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What are the Waves and EXTRA?
The Long Beach Waves are Region 177's representatives in local, state, and national EXTRA and tournament circuits. AYSO EXTRA is AYSO's more competitive level of play, which requires try-outs. All Waves teams play from August through February, with many continuing year-round. Teams are comprised of the most skilled and dedicated players in our region who seek a more competitive environment, and their families who volunteer and can represent Region 177 positively when traveling to other regions. Waves teams typically compete favorably against Flight 3 or 4 club teams in tournaments, though the EXTRA program does not use these designations.

The Waves program is truly Extra in several ways:

Extra Competition: Waves participate in the Southern California Extras Developmental Soccer League (SCEDSL), which covers Extra teams from Areas 1, 10, and 11 (basically all of Southern California). 50% of games are at home (Stanford) and 50% at other regions.

Extra Play: This manifests in a few different ways including:
More practice time: 90 min twice per week, plus a weekly skills training session with a professional trainer
More games: in addition to the SCEDSL season (which can be longer than the Core season) and postseason, teams also participate in 4-5 tournaments. The most typical tournaments include:

• McMillan Tournament in Costa Mesa, Labor Day weekend
  
• Coronado Cup in Coronado, early to mid-December
• Beach Classic, our Region 177 hosted tournament, in late February

Extra Commitment: with Extra play comes Extra commitment to support the program and region. First and foremost, Extras is expected to be the priority sport/extracurricular through the duration of the season. Additionally, all families are expected to support on typical game days (e.g., reffing, field marshaling, setting up fields (initial lining as well as set up/tear down)), and volunteering at the Beach Classic.
Players interested in playing on a Waves team must try-out and be invited to join a team. (This is not like our Core recreation and Spring Academy programs for which everyone who registers will play.) To ensure that Waves teams are competitive in the SCEDSL and tournament circuits, we allow teams to form only with sufficient quantity and depth at the tryout. This means most players who try out will not be invited to join a team.

If your player is ready to be challenged by a higher level of play year-round, consider trying out for the Long Beach Waves EXTRA™ team.

Tryouts for the 2026-27 season beginning in August 2026 will be held in winter and spring. Sign up using this Google form.

What is the Waves Season Schedule?
Fall Season begins in August and continues through December or January.
Winter Tournament Season begins in December through February.
Travel is required (approximately 50% of games). Most away games are within 45 minutes of our home fields.
Some Waves teams continue play in the Area E Spring Extra development circuit, depending on coach and player interest.

When are Waves Try-outs?
For Fall seasons, team tryouts begin as early as February and are often fully selected by May.
New and returning players must try out each year to be eligible for selection.
We encourage players to attend multiple try out sessions, but at a minimum one is required.
All players interested in trying out must RSVP when try-out sign-ups are open.
All players who try-out will receive email confirmation shortly after the final tryout indicating if they were selected or not, using the email address provided when signing up for try-outs.  

Registering for the Waves
During Fall Open Registration, those players that have already been notified by an EXTRA coach that they have been selected to join an EXTRA team should register for the EXTRA program directly.  For those players that have not yet been accepted (but tryouts are still ongoing), you should register for the regular Fall Core program, even if you plan to play -- or think you may be invited -- on a Waves team. Once you are officially invited and accept to play in Waves, we will manually add your player to the team and you will receive additional instructions to register and pay for the EXTRA program.

Extended season. Top-notch coaching. Lower fees. More playing time.
   
Why Choose the Long Beach Waves?
AYSO EXTRA costs less and guarantees more playing time than any traditional club soccer organization. We require small teams so that all players play a minimum of 50% of every match. Most Waves teams play equivalent to a club Flight 3 or Flight 4 level (although there is no official competitive designation for EXTRA teams, teams are grouped into competitive flights in the Fall SCEDSL circuit). Waves teams train with licensed, professional coaches. Because we are a part of AYSO, AYSO philosophies still apply, including a focus on Player Development, Good Sportsmanship, and Positive Coaching. 

What is AYSO EXTRA™?
AYSO EXTRA™ is a competitive game-circuit program that offers players a higher-level opportunity to refine their skills in a more competitive, tryout based environment, without the typical costs associated with higher-competition programs. It's a step above All-Stars. Though players are more advanced, the EXTRA™ program follows the same core values as AYSO’s other programs and embraces AYSO’s Six Philosophies, particularly EVERYONE PLAYS where all players are guaranteed to play 75% before anybody plays 100%. Playing time = development.

I thought AYSO was just recreational soccer?
The most well-known AYSO program is the Core program (recreation/grassroots), but AYSO offers many soccer programs that cover all levels and skills, from recreation up to the most elite youth soccer level, ECNL. AYSO EXTRA™ teams compete with club teams in tournaments and perform very favorably. The EXTRA program does not officially use club "flight" classifications, though effort is put in to talent match teams in the regular season and tournaments to ensure a developmentally appropriate competitive experience.

How do the Waves compare to club soccer?
The Region 177 Waves program is a less expensive alternative to traditional club soccer, with smaller team sizes that guarantee at least 50% playing time. Waves teams have the freedom to play against club teams in the Spring, or participate in any club tournament throughout the season. in the Fall season, Waves teams participate in the AYSO EXTRA™ gaming circuit.

Both AYSO EXTRA™ and Club are competitive soccer programs targeting players that have a stronger desire and ability to play soccer. However, EXTRA™ focuses on the development of players in a competitive (but not a cut-throat) environment. Because this is still AYSO, players are guaranteed to play at least 50% of the game. Unlike club teams, whose coaches earn more money every time they create another team or pack another player on the roster, Waves teams have a cap so that no player plays less than half a game (or usually 3/4 of a game for most players). Why spend $2,000 or more each year having your player play eight minutes each game?

In addition, all Waves teams practice with a professional, licensed coach through our partnership with First Touch Soccer.

Our coaches are not paid. Our administrators are not paid. There is no incentive to form more watered-down teams, or pack as many kids as possible on a team. Fewer teams and fewer players that means better quality and more playing time -- and more development -- for all.

How much does an EXTRA season cost?
One of the most significant differences between EXTRA and Club is the cost. A full year of Waves practices, tournaments, gear, and games is usually under $800. Club teams, even those in lower flights, typically run from $2,000 - $2,500 per year.

Waves players fees encompass the national membership fee, custom uniform and equipment, professional training, dedicated field space, and the EXTRA™ Program participation fee.
There may also be fees for any optional tournaments in which the team participates.

How are Waves costs so low?
We run on parent power -- not money! All Waves families are expected to volunteer during the season -- most often as referees, field marshals, lining fields, etc. When your child participates in Region 177, so do you. Your volunteer spirit keeps our costs low.

Waves families are also an integral part of the success of our region's annual tournament, the Region 177 Beach Classic, where they provide volunteer support in preparing fields, manning check-in and referee tents, and supporting a safe and fun environment for teams who come to Long Beach from across southern California.

Often the roster decision between two like players comes down to whose parent/guardian is willing to volunteer referee! Let the EXTRA coordinator or prospective coach know your interest in becoming a referee and they can help direct you to sign-up and training resources.

Each year we open the application process for coaches who would like to become Waves coaches. However, unlike Core where most volunteers are accepted pending verification, Waves coaches must pass a much higher bar before they are accepted.

Waves coaches are held to a higher standard. These volunteers should represent the best coaches in our Region -- not the best in terms of winning, but in terms of exhibiting AYSO Philosophies and demonstrating a proven ability to keep their touchlines under control. Waves teams exemplify high standards of coaching, sportsmanship, and play to the rest of the region at home matches, and are representatives of our Region and city when they travel to away games and tournaments.

Waves coaches are coaches who respond promptly to emails, help other coaches at try-outs, get their safety courses and certifications done promptly, and attend Board Meetings when possible. Coaches are also expected to recruit the maximum number of referees from their teams.

Ready to volunteer?
If you are an exceptional volunteer and are interested in becoming a Waves Coach, please submit this form.