FLEX™ FAQ
Answers to your most common questions.
What is the AYSO FLEX™ Program?
AYSO FLEX™ is the introduction of new primary program options which join AYSO's standard primary program, including our U-5, U-16/19 Experimental and VIP. AYSO FLEX™ is an umbrella for all optional player opportunities that enable Regions, Areas and Sections to choose programs that best serve their local needs.
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Is this from the Extended Play initiative in the AYSO Strategic Plan?
Yes, it is! Extended Play is the broad name that was used for a need identified in the AYSO Strategic Plan, and AYSO FLEX™ has been developed in response to that need to deliver desired player program components identified by our membership. AYSO FLEX™ is being launched with three program options beginning in fall 2009.
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What are these three program types?
Under the AYSO FLEX™ umbrella, there will be three new primary program options - Extra Concurrent, Extra Side-by-Side and AYSO "Club" * -- the latter of which has been approved for existing pilot programs only at this time and is under development for future use. The two versions of Extra are designed to permit Regions and Areas to provide additional play at a more challenging level and to build strong programs which will retain and recruit players. The AYSO Club option is designed to formalize and standardize situations in which AYSO teams interplay with club soccer teams.
*This name may change.
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Are the new AYSO FLEX™ programs pilot programs?
Yes. The National Board of Directors (NBOD) approved these program concepts in December 2008 and asked the Extended Play Task Force to develop pilot programs for availability to the membership in the fall of 2009. Pilot program participation requires application and approval at the national level.
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Has the NBOD approved these options?
Yes, the pilot program options have been approved by the NBOD. The NBOD wants to road test these options to ensure that they will meet the needs of the membership before formal adoption is sought.
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Where can I get more information?
Information will be given to the membership from several different resources: through AYSO's weekly e-newsletters, publications, the national Web site, our Special Programs Department staff at the NSTC and through the Extended Play Task Force.
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When will the application process be available for my Region or Area?
The application process will be available online on our national Web site beginning May 2009.
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Who has to approve my application before it is submitted?
Any Region in good standing with the AYSO organization that meets the criteria for conducting a new AYSO FLEX™ program may apply. To ensure a greater degree of success, most Regions will need the assistance of an Area to conduct these programs. The Area and Section Directors are part of the review and monitoring processes. Applications will be reviewed by the Extended Play Task Force and approval will be granted by the NBOD. The organization is looking first to those Regions that currently have pilot programs operating and to Regions and Areas that have significant demands or needs for these types of programs.
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What are the new AYSO FLEX™ programs' criteria?
EXTRA
- No paid coaches, referees, administrators
- All six AYSO philosophies must be present
- The program must fulfill AYSO's mission statement
- Coaching requirements - U-10 = U-12 Coach, U-12 = U-12 Coach, U-14 = Intermediate Coach, U-16 and U-19 = Advanced Coach
- Refereeing requirements - U-10 = Regional Referee, U-12 = Intermediate Referee, U-14 = Advanced Referee, U=16 and U-19 = National Referee
- Paid Trainers - same requirements as in current National Policy Statements
- Overall acceptance of the program in the Region or Area
- Includes participation in U-10 through U-19 age divisions
- Player evaluations or tryouts must be impartial and with proper player notifications, as outlined in the Extra program guidelines
- Appropriate monitoring, financial oversight, annual reporting to the next higher executive member level (and nationally during the pilot status)
- A Player Vacancy Policy in place
- Adherence to AYSO sunset requirements for any existing non-compliant programs
AYSO"CLUB"
Details for this type of program option will be made available at a later date. Please contact the Special Player Programs Department at the NSTC for more information or write to extendedplay@ayso.org.
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When can we start using these new programs?
With application approval by the NBOD you may start your program in the 2009 membership year which begins August 1, 2009. Conditional approval will be given by the NBOD pending executive member training on how to properly conduct the AYSO FLEX™ programs.
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What is the difference between Extra Concurrent and Extra Side-by-Side?
An Extra Concurrent program requires that all participants participate on a Region's standard primary program team in order to participate on an Extra program team. It allows and requires participation on two primary program teams - in our standard primary program and in the pilot Extra program.
An Extra Side-by-Side program does not require participation in a standard primary program or on any other primary season team (such as programs that are held for high school players whose season conflicts with the standard primary program timeframe).
The Extra Side-By-Side program is a stand-alone primary program often referred to as a major/minor or an A/B program. Coaches selected to participate in these programs are required to "give back" to the standard primary program in ways identified by the Region. This is done to ensure that a strong support mechanism is retained first and foremost to the standard primary program.
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How do we determine which program best suits our needs?
Regions must gauge the pulse or philosophical beliefs and needs of its local membership and also in neighboring Regions within the Area so that a program can be developed and flourish.
It is anticipated that initially most Regions will probably migrate towards the Extra Concurrent program until they feel comfortable that any questions or concerns with introducing a Side-by-Side program have been addressed. Shared resources are needed to conduct both programs, but playing time concerns are significantly reduced and more easily managed with the Side-by-Side program.
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Can we use these programs as regional play opportunities or are they only available as an Area program?
Regions that have sufficient numbers of players to provide a variety of opponents to make the season successful can operate regional programs. Where there are not sufficient players to successfully conduct regional programs, starting programs with neighboring Regions or the entire Area - if the geographic distances are not too great - ensures greater success.
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How do these programs support the philosophy of "Open Registration?"
Every player who registers with an AYSO Region will be placed on a team, subject to the same limitations that currently exist for the standard primary program. Player selection for the new AYSO FLEX™ program teams will occur prior to the team formation for the standard primary program to ensure no interruption of the normal team balancing and placement processes.
The new AYSO FLEX™ pilot primary programs are open for all players to apply and to participate in a player selection process that the Region deems appropriate. These programs are designed to meet the needs of players who possess a higher level of skill, a desire to play more challenging matches and a preference to play soccer more frequently than afforded in the standard primary program. These programs are smaller in player participation numbers than the standard primary program and typically attract players who are more dedicated to the sport of soccer.
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How do you select the players for these programs?
Regions and Areas will have a number of methods that are acceptable to use to choose players to participate in these types of programs. These options are under development by the Task Force and will be posted on the Web site in time for your use for the fall 2009 season. However, open, fair and consistent methods that are mindful of the players' feelings and self esteem are required and are the foremost concern of the organization.
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Are there standards for coaches and referees in these new programs?
Yes, all pilot programs must follow the criteria described in the question "What are the new AYSO FLEX™ programs' criteria?" of this FAQ.
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Where can I find information to determine if we have enough players to start this program?
Guidance can be found in the Extra Program Guidelines and the Extra Program Application Worksheet documents available on this site. Regions and Areas will need to work cooperatively to find the best way to have Extra teams while keeping a viable, healthy standard primary program running.
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Where can I find information to determine if we have enough coaches and referees to service both the standard primary program and a new AYSO FLEX™ program?
Guidance can be found in the Extra Program Guidelines and the Extra Program Application Worksheet documents available on this site. Regions and Areas will need to work cooperatively to find the best way to have Extra teams while keeping a viable, healthy standard primary program running.
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What are the program monitoring and reporting requirements?
Program monitoring requirements are being developed to help the Task Force measure success and needed areas of improvement. The Task Force is required to give periodic reports and a year-end report to the NBOD to ensure that the needs of the membership and the organization are properly met.
Program monitoring requirements are being designed with the understanding that volunteers have limited time and/or desire to write reports. These measurement tools will be created as concisely as possible to properly gauge program success. The final program monitoring requirements will be given to Regions and Areas accepted into the pilot program at the time of approval.
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Are there any other basic program operating requirements?
Regions and Areas must be in financial compliance. All registrations must be paid with 30 days and all outstanding invoices must be paid within 60 days. A budget will be required to be maintained and submitted together with other program monitoring information.
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If we run a similar type of program but it's not an approved program, is adopting a new AYSO FLEX™ program how we become a nationally approved program?
The only official player programs are those approved by the organization. Programs that have been developed locally must come under the AYSO FLEX™ umbrella and comply with the new AYSO FLEX™ program criteria. Upon application and authorization by the NBOD, you will have an approved pilot status for your program.
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Are there possible issues with running two primary programs simultaneously?
Regions, Areas and Sections should be mindful of the impact of running two primary programs simultaneously. Care should be taken in determining the scope of play and to the structure and formation of teams to ensure that the cultural needs and diversities are met and that there is harmony within the programs as they move into secondary program play and participation in national events.
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Are there limitations on secondary program opportunities these new programs?
Yes, there are at this time. If some of the pilot program parameters are outside the scope of our National Rules & Regulations, it may preclude participation in certain events. Details are explained in the following three questions.
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Can an Extra team participate in the AYSO National Games 2010?
Players who participate in the Extra Concurrent program format are eligible to participate in the National Games.
Players who play in the Extra Side-by-Side program - and therefore do not also participate on a standard primary program team - are not eligible for participation in the National Games at this time.
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Can an Extra team participate in an All Star program?
Players who participated in the Extra Concurrent program format are eligible to participate in the All Star program.
Players who play in the Extra Side-by-Side program - and therefore do not also participate on a standard primary program team - are not eligible for participation in the All Star program at this time.
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Can a AYSO FLEX™ team in one of these new options participate in AYSO tournaments?
Yes. Each tournament has its own rules of eligibility and that will determine which types of AYSO FLEX™ program teams qualify for inclusion in their tournament. Typically, Open Invitationals and International tournaments have open or flighted opportunities for these types of teams.
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Do we need a separate NAP account or budget to operate this program?
No. Most Region and Area programs can operate these programs in a segregated manner in the Region or Area general NAP account. There will be exceptions to this rule, and they will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Some new financial codes are being assigned to identify registration and expenses incurred in these new programs.
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What kind of marketing materials are available to assist me in advertising the start of an AYSO FLEX™ program?
The AYSO Marketing Department is developing resources for Regions to use to advertise the availability of these new programs in addition to the other programs under AYSO FLEX™ such as U-5, U-16/19 and VIP. These will include a press release article for local Web sites about Extra debuting nationally, a template press release article you can adapt with your local program information, a flyer, a graphic (HTML) e-mail and a plain text e-mail. Additional information will be forthcoming as these marketing tools are finalized.
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If I still have questions, where do I go to get them answered?
You can contact someone in the Special Programs Department of the NSTC at (800) 872-2976 x5472 or one of the Extended Play Task Force members at extendedplay@ayso.org.
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How are these new primary program options different from those that AYSO has tried in the past?
The NBOD stated that our current player programs may not be serving the all of the needs in many of our Regions, Areas and Sections; that we must develop programs that meet the needs of the grassroots; and assigned a Task Force to examine the issue and find the necessary solutions. A talented, experienced and culturally diverse Task Force was identified to vet the player program needs and issues defined in the AYSO Strategic Plan. There has been a unified effort at all levels to seek answers to the needs of the organization and our grassroots.
The Task Force thoroughly researched this issue and the history of extended play initiatives in the organization since its inception in 1964. Additionally, the Task Force reached out to our grassroots to determine what their needs were and why and what worked and what did not. In addition to gathering internal needs, external marketing needs were also identified. These combined efforts were taken into consideration in developing these new programs for our Regions, Areas and Sections.
Educating the membership on the history, research findings and ultimately how and why pilot programs were being developed, helped to bring a common understanding and acceptance of the interest and needs of our Regions, Areas and Sections. We are a very culturally rich and diverse national organization. Our realization and understanding of meeting the needs of AYSO on a national basis is extremely important to our growth and success as the largest and strongest national youth sports organization in the world.
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What are the risks of running these new programs?
The risks of running a new program without having or maintaining the necessary components to make the program successful will result in disappointment by the players, parents and volunteers and may stunt further growth or program support. The lack of proper attention by region boards to the continuing needs of the players in the standard primary program will cause discontent towards these new programs and will weaken support for their continuance.
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How are the new programs different from the All Star program?
The All Star program is a secondary program competition defined in National Policy Statement 2.7 in which the Region determines a selection process to choose players from the just concluded standard primary program who have played in at least fifty percent of the season's scheduled games. All Star play is typically confined to intraarea and intra-section competition and sometimes divisional winners go on to compete with other neighboring sections in a championship tournament. The All Star program season's usual duration of play is six to eight weeks.
The new AYSO FLEX™ programs are primary program pilots that run either concurrently (as additional play opportunities and in addition to standard primary program play) or side-by-side without concurrent standard primary program play.
Potential players apply during the Region's registration period to be in a pool of players who will be evaluated and who may or may not be selected for participation to play in these programs. There is no requirement for prior play in AYSO to be eligible to participate. The new programs' season of play are concurrent to that of the standard primary program.
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What is meant by a program "sunset"?
This is the term developed at the NAGM 2004 which the NBOD and the membership identified as the time limit for existing approved or unapproved pilot programs to conform to the new program criteria or cease to exist.
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What is the sunset term for existing programs to comply with the new pilot program criteria?
Existing programs must comply with the standards, policies and procedures of the new AYSO FLEX™ program within two years of receiving pilot approval status or formal adoption of this program by AYSO, whichever is sooner.
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