Players - AYSO is a great place to experience the FUN of soccer!
We have 6 Philoshiphies (you can see those on the Parents link) but here's the highlights for players: Positive Coaching! (coaches are not yelling at you constantly, they get free soccer training and are taught to provide "No Laps, No Lines, No Lectures" in your practices, what could be better??) Open Registration (any player, no matter where he/she lives, can play in this league, ages 4 to 18 years old - tell your friends that live across town to come play with you, here in 1046) Good Sportsmanship (coaches, players and spectators are required to maintain good sportsmanship at all times) - so, no getting yelled at by coaches, other players or even parents (while you're on the field) Player Development (UK guest coaches, Soccer Challenge events, Silent Soccer Days, Gold Program, Team Parties, Trophies, Lots of cool stuff)
If you are in the "Y" or NYS or a city league, you're probably on a team with too many players and not enough organization. Typically those leagues play 11 v 11 with 20 or more kids on a team even at the younger age groups. In AYSO we have smaller teams for our younger players, that means more playing time and more touches on the ball in every game, you're not lost in a "sea" of players all kicking at once, you are given room to dribble and pass the ball to your teammates. We don't have goalies in U5, U6, and U8. This gives every player more opprutunity to improve their core soccer skills (which are also needed by goalies) Many professional goalies didn't even start playing goalie until they were in their teens, so don't worry about "getting behind", you'll be better off with those core soccer skills.
If you are on an ulta-competitive club team, and you really like it, that's great, but if you find that its increasing difficult to juggle the 3 or 4 practices a week and do so many out-of-town tournaments, then think about playing AYSO. There are many talented kids here who enjoy playing soccer but don't need the pressure and time commitment of the club atmosphere.
But whatever you do, support our US team at the World Cup! Talk to your friends, get on facebook or twitter and follow your favorite players and the US team. We are playing against England in the first game on June 12, it will be televised on ABC so if you've never seen soccer on TV before, this is time to start
Team USA Page on the World Cup site
- FIFA Web Stie
- 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa
- Major League Soccer
Keep kickin' it on the soccer field!
Looking for a way to improve your soccer skills, have fun, and train with the UK Coaches? Check out the AYSO Summer Camps!
http://www.ayso.org/camps/search_for_camps.aspx