PROGRAM QUICK SUMMARY

Schoolyard is...

•            Groups of players of similar age, not small teams

•            Professional coaches with parent volunteer coaches

•            Groups meet once a week; parents will choose a group with a season of Sat AM or Monday 4p

•            Coed

•            Starting Saturday, August 22, 2026

PROGRAM DETAILS
Unlike the older divisions that form small teams and use 100% volunteer coaches, in the 4U and 5U Schoolyard form groups based on age and utilize division trainers from our partner organization Aspire Soccer Coaching (the same partner for our Spring League and Summer Camps). With the assistance of parents who volunteer to coach/instruct these professional coaches lead you and your child through a 45-minute practice designed for 3 to 5-year-olds. We say "you and your child" because it is important that you help your child through the drills during practice. We also encourage repetition of the exercises at home. 4U and 5U groups are coed and with meet on Saturdays mornings at Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park or Mondays at 4pm (location TBD) with possibly another weekday session created.

Group Formation
AYSO will initially create groups of younger and older players in late July, but parents will able to request another group to align with friends or personal schedules.

Younger Members of the Schoolyard Soccer Program
The AYSO 4U soccer program uses group activities, soccer themes and parent participation to introduce your 3-year-old to soccer and develop the fundamental motor skills that prepare kids for all sports. After motor skills kids will be divided for competitive play and scrimmages. Players must be 3 years old by July 31.

Older Members of the Schoolyard Soccer Program
In the 5U division, your 4-year-old will be introduced to more advanced soccer skills and a little more competition while continuing to develop their motor skills. After a practice session, the trainers will divide the kids into small teams to play in short scrimmages.

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

For Fall 2024
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 by August 1, 2021 for 2024). 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]