FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FALL 2023 SEASON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHEN WILL REGISTRATION OPEN? / WHAT SHOULD I DO TO SIGN UP?

Registration is open now!

Go to our Registration Page and register your kids with a few basic pieces of information. As we approach the registration closing date, we will place children on a wait list to avoid charging you if we do not have enough players or coaches to form a team. 14U, 16U, and 19U have a wait list from the start.

WHO CAN PLAY?

AYSO will have teams for girls and boys who are between the ages 4 and 19 on December 31 2023. There are no try outs. While most families will reside in Belmont or Redwood Shores, this is not a requirement.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The early registration fee is $150 ($130 to AYSO 108 and $20 to AYSO National). If you register after July 1st, the fee will be $250 ($230 to AYSO 108 and $20 to AYSO National).

WHAT IF MY FAMILY CAN'T AFFORD THE REGISTRATION FEE?

Everyone Plays! Scholarships are available to those in need. Please reach out to our Registrar if you need assistance.

HOW ARE KIDS ASSIGNED TO AGE DIVISIONS?

The divisions are based on the birth year. See the table below.

Division	Birth Year
5U/Schoolyard	2019
6U	2018
7UB	2017
8UB	2016
8UG	2017 2016
10U	2015 2014
12U	2013 2012
14U	2011 2010
16U	2009 2008
19U	2007 2006 2005

WHAT IS A WAIT LIST?

We often do not have sufficient enrollment for the 19U divisions in Belmont to form a team. We sometimes do not have sufficient enrollment at 16U. We sometimes do not have enough coaches in other divisions. In these cases we will place your child on a wait list. We will form teams when there are enough players and coaches.

We hope to form teams for all divisions, so go ahead and register! If your child is placed on a wait list, we will form teams when enough players enroll and coaches volunteer. If we don't have enough players to form a team, we can make suggestions about near by regions to reach out to so your children can play.

HOW ARE TEAMS FORMED?

We strive to keep teams balanced. No one wants a team the crushes all their opponents. No one wants a team that is crushed by all their opponents. We do our best to assign players so teams are competitive. While we try our best to do this, it's never perfect. Kids develop at different rates, their growth from the prior year may help/hinder their play, some teams "gel" better than others, there's a bunch of factors that we have no control over. But we do try to balance teams as best we can.

WHERE WILL PRACTICES BE HELD? ON WHAT DAYS? AT WHAT TIME? CAN I CHOOSE?

Practice and game field locations are assigned based on availability and the player age group.

5U/Schoolyard players practice and play on Saturday. 6U has one practice during the week and a game on Saturday. 8U and above have 2 practices per week and a game on Saturday.

Coaches determine the days and times of their practices.

If you volunteer as a coach, you get to choose the days and times for practice.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL GAMES BE PLAYED?

Games will be played on Saturdays between 9am and 2pm. The details of the game opponent, the play location and times are set close to the start of the season in September. Factors include the number of teams in our region, teams we play in the neighboring regions and field availability.

HOW LONG IS A SOCCER MATCH?

The length depends on the player's assigned division. Half time is typically 5 minutes between the halves. You should plan on arriving at least 15 minutes before game time. Many coaches, especially at older divisions, will ask you to arrive 30 minutes early. Some even earlier.

Division	Game Duration
6U	Two 10 minute halves
7U/8U	Two 20 minute halves
10U	Two 25 minute halves
12U	Two 30 minute halves
14U	Two 35 minute halves
16U	Two 40 minute halves
19U	Two 45 minute halves

HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER?

AYSO is a volunteer based organization. All our coaches, referees, and support positions are volunteers. We need you!

Descriptions of volunteer positions are on our Volunteers page. Send a message to [email protected] if you have questions or would like to help. You'll get plenty of support as you learn the ropes from our more experienced volunteers.

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT AYSO SOCCER THAT WERE NOT ANSWERED, WHO CAN I CONTACT?

If you are unable to find your answers here or in other parts of our website, feel free to contact us at [email protected].

IS THERE A VACCINATION REQUIREMENT FOR ELIGIBLE PLAYERS AND ADULT VOLUNTEERS?

AYSO strongly recommends that all individuals follow CDC guidelines and receive the recommended COVID vaccinations to protect themselves and others.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FALL 2021 - 2022 SEASON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WILL KIDS PLAY AYSO COMPETITIVE SOCCER IN FALL 2021?

AYSO 108 in Belmont is making all the preparations for a fall season of soccer.

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO SIGN UP?

Go to our Registration Page and register your kids with a few basic pieces of information. Registration closes August 22 for team formation.

WHO DETERMINES IF PLAY CAN BEGIN?

The season is dependent on clearance for organized sports by State and County Health authorities. AYSO will follow the guidance of County Health mandates in place at the time of play. Refer to the San Mateo County Health site for the latest updates.

WILL MY REGISTRATION FEES BE REFUNDED IF THE SEASON IS CANCELLED?

Yes. 100%

WILL PARTICIPANTS BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS?

Mask policy is dictated by the city of Belmont as a condition of our permits. With regards to masks, that policy states that all users (spectators, coaches, and players) must comply with COVID-19 protocols, including face coverings at all times. Players must wear face coverings during practice, conditioning and during competition, even during heavy exertion as tolerated. The mask requirement will be adjusted if, and when Belmont updates its policy.

Review the full policy here.

IS THERE A VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBLE PLAYERS AND ADULT VOLUNTEERS?

AYSO is STRONGLY recommending all able individuals receive a COVID vaccination to protect everyone, especially the kids too young to be vaccinated. There is no current plan to verify vaccination status. As of August 1, 2021, our region has a 90% vaccinated rate. AYSO will follow government health requirements on vaccination should this change in the future.

WHO CAN PLAY?

AYSO will have teams for girls and boys from age 4 to 18.

HOW ARE KIDS ASSIGNED TO AGE DIVISIONS AND TEAMS? EXPLAIN THE DIVISION NAMING?

The divisions are age-matched based on the birth year. The table below provides a reference. For example, U8 means “all players will be under age Under 8 in Fall 2021.” U8 is designed for six and seven year old players with age appropriate field size, ball size, game length and rules of play. Similar metrics apply for the other divisions.

Birth Year	Age on 12/31/2022	Fall 2021 Division
2017	5	U5 schoolyard
2016	6	U6
2015	7	U8
2014	8	U8
2013	9	U10
2012	10	U10
2011	11	U12
2010	12	U12
2009	13	U14
2008	14	U14
2007	15	U16
2006	16	U16
2005	17	U19
2004	18	U19
2003	19	U19

WHERE WILL PRACTICES BE HELD AND AT WHAT TIME? CAN I CHOOSE?

Once teams are formed and a coach assigned, the field location, days of the week and times will be available from the coach by late August or early September. If you volunteer as a coach, you have the ability to decide on the days of the week for practice dates. The field locations are assigned based on availability, the player age group and generally remain the same for the season. U5 players practice and play on the same Saturday. U6 has one practice during the week. U8 and above have 2 practices per week.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL GAMES BE PLAYED?

Games will be played on Saturdays between 9am and 2pm. The details of the game opponent, the play location and times are configured close to the start of the season in September and after registration closes. Factors include the number of teams in our region, teams we play in the neighboring regions and field availability.

HOW LONG IS A SOCCER MATCH?

The length depends on the player's assigned division. U6 - two 10 minute halves; U8 - two 20 minute halves; U10 - two 25 minute halves; U12 - 30 minute halves; U14 - two 35 minute halves; U16 - two 40 minute halves.

I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER FOR THE FALL 2021 SEASON OF AYSO SOCCER IN BELMONT?

Descriptions and signups for volunteer positions are available though the Belmont AYSO website. Volunteers are needed for referees, coaches, and multiple team support roles.

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT AYSO SOCCER THAT WERE NOT ANSWERED YET, WHO CAN I CONTACT?

If you are unable to find your answers here or in other parts of our website, feel free to contact us at [email protected].