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

MIRA MESA SOCCER

AYSO Region 285 Team Formation & Division Administration

This page has everything you need to know about age groups, team formation, coaching, schedules, and common questions. Our goal is to provide a fair, fun, and development-focused soccer experience for every player.

Age Divisions & Team Formats

We place players in divisions based on their birth year for the 2025–26 season:

Division Birth Year Format Team Size Notes
U8 2018–2019 4v4 / 5v5 7–8 players No goalkeeper
U10 2016–2017 7v7 9–10 players Includes goalkeeper
U12 2014–2015 9v9 11–12 players Includes goalkeeper
U14 2012–2013 11v11 14–15 players Full-size field
Note: Starting Fall 2026, divisions will switch to a school-year cutoff. For Fall 2025, we follow birth-year cutoffs. For full details, visit: AYSO Age Guide, Determination & Divisions

Division	Birth Year	Format	Team Size	Notes
U8	2018–2019	4v4 / 5v5	7–8 players	No goalkeeper
U10	2016–2017	7v7	9–10 players	Includes goalkeeper
U12	2014–2015	9v9	11–12 players	Includes goalkeeper
U14	2012–2013	11v11	14–15 players	Full-size field

Team Formation Rules

Balanced teams are our priority: No one enjoys a 20-0 blowout, on either side! We use player ratings and careful placement to keep teams fair and games fun.
No placement requests: We do not form teams based on friend, coach, or carpool requests.
Sibling rule: Siblings in the same division are placed together unless you ask otherwise.
Playing up: Players may request to play one division up if they’re ready (based on skill, physical readiness, and approval).
Playing down: Playing down a division is not allowed, even if your child is younger for their grade.
Assistant coaches: Requests for assistant coaches to be with specific head coaches won’t be honored if it unbalances teams. Balanced teams always come first.

How We Build Teams: Team Formation Process

Player Rating Sessions (for U10 and U12 only)
- Held June 9 and July 1, 2025 from 5:15 to 6:30pm
- Players are encouraged to attend at least one session
- These are not tryouts, every player will be placed on a team
Teams Formed by Division Coordinator
- Teams finalized by August 10, 2025
- Coaches will then contact families
Number of Teams
- No limit on teams, depends on how many certified volunteer coaches we have!

Become a Certified Coach!

AYSO Mira Mesa runs on volunteers like you! To coach, you must:

Register as a volunteer at miramesaayso.org
Complete online safety and coaching courses
Attend an in-person coach training session

Learn more: Step-by-step coach guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: My child really wants to be on the same team as their best friend so we can carpool and hang out. Can we make that happen?
A: We understand how important friendships and carpooling are! However, to keep teams fair and balanced, we can’t place kids together by request. Once teams are set, you’re welcome to organize carpools with other families.

Q: My child is smaller than most kids their age and is a bit behind grade-wise. Can they play in a younger division where they might be more comfortable?
A: It’s common to worry about size and readiness! For safety and fairness, players must play in their division based on birth year. Playing down isn’t allowed, but we support every player’s growth in their proper division.

Q: My child is really talented and wants to play with older kids. Is that possible?
A: Definitely! If your child is ready and can handle the challenge, you can request to have them play one division up. This requires approval to ensure it’s the best fit.

Q: When will I find out who my child’s coach and teammates are?
A: We finalize teams by August 10, 2025. After that, volunteer coaches will contact you with all the details.

Q: What if I don’t like the team my child ends up on? Can I ask for a change?
A: We get that sometimes the team you hoped for doesn’t happen. Team changes are very rarely approved and only in special cases. We encourage families to trust the process, which helps keep teams balanced and games enjoyable for all.

Q: How often should I expect my child to practice?
A: Most teams practice once or twice a week. Coaches choose practice days and times based on what works best for them and field availability.

Q: When and where do practices usually happen?
A: Practices start the week of September 1, 2025 and are held at Hourglass or Wangenheim fields, Monday through Friday.

Q: How will I know my child’s practice schedule?
A: Once teams are formed, your coach will reach out with practice days and times.

Q: When do games start, and what time will they be?
A: Games kick off on Saturday, September 8, 2025 and continue through November, weather permitting. Game times change weekly. The full schedule will be posted online by opening day.

AYSO Region 285 Mira Mesa Play Up Request

AYSO 285 Mira Mesa play-up request, allows a Parent or Guardian to "request" their son or daughter to play up at the next higher age group. This request MUST be made each year and will be considered on an individual basis. Each play-up request MUST be reviewed by the Program Managers that are involved, with final APPROVAL by the Regional Commissioner, before the last registration period.

The majority of the requests for play up will be evaluated using the following criteria:

1. Player MUST have already completed one season of play, U5 or higher in Region 285.
2. Player MUST possess the skills necessary to play at a higher level of play.
3. If a player has played in a division where player evaluations were completed, the player must have received a rating from the previous year better than or equal to 5. This indicates that a player is more than likely rated in the top 10% of his/her age group. If the player does not have a player rating from the previous year, then the player’s previous coach will be consulted to determine if the player possesses the necessary skills to play-up. Written documentation must be given as to the playing ability of the player. (player ratings are confidential and will not be shared with anyone for any reasons other than the necessary coaches and board members)
4. Player may be requested to participate in an individual or group evaluation to demonstrate the player’s ability to play-up.

5. A Player may not switch age divisions between the Fall and Spring Seasons. In other words, if a Player plays up in the Fall, they must play up in the Spring. 6. Play Down requests will NOT be considered at any age level.

7. Player’s parent MUST Head Coach the team. (Parent must complete the necessary coaching requirements prior to June 30th – e.g. Volunteer Application Form, Safe Haven, Concussion Awareness training and age appropriate AYSO Coach Certification/Training)

8. Player misses the cutoff date for the next age division by no more than 6 months.

Our Region does not honor the following reasons for playing-up:

1 Player wants to play with friends in his/her class or grade level.
2. Player wants to play with players in his/her neighborhood.
3. Player is too big or too tall to play at his/her current level.
4. Request is made after the registration cutoff date, for the season in which the request is made.
5. Request will not be granted for first time Jamboree or U6 players.

6. Play Ups granted by other AYSO Regions. 7. No space available in the lower Division.

8. U12 Player may not play up due to the Heading Ban for U12 players.