FAQ

Is this program just for Perry students?

Not at all.  This is a community program.  The fields are located on school property, but registration has nothing to do with the school.

How will I know when registration is open?

We will do our best to communicate registration in several ways.  The information will be available on this website, it will be announced on facebook (Perry Area Youth Soccer Association), and it will be communicated through Perry schools and Morrice schools.  Postcards will be mailed to previous players.

What ages are included?

PreK (4 years old) through 6th grade

Can I make schedule or team requests when registering?

Yes, please let us know if your child has certain days/times they can't practice or other special requests.  We'll do our best to accommodate as many requests as possible.  We just ask that the requests are reasonable.

Can my younger child play on an older team?

Maybe....  please realize that teams are grouped by age to create an environment where all players are on a relatively level playing field.  Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis with safety in mind.  In general, having a younger child play one grade up in order to be on the same team as a sibling is reasonable.

Can my older child play on a younger team?

Probably not, but maybe....  this situation is probably less ideal, but in some circumstances may still be possible.  A beginner player in an older age group might be allowed to play in a lower division if their skill and size would be a good fit.  This would be decided by the board and/or the coach.

My child is homeschooled, how do I determine what level they should play?

Please go by age rather than academic level.  Most Michigan kindergarteners are 5 when they start Kindergarten, 6 when they start 1st grade, etc.

 Can my almost-four-year-old play?

Unfortunately, we need to have some sort of age requirement, so the deadline will be 4 by April 1st for the spring season, September 1st for the fall season.  In order to be fair, we won't be making exceptions due to size, skill, or maturity.  

What is the cost?

The cost is $35 per player with a $75 max for family members in the same household.

Are there scholarships available?

We don't want to turn anyone away due to financial resources.  If the fee is a financial burden, please contact us at PerryAreaSoccer@gmail.com.

What do the fees go to?

The fees cover the cost of team t-shirts, field maintenance, insurance, printing, practice equipment, and need-based scholarships.  PAYSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit.

What equipment is required?

Soccer cleats are required starting in 3rd grade, and are recommended for younger groups.  Shin guards are required for all ages.  Football cleats and baseball cleats may only be used if the toe cleat is cut off.  A cleat-swap for used cleats and shin guards will be available for donation or pick up at registration and throughout the season.

When does the program run?

There are 2 seasons: spring and fall.  The spring season will start early April and will wrap up by Memorial Day.  Fall season begins after Labor Day and concludes mid-October.

When and where are games?

The majority of games will be Saturday mornings on the fields located at Perry High School.  If there are scheduling issues for coaches or weather cancellations, games may be rescheduled for weeknights.

When and where are practices?

Practices are typically at the same fields at the high school on weeknights, although some practices may also be at other fields in Perry.  Once registration is over, the practice schedule will be determined.  Most teams practice twice a week for an hour each time.  Younger teams might practice less and will be determined by your coach.

Are games or practices canceled due to weather conditions?

Yes, practices and/or games will occasionally be canceled due to weather.  Lightning and flooded fields are common reasons to cancel all games.  It will be up to the coaches to make decisions for cold, excessive heat, or rain.  If you choose to not have your child attend a practice or game due to weather, please communicate with your coach.

Does soccer season overlap with other sports?

Yes, in the spring, soccer typically overlaps with t-ball, baseball, and softball.  How much overlap depends on the ages, as older kids typically start baseball/softball earlier than t-ball.  Fall season overlaps with football.

Will coaches be trained?

There is no formal training required for coaches, but we'll assist however we can to be sure volunteers feel equipped to coach.  From a safety standpoint, coaches will have to pass a background check and go through a concussion training program.

I'd like to coach, how much soccer do I need to know?

At these ages, the desire to coach is far, far more valuable than any knowledge of the game.  At the lowest level, the rules are the most laid back, and the emphasis is on just getting comfortable kicking a ball around and being part of a team.  As players get older, the rules become closer to "real soccer", but still within reason for a new coach to grasp.  Resources and/or training will be available to help new coaches get started.

I'd like to coach, but how do I keep kids busy for practices?

My goal is to have practice schedules set up to make it easy for a new coach (or a substitute) to be able to run a practice without feeling lost or overwhelmed.  Most drills that are designed to improve skills can be turned into mini-games that kids enjoy.  There are also plenty of resources on the web for ideas.  Again, the desire to coach is far more valuable than a perfectly scheduled practice.

Can I form a team for a community or school separately?

This has been done on occasion in the past and will hopefully continue to be an option, but details will need to be arranged on a case-by-case basis.  The same fees will apply and games will still be held in Perry.  Practices could be held elsewhere.  Please contact PerryAreaSoccer@gmail.com with questions.

Can I help in other ways besides coaching?

Yes, please!  See the link in the menu for other ways to help.

Will the rules be different beginning spring 2023?

Some rules may change slightly.  The biggest change made to the program will probably be the elimination of goalkeepers for the youngest levels.  The major soccer organizations, such as US Soccer and AYSO, recommend no goalkeepers until the U10 (3rd grade) division.  There are many articles that can be found in a quick google search to explain all the reasons, but the quick summary is that it puts more emphasis on footwork, which is the most important part of soccer.  Yes, it will probably increase the scores, which means happier kids!  It will also eliminate some confusion for the youngest kids, and it will encourage more participation.  This change has not yet been finalized and will be discussed in upcoming board meetings.

What are the rules by age?

Please see the link for the rules for the various age groups.  The team size and number of players (4v4 or 7v7) may depend on the number of coaches who volunteer.  These rules are currently pending and will be discussed at a future board meeting.

How will playing time be determined?

Coaches will be responsible for determining playing time.  The recommendation will be rotating players as equally as possible.

At what age is offsides called?

Offsides is probably the most confusing soccer rule.  It will be introduced at the 3rd/4th grade level.  See the rules tab for more details.  Again, this is pending discussion.