Recreational Soccer Overview
The NYSA recreational program is intended to promote youth soccer through participation, player development, friendship, and fun. Players participate in one to two practices a week and eight games throughout the season. Coaches are encouraged to run activities in practice which involve multiple players and minimize standing in lines. Players receive at least 50% playing time during games.* Team sizes are limited to ensure adequate playing opportunity. Please contact your coach if you expect to miss a game. Our goal is to develop players so they will continue to enjoy soccer and be successful at it. Even at age four, players begin soaking up information and learning real skills. *except for certain circumstances related to unexcused absences from practice or arriving at games after play has started or discipline issues
We believe kids can make friendships with their new teammates. However, for many it is exciting to play with an existing friend or group of friends. We will attempt to forme teams by school. However, some friends don’t go to the same school or they end up on another team. Friendship team requests and buddy requests are available for all NYSA leagues (U5-U12). All friendship players and buddies must register online first. Once registered, you may fill out a friendship form or buddy request. These are available on the left menu bar under forms. Buddy forms are for two players that wish to play together-they must chose the age division they will be in (same age group, or the older if they different ages) and indicate a school they would like to be near. Friendship team forms are for teams who will provide a coach-they do not need to be a full team and we can add kids from that school or surrounding schools. Coaches of current teams that wish to add players to their current roster will use this form.
Team Formation/Registration
All registration for this program is online. You must have access to the internet to register. If you do not have access, please see a friend, relative, or library with internet access. You must provide an email address during registration. Free email accounts are available at gmail.com and yahoo.com. Registrations missing information are incomplete and will not be processed. The NYSA office may be contacted for help.
Play with your friends (U5-U12 If playing together with a friendship team or buddy, submit your online registration and then turn in a friendship team form (if submitting a certain number of players, you must identify a volunteer coach - see form for details).
Requests to play together are subject to approval and are not guaranteed. NYSA’s ability to satisfy the play together requests will also depend on the numbers and combinations of players signed up in each area for each age group.
U14-U19 Traveling teams We will form as many teams as possible in these age groups. Typically we will have only one or two teams. Therefore, practice location and friendship requests do not apply.
Small sided games NYSA follows the US Youth Soccer modified game recommendations for youth players. This includes smaller size fields and fewer players on the field for more touches on the ball. The youngest ages play with three players on the field. As they get older, they play with four, six, or eight players and finally with the full eleven players starting at the U14 level.
Age/Eligibility Requirements/Other Areas of Interest
The age chart for players and more important information for recreational players click here.
Season/location of recreational program