Weekly updates by the Region 9 Coach Administrator will be posted here starting in late August or early September.

Week 11 - 11/15/2023

What if we are rained out on Final Saturday, 11/18/2023?

• Per the Region 9 Board Meeting yesterday evening, Monday, 11/13/2023, if we are rained out this weekend, there will not be any make-up games (no field times available).  The top 3 medal winners for each Competitive Division or Group (e.g. 10U Boys "A", 12U Girls, etc.), as well as the 13 teams advancing to Area Playoffs, will be announced by the Regional Coach Administrator on behalf of the Region 9 Board, based on results from rounds 1 and 2 of the Region 9 playoffs, previously-announced tie-breakers, and the minimally required referee (11) and volunteer (3) points.
• Such announcement will immediately follow the confirmed field closure notice by CRPD, which could come as early as Friday, or as late as early Saturday morning.

Week 9 - 11/3/2023

10U-12U Regional Playoffs Updates:

• Both 10U and 12U Playformat will conform to Area/Section Tournament Rules: 7 v 7 for 10U, and 9 v 9 for 12U.
• Both 10U and 12U Goalkeeper Time Restrictions (for the same player) will be lifted - again per Area/Section Tournament Rules.
• 3/4 Playtime Rule will still be strictly applied to 12UB, 12UG, and 10UG Divisions: no one (including the keeper) plays a 4th quarter until everyone else has or will have played 3 quarters.
• As was mentioned last week, the 3/4 playtime rule only applies to a 10B team when it has less than 10 players participating in a game; but with full participation (all 10 players present), since it's mathematically impossible to play everyone 3 quarters, the Equitable Playtime rule will be enforced: the 2 players who have to sit out for 2 quarties for a given game cannot be sat out for 2 quarters again in later games until everyone else has sat out for 2 quarters.
• Failure to observe the 3/4 playtime or Equitable Playtime rules will result in a 0-1 forfeit regardless of the actual game result.
• 10UB Equitable Playtime 2-player (who have to sit out 2 quarters) rotation does not carry over into Area Playoffs in early December - it will simply be reset for a new tournament.
• All 10UB consolation games on Final Saturday, 11/18/2023, will play 8 v 8, still with no keeper time restrictions - in order to provide the players the maximum playtime.

Penalty Shootout - Are You Ready?

Since we don't have overtime if a Regional Playoffs game is tied at the end of regulation, quite a few games will likely be decided by Kicks from the Penalty Mark (KFTPM), below are a few tips from the AYSO (Intermediate) Coach Manual:

For the Kicker/Shooter:

• The shooter should place the ball firmly on the penalty mark so it will not move prior to the kick. Use a favorable lie for the best strike (tee it up). Do not place the ball in a hole at the penalty mark (reposition the ball if necessary).
• Accuracy over power (balls struck low and hard into the corners are usually most effective).
• The kicker should decide his/her placement prior to the shot and not deviate.
• The kicker should avoid giving away their placement by either looking too blatantly to one area or by the angle of their approach.

For the Goalkeeper:

• The goalkeeper must be positioned with a part of at least one foot on the goal line between the goalposts and is not permitted to move that foot off the goal line until the penalty is struck.
• The goalkeeper may play anywhere on the goal line and is not limited to the midpoint between the posts.
• As the ball is about to be struck, the goalkeeper should make an informed guess as to the direction of the kick and move or dive in that direction to attempt a save.
• The goalkeeper should look at the direction of the shooter’s approach, the planted foot and the shooter’s body movement to gain insight to the direction of the kick.

Please remember that although per our Region/Area/Section rules, anyone on the team can participate in the penalty shootout (limited by the maximum # of players available at the end of regulation from the short-sided team, if applicable), the goalkeeper MUST be included in the kickers list, and can and will (depending on how the KFTPM goes) absolutely take the shot!

Week 8 - 10/27/2023

10U Boys Regional Playoffs Play Format Conforming to Area Playoffs Rules - 7 v 7:

• We will play 7 v 7 in 10U Boys Regional Playoffs in the last 2 weekends of the regular season (Weeks 10 & 11), this is the play format in all AYSO tournaments for the 10U divisions.
• It will help ease our Area Playoffs-bound 10UB teams' transition to later postseason tournaments - Area Playoffs in early December, and possibly (if they finish in the top 2 positions in Area Playoffs) League (Section 10) Championship in mid-February 2024, in Bakersfield.
• The 3-quarters-minimum-playtime rule applies in Regional Playoffs if a 10UB team has less than 10 players participating in a given game: no one plays a 4th quarter until everyone else has or will have played 3 quarters.
• If a 10UB team has full participation (with all 10 players present) in a Regional Playoffs game, since it's mathematically impossible to play everyone 3 quarters, the Equitable Playtime rule will be enforced: the 2 players who have to sit out for 2 quarties for a given game cannot be sat out for 2 quarters again in later games until everyone else on the team has sat out for 2 quarters.
• So it is critical to fully rotate the 2 players that will have to sit out for 2 quarters if you have full team participation and advance in Regional Playoffs; failure to observe the Equitable Playtime rule will result in a forfeit (a 0-1 unearned win awarded to the opposing team).

Winter League Registration Open and Volunteers Needed:

• The Winter League will start on Saturday, January 13th, and end on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
• Online registration was opened on Sunday, October 15th, and will be closed on Sunday, December 10th, 2023.
• Teams will only be built if we have volunteer coaches and volunteer referees.
• We are still looking for a key volunteer to be the Winter League Director to help manage the Program.

Extended Ron Volk Award Nominations (for 10, 12 & 14 Divisions Only) End at Midnight, Monday, 10/30/2023:

• Ron Volk was a beloved Region 9 coach, Division Administrator,  Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, and much more.
• The award that bears Ron Volk's name is not just a sportsmanship award, it should be regarded with the highest esteem - even more so than a first-place trophy or medal.
• Please consider a player on your team to receive this prestigious award: it doesn't need to be the best athlete or the top scorer at all, it should be someone on your team that best embodies the AYSO spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork.
• It's something very special to the nominated player to have his or her name engraved on the Ron Volk Sportsmanship plaque, so please nominate your player online asap (one player only per team) at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-isaayXSTrR5yg6byeRzW9tEkH8-LaMjbbwNMvQi27Ms-qA/viewform

Have an Awesome Gameday Tomorrow!
Region 9 Coaching Staff

Week 7 - 10/20/2023

2023 AYSO Area E Playoffs (for 10U, 12U and 14U only) Updates:

• Dates: Saturday-Sunday, 12/2-3/2023;
• Place: Conejo Creek South Park (CCS, our home fields);
• New for This Year: Each participating team will provide a volunteer to assistant referee (AR) 3 games.  These games will not conflict with your player's matches;
• The top 2 finishers in each Girls or Boys division usually get invited to Section 10 League Championships on Saturday-Sunday, February 17-18, 2024, in Bakersfield (Kern County Soccer Park).
  
  Updated  # of Region 9 Entries to Area Playoffs: We Gained 4 More Entries in 10U and 12U, but Lost 2 Entries in 14U:
• 10U Boys: 3 entries - the top finisher in each group (A and B) - as well as the 3rd-place overall team - in Regional Playoffs advance;
• 10U Girls: 3 entries - the top finisher in each group (A and B) - as well as the 3rd-place overall team - in Regional Playoffs advance;
• 12U Boys: 3 entries - the top 3 finishers in Regional Playoffs advance;
• 12U Girls: 3 entries - the top 3 finishers in Regional Playoffs advance;
• 14U Boys: 1 entry - the top finisher in Regional Playoffs advances;
• 14U Girls: 1 entry  - the top finisher in Regional Playoffs advances.
  
  Again, Basic Requirements for Any Entry to Area Playoffs - in addition to Regional Playoffs Standings:
• Minimum of 3 Team Volunteer Points;
• Minimum of 11 Team Referee Points;
• Certified Head and/or Assistant Coach for the Age Group, as well as up-to-date certification in Safe Haven, Concussion Awareness, Cardiac Arrest, SafeSport, AYSO Fingerprinting, and background check;
• Positive representation of Region 9 in Area tournament – both in the Technical Area and on the spectator side.
  
  2023 AYSO 9 Regional Playoffs Updates:
• 10U and 12U Teams (Boys and Girls) will have seeded single-elimination playoffs in Weeks 10 (Saturday, 11/11/2023) & 11 (Saturday-Sunday, 11/18-19/2023);
• Team seedings are based on Team Standings through Week 9; some teams may be scheduled to play 2 Saturday games in Week 10 and/or in Week 11;
• Tiebreakers for seeding teams with the same points in Standings are, in order of importance, 1) Referee Points; 2) Head-to-Head Winner; 3) Fewest Red Cards; 4) Fewest Yellow Cards; 5) Fewest Goals Against; 6) Coin Flip;
• There will be two 10U Boys games on Sunday Nov. 19th at 9am and 10:30am, to determine the top 3 teams overall for advancing to Area Playoffs;
• Everyone Plays on the final 2 Saturdays (11/11 and 11/18/2023): teams which lose their first playoff game in Week 10 will be scheduled for a consolation game in Week 11;
• All 10U and 12U Playoffs games tied at the end of regulation will be immediately followed by a Penalty Shootout (no overtime) to determine the winner; everyone on the team will be able to participate in the penalty shootout, limited by the minimum number of players on field for the game.  And the goalkeeper is always an eligible KFTPM shooter!
  
  Regional Playoffs Brackets for 10U and 12U Divisions/Groups, to be Updated with Actual Team Numbers after Week 9:
  Brackets
  
  Regional Playoffs Schedules for 10U and 12U Divisions on Saturday, 11/11/2023:
  10UB
  10UG
  12UB
  12UG
  
  Regional Playoffs Schedules for 10U and 12U Divisions on Saturday, 11/18/2023:
  10UB
  10UG
  12UB
  12UG
  
  Regional Playoffs Schedule for 10UB Only, Sunday, 11/19/2023:
  10UB
  
  14U Regional Playoffs Rules:
• The two 14U teams in each 14U Division - 14UB/14UG - will play each other twice in Week 10 (Saturday, 11/11/2023) & 11 (Saturday,11/18/2023);
• Winner in game points (2 wins or 1 win and 1 tie) will be awarded first-place medals as well as Area Play berth;
• Ties are allowed in both games; should the 2 teams end up with the same game points (1 win and 1 loss or 2 ties) at the end of regulation in the 2nd and final game, the winner will be determined by Kicks from the Penalty Mark (KFTPM) immediately afterwards (no overtime); everyone on the team will be able to participate in KFTPM, limited by the minimum number of players on field for the game.  And the goalkeeper is always an eligible KFTPM shooter!
  
  Have an Extraordinary Game Day Tomorrow!
  Region 9 Coach Staff
  

Week 6 - 10/13/2023

Volunteers Urgently Needed in order to Form Winter League 2024:

Region 9 usually offers Winter League in 8U and up divisions for those players who would like to continue to play soccer in the postseason.

The Winter League lasts for about 8 weeks starting in January 2024, it costs much less than the Fall season, and registration starts before the regular season ends in November 2023.

The Winter season emphasizes technical training and fun play, no scores or standings are kept as it's meant to be a fun learning experience for all players and volunteers, especially for those who want to start coaching or refereeing!

Practice is limited to one and half hours each week, all weekday practice and Saturday games are held at Conejo Creek South Park, as is the regular season.

Please note that in addition to volunteer coaches and referees, we are in dire need of Winter League volunteers to fill key positions such as the Winter League Director and the Winter League Registrar, or we will be in jeopardy of NOT offering a Winner season at all!

Please spread the word out and contact our Commissioner Steve Ferry asap at [email protected] if you or anyone else is willing to volunteer for the lead Winter League volunteer positions mentioned above.

New Play Rules for 7U Divisions Effective Saturday, 10/14/2023:

In order not to encourage "Cherry Picking" on the part of the attacking team: No attacking players are permitted to enter the Goal Area (defined by the rectangular Goal Box drawn around the goal) until the ball reaches any part of the Goal Box.  And violation of such rule will result in an indirect freekick awarded to the defending team at the spot where the infraction occurred.

No Goalkeeping please on the defending team: no defensive wall is allowed to be formed by the defensive team on the goal line, from one end of the small goal to the other; and absolutely NO defenders sitting or lying on the goal line between the goal posts - it is unsafe as well as obstructive!

UK Goalkeeping Clinics Combined to One Hour (5 - 6 pm) on Fridays Starting Next Friday, 10/20/2023

We've got only 1 player show up for the 12/14U Goalkeeper Clinic between 6 to 7 pm in the past few Fridays ;(

We are thus holding only one keeper clinic from 5 to 6 pm on Fridays, on Field K, with all competitive division (10U-14U) keepers welcome to just drop in, starting next week.

Have a Brilliant Game Day Tomorrow!
Region 9 Coaching Staff

Week 5 - 10/7/2023

Second and Final Notice about Fields Closed for Mandatory Maintenance, Tuesday-Thursday, 10/10 - 10/12/2023

This is a mandatory CRPD maintenance activity for field spraying.
All practices / UK Training are cancelled from Tuesday to Thursday.
Teams practicing on Monday, 10/9 and Friday, 10/13 must share space with displaced teams opting to practice on Monday and Friday.

Initial # of Region 9 Entries to Area E Playoffs Granted by Area - 2 from Each Competitive Division:

10U Boys: 2 entries - the top finisher in each group (A and B) in Regional Playoffs advances;
10U Girls: 2 entries - the top finisher in each group (A and B) in Regional Playoffs advances;
12U Boys: 2 entries - the top 2 finishers in Regional Playoffs advance;
12U Girls: 2 entries - the top 2 finishers in Regional Playoffs advance;
14U Boys: 2 entries - the top 2 finishers in Regional Playoffs advance - both 14UB01 and 14UB02 will get invited;
14U Girls: 2 entries  -  the top 2 finishers in Regional Playoffs advance - both 14UG01 and 14UG02 will get invited.
All entries #s are subject to change and will be finalized by Area toward the end of the regular season.
Dates and place for Area Playoffs are yet to be determined, they are usually held in CCS (our home field) in the first weekend after the Thanksgiving weekend (Saturday-Sunday, 12/2-3/2023 for this year)..
Region 9 will try to obtain a third entry for 10UB and/or 10UG if there is open space in Area's 10U Playoffs brackets.

Basic Requirements for Any Entry to Area Playoffs - in addition to Regional Playoffs Standings:
Minimum of 3 Team Volunteer Points;
Minimum of 11 Team Referee Points;
Certified Head and/or Assistant Coach for the Age Group, as well as up-to-date certification in Safe Haven, Concussion Awareness, Cardiac Arrest, SafeSport and AYSO Fingerprinting;
Positive representation of Region 9 in Area tournament – both in the Technical Area and on the spectator side.

An Important Reminder on AYSO's Good Sportsmanship - One of AYSO's 6 Philosophies:

"We strive to create a positive environment based on mutual respect rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude."
Demonstrate that winning is not the most important thing in sport; that character development is just as important.
Model how to win and lose graciously.
Stress playing hard to win (rather than winning itself).
Install respect for teammates, opposing teams, coaches and referees.
Encourage good behavior on and off the field and stress that foul or abusive language will not be tolerated.

Have a Magnificent Game Day Tomorrow!

Region 9 Coaching Staff

Week 4 - 9/29/2023

All Stars Coaches Needed:

 – from the All Stars Program Coordinator Steve Popp:
Region 9 is looking for interested coaches who wish to participate post season in the All Stars program - for 10, 12 and 14U Divisions only.
This is a wonderful opportunity for those who wish to play at a higher level and experience tournament play.
If you are interested, please contact Steve Popp at [email protected].
We would like to make the selection process final by mid-October.

All Fields Closed for Mandatory Maintenance, Tuesday-Thursday, 10/10 - 10/12/2023

- from the Field Team:
This is a mandatory CRPD maintenance activity for field spraying.
All practices / UK Training are thus cancelled.

CRPD Field Condition URL and Hotline:

CRPD – not AYSO9 – makes the final decision on whether the Creek fields are open in case of inclement weather.
This is the URL to check on the field status: https://www.crpd.org/parks-reservations/field-conditions/
Updates are normally posted by:2:00pm Monday through Friday; and by 8:00am Saturdays, Sundays, & Holidays.
You can also obtain the same information by calling the Field Condition Hotline at 805-381-1236.
The Region 9 website (https://www.ayso9.org/) also publishes field status updates per CRPD postings.

Have a Fabulous Gameday tomorrow  - weather permitting!
Region 9 Coaching Staff

Week 3 - 9/22/2023

2nd and Last Notice on Middle School Soccer Tournament Impacting our Practice Space:

Again, this CRPD-sponsored tournament is from 4 to 7 pm and will be played on Fields H, I, J & K on Tuesday Sept 26, Wednesdays Oct 4 and 18, and Thursdays Oct 26 (and possibly Nov 2 - rain date).

In addition to teams practicing on neighboring Fields L, M & N sharing space with the displaced 10U teams, our Field Team has the following suggestions as well to help ease the situation:
Tuesday Sept 26 - there is a lot of space on fields P,Q,R,& S. It should still be light enough until 7 pm.  There should also be some room on field C – G, especially in the 6-7 pm slot.
Wed Oct 4 &18 -  still light until 6:00 pm so again plenty of space on Fields P,Q,R,& S.  For the 6-7 pm practices, teams practicing on L,M,& N will need to share space, plus there is a little room on fields C – G from 6-7 pm.
Thursday 10/26 – Sunset listed at 6:08 pm so we can follow the same suggestions above.
Thursday 11/2 is their rain out date.  Hopefully they will not need it. 

No Goalkeeper Punting/Drop Kicks for 8U:

Per USSF 2017/2018 PDIs (Player Development Initiatives), goalkeepers 10U and under are not allowed to do punting or drop kicks.
The keeper can throw or roll the ball out with his/her hand/s, or just quickly place the ball on the grass/ground and kick or pass it out.
First 8U keeper punting/drop kick will get a warning and a retake; but the 2nd infraction will result in an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the spot where the offense occurred.

Same Day UK Training Requests and UK Goalkeeper Curriculum:

Please note that due to the need for UK Trainer-Coach communication in order to have an effective UK session, same day UK Training requests will not be assigned after 12 pm.
We continue to encourage 10-14U players and goalkeepers to come to the Friday UK Skills Clinic (4-5 pm) and UK Goalkeeper Clinics (5-6 pm for 10U and 6-7m for 12 and 14U) on Field K.
Attached please find a detailed goalkeeper project plan from UK Soccer to help you develop your keepers in a very systematic way.

Have a Fantastic Game Day tomorrow!
Region 9 Coaching Staff

Week 2 - 9/15/2023

CRPD Middle School Soccer Tournament Impacting Practice Space:

The annual Middle School tourney will impact our practice space as follows:

Impacted Days - Tuesday, 9/26/2023, Wednesdays 10/4/2023 and 10/18/2023, Thursdays 10/26/2023 (& 11/2/2023, as a rain date).
Impacted Times - 4 to 7 pm.
Impacted Fields - H, I, J, & K.

Teams assigned to practice on neighboring Fields L, M & N during these times will need to make space for the displaced teams.
Basically everyone needs to play nice and MUST share field space on those nights.

Sunday Games and Postseason Playoffs:

Competitive Teams (10, 12 & 14U): please inform your parents that if your team makes the Area Playoffs in early December (Date and Place TBD), your season does not end on Final Saturday, 11/18/2023.  More information about Area Playoffs - eligibility, practice schedule, etc. - will be provided towards the latter part of the season.

10 & 12U Teams: the final 2 weekends are Regional Playoffs/Tournament for your divisions, which include a few Sunday games; please plan ahead and mark your calendars accordingly. Also, winners of the Regional tournaments not only receive the awards, but also qualify for Area Playoffs - if other requirements are also met.

For Area Playoffs winners, this postseason's Section 10/League Championship is scheduled for the weekend of 2/17-18/2024, in Bakersfield.

UK Skills Clinic Added to Friday UK Training Sessions:

For those players who have to miss a practice and want to make up for it, we are providing a UK Skills Clinic at 4 pm on Fridays on Field K, starting today, Friday, 9/15/2023.
A UK Trainer will select a Skills topic to practice on to help prepare such players for Gameday Saturday.

We also encourage 10, 12 and 14U teams to send their keepers to the ongoing UK Goalkeeping Clinics held on the same Field (K), from 5 to 6 pm (for 10U keepers), and from 6 to 7 pm (for 12U and 14U keepers).

Please note that no signups are necessary for the Friday UK Clinics, the players can just show up and have fun!

Have a wonderful Gameday tomorrow!
Region 9 Coaching Staff

Week 1 - 9/8/2023

2023 Region 9 Play Format:

Short-sided Play:

Short-sided play is always preferred to forfeits/no play.
In the spirit of Everyone Plays, please do not cancel your game if you are short of players; you can just show up with whomever you have and let them have as much fun as they can.
In non-competitive divisions (8U and under), there are no minimum # of players required for short-sided play, and the opposing coach must agree to lending players or reducing the # of players on the field.
In competitive divisions (10U and up), the regular-sided coach is encouraged, but not required, to lend players or to reduce the # of players on the field - due to impact on Standings/Area Playoffs eligibility and/or compliance with the 3-quarter-minimum-playtime rule.

There’s also a minimum # of players requirement as noted below for short-sided play in the competitive divisions:
10U: 5 players - the regular-sided team MUST reduce to 7 on-field players or lend a player to the short-sided team in order to play 8;
12U: 6 players;
14U and up: 7 players.

3-Quarter Minimum Play Rule:

For 7U/8U, 10U and 12U Divisions, the rule means “no one plays a 4th quarter until everyone else has or will have played 3 quarters”.
If a player cannot play the 3-quarter required time due to injury or other issues, please make sure to notify the referees so they can record such cases in the game card.
14U minimum playtime is 2 quarters for Intra-Region play only; for Inter-Region Area Play, the Equitable Playtime rule applies: when it's mathematically possible to play everyone 3 quarters (i.e. with 14 or fewer players present),  “no one plays a 4th quarter until everyone else has or will have played 3 quarters”.  But when it's impossible to play everyone 3 quarters (i.e. with all 15 players present), the player who has to sit out 2 quarters will not do so again until everyone else has sat out 2 quarters in subsequent games.
Repeated violations of the minimum playtime rule will result in game forfeits or point deductions in Standings for competitive division teams

Late Arriving Players:

Region 9 follows AYSO National guidelines for late arriving players to games.

Late arriving team members shall be substituted as follows:
If the team member arrives during the first “quarter”, the team member must play a minimum of two of the remaining three “quarters”.
If the team member arrives during the second or third “quarter”, the team member must play a minimum of one “quarter”.
And once the 4th quarter starts, there’ll be no playtime at all for any late arriving players at that time.
Please make sure to ask the referees to note “late-arriving” on the game card as the reason for such players not being able to play the regular minimum playtime.

Goalkeeper Rotation Rules for 8U, 10U and 12U:

Game time at the goalkeeper position for 12U and under divisions is restricted as follows, in order to allow out-field skill development for all younger players:
8U: 1 quarter only;
10U: up to 2 quarters (consecutive or alternate);
12U: up to 3 quarters (consecutive or alternate).
Repeated infringements on the rule will lead to game forfeits or point deductions in Standings for competitive teams.

Have a great Opening Day!
Region 9 Coaching Staff