Frequently Asked Questions
Recreational FAQs
Can we bring a team over from another league?
Can we put together our own team and then sign them up?
Can we request a particular coach?
Can we request a particular friend?
What is the age cutoff for any given season?
Can my child play up an age division?
Can my child play down an age division?
Why are there no recreational teams after age 12?
How often are practices held for the different age division?
Who determines the practice logistics?
How are teams formed?
How and when do I know what team my child is placed on?
How much does it cost?
Where are the practices held?
Are the coaches / referees certified?
When are the games?
If you can't find the answer to your question in our FAQ section, please contact us.
For General questions: info@arizonasoccerclub.com
Questions to the BoD: board@arizonasoccerclub.com
Contact information, click here
Q: Can we bring a team over from another league?
Q: Can we put together our own team and then sign them up?
A: Yes. Arizona Soccer Club believes that players have more fun, learn better, faster, and quicker when they stay together as a team. There is more consistency which is important to youths.
Q: Can we request a particular coach?
A: Yes. When you register, there is a space where you can request the coach you wish. This applies for the online registration as well as the printable form.
Q: Can we request a particular friend?
A: Yes. When you register, there is a space where you can request the friend you wish. This applies for the online registration as well as the printable form.
Q: What is the age cutoff for any given season?
A: We have one age check for the entire year and this aligns itself to the school year. Our age cutoff date is July 31st. Whatever your child's age is on July 31st, that is the age division that they can play on for the entire year. You can have your child play up a division however. As an example, say your child's birth day is August 1st, and they will be turning 6 years old. Since on July 31st, your child will still be 5 years old they can still play in the U6 league (4-5 year olds). You could also have your child play up in the U8 league (6-7 year olds). The point is the age your child is on July 31st is the age that we go by for the entire year. Fall (Sept - Nov), Winter (Jan - Mar), Spring (Apr - Jun) In addition you could have your child play in U6 for the Fall then move them up the U8 for Winter and Spring.
Q: Can my child play up an age division?
A: Yes. This decision is up to the parent when signing up their child. It should be noted however that in general the child will be at a disadvantage playing against other kids that are bigger, stronger, and in general, have better skills. There are some times however when it is the most appropriate place for them. Therefore, a parent needs to take an objective look at their child and make the best choice for them. The other situation is when a team moves up and a couple of players are to young. For this scenario, it would be best for the kids to move up together as teams learn better together.
Q: Can my child play down an age division?
A: No. It is not fair to the younger players to have a child 3 years older than them playing in their league. In general, it is also not in the child's best interest as they are not being appropriately challenged.
Q: Why are there no recreational teams after age 12?
A: Arizona Soccer Club recognizes that children this age have a firm grasp of winning and loosing. Even if the coach or parents explain that sports are for fun, if they are playing in the older age divisions, they have a great desire to win. Additionally the older players get the smaller the player pool becomes. Often times we have had to merge older age divisions in with younger players. Because this is a time of puberty for many children there is often a large gap in size and ability. To help assist in keeping the league as fair and fun as possible without any team having an advantage, we believe that formatting teams based on ability in our Thunder program and playing teams around the valley is the best for the league and the players. We will continue to review this on year by year basis.
Q: How often are practices held for the different age division?
A: Arizona Soccer Club requires that every team practice between 1 and 3 days a week. Practicing more than 1 day a week is completely up to the coach and parents on the team. We do encourage that U4, U6, and U8 teams practice one day a week and U10 and older teams practice 2 days a week.
Q: Who determines the practice logistics?
A: The coach and parents on the team determine practice day, time, and location. Typically the coach will schedule the first practice (or parent meeting) and at that meeting, changes can be made as necessary.
Q: How are teams formed?
A: Teams are formed by first honoring all coach requests, followed by all friend requests, finally by major cross streets.
If a coach has more players requesting them than there are spots on the team, all players who have played with them the season before will get placed on the team first, followed by the date the other players registered.
Any player requesting a coach who is moving up an age division will get moved up with that coach. Parents please check with the coach before requesting them, as coach requests are honored first.
Any player requesting a coach who is staying in the same age division and your child will be to old for the age division will not be allowed to play down with the coach. Parents please check with the coach before making this request.
All friend requests will be honored after coach requests. As players cannot play down, please check with the friends before you request each other to verify which age division they will be playing in. All friend requests that span multiple age divisions will be honored with the younger player playing up an age division to play with the older friend , as players are no allowed to play down an age division.
All coach and friend requests will be accommodated, but are not guaranteed!!
Q: How and when do I know what team my child is placed on?
A: All team rosters are posted on the website and an email is sent to all parents indicating to them when teams have been posted. Parents can login to view the team roster and schedules. All coaches have until the Wednesday following the coaches meeting to contact all parents with the details for the first practice or parents meeting. If you have not been contacted by the coach at that time, on your team roster page is the coaches phone number and email address. Please contact the coach directly. If you are still unable to contact the coach, please send an email to info.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: U4 $60 per season, U5 and up $85
Q: Where are the practices held?
A: The coach of the team decides the practice location and time. The coaches are asked to diseminate the practice location and time shortly after the coaches meeting.
Q: Are the coaches / referees certified?
A: Recreational coaches are volunteer parents, some may hold individual certifications. AZSC offers it's pro staff for coach training throughout the seasons to increase the knowledge base for practice and coaching soccer games.
AZSC referees are required to be certified by the state. Referees have obtained different levels of certifications, most AZSC referees hold a U9 certificate or higher.
Q: When are the games?
A: Games are held on Saturdays through the 8-9 week season. AZSC currently plays games in Gilbert and Queen Creek. All U12 games are played on the Gilbert fields.