Frequently Asked Questions

Game and Practice Schedules
Equipment
1. What equipment will my child need?
2. May players wear sweatbands, bandanas, scarves, jewelry, casts, medical alert bracelets, glasses, mouthguards, hats, protective equipment, gloves, etc.?
Soccer Rules and Terms
1. What are the rules for AYSO soccer games?
2. What does [some soccer term] mean?
Registration and Organization

Game and Practice Schedules

Is my child registered? What team is my child on?: After the division coordinator has made all the team assignments (which should be complete about 1 month before the first game), the coach should contact you. If this hasn't happened, log in to eAYSO, then press the parents button, then the Click Here button next to "See player ID, Team assignments and Team Coach information". It will display the Coach's name, e-mail, and telephone number. If the Registered On field doesn't have a date, contact the Registrar, because there's a problem with the registration. If the coach contact information is "Unavailable", contact the appropriate division coordinator (these are all listed on the Contact Us page).
Where are games and practices held?: Each season, Oak Park AYSO gets field permits for a number of different fields in and around Oak Park. These permits determine which fields we are allowed to use and the times we are allowed to use them. The fields we have available change from season to season. Your coach will have the specific information for your team.
Most of the fields we use are part of the Oak Park Park District. The Park District's field map has directions to their fields. Other fields we sometimes use are Elmwood Park High School, and Rhodes School in River Grove.
When are practices held?: Practice times are determined by the coach - typically, teams practice once or twice per week.
When are the games played?: All U8 games and most U10 and up games are played on Saturdays. U10 and up teams may have a few weekday evening games during the season. Your coach will have the specific schedule for your team.
The weather is bad. Are we playing today?: Yes, unless either the coach cancels or the Park District closes the field. If lightning is spotted or thunder heard, games and practices must stop immediately and may not resume until 30 minutes after no lightning is spotted and no thunder is heard. You can check on field condition by calling the Oak Park Park District Field Condition hotline at 524-0273.

Equipment

What equipment will my child need?

Shoes and shinguards must be provided by the parent and worn at every practice and game. Ordinary gym shoes are allowed. If cleats are purchased, ensure that they are soccer cleats - cleats designed for other sports are not allowed. Shirt, shorts, and socks constitute the uniform, which is covered by the participation fee, and must be worn at every game. Most coaches also require that players bring a soccer ball to practice and bring water to both practices and games.

Division	Ball size
U08	3
U10 - U12	4
U14 - U19	5

May players wear sweatbands, bandanas, scarves, jewelry, casts, medical alert bracelets, glasses, mouthguards, hats, protective equipment, gloves, etc.?

The referee is the sole judge of whether or not such items may be worn based on the referees assessment of the particular item and its function. See the Frequently Asked Questions section of AYSO Guidance for Referees and Coaches for more detail.

Soccer Rules and Terms

What are the rules for AYSO soccer games?: The rules we play under are described on our rules page.
What does [some soccer term] mean?: The San Andreas CA AYSO club has written a glossary that has definitions many soccer terms.

Registration and Organization

What does Unn mean?: These age divisions are defined on divisions.
Who does registration?: Registration is a massive task, coordinated by the region's registrar, but requiring many volunteers (additional help is always welcome). See volunteers needed for more information.
Why is this called Region 697?: AYSO is divided into over one thousand regions nationwide. These are the most local parts of AYSO and have their own organizations, boards, volunteers, etc., but run under the rules established by the national organization. Regions are grouped into areas (dozens of regions in each), and areas into sections. The sections then comprise the national organization. Region 697 is in area F of Section 6. Area F is comprised primarily of regions within the city of Chicago, and Section 6 covers Illinois, Wisconsin, most of Minnesota, and part of Iowa.
Who is the Regional Commissioner? Who is the Division U14G Coordinator?: These are listed on our Contact Us page.