FAQ'S for Parents & Guardians
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Be engaged in your child's participation. Parents can play many roles in sport: current or former athlete, coach, fan, motivator, role model or critic. Parents are the first and most critical agents for their child's socialization in sports. Family members can influence an athlete’s involvement and achievement in sport more than coaches, especially at the youngest ages.
WHAT IS LBYSO?
LBYSO was formed in 1983 as a volunteer-run, fully independent youth soccer league serving the Long Beach area. We are a member of US Club Soccer, Cal South and, by extension, the US Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. LBYSO follows their rules and guidelines, with minor LBYSO league specific adjustments.
DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN LONG BEACH TO JOIN?
No. Long Beach residency is NOT required to join LBYSO.
WHEN IS REGISTRATION?
When is registration? How much is it? Where do I register my child? Refer to the registration page for details.
WHAT DO FEES COVER?
LBYSO is a non-profit. Registration fees cover all mandatory operating cost and expenses, and includes:
- Team Uniform (jersey, shorts, socks)
- Picture Day (Fall Season Only)
- Opening Day Events
- Events during Season
- Free Pre-Season Skills Nights for younger age groups
Individual teams may ask for parents to contribute to a team banner, putting names on jerseys, an end-of-season party, game day snack duties, etc.
WHEN ARE LBYSO SEASONS?
Fall Season starts in early September (usually the first weekend after Labor Day) and ends mid to late November. Fall playoffs for U8 and up, may carry into December.
Spring Season begins in early March (weather permitting) and ends mid to late May. There are no playoffs in the Spring.
WHAT DIVISION IS MY CHILD IN?
Divisions are all split into Boys and Girls, in 2-year age groups except for 1-year age groups for our youngest players in U5 and U6.
Age group is based on birthdate, August 1 to July 31, mirroring the school year.
Please refer to the US Club Soccer Age Chart to find your players correct age group.
Players may play up in a higher division, per parents' request to
registrar@lbyso.org.
Players CANNOT “play down” in a lower age group.
WHAT DOES THE "U" MEAN?
U means "under", "less than".
MY CHILD IS SMALL FOR HER AGE; CAN THEY PLAY IN A YOUNGER AGE GROUP?
Players CANNOT “play down” in a lower age group.
MY KID IS BETTER THAN MESSI; CAN THEY PLAY UP IN AGE?
Players are allowed to “play up” into a higher division, if capable, per parents' request. We allow a 2-year maximum jump. Talented players are HIGHLY encouraged to play up. This is so they can continue to be challenged and grow as a player.
CAN MY CHILD BE MATCHED WITH A SIBLING OR FRIEND?
Siblings in the same age group can be matched. Notify registrar@lbyso.org for sibling matches.
All other matches are player/coach matches. A player and coach MUST request each other in their registrations to be matched.
For U5 and U6, there are no restrictions on player/coach pairings.
For U8 and up, pairing requests are capped, subject to player rating limits and are NOT guaranteed.
WHO COACHES MY CHILD?
All LBYSO recreational team coaches are volunteers. The league does not provide coaches but recruits coaches from our membership. While experience is preferred for older age groups, anyone can coach and parents, friends and relatives are encouraged to participate.
Coaches with a child playing may request a reimbursement or credit on their players fee after the season.
More info in the Coaches Corner.
TEAM MANAGER/TEAM PARENT
Each coach should ask for another team parent to volunteer to handle Team Manager off-field duties such as snack schedules, acquiring a team banner, end of season party, etc. These are options decided upon by each team. It is HIGHLY recommended that each team has a Team Manager or Team Parent.
WHEN & WHERE ARE PRACTICES?
Practice times and locations are determined by the coach and range from a 4pm start to an 8pm ending and can be ANY day of the week.
PLAYERS WILL NOT BE MOVED TO ANOTHER TEAM TO ACCOMMODATE SCHEDULE CONFLICTS.
- U5-U6 typically 1 or 2 times a week for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- U8-U10 typically twice a week for 1-1.5 hours.
- U12-U16 typically twice a week for 1.5-2 hours.
WHEN & WHERE ARE GAMES PLAYED?
In-house games up to U12 are Saturdays between 9-5.
Weekday games are very rare and only for make up games when necessary.
U5-U10 games are at Heartwell Park, between Bellflower and Wardlow.
U12 games are primarily at Molina Park but may also be at Heartwell Park.
U14 and U16 participate in regional leagues: Cal South Intercity in the Fall and JUSA Spring League. Home games are at Heartwell Park. Away games are played throughout southeastern LA County and northern Orange County. Games are on Saturdays but can include one or more Sundays.
HOW DO I FIND MY TEAM ASSIGNMENT?
For coaches and parents, roster info is available in the Playmetrics mobile app or through the LBYSO website.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Get the app, search the Google or Apple app store for "Playmetrics".
HOW DOES MY COACH CONTACT ME?
Coaches will contact the team after they are assigned a roster. Contact can be made by email, phone or through the Playmetrics Team Chat.
Please be sure to add your phone number into your Playmetrics account so the coach has more than one way to contact you.
*Please note - Coaches will not be given their roster until they have completed all required certifications. Do not worry if you have not heard from a coach immediately after teams are rostered.
CAN I CONTACT THE COACH?
If a coach is assigned, you will find their contact info in the Playmetrics app.
EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS
For all practices and games, players require their own:
- Soccer cleats (not football, baseball… soccer cleats)
- Shin guards
- Proper attire for practice (shorts, practice socks, jersey or t-shirt)
- WATER !
- Ball - Be sure it is the correct size
- Team Uniform for game days (jersey, shorts, socks)
Coaches are provided with some equipment and may purchase more on their own. Parents are encouraged to pitch in to help coaches offset the cost.
WHAT SIZE BALL DOES MY CHILD NEED?
U5-U8: Size 3
U10-U12: Size 4
U14+: Size 5