Essential Equipment and Information
Shoes
All players must wear proper shoes. Cleats are not required, but are helpful. Basic athletic shoes are acceptable. If using cleats, make sure to use soccer cleats (without a metal toe spike). Baseball and softball cleats often are not safe for soccer.
Socks
AYSO Irvine will provide socks, and it’s recommended that your child only wear the socks provided and not wear an additional pair underneath.
Soccer socks are long enough to pull up over the shin guard. If they are too long, you can pull them all the way up, and then ‘fold’ them down to make a second layer, but make sure to keep the shin guards completely covered.
Jewelry
Except for Medical ID bracelets (taped securely to the wrist) no jewelry is allowed.
This would include items such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches, etc.
Items may be used to bind or hold back the hair, but must be soft.
Casts or Splints
Players may not play with any cast or splint. Players with a broken bone may not play until healed and cleared by a doctor (a clearance note must be provided.)
A soft brace may be used if approved as safe by the referee.
Shin Guards
Shin guards are required, and are a key piece of safety equipment.
Shin guards go inside the sock, against the skin, so they can stay secure and don’t slide around or fall out. Proper size should properly cover most of the shin bone.
Soccer Ball
Each player should have their own ball to bring to events, and also to practice with at home.
5u, 6u, 7u, 8u use a size 3 ball.
10u and 12u use a size 4 ball.
14u and older use a size 5 ball.
When are the games played?
The first games will be on September 11th. The final regular season games will be November 6th and/or 13th.
Our Photo Day will be September 18th.
We will have a Silent Saturday October 7th.
Can My Child Play With a Buddy?
We do not participate in a buddy / coach request system for our normal soccer season. While we understand that it may be a convenience for you, it is not developmentally better for the child, and also presents logistical problems.
The exception is that we may honor a pair of registered coaches requesting to work together as coach/assistant coach.
Pets
Please leave pets at home. Pets at AYSO soccer fields are not allowed, for safety reasons as well as child comfort
Jersey
The shirt is called a jersey and is provided as part of the program. Please note that alterations are not allowed. Do not place the child’s name on the back or anywhere on the uniform. This is against AYSO policy and assists with your child’s safety.
A team set has a variety of sizes, usually the smaller jersey number, the smaller size. Usually the first team gathering, coach will line players up by height, and hand out uniforms, to include jersey, shorts, socks.