We offer a lot of coach training opportunities. Click here to see the Coach Training schedule.

Hello Coaches and Visitors,

Welcome to AYSO - the best kid centered and family oriented soccer program in the world - we are The American Youth Soccer Organization! Thank you for giving your valuable time to share your love for sports with nearly 12,000 kids in our eight local communities. We have players participating in recreational and competitve youth soccer programs from Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Burlingame, San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont, San Carlos & Redwood Shores, and Redwood City.  Our Area Coach Trainer, Deron Shields and I, sincerely appreciate your dedication to continually improving yourself as a parent volunteer and a coach, while enriching the lives of children in our communities. Thank you for being a role model!

Our players deserve the best training we can provide, and AYSO does that in a Safe, Fun and Fair environment! We walk the talk in AYSO, and that means our vision and mission statements come to life when we inspire our growing athletes.  Teaching life skills through soccer sportsmanship is what keeps bringing families back, one generation after another.  We call our citywide programs Regions, the countywide programs Areas, and multi-state programs Sections. Each volunteer must register every year at www.eayso.org, to update vital information, which helps us ensure the safety of our volunteer corps, for the families we serve.  Please take a few minutes to re-connect with our six core AYSO Philosophies by successfully completing the on-line Safe Haven course at www.aysotraining.org.

Local Regions are responsible for providing program specific coach training for U5, U6, U8, U10, and U12 age divisions; please contact your Regional Coach Administrator for this training information. Our Area Coach Training Schedule is responsible for Intermediate and Advanced Coach courses (for u14, and U16/U19 respectively), which will be announced and posted here soon for Summer and Fall 2012 (see link above). We will be coordinating our Intermediate and Advanced Coach courses with the surrounding Areas, especially our friends in Area 2B to the North (Pacifica, Daly City, So.San Francisco, Brisbane, San Bruno and Millbrae).  If you are interested in finding a Coach Course, please use the 'sign-up' function at www.eayso.org, and search for the course you need. Whether you're at home, or on the road, AYSO probably has a Coach Course being conducted near you soon. Our local Regions usually support candidates for upper division training at an annual Golden Gate Camp (held in July, on the Peninsula), which is hosted by Section staff and provides another excellent training opportunity.

We want you to be able to get the training you need early, and often, and sometimes on-line.  Please consult with your local region for updates on region-specific training. Our Coach Courses have pre-requisites, that must be completed prior to signing-up, and attending the next course in your development plan. The U12 Coach Credential is the first pre-requisite allowing participation in the Intermediate Coach Course (for the U14 age division). The Intermediate Coach Credential is then required for participation in the Advanced Coach Course (for U16 and U19 age divisions). After successfully completing these courses, a coach may consider the final step in our training curriculum: The National Coach Course. We strongly encourage all interested and qualified candidates to apply to the National Coaching Program, supporting the ranks of trainers and mentors in our local regions.

On a final note, please continue your coaching education by engaging in additional learning as a Referee, or Administrator in your region. Our regions need your help, more now than ever before. Consider subscribing to journals provided by the USSF, NSCAA, and UK International Soccer Camps; always remembering that whatever your source of information, make the training fit your players, it's easier that way. Please enjoy reviewing and using the manifold resources available at our National AYSO website: www.ayso.org. Let's always remember to 'put the kids first'!

Wishing you a great experience in AYSO,

Charlie Drechsler
Area Coach Administrator
AYSO - Area 2N

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Click here for the Area Winter League Matrix:
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2012 WINTER LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS (see below):

AYSO Area 2N

These Rules and Regulations are applicable to the Intra-Area U10, 12, 14 Winter League play and are based on AYSO adapted FIFA Laws, as well and Area 2N regulatory decisions.

1. The Winter League Director shall manage the League and is empowered to implement these Rules and Regulations.

2. The Winter League Director will be responsible for:

a. Scheduling.

b. Ensuring Rules and Regulations compliance with the AD and RC’s assistance.

c. Managing of the League as outlined in these Rules and Regulations.

3. The Winter League Director has the authority to suspend players, coaches, and referees for infractions to the Rules and Regulations, or the AYSO Philosophies.

4. Regional Commissioners and/or Winter League Regional Coordinator will be responsible for:

a. Ensuring the eligibility of players in their Regions. The player selection procedures are designed to be impartial, fair and are considerate of the players and their families. The regions will be using but not limited to their ratings and impartial, qualified evaluators, for team selection (Winter Coordinators, Coach Administrators and Regional Commissioner). Team coaches may act in an advisory capacity, but evaluators will be totally impartial. Beginning in 2012, the eAYSO ratings for registered Fall players will be used as the basis for player eligibility in Area N.

b. Coordinating regional teams, coaches, referees and equipment.

c. Securing fields.

d. Securing team registration fees.

5. The Winter League Board is comprised of the Area Director, Area Referee Administrator, Area Coach Administrator and Winter League director.

COACHES

1. Coaches will comply with these Rules and Regulations and be AYSO Certified for the appropriate age group they will be coaching. Coaches are first selected by their Regional Coach Administrators and Winter League Coordinators; they must be approved by their Regional Commissioner, and then accepted by the League Board. Coach ID’s are to be provided by the regions, and prominently displayed by all coaches. ID’s may be supported on lanyards, in clear badge holders, and must be easily visible for referees and league officials, displaying the Coach Name, Team Division, AYSO Coach Training Level (highest level appropriate), Home Region, and W.L. Season Year. Coaches may proudly incorporate their AYSO certification badges in this ID, and are encouraged to do so. Photo ID’s are preferred, but not required.

2. Only positive, instructive and encouraging coaching is allowed. There will only be two (2) coaches of record allowed per team. Coaches must remain in the technical area during play, within ten (10) yards of the halfway line. The home team’s coach (listed first on schedule), will be on the left side of the half-way line (facing the field), and the visitors are on the right side. Coaches are responsible for teams respecting the opponent’s technical area.

3. Coaches are to keep players, substitutes, parents and spectators at least two (2) yards back from the touchline. No one is permitted behind the goal areas during play. Coaches are responsible for the actions of their players, parents and spectators.

REFEREES

1. All Winter League games are conducted by AYSO certified referees using the diagonal system of control (DSC). In the event that two assistant referees are not available, club linesmen will be used; two-man referees systems will not be used. Club linesmen derive their duties from the referee and may only indicate when the ball has left the field of play. A certified referee acting as a club linesman may be granted more duties at the discretion of the referee. Referees will have at a minimum, a Regional AYSO certification. Referees are subject to the approval and acceptance of the League Board.

2. The Referees are expected to arrive at their assigned matches a minimum of twenty (20) minutes before the scheduled kickoff to facilitate team check in.

3. The Referee assignments will be determined by the ARA.

4. Referees will verify that the coach has Medical Release forms for all players on the team. If the Coach does not have the Medical Release forms, the Referee cannot start the game. No copied medical release forms will be accepted without “original” parental signature. Referees may not allow any player to play unless dressed in the proper uniform.

5. The Referee has the obligation to abandon the game if “in the opinion of the referee”, the weather, or field conditions and equipment, are not acceptable for safe and proper play.

6. The Referee will file “24 Hour” reports on ayso2n.org reporting any Red Cards issued or any other disciplinary actions of an unusual nature.

7. At the end of each League game, the Home coach will ensure that the Game Referee completes all of the information on the Line-Up Cards (score, team winner/loser, Red/Yellow Card Infractions, and Sportsmanship Program Evaluation) and provide the Game Referee with an addressed envelope for them to mail directly to the statistician who will record the scores and post them on the web site.

FIELDS

1. All games will be played on turf fields and will not be cancelled due to rain.

2. Since all the games are played on turf fields, please follow the rules posted at each park or school. Meaning no FOOD OR DRINK OTHER THAN WATER ARE ALLOWED ON THE FIELDS.

3. The host Region shall provide corner flags for their fields with scheduled games. Home teams (listed first on schedule), will provide a game ball(s).

4. Clean up is the responsibility of each team, and every spectator, parent and coach.

5. Host Regions are responsible for ensuring safe access to the field, and equipment at each scheduled location.

SCHEDULING

1. The Winter Season will begin on Saturday, January 7, 2012 and end Sunday, February 26, 2012.

2. All games must be played at the designated times and locations; any schedule changes must be approved in advance, by the League Board.

3. In case a team is late or does not field seven (7) players or does not have the Medical Release forms, the Referee shall abandon the game fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled game time. The game will be deemed a forfeit.

4. Only the municipality, school district, Home Regional Commissioner, Regional Coordinator, or the Center Referee has the authority to postpone games due to weather, or field conditions.

5. The League Director may direct that the location of a game be changed in the interest of the Player’s safety (i.e. a Region is unable to provide a safe field or qualified referees).

TEAMS

1. A minimum of seven (7) players per team, from each team, must take the field for a game to occur. A maximum of 18 players are allowed per roster/team. This is a flexible program, allowing for expanded rosters, in an effort to offset player scheduling conflicts; we acknowledge specific deference to the influence of other extra-curricular player activities and sports, during the shorter Winter days, with cold and wet weather. These conditions place increased demands on our resources and facilities; coaches are encouraged to closely adhere to the ‘¾ play rule’, by monitoring player attendance and participation carefully. Players are only permitted to play on the team they are officially registered on. If a player participates on a team that they are not registered on, the game will be an automatic forfeit and the player may be subject to expulsion from the program and the coach, or coaches suspended a minimum of one game, after counsel with the coach's home Regional Commissioner and Winter League Coordinator.

2. All eligible players in uniform and at the field at the beginning of the game must play a minimum of half the game. In addition, no player will sit out two quarters until ALL players have sat out one quarter. So you can't have had someone play 4Q, if another player only played 2Q. Players arriving during 1^st quarter are only required to play ½ the game and those arriving during the 2^nd or 3^rd quarters are only required to play one quarter.

3. In U -10 and U-12, goalkeepers may play no more than 2 quarters in goal. In U14 goalkeepers may play the whole game in goal provided that the aforementioned requirements of ‘Teams.2’ (see above), are met.

4. Players will be allowed to play in neighboring regions when no team is available in their home region, but only with the approval of the Regional Commissioners involved, the player, the player’s parents, and with written notification to and acceptance by the League Director.

5. All participants must have been signed up in the current AYSO membership year, and participated in more than 50% of the games and practices, during the preceding Fall season.

6. Players will only be allowed to be registered, and play on one team.

PLAYERS’ EQUIPMENT

1. Players shall be prohibited from entering the field unless they are properly attired with the issued regulation AYSO uniform, consisting of a numbered shirt (with AYSO logo) tucked into the shorts, and socks covering approved shin guards. Referees should use common sense when enforcing this rule.

2. All undergarments (slide pants, undershirts, etc…) which extend visibly beyond the required uniform must be as close as possible in color to the main color of the uniform part under which they are worn. A solid black or white undergarment is also allowed.

3. It is the responsibility of the home team to supply, and wear pennies when requested by the referee. Host regions may need to purchase pennies in order to satisfy this requirement, and make them available for use at scheduled games.

4. Due to liability concerns, all players must wear the issued uniforms properly, with the prescribed AYSO logo, in order to be covered by AYSO insurance.

5. In inclement weather, the referee may choose to allow sweatshirts or sweaters (worn under Team jerseys) and the use of knit caps (NO baseball caps are allowed) as well as gloves.

6. Jewelry of any kind and/or type is prohibited.

7. Casts of any variety are not allowed, not even with the written consent of a doctor. Wraps, such as ACE bandages, elastic knee or elbow supports and knee braces are permitted at the discretion of the referee.

8. Goalkeepers may wear a soft brim hat, cap or visor if desired, subject to the Referee’s approval (NO baseball caps will be allowed). Additionally, goalkeepers may wear goalie pants, which are designed for soccer play.

9. U10, U12, & U14 player jerseys will have the player’s number displayed on the front, near the chest panel, but not in conflict with either the AYSO logo, or the vendor icon respectively.

INJURIES

1. Any injury to, or damage caused by an AYSO participant shall be reported by any involved Coach to: (A) the host Regional Commissioner, Winter Coordinator, or Regional Safety Director, and (B) the participating coaches’ Regional Commissioner, Winter Coordinator, or Regional Safety Director. Any individuals needing assistance with this process should contact their Winter Coordinator immediately.

2. The Coach must show the AYSO Medical Release forms to the Referee at the beginning of the game. If the Coach does not have the Medical Release forms, with the original “wet” signatures, the Referee is not to start the game.

3. The Center Referee is authorized to stop the game at any time to deal with an injured player.

GAMES

1. The Rules and Regulations are in accordance with the most current FIFA Laws of the game and AYSO Rules and Regulations. AYSO Rules shall supersede FIFA Laws.

2. Properly completed line-up cards must be presented to the referee prior to the start of the game. These cards will include all registered players regardless of attendance, listed in NUMERICAL order.

3. Deliberately “running up” scores by overwhelming a weaker opponent is frowned upon and is considered by the League Board to be unsporting and contrary to the Spirit of the Game, and therefore should be avoided. When there is a 4 goal differential, coaches should take corrective action to mitigate the situation.

4. No free substitution is allowed.

5. Referee assignments will be determined by the ARA.

6. The League Board shall determine the outcome of any game terminated or abandoned by the referee.

CONDUCT

1. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on or near the playing field.

2. No smoking by anyone is permitted on or near the playing field.

3. Players, coaches, parents and spectators will conduct themselves in a manner that supports good sportsmanship, clean play and AYSO as an organization.

4. Negative comments and complaints about game officials, in the performance of their volunteer duties is strictly prohibited; and as such, must be cooperatively controlled by both teams’ coaches. Failure to respect our game officials, or support their efforts to ensure a Safe, Fun, and Fair soccer experience, may be subject to disciplinary action.

5. Foul or abusive language especially that which, in the opinion of the referee, is directed toward a person or persons, will not be tolerated and will be dealt with summarily by the referee.

6. Any physical assault on referees, assistant referees, AYSO coaches or officials by a player, parent, or coach, will result in automatic and permanent expulsion from AYSO Winter League. All other sanctions will be considered; this does not preclude separate legal action.

7. Conduct, which brings disrepute on AYSO, may result in the suspension of the participant(s) involved.

CAUTIONS AND DISMISSALS

1. A sent-off player must leave the vicinity of the field-of play and is suspended from the team’s next match. Additional match suspensions may be mandated depending on the nature of the misconduct. If a suspended player plays while suspended, that player will be suspended for the remainder of the season. All games played with a suspended player will be deemed forfeits for that team. In order for reinstatement, the PLAYER must contact and meet with the Area Director prior to any further AYSO training or games; No Exceptions!

2. A player receiving two (2) red cards, or six (6) yellow cards during the course of the season may be suspended for the remainder of the season.

3. A player receiving three (3) yellow cards during the course of the season will be suspended for the next match. If the suspended player plays in the team’s next match, the player will be suspended for the remainder of the season, and all games played in violation of this rule will be deemed forfeits for said team. (see rule #6 below)

4. All yellow cards, red cards and incidents of serious misconduct must be documented by the match referee on the line-up card, which must be mailed directly to the League Statistician at the end of each day’s play. Address: 367 Menhaden Court, Foster City, CA 94404

5. All red cards issued must be reported by the match Referee within 24 hours of the game. A 24 hour report form is to be filled out online at www.ayso2N.org.

6. If a player attempts to circumvent the aforementioned provisions by attempting to play in a game while on suspension, the player will be suspended for the remainder of the season, and the team coach will be subject to suspension as well. (see rule #3 above)

7. A coach who fails to comply with the League Rules as defined herein may be suspended. Depending on the severity, or frequency of the infraction, the League Board may expel the coach from the League. Disciplined coaches may not practice with, attend games with, participate with, or in any way have contact with the team until the suspension/expulsion is lifted.

8. Disciplined coaches must be re-approved by the League Board before being allowed to participate.

9. If a coach is found to be in violation of a suspension or expulsion, the team will forfeit all games played throughout the season.

DISPUTES

1. Disputes that cannot be settled between the League Director and the involved Regional Commissioners or Regional Commissioner's designee will be resolved by the League Board.

PROTESTS

1. Protests will not receive enthusiastic consideration and are emphatically discouraged as being counter to the spirit of AYSO.

2. The Referee’s decisions are FINAL, in accordance with the first two (2) paragraphs of Law V of the Laws of the Game.

3. Only protests that are based upon the technicalities of a game will be accepted and must be submitted in writing to the League Director by the Regional Commissioner or Winter League Coordinator of a team filing the protest within 24 hours after the end of the game being protested.

4. The League Board will be responsible for resolution of all disputes.

TEAM ROSTERS AND STANDINGS

1. Team Rosters must be entered into eAYSO by December 23, 2011. All additions and deletions should be entered as they occur throughout the season.

2. Teams will have until January 23, 2012 to add additional players to their rosters. Thereafter, rosters are not to be changed, nor additions made without the approval and permission of the respective Regional Commissioners and/or Regional Coordinator and the approval of the League Director.

3. The method of point accumulation for League standings of the divisions is as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie; 0 points for a loss. There are no shut out points. A yellow card will result in a 1 point deduction; a red card will result in a 2 point deduction. Coach dismissals will result in a 4 point ‘standings deduction’.

4. Tiebreakers will be determined by the following sequence:

a) Head to head game result

b) Goals differential

c) SPORTSMANSHIP

d) Least goals allowed during the season

e) If still tied, Kicks from the Penalty Mark (shoot out).

5. Forfeits (technical, or otherwise), are scored 1 goal to 0 goals. The team and region may lose their standing for this, and next season; to be determined by the League Board.

6. Sportsmanship will receive special attention throughout the season. One team from each division who in the opinion of the referees consistently displays the highest sportsmanship during season play will receive individual awards recognizing their exemplary play. The referees will rate the players, coaches, and spectators using a 0-6 scale for each group (with a normal rating of ‘4 points to each group’ for a game well played, coached, and spectated), allowing for up to 18 sportsmanship points per match.

AWARDS

1. 1^st and 2^nd place teams in each age division will receive awards.

2. One exemplary Sportsmanship Award will be in assigned in each division.

GAME CARD PROCEDURES

1. Properly completed line-up cards must be presented to the referee prior to the start of the game. These cards will include all registered players regardless of attendance listed NUMERICALLY.

2. At the end of each League game, the Home coach will ensure that the Center Referee completes all of the information on the Line-Up Cards (score, team winner/loser, red and yellow Card infractions, and Sportsmanship Evaluation).

3. The home coach will provide the center referee with a stamped envelope addressed to the league statistician to be placed in the mail as soon as possible.

League Statistician address is: Clayton Wishoff

367 Menhaden Court

Foster City, CA 94404

4. Illegible game cards will not be posted until such time as the volunteer staff has the opportunity to review the

Information, and confirm the contents.