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Team Creation

            Two of the basic tenets of the AYSO philosophy are: Everyone Plays and Balanced Teams.

            The Fall season follows the National  guidelines which states that all players must play %50 of the game. The Area (2J) increases that to ¾ of a game when possible. With that in mind, that is what determines the size of our teams in conjunction with the National guidelines that U12 and below are to play short sided games (less than 11 players). Short sided games has been proven to provide more touches to the ball which increases player skills.

            Region 64 has decided upon the following team sizes for specific age divisions:

            U6 (B.D. 8/1/96-3/1/98): will be formed in teams of up to 8 players with an appropriate mix of boys and girls on each team which is usually 3 girls and 5 boys. Buddy requests (those kids who request each other, and note it on their form) will be honored when possible. Teams may be balanced by experience. Since many players are returning for a second year in this division, they will be balanced among the teams. The Girls’ coordinator and the division manager often use players’ schools to aide in balancing, but not exclusively. Players from one school may be on 2 different teams to simplify the addition of new players.

            U8 division (B.D. 8/1/94-7/31/96): Boys and girls play on different teams. Coaches’ evaluations, experience and age are used to balance teams. The goal is to spread the more skilled and experienced players out among all the teams. Buddies who request each other (limit one), who sign up at early bird registration, and who note it on the registration forms may be placed on same team if possible. The player’s school may have some influence on team placement. Team size is 10 players with 8 on the field.

            U10 division (B.D. 8/1/92-7/31/94): A similar approach to the U8 with greater emphasis on player evaluation when available. Previously evaluated players to be equally divided among the teams with a an appropriate balance of new or unrated players. Some buddy requests may be honored but are not guaranteed. Region 64 complies with short sided guidelines and plans for teams of up to 12, play 9.

            U12 division (B.D. 8/1/90-7/31/92), and older: The Boys’ and Girls’ Coordinators utilize the coaches evaluations, experience and age in division to create a mathematical formula used to form teams. The division managers assist the coordinators in team formation and try to assist the coaches in ironing out player trades. All specific requests such as buddies,  practice time/location problems must be noted on the form at early bird registration. No requests may be made for specific coaches. Honoring requests is not guaranteed.

            A special assessment day Sunday June 2^nd led by Carlos Lovera, Regional Coach administrator, was held to verify player evaluations. Players from U12 and above were to attend in gear, and participate in a short 5 v. 5 15” scrimmage. A make up day will be scheduled and posted on web site.

            Team Formation is scheduled for July. All coaches and assistant coaches are required to attend a “balance” meeting Thursday July 25^th. Specific times will be announced. The U6 division may have a separate balance meeting. The coaches will be given their team rosters and will then be able to make three (3) trades with the other coaches for players of comparable age, ability and experience. This is their opportunity to attempt to meet some of the player requests.

            Despite the best efforts to balance teams, other factors tip the scales of balance: Coaching ability/experience/training; parenting ability/support; Player/child personalities; & Player motivation. But the biggest weight that affects team balancing are the unknown players, those that are new to the league and not evaluated.  

            Late sign ups can affect a team balance by a large margin. In order to improve this factor of balancing, players who register in the Early Bird Registrations and the June 27^th Regular registration will have priority on team placement. Those who do Mail In registration (details later) will have a delayed team placement. All registrations received after June 30^th will be batched and used to rebalance the teams in early August, after the coaches balance meeting. Those who register early, but have a problem with the practice time/location etc will be dropped in priority placement and rebalanced and with other late registrations.