There's a whole 'nuther world of youth soccer out there (on the San Francisco peninsula) ...but, it's been hiding.
New (to soccer)
Parents' Guide
Some straight, honest, and heart-to-heart
guidance for parents new to the soccer scene.
 
 

Before you go very far in this website, you're going to need to know
 How Old Is My Child?
So, click here.

Does this sound like you?

 "I want my child to play soccer at a higher level, but I don't know where to start. Shoot, I just want my child to play SOMEPLACE, and I still don't know where to start. I am confused by the many soccer options; they make no sense to me. I don't know the differences between a league, district, region, club, association, organization, class, or division. I have never heard of SAYSO, AYSO, CYSA, USYS, USCS, USSF, and FIFA. The team designations of 'class-1', 'class-3', 'classic', 'house', 'premier', 'club', 'select', 'traveling', 'tournament', and 'CY' are mean nothing to me. I am mad because my recreational soccer organization never told me I had a choice. I am totally frustrated because finding this information has been next-to-impossible, and every step I take adds another layer of confusion."

If so, then you've come to the right place. Your search is over.


Photo copyright 2002 by Phil Greenspun. Used with permission.

Choose from the "Who are you?" options below.
We don't live on the San Francisco Peninsula (i.e., between San Francisco and Salinas) or on the coast (i.e., between Pacifica and Carmel). Click here.
I want to understand the bigger picture - how youth soccer is organized in northern California - what the organizations are - what the advancement path is - and, the political aspects of things. Click here.
My child has never played soccer before. Where do I start? Click here.
I don't know the difference between recreational soccer and competitive soccer. Click here.
I want my child to get some exercise, meet some new friends, play a team sport, become more aggressive, learn to get along with other people, receive some discipline, and/or learn how to behave. Click here.
My child is one of the top players on his/her community recreational soccer team (in the city, region, etc.), and I think he/she is ready for a bigger challenge. Click here.
My child has told me that he/she is bored with recreational soccer and/or unhappy playing with unskilled and unmotivated players. Click here.
My child is so good that I want him/her to "play up" (i.e., play in an older age group). Click here.
I want my child to benefit from good or better coaching, to be challenged, to play at a higher level, and to play with equally-talented players. Click here.
I want to get my child ready for high school or college soccer. Click here.
I am looking for a list of local CYSA (i.e., "CY") tryouts. Click here.
My child is already playing on a competitive team. Click here.
I specifically want my child to join a SAYSO Gryphons team. Click here.
I am moving to northern California (the San Francisco peninsula, in particular), and my child has been playing competitive soccer elsewhere. Click here.
I already have an understanding of competitive soccer, and all I want a quick way to get my child onto a team. Click here.
There are some soccer terms (words, expressions, phrases) that I don't understand. Click here.
I have heard a lot of rumors about competitive soccer (e.g., it's expensive, you travel a lot, and soccer takes over your life), and I'm concerned. I can't tell the urban legends from the truth. Click here.
I am a coach with a group of recreational players that I would like to form into a competitive team. Click here.
I am so confused, that I don't even know where to start. Or, I'm tired and don't want to become an expert in 50 different soccer organizations - my child just wants to play. Or, I want to speak to a real, knowledgeable person. Click here.
Did this "New-to-Soccer Parents' Guide" answer your questions? Do you have suggestions for adding or changing helpful content? Let us know by sending an email.
 
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