into two mini-teams of 5. There are 4 players on the field at a time and one substitute. Games are played without a designated goalkeeper, which tends to make for a high scoring game with lots of exciting shots on goal. On odd numbered weeks the teams are evenly balanced. Each mini-team plays both of the opposing team's mini-teams Each game is 20 minutes, with a 2 minute substitution break at the half. There is a 5 minute interval between the two games. 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, 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. On any given game day the players do not switch between mini-teams, but the makeup of the two mini-teams will likely vary from week to week. REFEREES Each of the two mini-games needs one referee. We ask that each team have two referees. Only one from each team is needed each week, but we like to have 2 trained referees in case one is absent. Games are "self-assigned", meaning the referees at the game will decide who will referee each mini-game. Referees must attend a 3-hour clinic to be properly certified at this level (U8 Official). If you are already certified, a refresher clinic is strongly recommended. Clinic information can be found at http://ayso26.org/ref/clinics.html. BODY PIERCINGS As mandated in the FIFA Laws of the Game used worldwide, no player may wear anything considered dangerous to themselves or any other player. This includes all jewelry. We run into problems every year with players with newly pierced ears who do not want to remove the studs. Referees are instructed not to let them play unless they remove them; covering them with tape is *not* an option. The best solution - wait until the end of the season to get the piercings.

Under-9 Division

Players in the Under-9 Division are 8 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 12 players on the roster. They play games of 5-player teams on fields of approximately 50 x 35 yards, using slightly larger goals than the U8 games. Games are 5v5 (5 players to a side). For a game, the team divides up into two groups, different combinations each week. The two sub-teams play simultaneous games against the two sub-teams of another team on fields set up for side-by-side games. Games are refereed by parent volunteers from the teams playing. Refereeing for this age group is described in more detail in the Referee section, U7/U8/U9 Laws page. What to expect in U9 GAME FORMAT in U9 The game format in U9 is similar to U7 and U8 (see http://ayso26.org/divisions.html#U9), except that the two mini games are played on slightly larger fields with 5-a-side. There are ideally 12 players on the roster. For the Saturday games, each team divides into two "mini-teams" and plays the other team's "mini-teams". This format was piloted in 1998 and 1999 and has been a regular part of the program since 2000. How Does It Work? Each team divides into two mini-teams of 6. There are 5 players on the field at a time, including a goalkeeper, and one substitute. On odd numbered weeks the teams are evenly balanced. Each mini-team plays both of the opposing team's mini-teams Each game is 25 minutes, with a 2 minute substitution break at the half. There is a 5 minute interval between the two games. 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, 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. Everybody rotates and takes a turn at playing goalkeeper each week. On any given game day the players do not switch between mini-teams, but the makeup of the two mini-teams will likely vary from week to week. REFEREES Each of the two mini-games needs one referee. We ask that each team have two referees. Only one from each team is needed each week, but we like to have 2 trained referees in case one is absent. Games are "self-assigned", meaning the referees at the game will decide who will referee each mini-game. Referees must attend a 3-hour clinic to be properly certified at this level (U8 Official). If you are already certified, a refresher clinic is strongly recommended. Clinic information can be found at http://ayso26.org/ref/clinics.html. BODY PIERCINGS As mandated in the FIFA Laws of the Game used worldwide, no player may wear anything considered dangerous to themselves or any other player. This includes all jewelry. We run into problems every year with players with newly pierced ears who do not want to remove the studs. Referees are instructed not to let them play unless they remove them; covering them with tape is *not* an option. The best solution - wait until the end of the season to get the piercings.

Under-10 Division

Players in the Under-10 Division are 9 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 10 players on the roster. They play games of 7-player teams on a field of approximately 60 x 40 yards with reduced size goals. Games are refereed by parent volunteers from the teams playing. The home team must provide a trained center referee. (Failure to do so means the home team forfeits the game.) The two assistant referees who work the sidelines may come from either team. Under-10 Rules and refereeing are described in more detail in the Referee section, on the Under-10 Rules page. What to expect in U10 GAME FORMAT in U10 U10 is a big step up from U9, as we move from using laws of the game that are substantially modified for the younger children, to the standard laws of the game, with slight modifications due to the reduction in field and goal size (yes, we use the offside law in this division!). The games are played 7-a-side with rosters of 10 players. REFEREES We use the standard, three-referee diagonal system of control (DSC) in this division. Referees are parent volunteers from the teams playing. The home team must provide a trained center referee. (Failure to do so means the home team forfeits the game.) The two assistant referees who work the sidelines may come from either team; it is therefore recommended that each team have at least two trained referees. Under-10 Rules and refereeing are described in more detail in the Referee section of our web site, Under-10 Rules page (see http://ayso26.org/ref/d5regs.html). At this level, referees must take the Basic Referee class to obtain the Regional Referee badge. Referee training from U9 is *not* adequate for this level! The class schedule can be found at http://ayso26.org/ref/clinics.html. BODY PIERCINGS As mandated in the FIFA Laws of the Game used worldwide, no player may wear anything considered dangerous to themselves or any other player. This includes all jewelry. We run into problems every year with players with newly pierced ears who do not want to remove the studs. Referees are instructed not to let them play unless they remove them; covering them with tape is *not* an option. The best solution - wait until the end of the season to get the piercings.

Under-12 Division

Players in the Under-12 Boys Division are 10 or 11 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 13-15 players on the roster. Their games are on a field of approximately 90 x 60 yards with 9 players to a side. What to expect in U12 GAME FORMAT in U12 The game format in U12 is essentially the same as U10, with the full laws of the game. The main difference is that the games are played with 9 to a side, with rosters of 12. The U12 fields are full size. REFEREES There is a major change in the way referees are assigned in the U12 division as opposed to younger divisions. Parents are no longer allowed to be the center referee for their own child's game. Parent referees may be assistant referees, however, for their own child's game for any age group. Since parents are no longer allowed to be center referee for their own child's game, we expect the referees to help out by refereeing games their children are not involved in. We depend on this, otherwise we would not have any referees**! The referees are assigned to games by a referee coordinator. The coordinator will typically assign a referee to be the center referee to a game before or after their child's game, and then assign them as an assistant referee to their child's game. Referees are asked to input their preferences into the WYS system at the beginning of the season (how many games per day, centers or lines, days available, which divisions), and the coordinator uses this information to make compatible assignments. Referees at this level are expected to have at least the Basic Referee training (Regional Referee badge), and at a minimum attend a refresher clinic each year. Referees who have had at least a year of experience at this level are encouraged to attend the Intermediate Referee course. Clinic information can be found at http://ayso26.org/ref/clinics.html. **People ask each year why we can't simply bring in other referees and pay them. The problem is - there aren't any! Most referees in Palo Alto started out in AYSO. The ones working for other clubs are over-worked, and, indeed, many of the experienced referees in AYSO also help out with the other clubs because there is such a chronic shortage of referees. Besides which, AYSO is an all-volunteer organization and paying referees would violate AYSO National regulations. AYSO has to be self-sufficient regarding referees, or the program just won't work. BODY PIERCINGS As mandated in the FIFA Laws of the Game used worldwide, no player may wear anything considered dangerous to themselves or any other player. This includes all jewelry. We run into problems every year with players with newly pierced ears who do not want to remove the studs. Referees are instructed not to let them play unless they remove them; covering them with tape is *not* an option. The best solution - wait until the end of the season to get the piercings.

Under-14 Division

Players in the Under-14 Division are either 12 or 13 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 13-15 players on the roster. Their games are on full size fields with the standard 11 players to a side.

Under-16 Division

Players in the Under-16 Division are 14 or 15 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 14-18 players on the roster. This division plays U-16 teams from AYSO regions in Area 2A, which includes Portola Valley (Region 25), Palo Alto (26), Los Altos (43), Sunnyvale (44), Mountain View (45), and Menlo Park (109). Games are on Sundays for this division. In the Under-16 and Under-19 Divisions, free substitution is permitted in the 4th period for players who have already played 2 full quarters. See the referees' Free Substitution Rules page for a full description. Under-16 and Under-19 finish their season in early November to avoid overlapping with the high school soccer season. CCS rules do not allow a player on a high school team to participate in another soccer program at the same time.

Under-19 Division

Players in the Under-19 Division are 16, 17, or 18 years old by July 31, 2009. This division plays U-19 teams from AYSO regions in Area 2A, which includes Portola Valley (Region 25), Palo Alto (26), Los Altos (43), Sunnyvale (44), Mountain View (45), and Menlo Park (109). Games are on Sundays for this division. In the Under-16 and Under-19 Divisions, free substitution is permitted in the 4th period for players who have already played 2 full quarters. See the referees' Free Substitution Rules page for a full description. Under-16 and Under-19 finish their season in early November to avoid overlapping with the high school soccer season. CCS rules do not allow a player on a high school team to participate in another soccer program at the same time.

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