FAQ
Q: When are games played?
Skokie AYSO plays all games on Sundays. The U6 – U12 divisions games are conducted at local parks throughout the community. U5, U6 and U8 play their games at Laramie Park. U10 Boys play at Channel park. U10 Girls play games either at Channel or Timber Ridge. U12 Boys games are at Hamlin and U12 Girls games are at Madison field. U14 and up play interregional games with surrounding communities. Some of the interregional games are home games and some are away. Here’s a LINK to the fields that we use.
Note to High School Students: To avoid conflict with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) soccer program, Skokie AYSO schedules high school girls’ division games in the Fall and high school boys’ division games in the Spring.
Q: What day will our team practice be held on?
All practices are scheduled by your teams volunteer coach. Typically most teams practice once a week on a weekday evening or on Saturdays. With the exception of the U5 and U6 age divisions. These 2 age division have a combined practice and game on Sundays.
Q: What is Small Sided Soccer?
Small-sided games are extremely beneficial for young children. Anecdotal evidence and research studies show that youngsters derive greater pleasure from playing football in smaller teams and with adapted rules. As well as getting involved in the game more often, players learn more quickly and take more decisions during the course of a match. And as the ball is never far away, greater concentration is required on their part.
This all means that they gain a better understanding of the game than they would in playing on big pitches. The fact there are less players on the pitch and on each team also means that they receive more attention and have more chances to score goals, which is what children play the game for. Goalkeepers, who are not used in four-a-side football and smaller formats, are also more involved, while outfield players are exposed to more attack and defense situations, increasing their enjoyment and the pace at which they learn.
Q: When is open registration?
A: We register every spring for the following fall and spring season, so that means our upcoming spring season will include players who registered last spring and played last fall. Typically registration opens in April/May for the following Fall/Spring soccer season.
Q:I missed open registration, my child really wants to play. Can I still register?
A: Most divisions currently have a wait list for the upcoming season. Sometimes registered players drop from their team, and we maintain a wait list that fills dropped players on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like your child added to the wait list, we need the following information from you:
- Your child’s name and gender
- Your child’s full birth date, including year
- Your preferred contact information.
You can send us this information with the contact form on this website. Once we have this information, we will add your child to the wait list and contact you if a slot becomes open in your child’s division.
Q: My child is registered to play AYSO, but I haven’t heard from my coach yet. When will I hear from him or her?
A: Our Fall season starts in September, and the Spring season starts in April. The coaches will meet about two weeks before the start of the fall season to pick their practice fields and times. You will hear from your coach after that meeting. If you have not heard by your coach by the first week of September, let us know using the contact form.
Q: Can my child play on the same team as his or her friend?
A: Skokie AYSO adheres to the National AYSO Vision and Mission, which includes six philosophies: Everyone Plays(R), Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Many factors are used to ensure Balanced Teams including player skill levels and experience. Accommodating requests to place friends on the same team could result in an unbalanced team and frustration for other players. As such, we are unable to accommodate such requests.
Q: But my child’s team lost every game last season. What gives?
A: While we make every effort to generate balanced teams, many other factors outside of our control affect team outcome. However we constantly review how teams are doing in each division and strive to improve our team balancing when we see ways to improve. Also, Positive Coaching and Player Development is stressed over winning. A great soccer experience does not always equate to a winning season. Team cohesiveness, great positive coaching, and player development are all factors in how good a child feels about his or her soccer season.
Team uniform – shirt, shorts and socks. Sweatshirts and sweatpants/tights may be worn UNDER the uniform, not over.
Soccer shoes, tennis shoes, or similar type athletic shoes are recommended. The type and condition of cleated shoes must be inspected for safety before use. Baseball shoes are not acceptable.
Shinguards covered by socks are mandatory at both practices and games. Shinguards may NOT be worn over socks.
No jewelry may be worn for practices or games (this includes earrings), unless they are required religious or medical items. The official at the game must determine the safety of these items.