AYSO CORE Program

Our core program is the foundation for all the fun, excitement and learning that happens on the fields. AYSO is best known for our core program – it’s where the large majority of kids fall in love with soccer and make memories that will last a lifetime.

There are six core values – or what we call AYSO’s Six Philosophies – that are the foundation of our core program, and all others: Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development. These are the essence of AYSO and it all starts with Everyone Plays.

• Everyone Plays means that no kid spends their soccer experience sitting on the bench. Every kid plays at least half of every game and we strive to have players on the field for 3/4 of the game.
• Balanced Teams makes playing soccer about the experience, not the outcome of a single game.
• Good Sportsmanship is learning to be the best possible team mate and opponent, not about blowing out another team with an unbelievable score.
• Player Developing is what we’re about, because soccer skills and life skills go hand in hand. AYSO’s main purpose is to get kids on the field, provide them with good coaches, and teach them to play soccer.

Player Eligibility: All kids are eligible. Age verification is required the first time you register to ensure your child is placed in the proper group.

Coaches: We recruit and train volunteer coaches. Classes are provided for each age group and master coaches are available for mentoring and assistance. 

Age Groups: We offer Playground soccer at age 3 and formal play begins at age 4 though 19. See the chart below for more information.

Selection: Beginning at Division 8U, teams are balanced to ensure the fairest possible play. We use coach evaluations from prior seasons or parent assessments to help us. It's never perfect, but the closer we come to balanced teams, the more enjoyment your player will experience. Shortly after registration closes, the Division Coordinator will form teams and assign coaches. Players new to the region may be assessed for skill before being placed on a team.

Format: We have two seasons, Fall and Spring.
The Fall Season is competitive, with teams formed in mid-August, coaches will schedule parent meetings and begin practices which commences no later than the first week in September.
First matches are played the last week in August and the season lasts 8 -10 weeks. Home games are always played at a variety of local schools and parks. For 12U and older players, away games require limited travel in Orange County.

At the end of the season, qualifying (8U, 10U, 12U and 14U) teams within the region are invited to an end of season tournament to determine a Regional Champion. To qualify for post-season play, teams will need to exhibit good sportsmanship and earn Referee points. The tournament is generally held over two weekends in November. Winning teams in 10U, 12 and 14U ages are invited to an Area Tournament, held in December in Orange County, with the other regions within Area Q to determine the Area Champions. Winning teams are then invited to the Section tournament, held in February in Southern California, to determine Section 11 Champions. Winning teams then advance to the Western States Tournament, played in March somewhere within California, Nevada or Washington to compete against the winners of sections 1, 2 and 10.

The Spring Season is considered developmental and fun. Teams are formed in February, first practice is in late February and and first matches are played in March. The season last 6-8 weeks. Younger age divisions continue to play intra-region, while 10U and above play within our Orange County. While scores are kept, there is no end of the season tournament.