AYSO Region 1096 Policy #3 - Playing Up and Playing Down Policy 

Purpose: To ensure Region 1096 has a standard policy, process and defined criteria for Players requesting to Play Up or Play Down in conjunction with the National Policy. 

AYSO National Policy

2.17 Playing Up or Down an Age Division 
AYSO’s National Rules and Regulations define AYSO’s Standard Age Divisions, consistent with US Soccer’s Player Development Initiatives, AYSO’s Age-Appropriate Coaching methodologies, and in the best interest of the player. From time to time, Regions may receive requests from parents for their child to be placed in an age division other than his/her standard division. These requests for an exception should be handled on a case-by- case basis annually and considered in the context of what is in the best interest of both the specific child as well as those children affected by the exception. 

Requests to “play up” in the next older age division may be considered if doing so would be of genuine benefit to the child socially, developmentally, as well as athletically and as long as: 

1. The Region secures formal written acknowledgement that this is what the parents want for their child and confirm that they believe their child is developmentally ready for that age division. Parents should acknowledge that this exception does not guarantee that future exceptions will be granted.
2. The Region determines that the child is developmentally able to safely play and compete in the next division. Children restricted by age from heading the ball should not be allowed to play up in a division where heading the ball is allowed. 

Similarly, requests for an exception to “play down” an age division may be considered if doing so would be of genuine benefit to the child socially, developmentally, as well as athletically and as long as: 

1. The Region secures a formal written request for an exception, expressing the need to play down and the need is determined to be truly warranted based on the developmental readiness of the child as opposed to a preference to be with classmates, friends or siblings. 
2. The Region determines that the child does not pose any greater safety risk to the children in the younger age division. 
3. The Region secures confirmation from the child’s parents that the child may not be eligible to play with his/her team in competitions outside of the Region. 
4. Full disclosure to all division coaches of the fact that a player has been approved to play down is required, but the reason for the approval is not subject to the disclosure to the coaches. 

AYSO Region 1096 Policy (in addition to the AYSO National Policy): 

1. For any players requesting to Play Up or Play Down, the request must be in writing to the Regional Commissioner before the teams are formed for the season. 
2. The Regional Commissioner must verify the below criteria before submitting the request to the AYSO Region 1096 Board for approval:
   a.    Player must be registered for current season 
   b.    Are they in or going into the 2nd year at their current age division for playing up or are they in the first year at their current age division for playing down? 
   c.    Board Member or non-parent volunteer must conduct player evaluation for skills development, leadership development, social/emotional development. 
   d.    The reason for the request (i.e. convenient, player dominates, player is ready to move on to another level of development, etc.) 
   e.    Age division from and to 
   f.    Did they play the previous season, years of experience 
3. No Approval will be given for players moving from U11 to U15 due to heading policy. 
4. Special approval/evaluation will be required for players who did not play the previous season. 
5. Division requesting to play up must have an open position for the player. 
6. After verifying the above criteria, the Regional Commissioner must submit the Play Up or Play Down request to the Board for approval. Board approval must be given before the player may be moved up to the next level or down to the previous level and only one level from their current registered division is allowed. 
7. If 12U and below, divisions have been combined (i.e. 10U&12U) a player cannot Play Down or Play Up a division.
8. This is a one-time approval for the request to Play Up or Play Down. New approval must be submitted by the player parent or guardian each season.