Kansas City Northland
AYSO Youth Soccer Region #1161
Everyone Plays / Balanced Teams / Open Registration
Positive Coaching / Good Sportsmanship / Player Development
Uniforms - How much of a uniform does AYSO provide?
AYSO provides the jersey, shorts, and socks for each player. The players will wear the same uniform during both Fall and Spring seasons. The uniform is yours to keep .
Do we have to get anything else to complete the uniform?
Yes. Every player must wear shinguards at every practice and game. Shinguards are available at most sporting-goods stores, as well as at discount stores like WalMart, etc. Cleats (soccer specific only) are recommended, but not required. Regular, sturdy athletic shoes are equally accepted, but players may find it easier to run in wet grass with cleats.
What makes soccer cleats different from all the other cleats out there?
Soccer shoes do NOT have a toe cleat. Turn over a baseball or football shoe, and you'll see a cleat at the very tip of the toe. Toe cleats can tear into skin, and are not allowed for use during soccer games. If you've already purchased shoes for your player, and find that the shoe has a toe cleat, you may wish to cut the toe cleat off with a sharp knife. All players will be checked for toe cleats prior to the start of each game.
How should players dress in cold weather?
On game day, turtlenecks and sweatpants are acceptable to wear UNDER the uniforms. Pant legs must be pulled up so that the socks can be seen. Hoods must be tucked UNDER the jersey, along with any dangling strings. No metal zippers or fasteners are allowed on the playing field. Soft gloves with no additional adornments are also accepted.
My daughter wants to get her ears pierced. She won't really have to remove those little starter earrings, will she?
Unfortunately, yes. Please wait for the season to end before getting any new piercing. All jewelry must be removed prior to the start of a game. All players will be checked for jewelry, watches, and barrettes. In the event that a medical alert bracelet must be worn, the coach may use athletic tape to secure the bracelet securely against the player's wrist. Bandages over starter earrings are NOT an acceptable alternative to removing the earrings, as the earrings may still be accidentally ripped out by another player. We apologize for the inconvenience, but please know that this policy is in place to protect the safety of all players on the field.
What else do we need to know about the uniform policy?
Players with long hair may wish to pull hair back into a ponytail. Please use the ponytail holders with no metal parts, or make sure that the small metal fastener is positioned UNDERNEATH the ponytail. No barrettes or headbands are permitted. All shoes must be securely tied. If a player's shoes continually come untied, the coach has the right to wrap athletic tape around the laced portion of the shoe to keep the laces under control. Alternatively, you may wish to purchase specialized elastic bands that wrap around the laced area to keep laces secured. (Bands are available at Dick's Sporting Goods.) Shinguards must be worn underneath the socks, and socks must be pulled up high enough to completely cover each shinguard.
Game Days - Where do we play?
Our games will be held on the grounds of the Northland Cathedral, at 101 NW 99th St, Kansas City, MO, 64155. A map to the Cathedral can be found in Maps and Fields.
Can we sit with the players?
Sorry. In order to ensure that players are attuned to coach instructions, and not distracted by siblings or parents, coaches and players will sit on one side of the field, and spectators may sit on the other side. Once the game has ended, however, please feel free to cross the field and encourage the team on their performance.
How early do we need to arrive?
We recommend that all players be at the field AT LEAST 15 minutes prior to game time. If your game is an 9:00 game, please arrive 30 minutes early to help set up the fields.
Don't the coaches set up the fields?
The coaches are busy on game day, making sure all players arrive on time and are prepared and warmed up properly. As we are an all-volunteer organization, we count on the parents to assist us in setting up and taking down the fields when needed. If you don't know anything about setting up or tearing down a field, don't be afraid to ask. Odds are, most of the parents on your team are also in need of instruction, and this would be a great time to gather everyone around and learn as a group.
I don't think my child is getting enough playing time. What can I do about it?
All coaches are required to keep track of which players play in each quarter, in every game. These records are then turned into the referee team at the end of each game. If you're not sure how much playing time your child has had, please talk to your coach. Every player is guaranteed to play at least half of every game. If your concern is legitimate, and your player truly isn't being given an equal amount of playing time, please contact either the Regional Commissioner or the Coach Administrator.
The refs keep missing calls that I can easily see...where did we find these refs, anyway?
All referees are volunteers. Some are parents, some are players. All referees have gone through training, and are here on a strictly volunteer basis. If you have a concern about a call made by a referee, please wait until the end of the game to discuss with the coach. If you'd like to be added to the refereeing team, we'd love to have you! Please contact the Referee Administrator for free training.
Do we need to bring anything special?
On game day, make sure your player is properly dressed in the uniform provided (including the proper color socks.) Players should bring a water bottle to every practice and game, as water is not provided. You may also wish to bring a change of clothes, in the event your player becomes injured, and needs to change clothes before continuing play. As for the spectators, you may wish to bring a chair or blanket to sit on during the game, and we recommend that you at least have a coat or jacket in the car, as it is frequently colder at the fields than it seems to be when you leave the house. No alcoholic beverages or tobacco products are permitted on the field, but we welcome you to bring along soft drinks or snacks for yourself to enjoy during the game. Please be sure to properly dispose of all trash after the game.
It's my turn to bring the snacks...what should I bring? And how much?
Check with your coach for an exact number of players to provide for...10 is a good estimate if the coach is unavailable (or if you're checking this 10 minutes before the start of the game.) Common snacks are cheese- packets, granola bars, fruit snacks, and so on. As for drinks, just grab a box of Capri-Sun, Hi-C, Gatorade, or other individually-packaged fun drink. Keep it simple. Please note: Players are not allowed to consume caffinated beverages before or during a game. It is not recommended as an after game drink either.
Practices - What should players bring with them to practice?
All players should come ready to play in shinguards, athletic shoes or cleats, and comfortable clothing appropriate to the weather. Be sure to bring a water bottle, and if you have a ball, please bring that as well.
Why can't I sit closer to the team during practice?
Due to the large numbers of teams that practice at the same time, the fields are already very crowded. As a safety precaution, any parent wishing to watch practice out at the fields must be at least 10 yards from any coach's practice area.
It looks like it's going to rain...will we still have practice?
Practice rain-outs will be called by individual coaches. Check with your coach if you've not heard about a cancellation. In most cases, practices (and games) will carry in, even in the rain, unless lightning is present, or the rain is especially cold and/or hard. A board member, specifically the Safety Director, can override a coaches decision to practice if it's felt that the weather conditions present a safety hazard.
Other Questions - What size ball should my player be using?
U5, U6 and U8 players will be using size 3 balls, U10 and U12 players will be using size 4 balls, and U14 and up use size 5 balls. Look for the size label on the box or ball itself.
I feel so uninformed...why doesn't the coach call me more often?
All coaches are parents, just like you. Just like you, they are very busy with their own lives outside of AYSO, and can't always call each and every parent on a weekly basis. Coaches count on their "Team-Parents" to help spread the word about schedule changes, weekly reminders, and so on. If you feel disconnected, chances are that your team doesn't yet have a "Team-Parent". Check with your coach to see what you can do to help!
I have never played soccer and I don't know anything about soccer. Can I still become a coach or a referee?
Absolutely! Coach and referee training is 100% free, and we have training classes each season. Check out the Board Members page for contact information in the areas you're interested in joining.
I don't know anything about the volunteer who will be coaching my child. How do I know my child will be safe?
All coaches are required to go through Safe Haven training, which includes a certification test on certain AYSO policies and health-related procedures. In addition, coaches (and all volunteers) must sign a volunteer form, which allows for background checks to be performed by AYSO. We encourage you to get to know your coach, and to jump in to help wherever needed. Of course, in this scary world, horrible things still do happen, regardless of how well we think we are prepared. If you have any questions, doubts, or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact a board member with your thoughts.
My child lost his coat! her ball! a backpack! Is there a lost and found?
You bet. We have many items floating around in the big white trailer you'll see just as you enter the parking area. Check with your coach first, in case the coach found the item in question at the end of a practice or game, and then come on over to the trailer for a peek at what we've found.
Will my player have the same coach during both Fall and Spring seasons?
As long as the coach agrees to coach again, yes. We will make very effort to keep the players together as a team, even if the coach decides to sit the Spring season out. You may see new players added to the Spring team as well, as we receive new registrations each season.
Is my child automatically enrolled in each session?
No. It will be necessary for you to register prior to each session. However, if your child played in the Fall, he or she will remain on the same team for the Spring season. Unless in the Fall you sign-up and pay for the full year, then there is no need to register for the Spring season.
When do I pay for the next session?
Announcements will be made toward the end of each session regarding registering for the upcoming session. Fall registration is usually held in July and Spring Registration in late February.
When would my child be moved up to the next age division?
The age division for each player is determined by the age of the player at the start of the Fall season. The player will remain in the same age division for both Fall and Spring, even if they become old enough for the next level during the Winter. Please refer to our Registration Page for exact birthday requirements.
MAY MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN AYSO IF HE / SHE PLAYS SCHOOL SPORTS?
MSHSAA Eligibility Requirements
Updated July, 2010
11. Nonschool Competition
•You may not practice for, or participate with, a non-school team or in any organized non-school athletic competition and for your school team in the same sport during the school sport season. Contact your school's athletic director for specific details in regard to the sports of swimming, tennis and golf.
•You may participate on a school team and a non-school team in different sports during the same season; however, you may not practice for the non-school team or participate in organized non-school athletic competition on the same day that you practice with or participate for the school team without prior approval of your school administrator.
•You must receive approval in advance from your school principal or athletic director in order to miss school time to practice for, travel to or compete in organized non-school athletic competition.
•You will become ineligible in any sport in which you play as a member of a junior college, college or university team.
•Before you join a non-school team or enter any non-school competitive athletic event, your school principal or athletic director should be consulted to make certain these standards are met.
