Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

AYSO Carson City Region 140

General Information

AYSO has programs for all ages and skill levels!

AYSO is committed to its six philosophies - Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development. No matter your child’s skill level or age - we have a program that is right for your child - from our youngest soccer tikes just learning to kick a ball, to skilled all stars and every age and capability in between. We follow U.S. Soccer’s Player Development Initiatives which are designed to develop your child’s skills and love of the game. Whether you think you have the next Cristian Pulisic or Lionel Messi - or you just want to get your kid off the couch - great soccer starts here!

Don't know what division your child will play in? Please see AYSO's age chart here: 2022-2023 AYSO Age and Division Table. Note: "MY" stands for Membership Year, which runs from August - July.

Playground - Ages 3 & 4 (Parent Participation Required)
(for Fall 2023 - kids born in 2019-2020; must be age 3 in year 2023)

AYSO Playground is the only soccer program for Carson City’s youngest players starting at age three! It’s about 60-80 minutes on Saturdays each spring and fall and focuses on the player’s mental, physical and social development with parachutes, hula hoops and of course, soccer balls. In this program, parents work side-by-side with their players and... play. Toward the end, players break out into teams of three or four to test their new skills. Let the chaos begin!

For more information, see our Playground information page.

Spring and Fall Core for Younger Players - Ages 5 (6U division) through 7 (8U division)
(for Fall 2023- kids born in 2016-2018)

This is youth soccer at its core and is open to all players under age 8 in the spring and fall. Games are played on small fields with four players on the field per team and no goalies. The games are designed to maximize ball touches and maximize scoring opportunities (studies have shown that kids that score more, play soccer longer). In the spring, teams are formed in April with the first games near the last weekend in April and the last games in early June. In the fall, teams are formed in August with the first games on the weekend before Labor Day and the last games toward the end of October. Games are on Saturdays with a few weekday evening games. These games are all about kids scoring goals!

Spring and Fall Core for Older Players - Ages 8 (10U division) through 18 (19U division)
(for Fall 2023 - kids born in 2006-2015)

The core program is open to all older players. Fields and teams get bigger as players age, creating opportunities to learn soccer strategies and some of the more complicated rules such as offside, direct and indirect kicks and more. We create balanced teams (or at least, as balanced as we can make them with the information that we have). In the spring, teams are formed in April with the first games near the last weekend in April and the last games in early June. In the Fall, teams are formed in August with the first games on the weekend before Labor Day and the last games toward the end of October. Games are mostly on Saturdays with a few weekday evening games. Ready! Set! Goal!

For some of the older divisions (12u and up), teams become harder to field as they require more players and less older kids sign up to play soccer. For the 12u and up divisions, our region will do our best to find ways for the kids to play, including forming co-ed divisions and forming single teams who may play other region's single teams. If you have questions about your child's division for the upcoming season, reach out and let us know!

Ai Competitive Club - Ages 8 (10U) through 14 (15U) NEW!!!
(Year-round, kids born in 2005-2014)

For those players that just can’t get enough and have the skills and experience on the field to prove it, AYSO Interplay (Ai) is the program for you! Ai is a new program that will play at the silver competitive level in club soccer. Ai will only be available in certain divisions based on the ability to field a competitive teams that embody AYSO’s six philosophies - players must be invited to play Ai. Tryouts for individual players will be at the end of June and will be open to all players . Practices will begin in July with games starting in August and lasting through October, mostly in Reno and Carson City. Some travel may be required. It’s the next step in soccer evolution - it’s Ai!

Core Program Parent Expectations

Expectations on the Field

We want AYSO soccer fields to be a safe, friendly, happy, place for children to play. Therefore, we expect all parents, spectators and volunteers to abide by the AYSO Code of Conduct and the Kid Zone Guidelines. We encourage fans on the sidelines, and anyone else nearby, to use positive language, show good sportsmanship in their attitude and behavior, and to create a great experience for every player. Whether you are an official AYSO volunteer, or simply your child’s biggest fan, we want you to feel empowered to remind others who are not exhibiting positive behavior to do so.

All spectators will stay on one side of the field, opposite the coaches, at least one yard from the touchline (sideline). Spectators may not sit, stand or linger behind the goal line, with the exception of photographers, who must receive permission from the referee prior to the game. Photographers positioned behind the goal line may not cheer.

Expectations off the field

Parents, guardians, grandparents and other family members are integral to your child’s success. Players that kick the ball with their parents a few times per week outside of practice progress much more quickly than players that don’t.

After games, briefly emphasize the positive. If your player wants to talk more about the game, do so. However, try to avoid lengthy discussions about poor performance - generally, your child knows what went wrong and what can be improved - and if the player doesn’t know, then the player isn‘t ready to hear the criticism.

Volunteer for your Child!

AYSO is an all-volunteer organization. We can’t do this without you! We need coaches, referees and team parents to help out with each team. A team full of engaged parents makes a positive experience for the coach, which in turn, makes a better experience for your child. Here are ways you can help out!

Coach. Each team must have a coach. For this age, to be a coach you must be good with kids, pass a background check and take the on-line Safe Haven, CDC Concussion Awareness and AYSO 8U Training. Remember, if there’s no coach, your child can’t play. Here are five more reasons why you should coach:

The coach is the head cheerleader and it’s a lot of fun. In fact, for 6U, the coach gets to be on the field with the players during the game.
The coach gets to determine when and where practices are - plus, we do our best to schedule games around your busy schedule - it’s the perfect volunteer position for the busiest parents.
We provide easy, simple to understand training.
At this age, coaching is super easy! The kids have no idea that you don’t think you know what you are doing and you really only need to remind them to score in the right goal and remind them not to touch the ball with their hands.
Finally, coaching is a great way to create lasting memories for your child!

Referee. Every 8U team should have a referee. If there’s no referee, the coach will need to referee - which means he/she can’t coach. Support your coach and be a referee. For this age, to be a referee you must pass a background check and take the on-line Safe Haven and CDC Concussion Awareness and the in-person AYSO 8U Referee Training. As with coaching, being a referee for this age is super easy and since we don’t keep score, there’s no pressure - just keep the kids safe!

Team Parent. The Team Parent organizes who brings snacks for the kids after each game. You’d be amazed at how important the snacks are to the little kids! The Team Parent may also be asked to organize the end of season party or collect money from other parents to purchase trophies (AYSO does not provide participation trophies). Purchase of trophies or medals is at the discretion of each team.

Core Program Required Player Equipment

As a part of the registration fee, AYSO provides each player:

An AYSO uniform, which includes a jersey, shorts and socks; and
A size 3 soccer ball.

Coaches will distribute uniforms and balls. Players should bring their soccer ball to every practice and game.

You must provide for every practice and game:

Shin guards;
Closed-toed running shoes, sneakers or cleats; and
Water or other hydration.

Cleats are optional, but players must wear closed-toed shoes. EACH PLAYER MUST WEAR SHIN GUARDS AND CLOSED-TOED SHOES TO EACH PRACTICE AND GAME. PLAYERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IF THEY ARE NOT WEARING SHIN GUARDS AND CLOSED-TOED SHOES. Shin guards are worn UNDER the player’s soccer socks next to the skin. The socks must completely cover the shin guard.

The following are not allowed at any practice or game:

Splints or casts (hard or soft) of any kind; and
Earrings or other jewelry while playing - with or without tape or band-aids.

We recommend you refrain from piercing ears until the end of the season.

Player Development Initiatives

AYSO follows the U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives (PDIs). The PDIs aim to create an environment for youth players to grow and develop their soccer abilities. The most notable PDI includes small-sided game standards. Small-sided standards are regulations for youth games played with less than eleven players on each team that include field and ball size, game length and special rules. Fewer players on the field will allow players to be more involved and provide more opportunity for development.

The PDIs are designed to shift the focus of youth soccer from results based to individual player development. Tasked with advancing the sport at all levels, these initiatives have been implemented to create uniform standards with the primary consideration extended to the individual player at each age level based on their developmental needs.

The following rules apply to 6U:

Coaches on the field; no referee
10 minute halves
Size 3 ball
5 or 6 players per team; 4 on the field (4v4)
Heading the ball is not allowed
No throw-ins; pass or kick in
No goalies
No offside

The following rules apply to 8U:

Coaches must stay off the field; a referee will manage the game
20 minute halves
Size 3 ball
5 or 6 players per team; 4 on the field (4v4)
Heading the ball is not allowed
Players throw-in to restart play after it crosses the touchline; referee may instruct the player or have the player re-throw-in the ball; a perfect throw-in is not required
No goalies
No offside

All AYSO matches shall be conducted in accordance the AYSO National Rules & Regulations and with the current FIFA Laws of the Game.

Registration

This program is open to any player that meets the applicable age requirements. Generally, registration is open beginning in November for spring season and beginning in May for fall season. Registration closes as divisions fill up, but no later than the first game.

Please go to our registration webpage for more details.