See below for important information on:
- Soccer shoes
- Shinguards
- Ball Sizes:
- U5, U6, U8: 3
- U10, U12: 4
- U14, U16, u19: 5
- Jewelry, Earrings and Studs
- Casts and Splints
- Spectacles
- Hats or Cap
- Medical Alert BraceletsMouthguards
Soccer Shoes and Shinguards
It is the opinion of the AYSO NRP that soccer shoes or shinguards made by any major soccer equipment manufacturers are acceptable. Shoes or shinguards which are not made by major soccer equipment manufacturers are acceptable if, in the opinion of the referee, the shoes or shinguards are not dangerous to the player wearing them or another player, and the shinguards afford the player a reasonable degree of protection.
Shoes
Aluminium cleats are acceptable but the referee must inspect all types of cleats on shoes to ensure that there are no burrs or sharp edges and, if they exist, burrs or sharp edges must be removed before the player is allowed to participate.
Shinguards
Shinguards must be completely covered by the player's stockings. A player who puts the shinguards on over the stocking and then rolls the stocking down over the shinguard should be required to change. The shinguard must be worn completely under the stocking.
Jewelry, Earring, and Studs
Jewelry, including earrings of any kind, whether or not worn in any body piercing (visible to the referee), must be removed before the player is to be allowed to participate in a match. The same is true of any stud which is used in a body piercing when the jewelry is not being worn.
It is also recommended to coaches that the same rule be applied during practices as the wearer is at risk of severe injury.
Beads worn braided into the hair are also to be regarded as jewelry. Players with braided beads are to be allowed to participate but must wear a hair net covering the beads in order to prevent them from flying into the face or eyes of an opponent.
In order to serve as good role models referees should abide by the same rules as the players in regard to jewelry, earrings and studs.
Casts and Splints: Removable or Fixed, Hard or Soft
The AYSO National Rules and Regulations paragraph V.I.G, states:
"Players shall not be allowed to practice or participate in any game with any type of cast or splint."
The AYSO NRP fully endorses this rule and further notes to referees that players must not be allowed to participate if they are observed to have removed a cast or splint.
Note: The following is extracted from a letter to coaches, parents and players in AYSO Region 126. The letter was written by the Referee Administrator, Steven R. Home., who is a medical doctor and a practicing pediatrician.
"Anything worn to protect an injured part or facilitate its healing is a red flag indicating that the injured area either requires support to maintain proper alignment and or protection for proper, complete and expeditious healing. Removable casts are designed to facilitate personal hygiene and dressing, they are not designed to be removed so that a player may engage in contact sports. Doing so could aggravate an injury and prolong healing time."
Spectacles
Players who require prescription glasses are to be allowed to wear them during a match. The AYSO NRP recommends, but does not require, that retaining straps be worn. Rubber bands may also be used for this purpose.
Prescription goggles such as the type used by racquetball players are also permitted subject to the approval of the referee prior to the start of the match.
Spectacle guards made of plastic or other hard material are not permitted.
Hats or Caps
It is the opinion of the AYSO NRP that players may be allowed to wear soft hats or caps without brims if the weather is inclement. They must not constitute a danger to the player or to any other player and must be approved by the referee prior to the start of the match.
Goalkeepers may wear a brimmed hat or cap. In addition to the above requirements the brim must also be made of a soft material and must be approved by the referee prior to the start of the match.
Medical Alert Bracelets
It is the AYSO NRP decision that children are to be allowed to participate in games or practices while wearing medical alert bracelets. The bracelet must be covered with a cloth wristband or something equivalent which does not involve taping the bracelet directly to the child's skin as this can be very painful to the child when it is removed.
We must all recognize that if the bracelet is removed and lost or hidden in any way, the child might be put in danger, particularly if the parents are not present to ensure that the medical condition is known.
We must also recognize that it is unlikely that a medical alert bracelet, when properly covered, will pose a danger to the other children who are participating.
Mouthguards
The AYSO NRP recommends that players, with the following exceptions, do not wear mouthguards.
Exceptions:
It is recommended that parents whose children wear braces on their teeth confer with their orthodontist to decide if the use of a mouthguard is desirable.
It is further recommended that coaches and referees treat mouthguards as optional equipment and not prevent children who are wearing them from participating in soccer practices and matches. If parents decide to have their children wear mouthguards it is recommended that they first consult their dentist. Children should not wear a "boil and bite" mouthguard as this type is considered to be a waste of money and provides false security.
Note: This AYSO NRP recommendation was coordinated with Dr. Robert H. Fredrickson. Dr. Fredrickson is a member of the American Dental Association, the Pennsylvania Dental Association, and has a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Sports Dentistry. He is a long time AYSO member and past member of the AYSO Board of Directors. He also played, refereed, and coached high school and college soccer.
2024 Version of the Parents' Meeting Notes:r538 non-competitive age divisions 2024v - pdf.pdfr538 competitive age divisions 2024v - pdf.pdf* The videos that are in the PPT Notes are posted in this tab under "Yelling From The Sideline/Touchline" & "Don't Be This Parent" *