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AYSO Region 285 Team Formation & Division Administration

AYSO Mira Mesa Region 285

Team Formation

How AYSO Mira Mesa forms balanced teams, places players into divisions, uses player evaluations, and supports a fair, fun, development-focused soccer season.

Our Goal

Our goal is to create fair, balanced teams so players can learn, compete, build confidence, and enjoy the season. Team formation is not about building stacked teams or honoring friend requests. It is about giving every player a good soccer experience.

Player Evaluations

Player evaluations help us better understand each player’s current skill level so we can form balanced teams. These are not tryouts. Every registered player will be placed on a team as long as space and volunteer coach availability allow.

Evaluation Date 1

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Evaluation Date 2

Friday, June 26, 2026

What Parents Should Know

  • Evaluations are optional, but strongly encouraged.
  • They help give us a guide to each player’s current ability level.
  • They help division coordinators create more balanced teams.
  • They are not tryouts, and players are not being cut.
  • Players only need to attend one evaluation date if they are available.

Age Divisions and Team Formats

Players are placed into divisions based on the applicable AYSO age determination rules for the season.

Division Birth Year Range Format Team Size Notes
U8 8/1/18 to 7/31/20 4v4 / 5v5 7 to 8 players No goalkeeper
U10 8/1/16 to 7/31/18 7v7 9 to 14 players Includes goalkeeper
U12 8/1/14 to 7/31/16 9v9 11 to 18 players Includes goalkeeper
U14 8/1/12 to 7/31/14 11v11 14 to 22 players Full-size field

Note: AYSO age determination rules may change by season. Please review the official AYSO age guide or registration page for the most current division placement information.

Team Formation Rules

Balanced Teams Come First

We use player ratings and careful placement to keep games fair and competitive.

No Placement Requests

Friend, coach, carpool, and neighborhood requests are not used to form teams.

Siblings

Siblings in the same division are placed together unless a family requests otherwise.

Assistant Coaches

Assistant coach pairings may not be honored if they unbalance teams.

How We Build Teams

Step 1: Registration

Players must be registered before they can be placed on a team.

Step 2: Player Information

We review prior ratings, coach feedback, and optional evaluation information.

Step 3: Coach Availability

The number of teams depends on how many certified volunteer coaches we have.

Step 4: Team Placement

Division coordinators form teams with balance, safety, and fairness in mind.

Playing Up

Families may request for a player to play one division up if the player is ready based on skill, physical readiness, and approval.

Play-up requests are reviewed on an individual basis and must be approved before team placement.

Play-Up Request Information

Playing Down

Playing down is not allowed, even if a player is younger for their grade, smaller than other players, or wants to be with classmates.

This policy helps protect fairness, safety, and consistency across divisions.

Volunteer Coaches Make Teams Possible

The number of teams we can form depends on the number of certified volunteer coaches available. More coaches means more players can be placed and fewer waitlists.

To Coach, Volunteers Must:

  • Register as a volunteer through AYSO Mira Mesa.
  • Complete required safety courses.
  • Complete the appropriate coach training for the division.
  • Meet all AYSO volunteer certification requirements.
Become a Coach

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child be placed with a friend?

We understand friendships and carpools matter, but we do not place players together by request. Balanced teams come first.

Are player evaluations required?

No. Evaluations are optional, but they are helpful because they give us a better guide when forming balanced teams.

Are evaluations tryouts?

No. These are not tryouts. Every registered player will be placed on a team as long as space and volunteer coach availability allow.

Can my child play down?

No. Players must play in their assigned division. Playing down is not allowed.

Can my child play up?

A play-up request may be considered if the player is ready and the request is approved. Approval is not automatic.

When will teams be announced?

Teams are announced after registration numbers, coach availability, and team formation work are complete. Your coach will contact you once teams are finalized.

How often do teams practice?

Most teams practice once or twice per week. Practice days and times are selected by the volunteer coach based on field availability.

Questions About Team Formation?

Team formation takes time, care, and a lot of volunteer coordination. Thank you for trusting the process and helping us build a fair season for all players.

Contact Division Coordinator Contact Regional Commissioner

AYSO Region 285 Mira Mesa Play Up Request

AYSO Region 285 Mira Mesa Play-Up Request

A play-up request allows a parent or guardian to request that their child play in the next higher age division. Approval is not automatic.

Important Policy Information

AYSO Region 285 Mira Mesa considers play-up requests on an individual basis. The request must be made each year and must be reviewed by the involved Program Managers.

Final approval must be granted by the Regional Commissioner before the last registration period. Submitting a request does not guarantee approval.

Play-Up Request Criteria

Requirement 1

The player must have already completed at least one season of play, U5 or higher, in Region 285.

Requirement 2

The player must possess the skills necessary to play safely and successfully at the higher level.

Requirement 3

If the player has played in a division where player evaluations were completed, the player must have received a prior rating of 5 or higher.

Requirement 4

If no prior rating is available, the player’s previous coach may be consulted and written documentation may be requested.

Requirement 5

The player may be required to participate in an individual or group evaluation to demonstrate readiness.

Requirement 6

A player may not switch age divisions between the Fall and Spring seasons. If a player plays up in Fall, they must remain up in Spring.

Requirement 7

Play-down requests will not be considered at any age level.

Requirement 8

The player’s parent must head coach the team and complete all required coach certifications by July 31.

Requirement 9

The player must miss the cutoff date for the next age division by no more than six months.

Player Ratings Are Confidential

Player ratings are confidential and will not be shared except with the necessary coaches and board members involved in reviewing the request.

Reasons That Will Not Be Honored

Region 285 does not approve play-up requests for the following reasons:

  • The player wants to play with friends in their class or grade level.
  • The player wants to play with children from their neighborhood.
  • The player is too big or too tall for their current division.
  • The request is made after the registration cutoff date for the season.
  • The player is a first-time Jamboree or U6 player.
  • The player received a play-up approval from another AYSO Region.
  • There is no space available in the lower division.
  • A U12 player is requesting to play up due to the AYSO heading ban for U12 players.

Parent Coaching Requirement

The parent of a player requesting to play up must serve as the head coach for that team.

The parent must complete the required volunteer application, Safe Haven, concussion awareness training, and the appropriate AYSO coach certification or training by July 31.

Submit a Play-Up Request

Play-up requests must be submitted each year and reviewed before team placement. Please review the criteria carefully before submitting.

Request to Play Up

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Contact Us

Mira Mesa Soccer

PO Box 26507 
San Diego, California 92126

Email Us: [email protected]
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