Q. How are players assigned to age group?

A. Why is my child playing in "U9" when he/she is currently 8 years old? U9 actually means "Under 9", so your child with be playing with other kids their age in that division. Age group assignments do not change between Fall and Spring. U4 is an exception allowing new 3 year olds in the Spring. GYSA follows the Arizona Soccer Association rules for age assignments.

Q. When can a child play U-4?

A. Children can play in U4 when they are 3 years old. Please note that age group assignments do not change between Fall and Spring. U4 is an exception allowing new 3 year olds in the Spring. Our U4 program is different then our other age divisions. Instead of the children practicing during the week, they come on Saturday and do 20-30 minutes of soccer drills and then scrimmage (game) for another 20-30 minutes. Children in this age group play a 3v3 format in their scrimmage, which is perfect for them and helps them build confidence. 

Q. Can I request a coach or a team for my player?

A. There's a special request area (for Coach, Friend, and Practices) when registering. All special requests are considered but are not guaranteed. Siblings will be placed on the same team as long as they are the same gender and age group and if requested by one another. Please note on the request if you would like your child to play up an age division to be with a friend or sibling.

* GYSA tries very hard to have evenly distributed teams. However, keep in mind we try also try our best to honor player's coach/friend requests, so some teams may have played together for a couple of seasons.

Q. Do you have to have prior experience to register?

A. No, recreational soccer is open to all players, regardless of experience or skill level.

Q. Are the teams coed?

A. Yes and no, teams are gender specific. Girls can play on boy’s teams, but not vice versa. The only time GYSA will put together a coed team, is if there aren't enough participants in a specific age group, this happens usually in U16 -U19. But, if the boys and girls do need to be placed together to form a team, all parents will be notified first and given the option to remove their player from the program.

Q. Can my child play down an age division?

A. Only if your child has a physical or other limitation which requires them to do so.  In those cases, we do require that you provide us with a note from your child's doctor stating why. The GYSA board will then need to review the request. A child may not play down an age division to be with a friend or sibling.

Q. What is the policy on playing with your age group v. “playing up?"

A. Players are divided into age groups from 8/1 to 7/31 each year. Players are generally encouraged to play age appropriate.

* Exceptions occur when an unusually strong player no longer feels challenged. Parents can then request that their child "play up" with the next higher division.

* Please be careful when requesting a friend/coach that is older. We try and place your children together which can move your child up an age division and your child might not be ready for difference in size and skill of the older division.

Q. If I'm on a team for the Fall, am I guaranteed to be on that same team for the Spring?

A. The only way GYSA can guarantee a child on the same team as the season prior is if they 1-register during the early registration period and put down the coach as a coach request and 2-that the coach is coaching again. Many times a coach’s work schedule may interfere with volunteering/coaching; therefore your child is placed on a different team. We do our best to keep those kids together, even though the coach is different.

Q. What is the criteria upon which teams are created?

A. The team formation process for GYSA changes during the progression through the age levels.

* The U4 program is generally organized around randomization and friend requests, while U5 and up are organized around a combination of area/location of practice and friend/coach/school requests.

* GYSA tries to recognize the desire by children and parents to keep some friendly faces on each team, but can only do so if the requests are made at the time of registration. Naturally, some changes will occur as new kids enter the mix and kids move to club.

Q. My child is on a team with nobody s/he knows. Why?

A. When registering your child, parents have the opportunity to request a coach and/or a friend. The registrar tries to form balanced teams while attempting to meet as many requests as possible. Unfortunately, not all requests can be fulfilled. Late registration players may not be accommodated.

Q. What is the recommended roster size?

A. Generally teams carry a roster which makes sense under the circumstances balancing playing time, player availability, and coaches.

* 14 to 18 players for 11v11, 10 to 14 players for 8v8, eight to 10 players for 5v5, and six to nine players for 4v4. If a roster has less then the minimum, this is often due to a player dropping the team and not notifying the league so they can replace the player. We depend on coaches to inform us if a child has not shown up for practices and games.

Q. Our team needs more players, can we pick up players?

A.No, if your team is in need of additional players, please contact the registrar to see if there is anyone on the waiting list that can be placed on the team. All players must be registered and paid through GYSA in order to play. Teams can not pick up any players with out the approval of the registrar. Players need to be registered and insured before they can practice or play in games.

Q. Can my player switch teams?

A. Once the teams are drafted, players can not be moved off a team onto another team.If you forgot to put your special request in, then no, you will not be switched.

Q. Now that I've registered my child for soccer, when will I hear back from the league?

A. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration as well as a calendar of all the important dates. The next direct contact from the league will be from a coach contacting them to arrange the first practice and parent meeting as well as an email with your coaches contact information; approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the soccer season.

* Once rosters are posted (after the coaches' meeting), you can log into your GYSA account and access your child’s schedule and team roster.

* If a coach has not been assigned to your team, GYSA will be emailing the parents on the team to see if someone would be willing to coach.

Q. Where are soccer games played?

A.  All recreational games will be played at GYSA Soccer Complex on Germann & Greenfield. Games will be played on Friday nights (U8 and up) and all day on Saturdays.  There are no games on Sundays.

Q. What is the appropriate ball size for my age group?

A. U4, U5, U6, U7 and U8 play with size 3.

U9, U10, U11 and U12 play with size 4.

U13 and above play with size 5.

Q. How many games will be played?

A. We play an eight game schedule. If there are an odd number of teams in a division it might be more. With an odd number of teams, we institute a double-header scenario for the teams U8 and above. More games = more play.

Q. When will game schedules be available?

A. The game schedule is available 1-2 weeks before the season starts. All teams must be formed before the scheduling process can start.

Q. Who referees the games?

A. For U7 and younger; each coach is asked to oversee their game and correct the players per GYSA's guidelines for that respective division.

* Positive encouragement and having fun should be first and foremost for U4-U7.

* For U8 and up GYSA will provide youth/adult referees.

Q. Is jewelry allowed ?

A. All items of jewelry( necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed to be able to play per US Youth Soccer and IFAB's Law's of the game.

Q. What if my child gets injured?

A. If the injury is serious enough to warrant a visit to a medical clinic, contact GYSA for insurance forms to fill out. Please notify GYSA with a phone call 480-926-0764 or email within 24 hours of injury.

Q. What if it rains?

A. In the event there is heavy rainfall over an extended period the Gilbert Parks and Rec. department may decide to close the fields. Notice will be put on our website as well as emails to the coaches.

Q. Are games re-scheduled if there is a cancellation? 

A. We typically schedule a make-up day at the end of the season in case we need it. In the event we have 50% of more of our games cancelled due to inclement weather, or any other unforeseen circumstances, we will schedule those games on the make-up day. Games that are cancelled because one or both teams are unavailable to play at the scheduled time will not be given a make-up.

Q. How do I check field status for games/practices?

A. For practice cancellations, contact your coach. For game cancellations, please check the GYSA website at www.azgysa.com. Any field closures on game day will be posted on the front page of the website.

Q. Why are we playing 4v4 U5 & U6 instead of 5v5, and 5v5 for U7 instead of 8v8?

A. The goal of GYSA is to provide an optimal learning environment and develop a love of the game. Learning and enjoyment are at a maximum when a player is involved in as many real soccer situations (ball, teammates, opponents, goals, space and direction) as possible. The smaller the number of players, the more touches of the ball and experience the player gets. It is also important to note that small-sided games provide players with problems that are reasonable to solve and allows them more success to help build confidence. The minimal format retaining all essential elements of soccer is 4v4.

* Global studies have shown that 4v4 delivers optimal results in player development. Pioneered by KNVB (Dutch Youth Soccer Assoc.), 4v4 is now used extensively in both amateur and professional youth programs throughout the world.

Q. Why at divisions U5-U7 are goal keepers not used?

A. Using goalkeepers is not recommended for these age groups. One reason for this is that modern day goalkeepers must be able to control the ball with their feet and pass as well as field players. U5 - U7 are critical ages in developing those skills which is best done when children play as a field player. Children enjoy participating in the game. Having a player back in goal, stuck in a penalty box, often prevents them from participating and having fun.

Q. What is a suggested Parental Code of Conduct?

A. The parent or guardian will:

* Be encouraging, supportive, & affirmative in regard to all children?s play on the field, regardless of team

* Respect officials & accept their decisions

Support the coach, the team, & GYSA

Volunteer my services & talents to the team when possible familiarize myself with the Laws of the Game

* Comply with rules, policies, & procedures of the team & GYSA as they apply to me

* Discuss my child only with the coach

only at a time mutually agreed upon with the coach never prior to, during, or directly after a game

* Further, the parent or guardian will never engage in dissent directed toward an official or in any kind or type of un-sportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent

* Not interfere at any time with the duties and responsibilities of the coach

* Not act in any manner which is detrimental to the team or GYSA.

Disclaimers:

These are just guidelines and our philosophy is to try to do what we think is in the best interests of each player balanced against trying to do what is best for the most players at the same time.

Q. Who will coach my player's team?

A. Recreational coaches are parents that volunteer to coach a team at registration time. Every season GYSA searchs for additional people to cover all of the teams. Most of the recreational coaches are a parent of a player on the team. Coaches volunteer their time to work with players during practices and games. Some coaches grew up playing soccer, some have watched their children play, and some have never played soccer (or coached soccer before). GYSA offers coaching classes and clinics before and during the season to help all of the coaches, no matter what their prior experience is. GYSA does not condone or approve the use of paid coaches/trainers for teams participating in our programming. This is in direct conflict with GYSA's philosophy of enabling children the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game without the financial burdens that have become commonplace in our society.

Q. What day and/or time will my player's team practice?

A. The coaches determine the day(s) and times for practices. U5 through U7 teams usually practices one day a week for about 1 hour. U8 through U12 teams usually practice either one day a week for 90 minutes, or two days a week for 1 hour each. Practices usually start sometime after 5:00 pm. Practice times may vary due to the coach.

Q. Where will practices be held?

A. Practice location is determined by the coach. Coaches generally choose to hold practice in the general neighborhood where the team is located, the GYSA soccer fields, or at a location specified by the coach.

Q. When will practices be held?

A. Practice days and times are established by the coach. 

Q. What equipment is needed for practice/games?

A. Shin guards covered completely by socks with soccer cleats or sneakers (baseball/softball or football cleats are not allowed (cleat in center of toe)

* No jewelry of any kind. Earrings may not be covered with Band-aids or secured with flat posts.  They must be removed.  Medical bracelets must be taped down.

* Soccer ball (it's more fun when everyone has one!)

* Water 

Q. Our team needs more players, can we pick up players?

A. No, if your team is in need of additional players, please contact the Registrar to see if there is anyone on the waiting list that can be placed on the team. All players must be registered and paid through GYSA in order to play. Teams can not pick up any players with out the approval of the Registrar. Players need to be registered and insured before they can practice or play in games.

Q. What are the registration fees?

A.  Regular Registration fees are $100 for Gilbert Residents/$110 for Non-Gilbert residents.

Late Registration fees are $130 for Gilbert Residents/$140 for Non-Gilbert residents.

*Note this does not include cost to purchase uniform.

Q. What do the registration fees pay for?

A. Team Equipment - Each team receives training accessories , and when applicable, one goalie jersey per team.

* Referee fees

* Insurance through the Arizona Soccer Association (GYSA carries supplemental insurance for all players, coaches, assistant coaches and USSF referees).

* Operational costs (Maintenance equipment, fuel, materials, light rental)

Q. Is the player's uniform included in the cost of registration?

A.No. You must purchase your child's uniform kit separately on our E-store by clicking on the link on our homepage

Q. What is Late Registration?

A.Late registration begins the day after regular registration is over, and the fee increases to $130 for Gilbert residents/$140 for Non-Gilbert residents.  Late applicants will be placed on teams that still have open spots (which means your child might not be on a team that practices close to your home).

Q.What if I need a refund?

A.Only a participant and his or her parents have authority to request a refund. Full refunds, minus the $25 nonrefundable portion of the current season, will be given on all cancellations requested by 5 p.m. No refunds will be issued two weeks before the season begins. We will issue a credit for an upcoming season if requested.

Q. Is there a sibling discount?

A.Yes, it is $5 off each child after the 2nd child (same family).

Q. Does GYSA offer financial assistance?

A. Scholarship applications are available through the GYSA registrar. All scholarships are confidential and require all proper paperwork to accompany the application before being considered. Scholarships are based on applicants willingness to volunteer five hours (per scholarship recipient) at the fields during the season. Please contact the registrar at gysaregistrar@azgysa.com to receive a copy of the form. 

What you need for the season:

• purchase your child's required uniform kit
• soccer cleats (not football cleats)
• shin guards
• soccer ball
• water bottle

Items Not Allowed:

Jewelry will not be allowed to be worn during game play, even if covered by tape. This is per US Youth Soccer and IFAB's Law This is for player safety

Ball Sizes:

• U4, U5, U6, U7 and U8 play with size 3
• U9, U10, U11 and U12 play with size 4
• U13 and above play with size 5