Age Divisions

Age Divisions

Our division age groups are defined by BIRTH YEAR. Even if you have had a buddy pairing with someone in the past, you may now be in different divisions. Please double check the chart to be sure that the players requesting a buddy pairing are in same division.

Practice and Game Scheduling

The frequency of practices and games are as follows:

Play-Up Policy

Although AYSO National prefers that all players play in their age-appropriate division, they do allow 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

Play-up requests must be made to our Regional Commissioner for approval. These requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please Email this request to our Regional Commissioner at rc@ayso45.org and include justification along with the child’s height, weight, relative speed and aggressiveness compared to his or her peers.

In general, a player’s past rating and other data will be looked at in order to make a determination along with possible contact with last year’s coach. At a minimum, the player needs to already be above average in the play-up division (well above average in their age-appropriate division) to be considered unless one of the parents volunteers to be head coach and their primary purpose for the play-up is to pair siblings on the same team.

Please note that we need to have an adequate number of head coach volunteers in the play-up division to accept the request for a play-up. The Region will not turn away a player in their correct age division (that signs up by June 7th) as they have no other age-eligible options. This does not apply to players accepted to play up that also come with a Certified head coach volunteer in the play-up division.

Play-Down Policy

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.