Welcome 5U Schoolyard families !!
August is knocking on the door and we have a few details to share for the upcoming season. There's nothing required in person until our uniform pick-up/session sign-up day in mid-August..

In 5U Schoolyard you select a group you want be in for the season and show up at that group's time each Saturday (times rotate). We may also offer a Monday only session this year 4-5 pm (more later). Parents actually do not need to volunteer as coaches or referees but are asked to participate with their child in the first part of the program each week. We'll manage your group selection with a Google document - see upper right of this page. You can pick the same one as your friends (and they can still sign up until about Labor Day FYI).

Invite A Friend:  We have room for more kids for 5U Schoolyard! Please refer your friends here or to Register on our website.
5U Schoolyard is for kids born in 2018 through Aug 1, 2019.

What To Bring: At each session players should be sun-screened up, have water, a size 3 soccer ball (last name and cell # on ball recommended), shin guards worn under your soccer uniform sock athletic shoes or soccer cleats. Parents are encourage to wear athletic clothing. No jewelry, earrings, friendship bracelets, etc.

Questions? Email [email protected]

IMPORTANT DATES
Uniform Pick Up Night & Games/"Festival": Monday, Aug 22, 5-7 pm (held at either Brookside Elementary or Deerhill Park in Oak Park).
You can pick up uniforms anytime in that time frame or make arrangements to pick up that week or at the field. Players get jersey, shorts, & socks (size XXS or XS)
We also plan to have some fun games going on led by the UK International coaches and hopefully even a food truck and/or Kona Ice.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOLYARD
Saturday, Aug 27
Medea Creek Middle School, Oak Park
Times vary.
Other Schoolyard dates will be the nine Saturdays Sept 10- Nov 5.
(Again, we will offer a Monday session for a small group Aug 29 and Sep 12-Nov7)

PICTURE DAY
Sep 11, 8 am, 8:10 or 8:20 am
Valley View Park, Oak Park
(Make up day Sat, Oct 8, Valley View Park)

COSTUME DAY
Saturday, Oct 29 (or Mon Oct 31 for Monday session kids)
Kids can wear costumes for Schoolyard - it's a blast!

For Fall 2021
5U Schoolyard is an AYSO soccer program designed for children 5 and under (for 3 and 4 year olds - all must be at least 3 years old as of the potential first session of the season, 8/21/21 for 2021). It is organized for groups of children rather than specific teams and consists of three primary components:

• “One with One” – involvement of one child with a minimum of one parent (one parent must be present the entire session)
• Professional Coaches – Activities are led and organized by Professional coaches from UK International with guidance from Region 4 Division Directors
• Activity Mix – skill development/activities with parents and small-sided games

Children are placed in groups for the season, rather than a “team” (no head coaches, no practices, no team banners, etc.). Groups are assigned a session time that rotates each week. Once the fields the groups break out with one of the professional or parent coaches and then are split into “teams” for the small-sided games.

Weekly emails: Families receive a weekly email detailing that week’s skills that will be introduced. This information will also be posted on this 5U Schoolyard page on www.aysoregion4.com

Questions? Email [email protected]

Why this program?

• Young Players need special consideration
• They are playing a child’s game
• Fun activities must be central to child-centered program
• Cannot sustain prolonged activity
• They must discover the game, not be taught the game by adults.

Why this design?

• Provides young players and their parents with a ‘pressure free’ introduction to the beautiful and simple game of soccer
• Players should be exposed to soccer by playing simple, fun activities and games that require little to no practice
• Allows players to discover the game for themselves, while parents are given a soccer foundation