Basic information about our program for players, parents and volunteers: (en Español)

AYSO Basics
How We Make Teams
When We Play
Where We Play
How We Play
Whistle Blowers Needed
Summer Soccer Camp
Volunteer - You'll Love It
AYSO Stuff
Tell Us What You Think

AYSO Basics
AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization), is a nationwide non-profit organization, started 40 years ago in 1964 with 125 players. Headquarters are in Torrance, California with 60 fulltime employees. There are approx. 250,000 volunteer coaches, referees and administrators for 750,000 players, aged 4½ through 18. There are 55 million children in that age group in the US, of which 12 million play soccer, of which 3 million play organized soccer, of which 750,000 with AYSO. The US is divided in 14 sections: we are in Section 3 (42,000 players in New England, New York and New Jersey and the section director is our own Bill Hummell). Each section is divided in areas: section 3 has 8 areas and we are in Area 3T (10,000 players in 18 regions in Westchester and the area director is our own Jordan Becker). This organization (national, section and area) is set up to support the most important unit within AYSO, the region. We are region 220, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, started 25 years ago in 1979, with over 700 children registered for the 2003-2004 season. Our players come mostly from Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow and Pocantico Hills.

How We Make Teams
AYSO divides teams into seven age specific divisions, ranging from Division 7 (Under 6) to Division 1 (Under 19). In our Region, teams are co-ed in Division 2, and separated by gender in Divisions 7, 6, 5, 4, and 3.
Following AYSO policy, all of our teams are "balanced" to promote even competition. After U6, players are evaluated by their coaches, and these evaluations are used to help balance the teams. We do not have "drafts" or allow coaches to choose their teams. If requested, a coach or assistant coach will be permitted to coach his or her own child.

When We Play
Each team plays two seasons. The first season starts in the fall, and teams usually play a full schedule of 8 games from September to November. We resume, with the same teams, in the spring and play from April to June. Each fall, teams are reconstituted, as some players will move up to the next division.
The U6 games conduct a practice followed by a game on Saturdays. For all other divisions, practices are generally, but not always, held on Saturday mornings, with games on Sunday afternoons.

Where We Play
U6 games (Division 7) are held at Franklin Field, on the side of Washington Irving School (off Franklin Street) in Tarrytown, and Quattro 1 & 2 Fields, at DeVries Park in Sleepy Hollow (at the end of DeVries Avenue in Philipse Manor).
U8 games (Division 6) are held at Peabody Field in Sleepy Hollow (off Route 9, North Broadway, opposite the cemetery.
U10 home games (Division 5) are held at Pennybridge Field, on Sheldon Avenue, in Tarrytown, and the Washington Irving Upper Field (off Route 9, Broadway).
Home games in the upper divisions are played at the Washington Irving Lower Field (off Franklin Street), and at the Pocantico Hills School (off Route 448, Bedford Road).

How We Play
In the U-6 through U-12 divisions we play "short sided games", in which there are fewer than 11 players on a team. The AYSO coaching establishment has been advocating short-sided games in all of these divisions, because the kids have more involvement in each play.
All games in the U-6 and U-8 divisions are played "in-house"; that is, all teams are from our Region and all games are played in either Tarrytown or Sleepy Hollow. U-6 plays with a #3 ball; U-8, U-10 and U-12 with a #4 ball.
Starting with U10, some games are played "in house" and others are played against other teams from the Area. U-10 games are 7 V 7 and U-12 games are 9 V 9.
The U-14 and U-16 divisions will continue to play the traditional 11 V 11 soccer with a #5 ball.
In addition, if there is interest from players and coaches, starting in U10, we field "extra teams" and "tournament teams" to provide players with the opportunity to participate in additional games (played at 4 pm on Saturday) and tournaments at an advanced level of competition. The Board has established guidelines for the selection of players for these teams. These additional games are designed not to interfere with our regular program, and additional costs are borne by the players.

Whistle Blowers Needed
You have a chance to play a key role in the AYSO program. Volunteer to become a referee. The only requirements are knowing the rules, having a sense of fairness and being committed to helping kids have fun playing soccer. Refereeing is an exciting experience. It lets you see the game from a totally different perspective, and it can go a long way toward teaching kids good sportsmanship.
Tarrytown has an active referee program involving adult volunteers and young adult scholar athletes, college and high school students refereeing to help young kids learn and appreciate the game. Right now, you must be at least 14 to referee for AYSO, but we are considering having younger players ref for the youngest divisions. U8 and U10 teams will be required to supply a referee for home games.
We always welcome new referees. We will provide free training and certification and free equipment, including a neat striped uniform, a cool stopwatch, and the whistle. If interested, call Paul Rode at 914-419-5032.

Summer Soccer Camp
The sixth annual AYSO-organized soccer camp will held August 9-13, 2004, at the Washington Irving School. It is operated by ProExcel Soccer Camps. The cost of the camp is substantially less than other comparable camps offered in the area. Contact Katharine Swibold at 914-524-9624 for more information.

Volunteer - You'll Love It
We believe that we are running a vibrant soccer program that is expanding and improving every year. However, the more we do, the more we realize that we can do. Not only can we always improve the existing program, we can offer more, if we have the people to do it. Every Regional Board Member and every coach, assistant coach and referee is a volunteer. Some of our volunteers have played soccer their entire lives and others had never kicked a soccer ball in anger before getting involved with AYSO. All of us do it because it is fun and worthwhile.
Your AYSO program will only improve if more members of our community get involved. If you have interest in a Board position, let the Board know. Volunteer to coach or referee. If you only have a little bit of time, but want to help, we will find something useful for you to do.

AYSO Stuff
The AYSO Supply Center carries patches, pins, manuals, coach and referee instructional materials, and more. Plus, a free registration kit complete with forms, posters, and the ABCs of AYSO parents handbook! Contact the National Support & Training Center (NSTC).

The AYSO Store is AYSO's official merchandise outlet, with AYSO shirts, caps, jackets and more, plus other soccer memorabilia.

Tell Us What You Think
As proud as we are of our program, we know that it is not perfect. Whether you are a player, or a parent, new to the game, or with a lifetime of experience, we want your input. What is good about our program? What could be improved, and how? Feel free to contact any Board member, or stop us at games or on the street or on the train and let us know how you feel. We are committed to making this the best youth sports program in the area, and can only improve with your help. Don’t be shy.