Games & Practice

Game and practices for all players in the U4, 5U to 19U are on permitted fields within Glendale and La Crescenta (see Fields tab on menu).

Practices may start on or after August 1 and are conducted during weeknights at a permitted location, once a week and up to 1.5 hours total, based on age divisions. In the Spring, most teams will practice every other week, depending on field availability. Once teams are formed, the day and location of practice are determined by the volunteer head coach and based on his/her availability. Read below for information on requests under Player Placement Policy.

Player Evaluations

Per Region 88 rules, every new player in the 10 and Under and older divisions must have a New Player Evaluation before being placed on a team. “New player” constitutes anyone who did not play in the Region the previous fall season. Placement on a team may be denied if a player is not able to attend an evaluation before the 3rd week in July if requested by the Division Coordinator or other qualified Region 88 volunteer.

Players are placed on teams based on the AYSO Philosophy of Balanced Teams. Each year, coaches are asked to provide detailed evaluations of players in order to accurately balance teams for the following season. Additionally, all evaluations are confidential and coaches should not share or discuss their evaluations with players or parents. Other variables that can affect player placement are factors such as positional expertise (goalkeepers) and historic volunteer support by parents.

AYSO Region 88 Glendale allows for refunds under special circumstances. All special circumstance refund requests must be submitted through an online form and must include the reasons and or circumstances involved.

• Any player who withdraws prior to the posted deadline for each season will be refunded their registration fee.
• The annual AYSO National Membership Fee of $20.00 is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• A $5 cancelation fee may be charged for all refunds. The parent/guardian requesting the refund must complete and submit an online Request Cancellation form.
• The request must be submitted on or before the posted deadline for each program.
• Please allow 12-14 working days for the approved refund to be processed and returned.

All AYSO regions strive to improve balancing each year and indeed no other board responsibility demands as many volunteer man-hours as team formation and balancing. 

• Practice and/or game field location
• Practice time or day
• Requests to change teams after teams have been posted

Coaches Selection

If you are interested in coaching a team, please complete a Volunteer application by choosing either "Head Coach" or "Assistant Coach". Unfortunately, a desire to coach a Fall Season team does not guarantee placement as a coach. All coaching applicants, whether new or returning, are reviewed by the appropriate Division Coordinator, the Regional Coach Administrator, Regional Referee Administrator, Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate and Regional Commissioner.

Approval of a coaching applicant is based on many criteria including but not limited to a) background check b) coaching and referee certification level c) field reputation, sportsmanship and disciplinary history d) compliance with AYSO Region 88 Glendale, Area 1C, Section 1, and AYSO National Guidelines, Policy Statements and adherence and support of AYSO Philosophies.

AYSO Region 88 Glendale is willing to give coaches an opportunity to become more educated and develop a coaching style; however, all coaches should be aware that the prime objective is for players to have fun and develop their skills as an individual and a teammate. Coaches that lose sight of the primary goals of fun and development as a result of an excessive desire to win will be mentored and in extreme cases can be asked not to return to the coaching ranks.

Assistant Coaches, Requests and Retention

Many AYSO coaches begin as an Assistant Coach. This provides a perfect avenue for learning the game of soccer and developing a coaching style. Coaches should select an Assistant Coach that is dependable, willing to learn and above all interested in providing the players with an enjoyable sporting experience. It is the desire of AYSO Region 88 Glendale that Assistant Coaches be developed in hopes that they eventually become Head Coaches.

AYSO National Guidelines strictly forbid player retention and/or team building by strategic placement or year-over-year retention of Assistant Coaches (and by extension his/her son/daughter). AYSO Region 88 Glendale does sometimes place parent coaches together; however, this is generally avoided unless there is a significant underlying reason. Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Parents and Players should be aware that attempts to circumvent this policy is a direct violation of the AYSO Philosophy of Balanced Teams and can be grounds for Volunteer disciplinary action.

No Pets at Region 88 Events

All AYSO Region 88 participants agree and understand that NO PET shall be permitted at any AYSO activity or event regardless of venue or location. This policy includes but is not limited to practices, games, picture day, team parties, tournaments, etc. This Policy is consistent with those of neighboring Regions and is in keeping with the AYSO Insurance Policy, which does not cover animal bites or related injuries. Properly registered service animals are generally exempt from this Policy.

You, as the primary player and account registrant, are also responsible for any friends or family members visiting the fields.

Unfortunately, if dogs or pets are not removed from games, we will have no choice but to suspend or even terminate the game.

Region 88 pays for and controls the soccer fields and surrounding areas in an exclusive use permit that provides us the right and with that right, we are required by our National Bylaws and Insurance to comply with our published guidelines.

Service animals are allowed under the following conditions:

ADA in public places: The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to employers, state and local governments and public places.

The law narrowly defines service animals as any dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a physical or mental disability.

Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the ADA, the California Unruh Civil Rights Act nor the Disabled Persons Act.

State and local governments, businesses and nonprofits generally must allow service dogs to accompany people with disabilities in any part of a facility open to the public, unless doing so interferes with legitimate safety requirements, or the dog is out of control.

If you are bringing a legal service animal to our fields, we require that you first inform our referee staff that is present at the game so that they can provide guidance on ensuring that the animal does not interfere with the game and remains in control. Please also reach out to our Regional Commissioner at [email protected] for approval before the event/game begins.

Referees and Coaches will be advised to suspend a game if a pet is not removed from a field during play. 

Thank you for your understanding and support. Please click here for more information from AYSO National