AYSO United Alabama

Welcome to AYSO United, the official club program of American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO).  This is an exciting time for AYSO. Our United program is designed to be the capstone of the AYSO Player Development Pathway, allowing players to complete their youth soccer journey under AYSO’s Six Philosophies. The tremendous history and tradition of AYSO as a premier youth soccer organization is United’s foundation. Our United players will experience a positive, developmentally-appropriate environment.

Our National Technical Team, consisting of USSF A & B, and UEFA Pro licensed staff, supports our local coaches in their development, which in turn impacts the many athletes that play for the AYSO United badge.

Our clubs are built on the hard work of local staffs, skilled coaches, desire of players, and the support from families.

Our first year validated the AYSO Player Pathway with an immediate impact in the local communities of our clubs with winning League, Tournament, State Championships, as well as players being selected to the Olympic Developmental Program (ODP).

To develop and deliver quality youth soccer programs which promote a fun, family environment based on the AYSO Six Philosophies and provide the best soccer development program in the United States with clear pathways to the highest levels of U.S. Soccer.

To provide world-class youth soccer club program that enriches our player’s, families and coach’s lives.

1.     Open Registration

Anyone can register for tryouts.

2.     Balanced Teams

AYSO United Alabama teams are placed in the appropriate Division with the Alabama Soccer Association (ASA) for the Fall and Spring seasons, which has established guidelines to ensure that all teams within each division are of similar level.

3.     Everyone Plays®

Our goal is for kids to play and learn soccer at a competitive level so we mandate that every player on every team must plat at least 50 percent of every game.

4.     Positive Coaching

Encouragement of player effort provides for greater enjoyment for the players and leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players. A coach can be one of the most influential people in a child's life, so AYSO requires they try to create a positive experience for all players.

5.     Good Sportsmanship

We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect, rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude, and our program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO United Alabama.

6.     Player Development

We believe that all players should be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.

1.     Our Roster Sizes Are Not Driven By Financial Need

Our teams are not formed with financial objectives, rather we feel that a focus on technique and skills will serve the player’s development better in the long run.  Players are to play as part of the team, not simply be on the roster.

2.     Quality Coaching By Appropriately Licensed Coaches

All coaches are experienced and well-trained, not only licensed by the U.S. Soccer Federation, but have also undergone the highest levels of training and certification through AYSO.  Regular staff meetings are held to discuss issues and keep all coaches up to date.  We encourage professional growth and continued education.

3.     Commitment to Player Development

AYSO is renowned for its commitment to player development and putting the player before the game.  AYSO United Alabama continues with this commitment by valuing the growth of the individual player over team accomplishments solely.

All four components below are interrelated with the how we achieve a Challenging and Fun environment in soccer. Developing these components in the training sessions are essential to create an appropriate environment to develop top soccer players.

a.      Intensity

Practices must be performed at game level intensity. Short working periods of high-intensity develops the technical quality and the quick, tactical decisions required in the game. Reproducing game level intensity during training sessions is essential.

b.     Game understanding

Developing vision and game awareness is crucial from an early age.  Game situations change constantly, therefore collective practices and experience with varied game situations assist player’s in developing their knowledge of the game.

c.      Quality

A quality touch of the ball is indispensable to the tactical side of game-efficiency. Technique in soccer allows for great diversity; therefore, repeating specific technical actions in a game context provides the player with a wide range of technical movements. Coaches will insist on a clean touch on the ball as well as quality technique.

d.     Competitiveness

Opposed and high-intensity practices are essential in the development of high-quality and competitive players. Developing committed and competitive players from an early age is an indispensable aspect in the creation of successful teams.

4.     Playing Style

We believe a possession-based playing style, when employed correctly is the most effective approach to soccer and is beautiful to watch.  All teams are encouraged to build out from the back, find the open player in midfield, and combine those elements to create chances. If the ball is continually cleared down the field, the defense and midfield are bypassed, meaning they will not learn how to connect passes and attack with creativity.  Players should be able to possess, control, dribble, shoot, pass and receive in pressurized situations while feeling comfortable on the ball.  This style is achieved through well-structured practices that consist of:

~ Communication and Awareness

~ Decision Making

~ Executing Decisions

~ Tactical insight

~ Game-Like

~ Soccer technique

5.     Games & Tournaments

AYSO United Alabama is a member of the Alabama Soccer Association (ASA) which provides a highly competitive platform consisting of teams from different clubs from across Alabama.  We enter into tournaments to not only develop the players’ skills but to provide players with opportunities to develop life skills, such as, becoming comfortable in challenging environments, learning to manage their nerves, and being gracious in both defeat and victory.

The following is schedule of club dues and team fee estimates required to play with the AYSO United Alabama. Uniform costs are separate and can be found on the website.  Team and Tournament fees are an estimate based on historical data and are based on number of tournaments agreed to, and any team items that maybe required such as a first aid kit, etc.

We strive to reduce costs while maximizing value in our player program. We offer many opportunities to participate in fund raising to reduce fees.  AYSO United Alabama offers a scholarship program to make the club soccer experience available to all qualified soccer players who have the talent and commitment, but who may not otherwise be able to afford the experience.

1.     What your Fees Cover

2.     What Team Fees Covers

3.     AYSO United Scholarship

We are pleased to offer a scholarship program for soccer athletes in need of financial assistance in order to play. The goal of the AYSO United Alabama Scholarship Program is to make the club soccer experience available to all qualified soccer players who have the talent and commitment, but who may not otherwise be able to afford the experience. See our website for additional details.

4.     Refund Policy

The refund policy is covered during the registration process after you have been selected for a team.

5.     AYSO Membership Year

 When determining the age group for a season, the year the season ends should be used for determining the birth year. Also note that the format “U followed by age” really means that age and younger. For example, U8 should be read as 8 and younger. The effective date of age determination for registration shall be the player's age as of December 31 looking ahead of the Membership Year.  Example: For MY2022, the division the child will be placed in will be determined based on their age as of December 31, 2022.

Please visit www.AYSOUnitedAlabama.org for additional information about tryouts and our club.  We look forward to seeing you on the pitch and uniting your family with ours!