AYSO Alliance
AYSO Alliance provides an opportunity for selected AYSO teams to participate in external competition circuits while remaining connected to AYSO’s Vision, Mission, Six Philosophies, and player development pathway.
Quick Resource Clipboard
What is the AYSO Alliance program?
The purpose of the AYSO Alliance program is to support AYSO player development to the highest levels of play. Alliance is an integral part of the AYSO competitive play program and may provide a pathway toward AYSO United.
To align with the AYSO player pathway, EXTRA should be utilized first where an EXTRA program is viable. Alliance provides an additional competitive opportunity for players who are ready to participate in external competition circuits while remaining connected to AYSO’s Vision, Mission, Six Philosophies, and commitment to player development.
AYSO Alliance teams are composed of players registered within AYSO while also being registered with US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, a State Association, or another applicable playing circuit. Alliance teams are selected through open tryouts and provide an opportunity for players who want to play at a more competitive level within AYSO.
Alliance participation may require team fundraising and may involve team travel. Travel is authorized for AYSO Alliance teams, but travel is not required for the Alliance program.
Each AYSO Alliance program should operate in the best interest of the local Area and Regions, with an emphasis on the player pathway and creating a positive learning environment for players and coaches. AYSO cannot control or be responsible for external playing circuit rules, requirements, decisions, or operational standards.
How is Alliance different from EXTRA?
AYSO EXTRA is an internal AYSO competitive program that gives players an opportunity to compete at a higher level while remaining within an AYSO gaming structure.
Alliance is designed for AYSO teams participating in external competition circuits, such as those affiliated with US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, State Associations, or other approved playing circuits. Alliance teams remain AYSO teams and must continue to follow AYSO requirements, including AYSO’s Vision, Mission, Six Philosophies, volunteer requirements, financial requirements, and applicable program standards.
Important: Local league rules, State Association rules, registration requirements, and competition structures may vary. Local examples should not be treated as national requirements unless they are specifically required by AYSO National guidance or another governing document.
Player Eligibility
Players are selected through open tryouts. Tryout timing may vary based on local needs and the rules of the applicable State Association or external playing circuit.
Player eligibility for AYSO Alliance follows the current AYSO age determination structure based on the Membership Year school-year registration model, using an August 1 age determination date.
Players must meet the minimum age requirements established for participation in the Alliance program and must be eligible under both AYSO registration requirements and the applicable State Association or external playing circuit rules.
Only players who attended open tryouts may be selected for placement on an Alliance team. Players selected for Alliance should be registered through the appropriate AYSO registration process and must also complete any additional registration requirements of the applicable State Association or external playing circuit.
Age classifications for Alliance teams should align with AYSO age determination and the requirements of the applicable State Association or playing circuit. A player may play up one year with consent of the parents and coaches. Playing up multiple years requires permission from the Section or Area Alliance Director and the parents of the player, and may also be subject to State Association or playing circuit limitations.
Program Structure
Alliance may be organized at the Section, Area, or Region level, depending on local structure, market needs, field availability, player demand, and access to an appropriate external competition circuit.
Operating guidelines and directives fall under the authority of the applicable Section, Area, or Region Alliance Director. Day-to-day operations may remain local, but each program is expected to operate under the guidance of the AYSO Alliance Program Operations document and all applicable AYSO policies and procedures.
Each Alliance program should be structured to support local needs while maintaining consistent AYSO programming standards and quality.
General Program Expectations
Alliance programs should ensure that:
- Players are registered in the AYSO registration system of record.
- Players complete any applicable State Association or external playing circuit registration.
- Coaches submit an AYSO volunteer application annually.
- Coaches meet all current AYSO volunteer compliance requirements.
- Coaches satisfy applicable State Association, playing circuit, and AYSO coaching requirements.
- Teams follow all applicable State Association and external playing circuit rules.
- Players, coaches, and teams obtain any required player cards, coach cards, medical releases, concussion forms, or other required documents.
- Alliance teams continue to uphold AYSO’s Six Philosophies, including Everyone Plays, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development.
- All AYSO financial, registration, risk management, volunteer, and program compliance requirements are followed.
Local procedures may vary. Timelines, league application processes, club registration requirements, scheduling expectations, and State Association requirements should be treated as local procedures unless specifically required by AYSO National guidance.
Starting and Maintaining an Alliance Program
Any Region, Area, or Section interested in starting an AYSO Alliance program must:
- Complete an AYSO Alliance application to request approval.
- Be approved by the local Area Director and Section Director, including communication with the AYSO Office, which will assist in establishing the program in compliance with expected standards and expectations.
- Be based in a geographical area where there is sufficient field space, demand for club soccer, and availability of an appropriate external competition circuit.
- Agree to all prescribed standards and expectations to ensure quality programming and authentic AYSO representation.
- Pay the Alliance team fee as set by the Section, Area, or Region.
- Ensure that all teams from the same Region wear the same color/style of uniform and bear the AYSO Alliance logo on the chest. Uniform colors may differ from program to program.
Alliance is a Region, Area, or Section program. Local structures may differ, but each program must remain aligned with the AYSO Alliance Program Operations document and all applicable AYSO policies and procedures.
Coach Selection and Requirements
Openings for head coaching positions within the AYSO Alliance program must be advertised each year, and applications must be submitted to the AYSO Alliance Director and appropriate Area and Region administrators.
Alliance coaches must:
- Adhere to the AYSO Vision, Mission, and Six Philosophies.
- Submit an AYSO volunteer application annually.
- Meet all AYSO volunteer compliance requirements.
- Meet applicable State Association or playing circuit risk management requirements.
- Hold required State Association, playing circuit, and/or AYSO coaching certifications, as applicable.
- Represent AYSO, Alliance, and the local Region, Area, or Section in a positive and professional manner.
Each Alliance team must have one head coach and one assistant coach. A team manager is also highly recommended.
Team Operations
Alliance teams should operate in a way that supports player development, family communication, and compliance with AYSO and external playing circuit requirements.
Team operations may include:
- Training sessions coordinated locally with Region, Area, or Section field availability.
- Tournament participation based on team objectives, parent input, player readiness, and available funds.
- External league participation through the applicable State Association or playing circuit.
- Compliance with all AYSO volunteer-to-player supervision requirements.
- Compliance with all AYSO policies related to player safety, conduct, supervision, and due process.
Alliance teams are expected to maintain the standards of AYSO while participating in a more competitive external environment.
Financial Matters
Alliance fees are established locally by the applicable Section, Area, or Region and may vary based on the costs associated with the program. Fees may include Alliance program fees, State Association fees, team fees, player registration fees, referee fees, tournament fees, uniforms, or other approved expenses.
Alliance programs must follow all AYSO financial policies and procedures. This includes use of the AYSO accounting program of record, proper handling of funds, timely deposits, approved budgets, financial reporting, and compliance with all applicable AYSO financial controls.
Alliance expenses should be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Alliance Director and Area Director or Regional Commissioner, as applicable.
Conduct, Discipline, and Due Process
Alliance players, coaches, volunteers, and parents represent AYSO when participating in external gaming circuits. All participants are expected to uphold a high standard of conduct, sportsmanship, and respect.
All AYSO policies and procedures for Dispute Resolution and Due Process apply to coaches and volunteers within the Alliance program.
Alliance Directors may discipline coaches or players above sanctions issued by the local State Association or playing circuit, when appropriate and consistent with AYSO policies and procedures.
Suspension or removal from a team should be used only after appropriate documentation, communication, and attempts to resolve the issue have occurred. All efforts should be made to work through issues before suspension or removal is considered.
Poaching and Player Recruitment
State Association or playing circuit rules on player recruitment or “poaching” are in effect for Alliance teams.
Signing players from the Primary Program is not allowed until all regular season games are completed and the Primary season is complete.
Questions related to State Association or playing circuit recruitment rules should be directed through the applicable Section, Area, or Region Alliance Director.
Primary Program Giveback
Alliance participants are expected to contribute back to the local Primary Program. This helps ensure Alliance strengthens AYSO rather than operating separately from the broader organization.
Examples of Primary Program giveback may include:
- Coach education and certification support
- Referee Program participation
- Tournament support
- EPIC program support
- General volunteer support
- Other support areas identified by the local Alliance program
Specific giveback expectations should be coordinated locally by the Area Director in conjunction with participating Regions.
Sample Documents and Local Adaptation
The resources listed on this page are intended to support Alliance implementation. Some documents may be used as samples and should be adapted as needed for local requirements.
Local adaptations must not conflict with:
- AYSO National guidance
- AYSO governing documents
- AYSO financial policies and procedures
- AYSO volunteer and risk management requirements
- State Association requirements
- External playing circuit rules
When in doubt, contact AYSO Programs at programs@ayso.org.
