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?

Due to high demand and limited field space, DYSA uses a first-come, first-served registration system. Your child may be placed on a temporary waitlist.

Our goal is to place every registered player on a team during the registration window. However, there are caps on the maximum number of players that can be on a team and limited fields for practice or play.

All players will be date and time stamped and moved off the waitlist in that order. It is possible that DYSA may not have enough roster space to place your child. DYSA will do everything possible to avoid such an issue, but we cannot guarantee it.

What is a Practice Player?

Regrettably, due to the high demand and limited resources, DYSA may find ourselves in a position where we might not be able to provide a rostered spot for your child for the upcoming season (Fall/Spring). As a volunteer organization, it's our primary objective to give every player the opportunity to play. However, sometimes we are constrained by limited roster space and field availability. This situation deeply saddens us, and we truly regret any disappointment this may cause any player and parent.

We continually strive to accommodate as many players as possible and therefore stress the importance of early registration, adhering to a first-come-first-serve policy.

If a game-day rostered spot is not available to a waitlist player(s), DYSA will offer a Practice Player spot to all waitlist players for both seasons. This opportunity would allow that player an opportunity to stay engaged, learn, and enjoy the team environment each week.

Practice Players will be prioritized over waitlist players. Waitlist Players who accept a Practice Player spot, attend practices, stay engaged with the team, will be prioritized over waitlist players who didn't accept the practice player spot. 

Furthermore, should there be player attrition during the season on the team the practice player has been attending practices with, DYSA would potentially move that Practice Player into a game-day roster spot based on the timestamp of them accepting the Practice Player offer.

Can a Practice Player play in Saturday games?

Regrettably, no. They are not officially rostered with the Coastal League, and until a roster spot opens, which occasionally happens due to injury or attrition, the player will remain as a practice player. A parent will be informed directly by the VP of Coastal and will receive a link to pay the annual dues (prorated minus a $20 registration practice player fee).

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 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.

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?

To participate in our programs, players must be at least four years old by September 1st, aimed at those entering Kindergarten the next year. This policy ensures children are developmentally ready and have a positive experience. Younger children often struggle with their emotions during competitive nature of the game, showing distress and disengagement. Additionally, the temperature extremes in fall and spring can be challenging for them. Lastly, competing against more experienced players, especially in the spring, often is discouraging. Our goal is to foster a supportive environment that nurtures a lifelong enjoyment of the sport, avoiding the potential negative impact of early competitive exposure.

A few of our local club partners Seacoast and MassCity offer micro programs (4 and under). Please their websites as they both offer convenient options for Duxbury players (4 and under).