Spring Select 
A competitive environment

Randy Bedolla, Spring Select Coordinator

Spring Select is a separate, competitive season for teams comprised of players selected by a region designated coach. Spring Select is an opportunity for a player to improve his/her skills in the competitive environment of Area 1N Spring Select League and large AYSO sanctioned tournaments. A limited number of teams are formed in divisions 8U-19U depending on coach availability, qualification and interest. Spring Select teams are typically formed in November/December preceding the Spring Select season, which normally runs from March through early June. In some cases the region designated coach can hold an open try-out or alternately select players based on his/her criteria from a list of pre-nominated players.

General Program Information

The core philosophies of AYSO and the overall goal of maintaining a child-friendly environment are maintained during the Spring Select Season; however, Spring Select differs from the regular fall season program in the following ways:

• The number of players able to participate is limited by available coaches
• Spring Select is a program in which players are invited by coaches to participate on his/her team. Applicants are not guaranteed placement and may be rejected for multiple reasons, including but not limited to skill level, attitude, and prior behavior(s).
• A greater commitment by the players and parents is required as play includes regular and sometimes extensive travel.
• The cost of participation in Spring Select is significantly higher as travel and lodging costs are often incurred in addition to custom uniforms, and various registration, referee and tournament entry fees.

Coaches Selection

Persons interested in coaching a spring select team must complete a Secondary Season letter of intent and receive approval by the Spring Select Committee and Regional Commissioner. The Spring Select committee is comprised of members of the Regional Board of Pass Area AYSO Region 641 appointed by the Regional Commissioner. The committee will work in conjunction with the Regional Coach Administrator and Regional Referee Administrator with input from relevant Division Coordinators to forward coaching recommendations to the Regional Commissioner for final approval. It is the responsibility of the applicant to be familiar with Spring Select guidelines, obligations, and regional expectations before submitting a letter of intent expressing desire to be a Spring Select coach. In all cases applicants must be a current volunteer in Pass Area AYSO Region 641, have coached in the applicable division during the primary season immediately preceding the Spring Select season, have age-appropriate coach training, and maintained a clean disciplinary record.

Players Selection

Once a coach is selected, he/she is given some latitude in selection of players. The Spring Select Committee encourages all coaches to hold open try-outs in order to allow players to exhibit his/her interest, commitment, and skills. Coaches are under no obligation to hold try-outs and may opt to select players he/she has identified and the best Spring Select prospects during the primary season. Additionally, coaches are encouraged by the Spring Select Committee to respect the judgment of coaching peers by reviewing coach specific player nominations carefully and clarifying any questions with said peers.

Pass Area AYSO Region 641 and the Spring Select Committee recognize that the high level of commitment and sportsmanship expected of players, coaches, and parents involved in the Spring Select program may unfortunately exclude some highly skilled players.
A player must have played at a minimum half of the regular fall season matches in order to be eligible for Spring Select. Limited exceptions may be granted in cases of injury or other significant reasons as long as the applicant does not displace another potential candidate.