PLUS PROGRAM INFORMATION

AYSO Plus Program

The Plus Program offers a more advanced level of competition for qualified players.  The program offers soccer development opportunities similar to club soccer within the AYSO program.  All players must try out each year to make a team.  The level of competition is higher than the level of competition found in Gold All Stars, particularly in the older divisions as many Plus teams will players who have played together on a Plus team for several years.

Schedule

Plus teams will not play other Region 143 teams during the regular Fall season.  Plus teams will play Plus teams in other regions, similar to All Stars.  There will be some travel involved, but the games are generally in Orange County and Long Beach.  The games are generally on weekends and there may be games on Sundays (although players who cannot attend Sunday games may be accommodated).  Many teams participate in a tournament before the start of the regular season.  The season starts at the same time as the Region’s Fall season and usually ends a week after the end of the regular season.  There is usually an end of season tournament.  If the team is interested in staying together, it can continue to play in tournaments and form a Spring Select team.

Teams

Region 143 will determine the number of Plus teams based upon the number of Plus-caliber players identified during try-outs, the availability of qualified coaches and the structure of the league for the upcoming season.  Teams may be single age brackets - U11/U12/U13/U14, or may be combined age brackets – such as 12 and 13 year olds playing U14.  Region 143 will not form a team if we do not think it will be competitive or if a qualified coach is not available.

Coaches

Coaches must apply each year to be considered as a coach for a Plus team.  If you are interested in coaching a Plus team, please submit a resume indicating the team or teams you are interested in coaching and highlighting the following:

• AYSO Coach training
• AYSO Referee training
• Experience as a soccer player, if any
• Experience as a soccer coach
• Other coaching experience and coach training (any sport) or other Referee training

Resumes should be sent to david.kuiper@lw.com. Resume submission deadline is April 13th, 2008.

All Plus coaches (both head coaches and assistant coaches whose names will appear on team rosters) must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

• Safe Haven
• Intermediate Coach training
• Advanced Coach training
• Basic (Regional) Referee training

You don't have to have all of this training completed before you apply, but if you are named as a Coach, you will need to complete all of those trainings before the season begins.  It is strictly enforced - no mercy!  Please try to complete as much of this training as possible during the Spring season.  If you indicate an interest in becoming a Plus coach, I will send you notices about training opportunities.

We will narrow the field of coaches to just a few who will be invited to assist with try-outs.  Final selection of the coaches may not be made until after try-outs.

Plus vs. Club 

People often ask about the differences between Plus and Club soccer and the relative advantages and disadvantages of each program.  The following are the personal observations of the Plus Director  and are not the official views of AYSO or Region 143:

• Club soccer is generally more competitive than Plus, and the level of coaching is often (but not always) higher, so the skills of Club players generally develop more rapidly.
• Plus can be a great transition to Club.  The level of play is similar to Bronze Club teams. 
• Club soccer requires a much higher level of commitment than Plus - there are more practices, the practices are generally longer, there is more travel involved and the travel is often further away.  Club teams generally play most of the year and play in more tournaments.  Distant tournaments may require over-night stays.
• Club soccer is more expensive than Plus.  Plus players pay the same amount as regular AYSO (around $100) whereas Club teams often pay in excess of $1,000 plus trainer and tournament fees. 
• Plus continues to rely on volunteers to coach and referee games.  Club coaches and referees are paid (a few coaches volunteer or charge less than others).
• Plus requires try-outs to make the team but otherwise operates under the philosophies of AYSO: positive coaching, everyone plays at least half the game, and good sportsmanship.  Club teams have no minimum playing time requirement and place a greater emphasis on winning.
• Both programs do not guarantee a spot for players in successive seasons.
• High school coaches may believe Club experience is more valuable than Plus experience and give the edge to the Club players when considering players who seem otherwise equal.

Try Outs 

If players are interested in playing Plus, they need to register and attend 2 tryouts.

Tryouts will be held at Robinwood Field - 5172 McFadden (near Bolsa Chica).  The try-out dates are as follows:

• U11/U12 – Wednesday, May 7 and May 14 at 5:30
• U13/U14 – Thursday, May 8 and May 15 at 5:30

Qualified players should try out even if they are not 100% sure they want to play Plus. 

Questions?

If you would like to apply to be a Plus coach or have any questions:

            E-mail:  david.kuiper@lw.com

            Work:  (714) 755-8144

            Home:  (714) 847-6992