SAYSO Programs

The San Andreas Youth Soccer Organization  (SAYSO)

SAYSO is an Academy Member of US Club Soccer (USCS) and sponsors its own USCS sanctioned leagues and tournaments. SAYSO players may also become members of United States Youth Soccer (USYS) by registering through the Redwood Junior Soccer League, affiliated with the California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA). Both CYSA and USCS are affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). Qualifying SAYSO teams may also play in the USCS NorCal Premier League and the following CYSA leagues: State Premier; District 2 Abronzino Class 1; District 2 DelGado Class 3; and District 2 Redwood Junior Soccer League Class 3. This eligibility notwithstanding, SAYSO claims no endorsement of its activities by CYSA, USCS, USYS, or USSF. The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is not affiliated with SAYSO. Trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Gryphons Soccer Academy

SAYSO's Gryphons Soccer Academy targets youth players with above-average playing abilities. Academy players receive training from experienced and credentialed coaches using curricula appropriate for each player's age group and maturity level. SAYSO's Academy emphasizes skill development, rejects winning as a success criterion, delays teaching of overly complex strategy, rejects strict field positioning, and selects players on the basis of future potential rather than current size and speed. Academy training is consistent with the concept of using short-sided teams, smaller goals, and down-sized fields for the youngest players. Each Fall, SAYSO selects boys and girls to play on Academy teams. The Fall Academy consists of approximately 28 practice sessions (2 per week) and 8-10 weekend (Saturday or Sunday) games. Practicing begins in late July or early August and continues through mid-November. Games begin in early September. U8 and U9 Academy teams play in Class-3 competitive leagues on Sundays. U10 and older Academy teams become eligible to play in Class-1 leagues. U10 and older games may be played on Saturdays or Sundays, depending on the league in which a team is playing.

Circkets

Open registration - no tryouts. Ages 5, 6, and 7. Since 2004, this academy has been meeting once a week for seven 90-minute classes on Sunday afternoons starting each March, May, and September. Very popular with young players for whom there are no competitive leagues yet. Prepares players for easy transitions onto U8 SAYSO Gryphons (e.g., US Club, CYSA, 'CY', etc.) teams. Players from mid-peninsula cities, primarily Hillsborough, San Mateo, Foster City, Redwood Shores, Belmont, San Carlos, and Redwood City, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and Los Altos, although players from any city are welcome to participate. Limited  to 30 boys and 30 girls each session.  Established, fixed curriculum covering skill, strategy, and practice games. Multiple credentialed  coaches (not parents) on-field. Age-appropriate teaching methods.

SARA

If we want more referees, then we have to present more certification courses. If we want referees that are consistent in their officiating, then we have to train them all the same way. If we want referees that know all of the new interpretations, then we have to teach them the new interpretations.  If we want referees to be respected, then we have to train referees how to dress, how to act, what to say, and how to say it. If we want referees to advance, then we have to have an advancement program. If we want to attract referees to our games, then we have to compensate them as much as other leagues compensate them. If we want referees to come back, then we have to stop yelling at them. If we want coaches to stop yelling, then we have to stop officiating games with yelling. The San Andreas Referee Association (SARA)... Establishes friendships between referees Provides opportunity for skill improvement Promotes referee retention Assigns referees to youth leagues Promotes referee professionalism Provides assignments to  tournaments Operates an awards system to honor referees Promotes the development of new and young referees Promotes nonadversarial game environments