Recreational Soccer
Table of Contents
What is Recreational Soccer?
Recreation soccer represents the largest component of youth soccer in the U.S. today. It is made up of boys and girls who start playing soccer because it is fun. For a few, they may go on to play on traveling youth soccer teams, be selected for the Olympic Development Program or U.S. national pools, and eventually, grow up to be great soccer players as adults. But for most of these players, they will go on to become great scientists and engineers, teachers and bankers, and terrific moms and dads who make their communities a better place to live. Their youth soccer experiences will be an important part of their development into fine men and women.
Recreational soccer is often thought of as the non-competitive or "in-house" side of a league. However, the first label is a misnomer, because recreational soccer is often as competitive as the other levels of play—with closely matched recreational teams battling for a league championship. Just watch a U-16 or U14 rec-level game sometime.
All leagues within District II have a recreational program. It typically involves both girls and boys and can include U6 through U16 age groups. From serving at the CYSA state level to helping out in a variety of volunteer positions within your local league, there are plenty of excellent opportunities for parents, coaches (and potentiall coaches), and players to become more familiar with the game and get involved in the #1 sport in the world.
Coaching classes which offer, to the "non-soccer aware", everything from the basics to advanced techniques, warm-ups, running a practice, utilization of the field, and playing positions are available through your league. A good starting point is the Pre-F license. Taught by experienced instructors, this three-hour course gives you the basics — from learning the playing positions to a quick review of the rules. Just give your league coaching director a call to be pointed in the right direction.
The name of the game is FUN and LEARNING! The focus of Recreational soccer is on making sure that the players continue to refine their skills and that they enjoy the game enough to never want to stop playing. While scores are kept in the games, the focus remains on fun and improvement. Teamwork is key to the success of the District II recreational program, so the players develop not only as individuals, but also as team players. These overall goals are embodied in all the programs from the state level through District II and down to the individual leagues.
Special Programs in District II and Throughout the State
TOPSoccer is a program for the developmentally disabled. This program takes small groups of kids and teaches them the fun of this wonderful game.Contact the District II recreational director for more information.
Soccer Start is a program for the inner city youth who may not be able to afford the game of soccer. This program is currently at the "grassroots" level and growing. Contact the District II recreational director for more information.
Help With Your Team Meeting
One of the most important tasks in forming a team or starting a season is holding a parent meeting. Parent volunteers can get involved and help with a variety of team activities—from bringing snacks to assisting with coaching. CYSA has prepared slides to help you plan and run a more successful team meeting. Choose a PDF here, or if your computer has Microsoft PowerPoint, a slide set you can customize for your team.
The Near Post
D2 Spring Soccer League
Registration for the 2010 District II Spring League play is now open. Click here to obtain more information and to register your team.
D2 Coaching Courses
Click
here to obtain information about coaching courses that have been scheduled within District II.
D2 Spring Cup
Register by April 10, 2010 for the District II Spring Cup which will take place the weekend of June 5th. Click
here to obtain more information.
D2 ODP Tryouts
Registration is now open for players born between 01/01/1995 and 12/31/1998 who are interested in trying out for District II’s 2010-2011 ODP teams. Registration forms are currently being mailed to eligible players, but you can obtain more information or download the registration form by clicking here.
D2 Referee Classes
Click here to view the dates and times when the entry level Grade 8 Referee Clinics are being offered.
District II Players Make State ODP Pool
Congratulations are in order for our fine District II ODP players who advanced to the CYSA ODP State Pool. We wish them luck as they progress through the ODP process and once again thank our wonderful, talented volunteer ODP coaches (Michael Gokey, Mike Salvemini, Izzie Mendoza, Jacob Picard, Matt Schembri, Dawn Hill, Chris Fitzpatrick and Reza Taheri) who helped to make this all possible. Once again, more District II players advance to the State Pool than from any other district in the State. You make us all proud! The complete list of players that made the State ODP Pool can be found here.
CYSA State Playing League
CYSA is in the midst of proposing a new statewide structure for a competitive soccer playing league. Learn about the league here.
