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 Aug 23.

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 later in August. You can pick the same one as your friends (and they can still sign up until about Labor Day FYI).

More details on how the 5U soccer program is designed can be found on the 5U Schoolyard page.
https://www.aysoregion4.com/Default.aspx?tabid=867549

What Do Kids Need for Schoolyard? 
Athletic shoes or cleats
Size 3 soccer ball (put cell # and last name on ball)
Shin guards worn UNDER their soccer socks
WATER
No jewelry, earrings, friendship bracelets, etc.

IMPORTANT DATES
UNIFORM PICK UP DAY
Monday, August 23 5:30-7 pm on the patio at Pick Up Stix in Westlake Village (Target center).
This is also our fundraiser day at Pick Up Stix so plan to take home dinner with your uniform. You'll pick from two sizes at the event. Kids will get jersey, shorts and socks. Visit our Sponsor page for the Pick Up Stix flyer and a look at their menu.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOLYARD
Saturday, Aug 28
Medea Creek Middle School, Oak Park
Times vary.
Other Schoolyard dates will be the nine Saturdays Sept 11- Nov 6. (Again, we may offer a Monday session for a small group)

PICTURE DAY
Sunday, Sept 12 8:00 am
Valley View Park, Oak Park
(Make up day Sunday, Sept 26)

COSTUME DAY
Saturday, Oct 30
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