U5 Girls and Boys - AYSO Soccer Region 372

The objective of this program is to provide young players and their parents with a “pressure free” introduction to the beautiful and simple game of soccer. At this age players should be exposed to soccer by playing simple, fun activities and games that require little to no practice, and a minimal time commitment.

This program allows players to discover the game for themselves, while parents are given a soccer foundation on which to build and grow into future AYSO coaches, referees and administrators.
The AYSO U5 Program is not to be considered a coaching program it is a player’s program that will be facilitated by a qualified Master Coach.

Young soccer players need special consideration.
They are children playing a child’s game.
These young children must be regarded as young children, not mini adults.
Fun and activity factors must be a central part of a child-centered program.
Educators agree that early learning experiences are the most important and produce life long learning experiences.
Under 5 players are essentially self-oriented and relate naturally to one or two others, not to large groups.
Most children cannot sustain prolonged activity.
They function best in suitable starts and stops (rest periods).
Concentration span is limited, so frequent changes of pace and activity is essential.
The young players should learn to discover the wonderful game of soccer not be taught the game of soccer by adults.

Organization

Jamboree One with One is the combination of two different formats that, put together, will provide the best possible introduction to soccer for our youngest players. In AYSO soccer, a jamboree means that teams are formed on a weekly basis depending on how many players attend a given session. One with one refers to the concept that each player will have a parent (or other adult) working with them on the field.

A “Master Coach” will lead each session. The “master coach” will introduce a game/activity that will apply a certain skill or part of the game using explanation and demonstration. Each pair (player/parent) will then attempt the activity while the master coach circulates between pairs providing specific help or suggestions so that the activities are performed as intended. After a suitable amount of time, the “master coach” will bring the players and parents back together as a group and recap what they have done, introducing the next game/activity.

If the activity is a group activity each parent will be given the opportunity to play the activity (game) with the group (team). This allows the players to be exposed to styles of different personalities.

Each Jamboree One with One session will end with a 20 minute short-sided game (3 v 3). Details regarding the game are explained later in this document. Most importantly allow the players to play without coaching or teaching them as this experience is designed to expose them to soccer, not to begin developing them. The two objectives of the program are to allow the players to enjoy the activities and to let the game be the teacher.