Q. How much is registration this year? When and where do we register?

A. The registration cost for the season is $60 per child athlete. Registration is held several times in the spring and summer. Fall Season Starts in August and runs through October. Spring Season Starts in March and runs through May. 

Q. What is included in the registration fee?

A. The registration fee includes jersey, shorts, socks, and accidental insurance.

Q. How many players participate on the field during a game?

A. The number of players on the field varies with age.

Under 6 3 players

Under 8 5 players

Under 10 9 players

Under 12 11 players

Under 14 11 players

Under 16 11 players

Under 19 11 players

Q. Why are the U6 teams playing 3 versus 3?

A. Soccer relies heavily on teamwork. A fundamental skill that we teach in soccer is for the player who has the ball to always keep two teammates in his or her peripheral vision, ready to pass the ball to them. We also teach teammates who DONT have the ball to move around and get in position to support their teammate who has the ball move around and get so their teammate can pass the ball off BEFORE an opponent pressures them. Passing when there is an opening usually means the pass is accurate and the team maintains possession of the ball. Passing when its the last resort usually results in a poor pass that is possessed by the opponents. While a full-sided soccer match has 22 players on the field, the action around the ball is usually 3 attackers versus 3 defenders, 2 attackers versus 3 defenders or 3 attackers versus 2 defenders. Young players who begin their soccer careers playing 3 versus 3 learn to look for their teammates as well as learn to support their teammates, making for better soccer players as they move up in age divisions.

Q. Do I have to volunteer to perform a job for my child to play?

A. The Gadsden AYSO Soccer Program is run totally by volunteers coaches, referees, team parents and board members. Each age group is responsible for providing a certain number of officials (referees, assistant referees and linespersons) to the officiating pool. An age group must meet their officials schedules will be handed out. Also, each age group is responsible for providing a certain number of soccer officials each week to referee games. Please check the Gadsden AYSO Calendar for the schedule of referee, assistant referee and linesperson classes. The officials quota for each group is as follows:

Under 6 12

Under 8 14

Under 10 18

Under 12 10

Under 14 8

Under 16/19 10

Q. Can both of my children play on the same team?

A. If your children are close enough in age to play in the same division, fill in his/her name on the appropriate line on the registration form.

If they are supposed to play in different divisions (due to age), they may play on the same team if you request for the younger child to into the next division and the child would only be "playing up" by one year.

Note: Gadsden AYSO does not allow for boys and girls to play on the same team, except where an entire division is co-ed.

Q. Which age group will my child play in?

A. Your child will be placed in a goup based upon his or her age on August 1.

If your child is 4 or 5, he or she will play in the Under 6 Division

If your child is 6 or 7, he or she will play in the Under 8 Division

If your child is 8 or 9, he or she will play in the Under 10 Division

If your child is 10 or 11, he or she will play in the Under 12 Division

If your child is 12 or 13, he or she will play in the Under 14 Division

If your child is 14 thru 18, he or she will play in the Under 16/19 Division

Q. Is there any equipment required to play soccer?

A. The only required equipment is a pair of shin guards, which can be purchased at a sporting goods store or department store. It is very important that your child have a soccer ball so he or she can practice around the house as well as have a ball to take to practice. The size of the soccer ball is based on the division your child plays in.

Under 6 and Under 8 Size 3

Under 10 and Under 12Size 4

Under 14 and Up Size 5

Q. What type of shoes does my child need for soccer?

A. Your child may play in tennis shoes or you may purchase soccer cleats. Soccer cleats have no toe cleat nor do they have cleats that protrude past the side of the shoe. As a lot of kicking goes on in soccer, the design of a soccer cleat greatly reduces the chance for an injury. Multi-purpose cleats may be worn if the toe cleat is removed with no jagged edges.

Q. When are the teams divided?

A. All teams will be divided based on Player Evaluation and you should receive a phone call from your childs coach by that evening. The first practice and Parents Meeting will be held the following Saturday.

A. Verbal and physical abuse have NO PLACE in youth sports activities.

The pledge reminds parents to serve as positive role models for their children. Demonstrate good sportsmanship by applauding good plays by the opposing team as well as your childs authority by NOT SHOUTING. Learn more about the Kids Zone on the Parents & Players page.

Help your child understand that hard work and honest effort are often more important than victory. DONT PUT TOO HEAVY A BURDEN ON YOUR CHILD TO WIN GAMES. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winning team.