AYSO Schoolyard Jamboree Program

The schoolyard program is the foundation for all the fun, excitement and learning that happens on the fields. AYSO is best known for our core program – it’s where the large majority of kids fall in love with soccer and make memories that will last a lifetime. Players at this age are gently introduced to competition.

There are six core values – or what we call AYSO’s Six Philosophies – that are the foundation of our core program, and all others: Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development. These are the essence of AYSO and it all starts with Everyone Plays.

• Everyone Plays means that no kid spends their soccer experience sitting on the bench. Every kid plays at least half of every game and we strive to have players on the field for 3/4 of the game.
• Balanced Teams makes playing soccer about the experience, not the outcome of a single game.
• Good Sportsmanship is learning to be the best possible team mate and opponent, not about blowing out another team with an unbelievable score.
• Player Developing is what we’re about, because soccer skills and life skills go hand in hand. AYSO’s main purpose is to get kids on the field, provide them with good coaches, and teach them to play soccer.

Player Eligibility: All kids are eligible. Age verification is required the first time you register to ensure your child is placed in the proper group.

Coaches: The Schoolyard program is led by Program leader, there are no coaches per se. Parents are intimately involved in guiding their player under the guidance of the Program Leader

Age Groups: Players who will turn 5 in the  following calendar year, this means in the fall, the oldest player will be 4 years 8 months of age.

Description:

What is AYSO Schoolyard Jamboree?
In Jamboree, each team is comprised of three players and each player has a parent (or other adult) with them on the field. The children learn soccer skills like kicking, dribbling, and throwing in the ball, but in a low-pressure setting. Jamboree is about exposing children to soccer as a game, without the pressure to win. 
 
How do parents participate?
Parents help take turns organizing the teams, setting up fields and supervising the program. While their children are playing, parent volunteers keep time, but interfere with play as little as possible. There are only a few reasons to stop play in Jamboree games. If a child is not playing well with others, or if play must pause for injury, substitution, confusion, or to watch a flock of birds fly by, parents can quickly direct attention back to the game.
 
Is there competition in AYSO Schoolyard Jamboree?
Of course there is! Kids intrinsically keep score. But in Jamboree, coaches and parents do not count goals to determine who wins. The ad-hoc teams are formed to keep play balanced and give everyone an opportunity to gain self-confidence through mastery– so every player is a winner. Young players need to get a feel for the ball and the field, so even though there are adults all around and many opportunities to offer instruction, the emphasis is on learning through fun and play. It’s a different kind of game in 5U, but the children still wear jerseys or pinnies, cleats and shin guards and feel a part of something special.

Best of all, they find out that soccer is something they can do!