How does the process work?
The Skokie AYSO Core program includes both the Fall and Spring season.
The Skokie AYSO Winter and Summer programs register separately (and there is a separate charge). We will notify registered Core parents when registration opens for the Winter and Summer programs.
Fall & Spring seasons typically run for 8 or 9 weeks, with weekly games played on Sunday.
Teams in 5U and 6U have a Sunday-only session of combined skills training and games.
Teams in 8U and above usually practice one evening per week during the season.
What day of the week are games and practices?
Games are played on Sundays. We play when it’s hot or cold, rain or shine—but not if there’s lightning. Games will NOT be played in hazardous conditions, especially if lightning or thunder occurs.
Practices can be scheduled by your coach any day, Monday through Saturday. Become a soccer coach volunteer and you can schedule practice times that are convenient for you.
What do parents need to provide?
In return for the annual registration fee, each player receives:- Soccer uniform
- Participation medals or trophies (for certain age groups).
Parents are responsible for purchasing:
- Shin guards – required during games and practices
- Soccer ball for use during practice – size #3 for U8 and under, #4 for U10 and U12, #5 for U14 and up
- Optional: soccer shoes – to keep our players safe, only rubber cleats (i.e., no metal) with no toe cleat (avoid baseball/football/softball cleats) are allowed
Team Formation
Teams are formed in early August for Fall, and early March for Spring. We register separately for Fall and Spring.
How are teams formed?
Teams are formed strictly around player ratings and a balanced team.
I (Want/Need) to Play With…
We wish we could accommodate all of your requests to be with your friends/neighbors, etc. We, too, have busy lives and understand the importance of car-pooling. But with the number of players, teams, etc. we support in this program, it’s just not possible to handle these requests. Besides, it’s great for the players to get out and make new friends each season. AYSO also firmly believes in fair, balanced teams. We have found that teams with multiple players who know each other or who have played together before can have an unfair advantage and dominate a division.
There are two exceptions:
- Siblings in the same gender and age group will be placed on the same team, unless their parents request that we separate them
- The children of the coach and assistant coach will play on the team of their parent. The second exception is another great reason to become a coach!
When will I hear something for the Fall?
We are busy in the latter part of the summer organizing the teams, assigning coaches, ordering uniforms, preparing game schedules, etc. A packet distribution session will be held for Team Parents in late August. At that time the Team Parents are given the names and phone numbers of each player on their team, and the Team Parent has the responsibility to call each of their player’s families as soon as possible.