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AYSO Region 0144 - South Irvine, California

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AYSO Core Overview

The AYSO Core program is what most people think about when AYSO is mentioned. In AYSO Region 144, the following Core program guidelines apply for the Fall and Spring seasons of Core programs. See the Winter Core program web page for modifications to the guidelines.

The AYSO Core program uses small-sided guidelines and player development initiatives to deliver a program focused on developing skills and abilities as well as a need to educate and empower parents and coaches. We need to eliminate the emphasis placed on the result of the game.

Success requires a long-term approach and commitment to delivering a fun soccer experience as well as individual development.

The Fall and Spring seasons are separate programs -- you will need to register for each program separately. Fall registration starts in March and ends when teams can no longer be formed or 2-weeks prior to the start of the season. Spring registration starts in January and ends when teams can no longer be formed or 2-weeks prior to the start of the season.

IMPORTANT: All 3 divisions -- 10U, 12U, and 14U -- are played against teams in other AYSO Regions in central Orange County. AYSO Region 144 away games could be against other AYSO Region 144 teams played in South Irvine or home teams in North Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, or Costa Mesa.

10U, 12U, and 14U Core Progam

10U Small-sided guidelines

  • Field. The field is 40-yards wide and 60-yards long where the field is longer than it is wide (a clearly defined rectangle). The following markings are required:
    • Center Line & Center Circle. The Center Circle has an eight (8) yards radius from the Center Mark.
    • Goal Area. The Goal Area is four (4) yards from the goal line and eight (8) yards wide.
    • Penalty Area. The Goal Area is twelve (12) yards from the goal line and twenty-four (24) yards wide.
    • Build Out Line. The Build Out Line is halfway between the top of the Penalty Area and Center Line. It is acceptable to place cones on markings on the touchline to indicate where the Build Out Line is located is acceptable.
    • Corner Arcs. Corner arcs on each corner of a one (1) yard radius.
  • Goal. The goal should not be more than six-and-a-half (6.5) feet high and eighteen (18) feet wide.
  • Ball. Size 4 ball.
  • Players. Games are played with no more than seven (7) and no less than five (5) players per side and with a goal keeper.
  • Time. The game is played with two (2) twenty-five (25) minutes halves. The time is continuous - do not stop the timer for injuries or for any other reason during the half. Substitution breaks during the half should be a maximum of two (2) minutes. Halftime should be five (5) to ten (10) minutes.
  • Substitutions. Every player plays 3/4 of the game before any player plays the entire game. Substitutions at the end of each quarter.
    Goal keeper playing time: Although it is recommended no player play in goal more than one (1) quarter, players must play on the field a minimum of one (1) quarter on the field.
  • Starts and restarts. All starts and restarts are as defined in the Laws of the Game. The only modification is that players must be a minimum of eight (8) yards from the ball rather than ten (10) yards from the ball except as defined by free kicks in the Goal Area.
  • Referees. A registered (in the current Membership Year) volunteer with a minimum AYSO Basic Referee certified referee is required. Two (2) registered (in the current Membership Year) volunteer Assistant Referees (with a minimum of an AYSO Basic Referee certification) are recommended.
  • Build Out Line.
    • The build out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting.
    • When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play.
    • Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play (punts and drop kicks are not allowed).
    • After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.
    • The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during a goal kick until the ball is put into play (in play when it completely crosses over any of the Penalty Area lines).
    • If a goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the punt or drop kick occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred
    • The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build out line. Players can be penalized for an offside offense between the build out line and goal line.
    • Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line. However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes.
    • To support the intent of the development rule, coaches and referees should be mindful of any intentional delays being caused by opponents not retreating in a timely manner or encroaching over the build out line prior to the ball being put into play. Coaches are responsible for addressing these types of issues with their players. Referees can manage the situation with misconduct if deemed appropriate Referees should be flexible when enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out line.

12U Small-sided Program

  • Field. The field is 45-55 yards wide and 70-80 yards long where the field is longer than it is wide (a clearly defined rectangle). The following markings are required:
    • Center Line & Center Circle. The Center Circle has an eight (8) yards radius from the Center Mark.
    • Goal Area. The Goal Area is five (5) yards from the goal line and sixteen (16) yards wide.
    • Penalty Area. The Goal Area is fourteen (14) yards from the goal line and thirty-six (36) yards wide.
    • Corner Arcs. Corner arcs on each corner of a one (1) yard radius.
  • Goal. The goal should not be more than six-and-a-half (6.5) feet high and eighteen (18) feet wide.
  • Ball. Size 4 ball.
  • Players. Games are played with no more than nine (9) and no less than six (6) players per side and with a goal keeper.
  • Time. The game is played with two (2) thirty (30) minutes halves. The time is continuous - do not stop the timer for injuries or for any other reason during the half. Substitution breaks during the half should be a maximum of two (2) minutes. Halftime should be five (5) to ten (10) minutes.
  • Substitutions. Every player plays 3/4 of the game before any player plays the entire game. Substitutions at the end of each quarter.
    Goal keeper playing time:
    • During play within the Region - no player may play in goal more than one (1) half of the game and must play at least one (1) quarter of the game on the field.
    • During play outside of the Region - Although it is recommended no player play in goal more than one (1) half, players must play on the field a minimum of one (1) quarter on the field. The player can play in goal the remaining 3/4 of the game (play the entire game) as long as all players play at least 3/4 of the game.
  • Starts and restarts. All starts and restarts are as defined in the Laws of the Game. The only modification is that players must be a minimum of eight (8) yards from the ball rather than ten (10) yards from the ball except as defined by free kicks in the Goal Area.
  • Referees. A registered (in the current Membership Year) volunteer with a minimum AYSO Basic Referee certified referee is required; an AYSO Intermediate Referee certification is recommended. Two (2) registered (in the current Membership Year) volunteer Assistant Referees (with a minimum of an AYSO Basic Referee certification) are highly recommended.
  • Note that no heading is allowed in the 12U division. Goal keepers may punt the ball. Yet, the ball cannot be intentionally hit by a player's head. The restart for violating this modification to the Laws of the Game is an Indirect Free Kick. If the offense happens in the Goal Area, then move the Indirect Free Kick to the Goal Area line parallel to the Goal Line closest to where the offense happened.

14U Core Program

The 14U Core Program follows the standard Laws of the Game with the exception of substitutions and playing time.

  • Time. The game is played with two thirty-five (35) minutes halves. The time is continuous - do not stop the timer for injuries or for any other reason during the half. The referee can add time to the end of a half at their discretion. The halftime break should be between five (5) and ten (10) minutes.
  • Substitutions. The referee will stop play -- at a standard stop in play -- approximately half way through each half to allow each team to make substitutions. Substitutions can also be made during halftime. Every player plays 3/4 of the game before any player plays the entire game.
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    AYSO Region 144 - South Irvine, California

    PO Box 14726 
    Irvine, California 92623

    Email Us: [email protected]
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