2025 Division Placement Information
All divisions are divided into two groups (boys and girls). Team sizes may vary when teams are formed depending on late drops and availability of coaches. AYSO policies do not permit us to have a player “play down” and age, not grade, determine your child’s division placement.
| 6U | 5 | pre-K and K | 2020 | 3v3 | 3 | 5-6 |
| 8U | 6-7 | 1-2 | 2019 and 2018 | 5v5 | 4 | 7-8 |
| 10U | 8-9 | 3-4 | 2017 and 2016 | 7v7 | 5 | 9-10 |
| 12U | 10-11 | 5-6 | 2015 and 2014 | 9v9 | 6 | 12-13 |
| 14U | 12-13 | 7-8 | 2013 and 2012 | 11v11 | 7 | 14-15 |
| 16U | 14-15 | 9-10 | 2011 and 2010 | 11v11 | 7 | 14-18 |
| 19U | 16-18 | 11-12 | 2009 thru 2007 | 11v11 | 7 | 14-18 |
Our primary season is in the Fall and runs from late August to mid-November. With the exception of our Under-6 (U06) divisions, children attend training sessions once (U08) or twice (U10 and above) each week and play a game on Saturdays (Sundays for U16 and U19). U06 holds one 75-minute session on Saturday afternoons, combining a training session and a scrimmage game.
AYSO Region 45 Play-Up Policy
Although AYSO National prefers that all players play in their age-appropriate division, it does provide regions the flexibility to have players “play-up” to an older division. AYSO National does not allow for players to “play-down” to a younger division.
Play-Up Requests
To make a play-up request, please email the Play-Up Waiver prior to the start of the Fall Core or Spring Select season to the following recipients:
- The Regional Commissioner at [email protected]
- The Division Coordinators for the division that the player wants to join and the division that the player wants to leave (Division Coordinator email addresses are available at ayso45.org) OR Spring Select Coordinators for the division the player wants to join and the division the player wants to leave for Spring Select.
Only the parent or legal guardian of the player can submit the play-up request.
These requests require AYSO Region 45 Board and Regional Commissioner approval and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A new request and signed Play-Up Waiver needs to be submitted for each Fall Core and Spring Select season. There is no guarantee that a player who played up one season will be allowed to play up in subsequent seasons.
Before anything else, the initial considerations to any play-up requests are:
- Safety of all players
- No ill effect to the division that the player would normally be in (for example, moving a player from one division would mean that there would not be enough players in that division).
- Ensuring access priority to those players who would naturally participate in the division (for example, moving a player to an older division does not displace another player because the division is full)
- No player 10 years of age or younger are permitted to play in the U14 division. There are no exceptions to this rule. Heading is allowed in the U14 division, and per the National AYSO and CDC Guidelines, players 10 years and younger are not allowed to intentionally head the ball for safety reasons such as the risk of concussions.
- No U8 player will be allowed to try out for a U10 Spring Select team.
For U6 - U12 divisions, AYSO Region 45 STRONGLY RECOMMENDS that the parent requesting the play-up also volunteers to be the Head or Assistant Coach of the team. For U14 - U19 divisions, AYSO Region 45 recommends that the parent requesting the play-up also volunteers to be the Head or Assistant Coach of the team. In cases where the parent requesting the play-up does not volunteer as a coach for the team, the board will consider input from the Head Coach of the applicable team while making its play-up decision.
Occasionally, the AYSO Region 45 Board may invite players to play up a division when the lower division has too many players and the upper division has the space to accommodate additional players. The opportunity to play up will be offered based on age and ability, with older players generally being asked first. The parents/guardians will be consulted, as will the coaches. Players will never be forced to play up - the parents/guardians must agree to the player playing up, and the player must want to play up. Playing up one soccer season does not mean that the player will automatically be allowed to play up every soccer season.
Play-up decisions might not be rendered immediately. It can take until the start of the season before all of the information is available (such as how many players are in the divisions affected) in order for the Board to make a decision. The AYSO Region 45 Board has the final say on all requests. No player may play up without authorization from the Board. No individual coach or Board member can grant permission for a player to play up - it is a decision made by the full Board.
AYSO National defines which division a player should be assigned based on the child’s age on January 1st and this is the youngest division in which a child is eligible. AYSO National does not permit players to play-down to a younger division.
Region 45 Programs
The National AYSO organization has a large set of programs described here and a brief description is provided below. Region 45 provides a subset of the AYSO programs including:
- Fall Season: (6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, and 19U)
- Spring Season: 8U
- Spring Select Season (AYSO Tournaments): 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, 19U
Region 45 is one of the largest AYSO youth soccer leagues in Northern California.
The Region 45 fall season program is inclusive of all participants and we maintain a high level of play and organization in the fall program. We do not provide the FALL AYSO EXTRA in the fall season because we want our fall players to all play together and be with their friends.
The Region 45 Spring Select program is one of the strongest and best organized AYSO tournament programs in Northern California. We compete at a high level in AYSO tournaments and even won the 2019 U16 Boys AYSO National tournament.
Our focus for all teams is having fun and player development with a culture that promotes positive coaching methods.
Brief Program Descriptions
| U6 | Saturdays | Saturdays |
| U8 | 1 per week | Saturdays |
| U10 | 2 per week | Saturdays |
| U12 | 2 per week | Saturdays |
| U14 | 2 per week | Saturdays |
| U16 | 2 per week | Sundays |
| U19 | 2 per week | Sundays |
** 6U -> Players participate in 6 player teams playing weekly games each Saturday. Teams practice in the first half of the scheduled game time followed by a 25 minute game with another team. This 6U program has all teams practicing and playing at the same field, but in different areas or the field. It is great fun and energy to have all of these players together on the same field and the cuteness factor is very high.
Games are generally 4 players versus 4 players on an age appropriate (30yd x 20yd) field. There are no goalkeepers or throw ins. This maximizes playing time for each child and allows coaches to balance the team. Games at this age are for fun!
We don't keep score or post standings. We emphasize “imagination” games and activities for the practice sessions.
** 8U -> This division is similar to 7U, but play is on slightly larger fields and 5 players versus 5 players with 7 members to a team. Players are introduced to throw-ins for the first time. Again, the focus is on fun and we don't keep score or post standings. We continue to emphasize “imagination” games and activities for the practice sessions.
** 10U -> In this division we introduce goalkeeping and competitive play. Weekly games are 50 minutes long and played 7 players versus 7 players on a 75yd x 40yd yard field with 9 players per team. This division introduces score keeping and the posting of standings. The top teams in the division may advance to play against teams from other AYSO Regions within our Area. The “imagination” games become more involved and age-appropriate skills are taught at the practice sessions.
** 12U -> In this division games are 60 minutes long and played 9 players v 9 players on a field that is 90-100 yards long and 45-50 yards wide. Goals are now full-size.
Players are introduced to positional play that approximates full team soccer. The 9-player teams allow greater space on the field and more involvement by each player.
** 14U -> In this division we introduce full-size fields with 11 players versus 11 players competition. Games are 70 minutes long. We continue to ensure that all players participate at least 3/4 of the game.
** 16U -> In older teen divisions the season is shortened to about 9 weeks in order to allow players to participate on their high-school teams.
Games are played on either Saturday and Sunday and are often scheduled at other parks in our Area, rather than in our region.
** 19U -> We will form 19U teams and have done so every year for 15 years. We get many players coming back from high school program and thus this group is at a particularly high level of practice and play. Similar to 16U, 19U teams play shortened seasons and are often playing in other parks. They may play various club teams or tournaments as well. We have very experienced coaches and referees at this level.