Frequently Asked Questions on Playing Up/Down

What does it mean to play-up or play-down?

How are the age brackets defined?

Why are the age-brackets not aligned with those used for school grades?

What are the consequences of the different systems for AYSO and school grade age brackets?

Can I request a play-up into the age-bracket containing most of my child's grade?

Is it always a good idea to play-up into the age-bracket containing most of my child's grade?

My child is a very talented player and isn't challenged by playing in his/her age-bracket  - can he/she request to play-up into an older age bracket?

My child would like to play with a sibling or friend in an older age bracket.  Is this possible?

Under what circumstances can a player play-down?

If my child played-up last year will he/she automatically be played-up this year?

Is it possible to play-up more than one age bracket?

A. Teams are organized into divisions that group players by their birthdates, not by their grade in school nor by their soccer skills. A division contains players in a given age-bracket, for example, 8/1/86 to 7/31/87. A player whose birthdate falls after the end of the bracket, i.e. is younger, can request to play-up into the next older division. Conversely, but only under exceptional circumstances, a player whose birthdate falls before the start of the bracket, i.e. is older, can request to play-down into the next younger division.

Q. How are the age brackets defined?

A. The age brackets are defined by the National Board of AYSO and are the same for all regions nationwide. Generally AYSO specifies two-year age brackets that begin on Aug 1 and end on July 31. Some regions, like Palo Alto, have a mixture of one-year and two-year age brackets. The choice is made based on the number of teams and the developmental level of the players. A bracket is named by the end of the age range. For example, for the 2001 season, the Under-7 bracket, which is a one-year bracket, will contain players born between 8/1/94 and 7/31/95, inclusive. Another way of saying this is that all players in the U7 division will be under 7 (and over 5) on 7/31/2001.

Q. Why are the age-brackets not aligned with those used for school grades?

A. In the past the deadlines have been at different times. However, to facilitate consistency, for example for inter-region tournaments, AYSO decided to standardize on a single nationwide system. Unfortunately, there is no consistency between school systems on age brackets for grades. AYSO chose a cut-off date of July 31, that matches some school system's cut-offs but not others. Palo Alto has a cut-off date of December 2nd.  Even so, children with birthdays between the July 31 date and the December 2 school cut-off may be in either the older or younger school grade, as the school system also allows grade flexibility.

Q. What are the consequences of the different systems for AYSO and school grade age brackets?

A. Players with birthdays that fall in the Aug 1-Dec 2 range may find themselves assigned to a team formed mostly of players from the grade below their own. Sometimes this works out fine but often it doesn't, especially if, as is usually the case, there is just one player from the higher grade.

Q. Can I request a play-up into the age-bracket containing most of my child's grade?

A. Yes, but you must check the box on the application form. The request will be granted automatically for players whose fall birthday would put them in a division younger than their grade-mates, but you must explicitly request it by checking the box!

Q. Is it always a good idea to play-up into the age-bracket containing most of my child's grade?

A. No. If your child is an average player relative to age-bracket peers, playing-up will put him or her in the position of being younger and probably weaker than most others on the team. This is particularly true when playing-up into a two-year age bracket. For example, there is a significant difference between the U12 and U14 brackets, where some of the 13 year olds are well into adolescence, physically and mentally. The end result may be that the social benefits of playing with grade-mates are negated by the soccer difficulties.

Q. My child is a very talented player and isn't challenged by playing with his age-bracket peers - can he/she request to play up into an older age bracket?

A. Yes, provided there is evidence from the previous season that validates the request. Typically, this will be based on information from the player's coach from the previous season or some equivalent proof. This form of play-up request requires a written request to accompany the registration form. Unlike grade a play-up, this request is not guaranteed to be granted and may depend on other logistical factors.

Q. My child would like to play with a sibling or friend in an older age bracket.  Is this possible?

A. Only if at least one of the two conditions above are met. It is generally a very bad idea for an average or weak player to play-up, because of the amplification of the ability difference. It is unlikely to produce a positive experience for the player and it is an added burden on the coach and the other players of the receiving team.

Q. Under what circumstances can a player play-down?

A. AYSO has strict rules about requests to play-down, which are denied unless there is a medical condition such as a physical or mental disability that must be substantiated by a letter from the player's physician.

Q. If my child played-up last year will he/she automatically be played-up this year?

A. No, there is no automatic carry-over from year to year. A play-up request must be made every year.

Q. Is it possible to play-up more than one age bracket?

A. No.