Region 114 Coach F.A.Q.

How do I sign up to be an AYSO Coach

Visit our Coach Sign-Up and Classes page for detailed instructions and step-by-step assistance.

What is the minimum age to be an AYSO Coach?

You must be 18 years old or older to be an AYSO coach. Though AYSO appreciates and encourages young people to participate in all aspects of soccer including coaching, an individual under 18 years of age may not be listed as the head coach or assistant coach on the official roster, due to liability issues. They can certainly assist in training and even make decisions regarding the team, but can’t ever be left alone with players and can’t be listed on the official roster.

When do I receive my roster?

Divisions with drafts are held in July. (Check region calendar for date and time.) Other divisions have players randomly assigned to teams, in an effort to keep teams balanced and the games fun for everyone. Sometime in July you will receive your Fall roster. You should contact families no later than August 1st. Also keep in mind that there are late registrations, and some players get added to teams as late as the first week. Your roster may change even after practices have begun; this is rare, but not unexpected.

When do I practice?

Whenever you want. It's your team. (If another parent wants to dictate the practice schedule, they should have signed up to be a coach!) Of course, if you set practices for 3pm, don't expect everyone to make it. Find a time that works best for you, but be mindful of other families' work/school schedules.

Note: The Coach Administrator will let you know when you may begin practices (usually early August).

Where do I practice?

All practices must be at Heartwell Park between Woodruff and Palo Verde. The other side of Heartwell Park is reserved for other soccer organizations and off limits to Region 114.

 

How often do I practice?

Again, this is up to each coach. Typically the younger divisions (U8 and below) practice once per week for an hour. Older divisions often practice twice per week at the coach's discretion.

When are games?

Games in the Fall season occur once per week, September through November -- each team plays roughly 9 or 10 games (depending on Division). Most games are Saturdays, although some divisions have Friday evening games under the lights, which is a electric (pun!) atmosphere for the players.

What are the game formats?

AYSO games are broken into two halves, with brief water/substitution breaks at quarters for U5 - U14. (U16 and U19 do not have quarter breaks.) The quarter-breaks are for substitutions and a quick drink of water. The quarter breaks are not full breaks, so keep the players on the field and quickly do your subs, and get them playing. The clock continues to run during the quarter breaks. A full break occurs only at halftime for all divisions.

• U5-U6: 5v5, no keepers, small pop-up goals. 10 minute halves, 5 minute quarters. (Note: Scores and Win-Loss records are not kept)
• U7-U8: 7v7 (6 field + 1 keeper) 20 minute halves, 10 minute quarters (Note: Scores and Win-Loss records are not kept)
• U10: 7v7. 25 minute halves, 12 minute quarters
• U12: 9v9. 30 minute halves, 15 minute quarters
• U14: 11v11. 35 minute halves, 17 minute quarters
• U16: 11v11. 40 minute halves, free substitutions
• U19: 11v11. 45 minute halves, free substitutions

What size ball do we use?

• U5-U8: Size 3
• U10-U12: Size 4
• U14+: Size 5

What size fields and goals do we use?

• U5/U6: 30yd x 20yd, Pugg goals
• U7/U8: 50yd x 30yd, 6' x 18' goals
• U10: 80yd x 40yd, 7' x 21' goals
• U12:100yd x 50yd, 8' x 24' goals
• U14-U19: 110yd x 60yd, 8' x 24' goals

How does Post-Season play work?

Regardless of win-loss records, all teams that have accrued the requisite number of volunteer points are eligible to play in Region 114 post-season play. See the Volunteer Point page to learn about point requirements and accrual.

At the Core U5-U8 divisions the post-season games are called the Friendship Cup. Teams get to play two extra games, but game outcomes are not tracked, and there is no "winner" of the Cup. Remember it is just for fun and play.

The Core U10 and above divisions participate in the Commissioner's Cup. which typically has teams playing a couple games on Day 1 and advancing to play one or two more games on Day 2. The winner from each division advances on to Area Z Tournament to compete against other Area Z region winners. The winner of Area goes on to Section 11 Tournament. The winner of Section advances to Western States Championships.

What is Core? EXTRA™? All Stars? Spring Select?

The most common AYSO program is the Core program (Fall only). This is the program that the vast majority of our players play. It consists of nine or ten weeks of games, with practices beginning in August, and games usually concluding before Thanksgiving.

AYSO EXTRA™ is a completely separate program from AYSO Core. EXTRA™ is also separate from All-Stars and Spring Select. Region 114 EXTRA™ teams, called "Long Beach United" form for both Fall and Spring EXTRA™ seasons. (Don't confuse the "United" team name with AYSO's United program which is the Official Club Program of AYSO soccer. Region 114 does not have a United Program.)

EXTRA™ is AYSO's program offering a higher level of play and requires try-outs. To qualify for Fall and Spring EXTRA™ programs the players must attend one of the tryouts that are usually held December - February. More info can be found on our EXTRA™ page.

 

All-Stars teams are fielded through invitation, from a pool of the Core U10 and above players, and play in the Area Z All-Stars Tournament in January. There may also be play in some optional tournaments immediately after the Core season, from late November up through January. Winners of the Area Z tournament advance to the Section 11 Tournament, and winners of Section 11 advance to Western States Championships.

All-Stars teams are formed by using the player ratings cards that Core coaches are asked to fill-out during the Fall season, so it is very important that all coaches complete them as requested. Note: Not every gender-division may form an All-Star team... it depends on whether a coach volunteers to form an All Star team for a given gender-division level. If you are interested in coaching an All Star Team, please reach out to the Region 114 Coach Administrator.

Spring Select teams are formed by the Spring Select coach. Usually the first opportunity to fill the team is given to Fall All-Star players, and then other slots may be filled by the coach. Often the opportunity is given to children of dedicated volunteers that want to continue playing in the Spring. (Another reason to volunteer!) Spring Select has a 10-week schedule that runs from March - May, with the Spring Select Tournament wrapping up in early June. Spring Select Teams play against other Spring Select teams within Area Z, so some travel is involved. (Downey, Lynwood, South Gate, Wilmington, Lakewood, etc.)

Region 114 attempts to have a Spring Select team for every division, and in fact sometimes we have two from the same division, but ultimately it is subject to how many Select Coach volunteer applications we receive. If you are interested in coaching a Select Team, please reach out to the Region 114 Coach Administrator.

How do you apply for post-season coaching?

Check out our Post-Season Coaching Page for more information.