Frequently Asked Questions
Fall 2024 / Spring 2025
Other information you might want to know about DYSA not covered elsewhere
When Does Registration Open and Close
Registration for Fall 2024/Spring 2025 is Now Closed. It opened on April 12th 2024 and closed May 12th 2024 for the Coastal Program (U10-U14).
The Mini soccer programs registrations will remained open until August 1st, followed by automatic wait listing through mid-August.
Registration for Fall 2025/Spring 2026 for Coastal Program (U10-U14) will open on April 11th 2025 and close on May 11th 2025.
Why Does Registration Open for Coastal Soccer So Early When The Fall Season Starts In September?
DYSA is part of the Coastal Youth Soccer League (CYSL) who falls under Mass Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). Teams and rosters are submitted for final approval near the end of July for fall schedules to be issued. As such, player evaluations for team creation begins end of May and continues through June to ensure team rosters are submitted on time. Other administrator activities include insurance binders and uniform purchases also impact this time frame.
Why is the a wait list during registration?
Please see our Waitlist Policy in our Policies section.
What is a Practice Player?
Please see our Practice Policy in our Policies section.
Why is DYSA a Full Year Registration for the Coastal program and the U10 In Town program (Grades 3 & 4)
There are several reasons why DYSA has elected to move to a once-a-year registration approach for these groups. Below you will find a few but not all reasons.
- Streamline and reduce the administrative requirements of registration for both parents and DYSA volunteers for the Coastal program. Given the travel nature of the Coastal program, involvement of other towns and the CYSL board, and the full year structure (Development season in the Fall, Tournament season in the Spring), the administrative and team management requirements for Coastal are much more intensive than in-town programs. A full year registration approach aligns to what many neighboring towns have already done to reduce the number of outreaches and reminders necessary to get players registered and teams placed in the Coastal League.
- Facilitates creating teams in which players get to play with the same team over two seasons. This consistency leads to a better on-field experience for the players to grow and have fun.
Why has DYSA Transitioned to Online Uniform Ordering Process for U10-U14
The DYSA Board has decided to transition to an online uniform ordering process a number of years ago. As a volunteer-run organization, DYSA annually handles the distribution of over 400-500 Coastal uniforms, including in-season replacements. This task is resource-intensive and time-consuming, and our dedicated volunteers can no longer sustain it. Therefore, we have shifted to an online process in collaboration with our partner, Wegotsoccer.com, a move that aligns us with many other clubs and non-profit youth soccer organizations.
Why does DYSA require parents to order new uniform every fall for U10-U14 age groups.
There are a number of factors our board has to consider regarding the need for new uniforms every fall. Please consider that this is not something new to soccer; other town programs also follow the same practice.
For example, here are some administrative factors that come into play regarding the need to order new uniforms once a year.
Typically, uniforms have a 2- or 3-year manufacturing cycle, depending on the brand and/or model. Therefore, every 2 or 3 years, program administrators must transition to a new uniform model whether we want to or not. Fall 2023 was the final cycle for the production of our current Nike uniform by Nike, the manufacturer.
DYSA used the current set for two years and heading into Fall of 2024 we have to pick a new model. So when a town program hits a new model year, its required. So every November we have to put the order in to ensure its ready for delivery in June/July for the fall season.
Questions often arise about why players can’t keep uniforms year after year. Several factors make this impractical:
- Avoiding Duplicate Player Numbers: We are a very large soccer program, with some age groups having as many as 100 players, ensuring each player has a unique number is challenging but important. Additionally, players moving up to another age group complicates number management is it creates duplicate numbers.
- Uniform Orders and Deadlines: When ordering begins, Teams are not yet created, but parents need to order uniforms by the deadline to ensure they are available for the first game (likely September 7th 2024). New numbers each year are essential to maintain unique identifiers for players as unique numbers are required on official rosters.
- Team Reassignments: Players are placed on new teams based on abilities each fall. Unique numbers help manage team changes between fall and spring, avoiding the need for new uniforms mid-year.
At DYSA, we take pride in our teams’ appearance and aim for them to look like and be recognized as a top-notch town youth soccer program. This approach has been in place for half-decade, and we have found that players feel more pride and confidence by looking like a top-quality program.
In the past, when we allowed parents to keep uniforms for more than one year (fall and spring), we noticed that uniforms often wore out and didn’t meet our brand/image standards.
This is not an all-encompassing list, but I hope this adds some context. Additionally, DYSA has always offered Financial Assistance for any player or family in need. Please visit our Financial Assistance Tab at the top of our webpage for more information.
Why Does DYSA Place Players by School Grades for Team Placements?
DYSA is part of CYSL which is part of MYSA which has adopted Groupings by School Grade. As a result, DYSA is complying with the League guidelines. U8 contains players from Grades 1 & 2. U10 contains players from Grades 3 & 4. U12 contains players from Grades 5 & 6. U14 contains players from Grades 7 & 8. Unique circumstances require approval from the Coastal League Competition Committee.
Can a Parent Pick What Time Slot a Child is Placed in for Player Evaluations?
No, DYSA will place all players at random evenly across the designated time slots. Please do not reach out to DYSA to proactively request time slots. Once DYS notifies coaches and parents of the time slots players have been placed in, DYSA will make considerations for players who have a live sports game already schedule that day and DYSA will do its best to accommodate. There are no guarantees that DYSA can accommodate any requests.
Why Does DYSA Conduct Player Evaluations?
Duxbury Youth Soccer Travel leagues plays against other South Shore teams in the Coastal Youth Soccer league. Travel teams are an opportunity to further develop soccer skills, play against different local teams, and opportunities for teamwork. To allow for fair and fun play with other towns, typically, there is an A team, B team and Balanced Teams determined based on skill level and game awareness. Evaluations are conducted to ensure teams and players are placed in a game environment that is they can compete in a positive way and do not experience a full season of lopsided wins or losses. This approach has become standard across the majority of Coastal Soccer Associations.
Does DYSA Know What Day Soccer Games Will Be On?
Coastal soccer games (travel) and Full Field In Town programs have their games on Saturday. The in-town Mini program has their practices & games on Sundays.
Does DYSA Know What Day Coastal Soccer Practices Will Be On?
Practice’s days are Monday - Friday and are selected by our Volunteer Coaches who often base it on their work schedule availability and limited field time slots offered based on availability.
Can I Pick What Day My Child Can Practice On?
No. Practice’s days are selected by the Volunteer Coach who often base it on their work schedule availability and limited field time slots offered based on availability.
Can I Pick What Soccer Team My Child Plays On?
No. Evaluations are conducted to ensure players are placed on a team with other players of similar abilities to foster a positive practice and game experience where they can compete in a positive way. Our goal is to avoid a season of lopsided wins or losses. However, during registration you can request for a specific coach in the comments/notes section. If the request is not in conflict with the evaluation, DYSA will do our best to accommodate. No request is guaranteed as it simply might not be possible.
Can I Request to Have My Child Play With Their Friend?
Evaluations are conducted to ensure players are placed on a team with other players of similar abilities to foster a positive practice and game experience where they can compete in a positive way. Our goal is to avoid a season of lopsided wins or losses. As a result, it is possible that friends might have to be on different teams based on evaluations. However, during registration you can request for 1 specific friend in the comments/notes section. If the request is not in conflict with the evaluation, DYSA will do our best to accommodate. No request will be honored that wasn't made during player registration period. No request is guaranteed as it simply might not be possible.
When is DYSA Annual Open Board Meeting?
DYSA hosts our annual open board meeting every July of each year. This years annual open board meeting is Monday, July 1st 2024. For more information please contact DYSA.
Is Soccer Played in the Rain?
Yes, soccer is played in the rain. It is important to note that soccer is played in all kinds of weather conditions, including rain.
While rain can make the game more challenging, rain by itself is not necessarily a reason to cancel a game.
That being said, the safety of players is always the top priority. If there is lightning or thunder we will stop, postpone or cancel the game. If the fields are water logged (standing puddles), excessive wind, heavy down pours the game may be cancelled or postponed.
In fact, playing in the rain can be a valuable experience for players, as it requires players to adapt their strategies and techniques to the wet conditions. Additionally, playing in the rain can make the game more exciting and unpredictable. The ball may move more quickly and unpredictably on a wet field, which can lead to more exciting plays and opportunities for both teams. This can make for a more engaging and enjoyable experience for both players and spectators.
Furthermore, canceling or postponing games due to rain can create scheduling conflicts and make it difficult to complete a season. This is especially true if our program experiences a wet spring with multiple raining weekends. All Spring Coastal Games that are postponed due in the spring are required to be made up and/or played by Memorial Day Weekend. There are multiple negative downstream issues that occur when games are cancelled and/or rescheduled, our goal is to always try to play the games.
In conclusion, DYSA will play in the rain and playing soccer in the rain can be a valuable experience for players and can make for an exciting and engaging game. However, safety is always the top priority, and DYSA will cancelled or postponed if conditions become unsafe.
Where is the Designated Standing Areas for Parents and Spectators?
No standing behind the End-line or Goal. Parents and spectators are strictly prohibited from standing behind the end-line or goal during soccer games. This rule exists to ensure the safety of our players, referees, and spectators, as well as to maintain the focus and concentration of our players on the field. Parents and spectators are kindly requested to position themselves on the sideline that is opposite to the players' bench. Moreover, a distance of at least 5 yards behind the sideline should be maintained. Please ensure you remain within the region demarcated by the two corner flags.
Are earrings or jewelry allowed during games or practices?
No. Please note this policy is longstanding and has been in place for many years. It is mandated not only by DYSA but also by CYSL and MYSA, highlighting its importance in ensuring the safety of all players. No, exceptions cannot be made.
We recognize the potential inconvenience this policy may bring, but the safety and well-being of every participant remain DYSA's top priority. Non-compliance will prevent players from participating until the guidelines are met.
For further details, please refer to the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association's Laws of the Game, specifically section 4.1 on Safety:
Why Children Under 4 are not allowed to register?
Please see our Minimum Age Requirements Policy in our Policies section.
