AYSO

The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is one of the two main national organizations in youth soccer in the United States for children aged 4 through 19. AYSO was established as a non-profit soccer organization in Torrance (a suburb of Los Angeles, California) at Jefferson Elementary School in 1964 with nine teams. Today the organization claims membership of over 50,000 teams, with over 630,000 participants.

AYSO is headquartered in Torrance, California and has developed local programs known as “Regions” in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago. The organization is run primarily by volunteers at its constituent local levels, with approximately 60 paid employees at its national headquarters.

Notable players who started their careers in AYSO programs include Landon Donovan, Carlos Bocanegra, Julie Foudy, Eric Wynalda, Shannon Boxx, Brian Ching, Alex Morgan, Kristen Graczyk, Natasha Kai, and Amy Rodriguez.

AYSO is a California non-profit corporation. Local programs, which are called Regions, are not separately incorporated. However, they are given significant autonomy in management of their operations, as long as they are in compliance with AYSO’s Bylaws, National Rules and Regulations, and Policy Statements. Each Region is managed by a Regional Commissioner in conjunction with a Regional Board.

Groups of Regions in close proximity comprise an Area, which is managed by an Area Director in conjunction with an Area Board. Areas are grouped into 14 Sections, each managed by a Section Director in conjunction with a Section Board. In addition, some Regions administered directly by the National Office, particularly those outside the United States, are part of the so-called “Section 99”.

The governing body of AYSO is its National Board of Directors (NBOD), which operates similarly to other boards of directors. Additionally, AYSO also has a number of National Commissions, and their respective Chairpersons, provide the National President and National Board of Directors with advice and recommendations on coaching, refereeing, management, tournaments, marketing, eAYSO and development.

The advice includes analysis of the impact of proposed or actual program changes including cost and financial impact at the national and local levels; on the specific discipline and community of practice; on other disciplines and national programs; on the standing and perception of AYSO as a national organization within the greater soccer and sports communities and on other potential or actual partners and like-minded organizations.

Coaching Program

The AYSO Coaching Program provides training and certification resources to volunteer coaches. The program is designed to promote one of AYSO’s guiding 6 Philosophies, namely “Positive Coaching”. Age-specific coaching courses provide training for coaches at every level of experience using manuals, handouts and outlines, supplemented by local instruction programs, camps and clinics held throughout the country, throughout the year.

Officiating Program

The AYSO Officiating Program provides training for volunteer referees in more than just the Laws of the Game to help ensure officiated games are safe and enjoyable for everyone: the players, the coaches, the spectators, and the referees. There are six levels of AYSO referee training with USSF cross-certification. Training for referee instructors, administrators and assessors are provided using online resources including video and workbooks for new referees supplemented by local instruction. The AYSO Officiating Program also includes a youth referee program. The youth referee program provides kids with the opportunity to earn service hours.

Management Program

The AYSO Management Program is designed to facilitate the smooth running of AYSO at the local level by providing practical management training for its volunteers. Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Regional Management courses teach AYSO’s league administrators how to manage their local programs. AYSO also provides in-depth operational manuals to assist administrators at every level their AYSO program. The Board and Staff Introductory Certification (BASIC) audiovisual presentation gives regional volunteers a basic understanding of their duties.

AYSO EXPO

The AYSO EXPO is an educational conference conducted annually for each of AYSO’s geographic sections. They provide workshops, training seminars, motivational speakers, a vendor show and a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among AYSO volunteers and staff.

Very Important Player (VIP) Program

AYSO’s Very Important Player (VIP) Program offers children and young adults with disabilities the opportunity to play soccer at their own pace. The practices and games are geared to their needs – with fewer and more flexible rules – allowing for a successful sports experience. AYSO has helped Regions and Areas establish VIP programs for players whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. Over 3,700 VIP players participate nationally. In order to volunteer with the VIP Program, one must complete Safe Haven Training.

Safe Haven Child & Volunteer Protection Program

The AYSO Safe Haven Child & Volunteer Protection program trains and certifies volunteers and staff in their positions through AYSO’s Safe Haven program. AYSO volunteers are afforded protection under the federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997. AYSO’s volunteer application and screening process reduces the likelihood of abuses occurring while kids are participating in AYSO soccer programs.

Extended Play

In some regions, after the regular open registration season ends, All-Star teams and tournament teams are formed in the separate divisions from the most skilled players in the league. Other Regions and Areas have parallel “extended play” programs that operate at the same time as the standard primary program. The different levels are referred to as Region, Area, and Section teams.

AYSO also launched AYSO FLEX as an umbrella for new pilot programs to encourage the growth of extended play options. Regions and Area are permitted to apply to pilot “Extra” programs, to operate at the same time as the standard primary program. Under the Extra program, there are two options: “Concurrent”, in which players must play in the standard primary program to participate in Extra; and “Side-by-Side”, in which players participate only in one or the other program.