General Questions

Q: Am I allowed to bring my dog (or pet) to the field?
A: No. Dogs (or pets) are forbidden on all fields at all times.

Q: How long will my child's soccer games be?
A: The game times vary by Division. Here are the game times for our region:
5U/6U - 10 minute halves and 20 minute games
7U/8U - 20 minute halves and 40 minute games
10U - 25 minute halves and 50 minute games
12U - 30 minute halves and 60 minute games
14U - 35 minute halves and 70 minute games
16U - 40 minute halves and 80 minute games
19U - 45 minute halves and 90 minute games

The referee for your child's game will monitor the start time and duration of the game.

Q: What size ball should I buy?
A: Please refer to the following table for ball sizes appropriate for the various divisions.
14U-19U: Ball size 5
10U-12U: Ball size 4
3U-8U : Ball size 3

Q: My child's coach has never coached a team. Can we ask for a new coach?
A: No. AYSO coaches are parents and members of our community who enjoy working with kids. If you have knowledge of the game or coaching techniques, this is great time to offer your help, or better yet, contact the Regional Coach Administrator before the season starts and take a team yourself. Region 41 will get you properly coach certified.

Q: My child doesn't get along with her coach. Can they change teams?
A: Discuss the problem with your child and the coach and try to resolve the problem between yourselves. It is almost impossible to move teams around after they're assembled. If you still feel the problem is serious and are unsatisfied, contact your child's Division Coordinator

Q: My child is 8 years old, but is very, very small. Can they play on a team with younger players?
A: No. A player can never "play-down" into a younger age group. Most players in this situation do quite well. Soccer is one game in which size is generally not a hindrance.
We apologize, but AYSO National Guidelines DO NOT permit players to 'Play Down' into a younger division. Players are assigned to divisions based on their date of birth.

Q: My child can't make it to practices on the days the coach has chosen or is going to miss games. What can I do?
A: If the problem is transportation, just speak to the coach or team parents. There is always someone who will be available and willing to give your child a ride. If there are other activities (such as lessons of some kind), maybe it would be possible to adjust the schedule. We cannot change team assignment to accommodate scheduling conflicts. Please try to make it to practice and games. Your child is involved in a team sport. The team cannot learn to work together if there are players who consistently miss practices. Team size is based on the number of players on field and the region rule that each child plays 75% of the game. If your child misses games the team will be short players during the game. This isn't fun or fair to either team.

Q: My child's best friend lives right next door. Can they be on the same team?
A: No. Everyone has a friend they would like to play with, but if it was done for you player, it would have to be done for everyone. This would be an administrative ordeal and would make team balancing impossible.

Q: How do I determine what division my child will be playing in?
A: See the age division chart link here.

Q: When will I know what team my child is on?
A: Teams are determined after registration is closed. The number of teams is based on the number of children who register in each age group. Coaches and players then need to be assigned to teams. Practice and game schedules are determined once number of teams by age group is known. We hope to have all teams formed by the early August but it may be mid-August before you hear from your child's coach. Delay in team information and schedules can occur if we are short volunteers to coach and/or referee. AYSO 41 is an all-volunteer organization that has served Laguna Niguel since 1973. The people who assign the teams and determine the schedules are all involved in the region and do these activities in addition to their work and family obligations. Practice schedules are based on the coach's availability and the field assignment. The only way to control when your child's practice meets is to be the coach!

Registration Questions

Q: What is the cost for fall?
A: Regular registration fees for 2023 are $200 per child (+$20 AYSO Membership Fee). AYSO is an ALL VOLUNTEER organization. Nobody is permitted to be paid to coach, train, referee etc.

Q: What is the AYSO membership fee?
Every school year (August 1st-July 31st), AYSO national charges a membership fee of $20.  A portion of this covers back office expenses like accounting, legal, national marketing, website expenses, programming, etc.  Some portion of this expense also covers supplemental accident insurance for when your player is on the field.  This expense is only charged once per school year per child, so if you've already paid it in the Fall, you won't need to pay it in the Spring.  Conversely, if your child only plays soccer in the Spring, the $20 will be assessed when you register for the Spring season.

Q: When does Fall Season registration begin and end? When does the season actually start?
A: Registration opens April 1st and ends June 30th.  Fall registration is limited and placement on a team is NOT guaranteed even if registering by the end of regular registration. Late registration for some divisions may remain open if there are spots available. Priority placement on a team is given to parents willing to coach.  The season runs late August-mid November (could extend depending on how the team advances in post-season play)

Q: I missed registration; can I still register my child?
A: In the Fall, after registration ends, you may go to the Registration link at the top of this page to be placed on the waitlist . However, you are NOT guaranteed to have your child placed on a team. Waitlist fee is not collected unless child is placed on a team.

Q: Can my neighbor register my child?
A: No. Registration forms can only be signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Q: When will I know what team my child is on?
A: Teams are determined after registration is closed. The number of teams is based on the number of children who register in each age group. Coaches and players then need to be assigned to teams. Practice and game schedules are determined once number of teams by age group is known. We hope to have all teams formed by the beginning of August. Delay in team information and schedules can occur if we are short volunteers to coach and/or referee. AYSO41 is an all-volunteer organization that has served Laguna Niguel since 1973. The people who assign the teams and determine the schedules are all involved in the region and do these activities in addition to their work and family obligations. Practice schedules are based on the coach's availability and the field assignment. The only way to control when your child's practice needs is to be the coach!

Q: When will I know my child's practice/play schedule?
A: See above. Request for particular practice days cannot be honored.

Q: Can I request that my child be placed with friends or a specific coach?
A: Reasons such as favorite coach; carpool needs; time/day of practice; time/day of games; swapping similarly rated players; how good the team looks; how bad the team looks; and a host of other issues are insufficient reasons to support parent/player requested team placement.

Coach's Questions

Q: How much time is required?
A: That depends on the age level you're coaching. 7U/8U players can practice about an hour per week and have one game per Saturday. 10U and older players can practice twice per week and have one game on Saturday, and possible another game on Sunday.

Q: I've never coached before. How do I become a coach?
A: Becoming a coach is very easy. First, just volunteer. AYSO provides the training you'll need and the age group division coordinators will provide you with the players.

Q: Will I have help?
A: Yes. You'll always have the resources of the region and parents are usually always ready to help out at practices and games.

Q: I know nothing about soccer, how can I coach?
A: A big part of coaching is having the right attitude and wanting to work with children. AYSO will provide the age specific training you need to coach. We even conduct a clinic for first time and beginning coaches, as well as more advanced sessions.

Q: Will my child be on my team?
A: Yes. We always make sure your child(ren) is(are) on your team.

Q: How do I get a team?
A: During online registration, check the box to Head Coach a team. The age group division coordinators will contact you based on the number of coaches needed versus number of coaches who have volunteered. Once the number of teams is known, the coordinators assemble the teams. Based on the AYSO philosophy of balanced teams, all teams in age group divisions 10U and older have the teams assembled according to the players rating from the previous season.

Q: Do I need to be trained or have any special certification?
A: Yes. All coaches are required to attend an AYSO Safe Haven course and be coach certified for the age division they are coaching. Check the website for updates on specific dates and times.

Q: I have a friend I would like to coach with. How do I arrange that?
A: Each coach can select ONE assistant coach. If we have enough coaches and assistant coaches, that person's child will be assigned to your team so you can have that person as your assistant. No other player requests are permitted.

Q: Can I request that my child be placed with friends or a specific coach?
A: Reasons such as favorite coach; carpool needs; time/day of practice; time/day of games; swapping similarly rated players; how good the team looks; how bad the team looks; and a host of other issues are insufficient reasons to support parent/player requested team placement.

Q:  What is Registration Insurance?A:  Registration insurance, a product offered by April Travel Protection called Sports Connect SecureFee™ Plus, is an optional service for select programs that registrants can opt into at check-out to protect their registration fees against certain events that cause them to miss the season. With Sports Connect SecureFee™ Plus insurance, the club is not financially responsible for the refund.

Q:  What does this cost my organization?
A: Registration insurance is offered to the registering user for select programs at no cost to your organization.

Q:  How does Registration Insurance work within Sports Connect?
A:  At check-out, users registering for select programs will see the insurance premium amount and will be given the option to either purchase or waive the coverage.

Q:  How does it work with my end users?
A:  Registrants who need to cancel their registration should contact your organization first so that you are aware of their situation and can take steps to remove them from the season. From there, users will contact Sports Connect SecureFee™ Plus and handle their refund process entirely through them. No work is put on you, and no funds will be lost by your organization.

Q:  Who will my registering users call with questions about insurance?
A:  Users seeking to file a claim will contact April Travel Insurance directly. They can call the toll-free number at 866-232-0738 or by email at [email protected]