Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

My child is not in kindergarten yet but would really like to play soccer. At what age does Oak Ridge AYSO allow children to join the program?

Oak Ridge Region 390 follows the guidelines established by AYSO National. Only children that are already 4 years old by the beginning of the season (start of practice) are allowed to participate. If your child is ineligible in the fall (around the end of August), s/he may become eligible in the spring. Similarly, s/he may not be old enough for the spring season (around March), but may well be old enough by the fall season. 

My child is the best player in his / her age group and is getting bored. Can I have him / her 'play up'?

Oak Ridge will allow a child to move up one level at the discretion of the Regional Commissioner, Registrar, Coach Administrator, and Referee Administrator. However we ask that all new players to the program remain at their assigned level until such time as we can assess their readiness to move up. Parents wishing their child to play up a level should speak to the Regional Commissioner during registration. Playing up is discouraged and the decision will be made only after serious review.

How Can We Get Involved?

I am interested in helping coach my child's team but I've never played or coached soccer before. Do you have any books, videos, or training programs to get me started?

Coaching clinics are a big help to anyone interested in coaching, helping coach, or even watching practices and games. Our region offers introductory coaching clinics in both the fall and the spring. We recommend these not only for new coaches but also for more experienced coaches seeking to further develop their coaching skills. Please contact our Regional Coach Administrator during registration for details on dates and locations. We also have pamphlets and videos that can be signed out (again, talk with our Regional Coach Administrator).

We just moved to the Oak Ridge area but my child played soccer where we used to live. They used to play games on Saturday for U06 (under 6) teams and they used goalies. Why doesn't Oak Ridge do this?

Oak Ridge Region 390 follows the guidelines set up by AYSO National for Under 6 (U06) teams, namely that they should meet only once a week; practice and play should be split during the meeting (e.g., ½ hour each for practice and play); "games" should quick short-sided scrimmages (e.g., 3 against 3, never more than 4 against 4, and never with goal keepers); and scores should not be kept. These guidelines were setup after years of consultation and research by physicians, psychologists, parents, coaches, teachers, and professional soccer players; they reflect the belief that children, especially very young children, ought to get as many "touches" on the ball as possible and everything should be about having fun. Needlessly putting children at risk by using goal keepers, and playing formal weekend games, goes squarely against AYSO's philosophy of "Fun, Fair, and Safe."

Refunds and Payments

Can I get a refund if my child decides s/he does not want to play after all?

Yes. You can get full refund anytime before the season starts. Please contact our Registrar.

How do I obtain a refund and is there a penalty fee?

We will issue a full refund for a child if there is no team available for the child to play on or if the refund is requested BEFORE the start of the season (before practice begins). A $25 cancellation fee will be assessed once the season starts (to cover payments that will have already been made to AYSO National and the City of Oak Ridge).

Do you accept credit cards?

Oak Ridge Region 390 does not accept credit cards. We do accept checks and cash, and receipts will be given. If the cost of registration and uniforms presents a hardship, please discuss possible scholarship opportunities with our Regional Commissioner during registration.

We are very strapped for cash. Can I pay over time or apply for a scholarship?

Scholarships may be awarded at the discretion of the Oak Ridge Region 390 Board based on the recommendation of the Regional Commissioner. Scholarships are not guaranteed and are not always granted (the board must factor in expenses, the financial health of the local program, and the child's and parent's commitment to local AYSO). Scholarships are granted for just one season (they do not carry from one season to the next) and may be partial or full.

Late Registration

I didn't register my child in time (I missed registration). Is it too late to sign her / him up to play soccer?

Registrations may be accepted up to the first week of practice at the discretion of the Registrar, Coach Administrator, and Regional Commissioner. A $15.00 late registration fee will be added. All late applicants will be placed on a waiting list and late registration is only granted if there is room available on a team. Players are placed on a team in the order they were placed on the waiting list.  A late applicant is anyone who registers after the last day of open registration.

Select Teams, Tournaments, and Summer Programs

My child wants to play on a travel team and go to tournaments. Do Oak Ridge AYSO teams practice for and play in travel tournaments?

Local AYSO tournaments generally are scheduled for the spring, after the spring season has finished, and are optional (their cost is not included in your seasonal registration fee). Region 390 coaches may work with their teams to go to an AYSO tournament, and they are supported by the Region, but the decision to play is often theirs (as volunteers, they have limits on their time). Region 390 does not focus on getting players ready for or playing in tournaments. There are other soccer clubs in the Oak Ridge and Knoxville area that do focus more on tournaments, and often require tryouts to make the teams, but AYSO is more concerned with regular-season games and general player development. Make no mistake; AYSO, like all soccer clubs, is competitive. It's just that we believe competition ought to be healthy, based on balanced teams, open registration (no one is ever turned away¾everyone who wants to play can play), positive coaching, giving everyone equal playing time in games, and good sportsmanship.

Why aren't teams kept together from the fall to the spring (wouldn't it help players develop more if you kept the teams together)?

One of the basic philosophies of AYSO is balanced teams. The Region 390 Board believes very strongly in the AYSO philosophy and tries to keep teams as balanced as possible, which often requires players to be swapped between teams. Additionally, different coaches bring different skills to the program. It would be unfair to at least half the players to put all the "good" players with the "best" coaches. Players develop in response to different coaching styles, at different speeds, often based more on the amount of effort they spend practicing and getting in shape outside of practices and games than on anything the coach sees, says, or shows. AYSO coaches do their best to help players grow as soccer players and individuals (sportsmanship etc.) Exposing players to different coaching styles is just like exposing them to different teachers; it's a good way for players to develop emotionally and mentally.

What happens if my child wants to play in the off season (e.g., indoor soccer), play for a school team, or play on a travel team? What are my options?

Children are not restricted to only playing in AYSO. We have many children who play other sports, who alternate play for school teams and AYSO, who alternately play soccer for other organizations, or who play indoor soccer in the off-season and then play AYSO during the regular season. We encourage children to be as active as they can be (and still do well in school). If they (and their parents/guardians) want to play in other organizations at the same time as AYSO, they should be aware that the other organizations will probably impose restrictions or their practice and games schedules will likely conflict with AYSO schedules. It is very difficult to play for 2 teams during the same season. Again, one of our goals is just to encourage children to play.

How do AYSO summer programs work? Are they affiliated with AYSO Region 390? 

AYSO Region 390 does not run a summer camp but we contract with a professional organization in the United Kingdom that's affiliated with AYSO National to run our summer camp. All the instructors are certified, and most are or have played professional soccer. These camps provide wonderful opportunities for players of all ages, and we encourage players to take advantage of the camps to learn and practice skills.

Uniforms

Do I need to buy the full uniform or can I use clothes my child already has (e.g., red shorts and black socks)?

All players must wear the full AYSO Region 390 uniform, which is sold at the AYSO Region 390 Office during registration.

My child has outgrown his / her uniform. Do I need to pay for a replacement?

Players must wear the full AYSO Region 390 uniform, and uniforms generally will last several years before wearing out, but replacements or larger sizes must be purchased (AYSO Region 390 does not give away uniforms). When buying uniforms, be aware that our region has 2 uniforms. One set is worn by U06-U10 players, the other by U12-U19 players. The more wear-time you can get out of a uniform before changing uniforms, the better off you are.

What can I do with old uniforms, cleats, and soccer gear?

Region 390 has a used clothing box at the Office for donations. Anyone can take what s/he needs (at no cost). All we ask is that you return the supplies when you are done using them so that someone else can use them.