The AYSO EXTRA Play program was developed for U10 through U12 players with advanced soccer skills who wish to develop their skills on a more competitive level. Recognizing the need to offer an AYSO based program for higher caliber players, and to help develop players for high school and college competition, AYSO is providing a program that will provide a higher level of training from more experienced coaches and a higher level of competition for those involved.  The AYSO EXTRA program is designed to enhance each player's experience and individual growth through the game of soccer while retaining the spirit, organization and six philosophies of AYSO:

• Everyone Plays - Our goal is for kids to play soccer - so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least a half of every game.


• Balanced Teams - Each year we form teams as evenly balanced as possible - because it is fair and more fun when teams of equal ability play.


• Open Registration - Our program is open to all children. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing. Players not selected for EXTRA™ teams are eligible for registered for CORE which is AYSO's standard primary recreational program.


• Positive Coaching - Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment and learning by the players and ultimately leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players.


• Good Sportsmanship - We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and every AYSO program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in all participants.


• Player Development - We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.

The AYSO EXTRA Play program requires more travel and commitment than a regular fall season team, so it may not be right for everyone. This program was designed for serious soccer players and their families and may not be appropriate for strong athletes who compete in many sports. Our regular fall/spring season program still provides many opportunities for competitive soccer with fewer demands for time and travel.  Players who are not selected for an AYSO EXTRA Play team will be notified and can tryout the following year until they age out of the U12 division. 

How long is the season?

The AYSO EXTRA program will begin and follow closely to the primary season of play with 8 games in the fall and 6 games in the spring.  

Who is coaching?

The volunteer coaches for this program have been selected based on their training, experience and other qualifications. Any coaches desiring to coach EXTRA must fill out the coach application using the link on this page and a selection committee will review the applications and determine coaches for the year.

How are teams selected?

Participation in the AYSO EXTRA program is determined by tryouts.  Potential players must try out and be selected to play on an AYSO EXTRA soccer team each year. If a coach is selected for the EXTRA program and chooses to retain players from their previous team, the coach may extend an offer to those players the day before tryouts. If those players accept the position on the team, they do not need to attend tryouts. Any players who have not accepted a position extended to them before the day of tryouts must attend tryouts.

Teams stay together for the entire year.  Coaches are not able to drop a player once they are added to the roster. Exceptions will be made if a parent notifies the Area EXTRA coordinator that their child is no longer eligible to play for the rest of the season. This may be due to the family moving away, a child getting injured for the rest of the spring or other extenuating circumstances.

Can my child play up?

Occasionally, a parent may request that a child play-up to the next higher level. Only players that would be moving to the older age division in the next Fall season AND that qualify based on skill level will be eligible.

Each exception will be considered case by case, and year by year. Playing up one year does not mean playing up every year. The parents of players requesting to move up must provide consent and coaches will be consulted as well.

Parents wanting their child to play up need to contact the Area EXTRA Coordinator in writing per email during open registration. Simply texting or verbally stating the desire to have a child play up is not sufficient. After registration and teams are formed, it is much more difficult to accommodate such requests.  Please send all requests to [email protected]

Some other things to consider:
- Playing up is not automatic
- The National AYSO guidelines do not normally allow for players to play up beyond one year(*)
- Consideration for players to play up is based on skill level and not based on convenience or coach request.
- No individual coach or Board member can grant permission for a player to play up - it is a Board decision

Tryout information?

Players are required to be registered for EXTRA programs in order to participate in tryouts. At tryouts please wear soccer attire, shin guards and bring a size 4 soccer ball and water.

Number of players per team?

The AYSO EXTRA Play program allows each region to provide a team for each age level.   Same rules for playing up a division will apply as the regular primary seasons.  Roster size and number of players on the field will be the same as the AYSO core program, max roster 10 for U10 and max roster 12 for U12.  All players will have to have player cards signed by the Regional Commissioner in order to participate.

THERE ARE NO SUBSTITUTIONS TO THOSE ON THE ROSTER

Volunteers?

Yes!  This AYSO EXTRA program is part of your local AYSO region.  As such, each team will be responsible to provide at least the same volunteers as the core teams.  Volunteers keep our program alive and healthy!

So, when deciding between AYSO EXTRA and other programs, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is my child guaranteed to play at least one-half of every game?
• Do the coaches utilize positive coaching techniques and emphasize good sportsmanship?
• Are the coaches trained under an accredited curriculum?
• Is the focus on keeping the fun in the game while competing hard?
• Are the people running the program local volunteers?
• Am I getting good value for my registration dollar?

When you answer the questions, and take into consideration all of the things that make AYSO special, we believe that you will find that AYSO EXTRA™ is the right choice for you and your child. 

HEADING THE BALL

Consistent with the U.S. Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division players U-11 (U-12 and below for programs without single age divisions) and below in both practices and games. 

An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player age 10 or younger, deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a game.

a. The indirect free kick is to be taken from the place where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

b. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s penalty area, must be taken on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the player touched the ball with his/her head.

Neither cautions nor send offs shall be issued for persistent infringement or denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity related to the heading infraction.