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AYSO Carson City Region 140

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Playground & Schoolyard - Ages 3 & 4

AYSO Playground & Schoolyard
The only soccer program in Carson City starting at age three!

AYSO Playground & Schoolyard is the only soccer program for Carson City’s youngest players starting at age three! AYSO Playground & Schoolyard is designed to work in collaboration with parents to develop the child's fundamental motor skills using soccer as a common thread. AYSO Playground & Schoolyard is NOT a coaching program!

AYSO Playground & Schoolyard consists of six sessions for three-year-olds and eight sessions for four-year-olds at Pete Livermore Sports Complex (Edmonds Field) and Carson Middle School on Saturday mornings in the spring and fall (separate registration required for each season). Each session is different and designed to build on the previous lessons. Sessions include multiple games and activities designed to work on a fundamental motor skill or technical skill. i.e., balancing or dribbling, etc. Parents are provided a copy of the Playground & Schoolyard Curriculum at the mandatory parent’s meeting (see below for dates and locations).

Groups are formed on a weekly basis depending on how many players attend a given session. Typically, there are four groups split by age and gender. Older kids experience slightly more advanced activities.

A Message from the Playground & Schoolyard Coordinator

Hello Parents of 5U Players!

My name is Erika Garcia Cowger and I am our local Playground and Schoolyard (5U) program coordinator. Fall 2022 will be my third season as the coordinator in this age group. A few years ago, I was a 6U coach for the very fun “Orange Cuties.” That season was a blast and I am very much looking forward to watching our kids grow through this incredible child development opportunity that extends beyond soccer. I have a daughter who will be on the field with your kids this season. If you're new to our program, welcome! Whether you're a retired pro-soccer player, a preschool teacher, CEO or a construction worker, you can help make our season stronger by donating your energy or resources.

I grew up with Carson City AYSO. I began playing when I was 4 years old, and I just recently hung up my cleats a few years ago after graduating from Harvard University where I also played Division I college soccer. Soccer was the center of my world, BUT I didn’t know that would be the case when I was 4 years old. Our kids are out here to have fun, make friends, develop as players but also as people. The benefits of being a part of a team and building social/emotional skills and confidence extend far beyond the field.

I can’t wait to take on this season with you as your coordinator leader and by your side as a parent.

You should be able to find everything you need to know about the Playground and Schoolyard program on this webpage, including program requirements and volunteer opportunities. If you still have questions, please feel free to message me. See you soon!

Erika Garcia Cowger
5U (Playground) Coordinator
Carson City AYSO Region 140
[email protected]g

2022 Playground and Schoolyard Sessions

Carson City AYSO Region 140 Playground/Schoolyard sessions are generally held at Pete Livermore Sports Complex (Edmonds Field) on Saturday mornings:

Saturday, August 20th, 9:00 - 10:00 AM (Edmonds Field 10)
Saturday, August 27th, 9:00 - 10:00 AM (Edmonds Field 10)
Saturday, September 3rd, 9:00 - 10:00 AM (Edmonds Field 10)
~~Saturday, September 10th, 9:00 - 10:00 AM (Edmonds Field 10)~~ Canceled due to forecasted smoke conditions.
~~Saturday, September 17th, Picture Day on Edmonds Field 10. No big group soccer for Playground/Schoolyard this day, individual teams may hold a small session with their coach if they want.~~ Canceled due to smoke.
Saturday, September 24th, 9:00 - 10:00 AM (Edmonds Field 10) ~~(Last Day for Playground)~~ Picture Day is rescheduled for this day. No soccer session for Playground/Schoolyard.
Saturday, October 1st, 9:00 - 10:00 AM (Location: TBD) (Schoolyard and Playground)
Saturday, October 8th , 9:00 - 10:00 AM (Edmonds Field 10) (Schoolyard and Playground)

PLAYGROUND & SCHOOLYARD GENERAL SESSION SCHEDULE

The total duration of each session is approximately 1 hour.

10 minutes - Warm Up and Introduction to Stations/Activities
10 minutes - Activity I
10 minutes - Activity II
10 minutes - Activity III
10 minutes - Activity IV
10 minutes - Cool Down and Clean Up

Playground & Schoolyard Parent Expectations

AYSO is an all-volunteer organization. We can’t do this without you! Parents, guardians, grandparents and other family members are integral to the success of AYSO Playground & Schoolyard sessions. Parent with child provides the best possible introduction to soccer for our youngest participants. Each player will have a parent (or other adult) working with them on the field to help guide them within each activity.

Players are split up into teams and each team is led by a coach. The curriculum is led by our Playground & Schoolyard Coordinator, but this program works best when each team has a parent/volunteer who takes on the role of coach.

The Playground & Schoolyard Coordinator needs help from the following volunteers:

Team Coach or Assistant Coach: We need at least one parent/volunteer to run each team. Ideally, this individual is separate from the parent/adult there to support the player. (i.e. Mom signs up to be coach and has a child on the team. Ideally, mom as the coach has dad or another adult also there to help with their child so that mom/coach can lead the bigger group)

Snack Coordinator: The Snack Coordinator organizes weekly snacks for the kids for after their sessions. You’d be amazed at how important the snacks are to the little kids! Ideally, each team has a snack coordinator. This task can be as simple as creating a sign-up sheet for the 6 or 8 weeks your team will meet so that someone new has a chance to bring snacks every week.

Playground & Schoolyard Required Player Equipment

As a part of the registration fee, AYSO provides each player:

An AYSO uniform, which includes a jersey, shorts and socks; and
A size 3 soccer ball.

Uniforms and balls will be distributed at the mandatory parent’s meeting. Players should bring their soccer ball to every session.

You must provide for every practice and game:

Shin guards;
Closed-toed running shoes, sneakers or cleats; and
Water or other hydration.

Cleats are optional, but players must wear closed-toed shoes. EACH PLAYER MUST WEAR SHIN GUARDS AND CLOSED-TOED SHOES TO EACH SESSION. PLAYERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IF THEY ARE NOT WEARING SHIN GUARDS AND CLOSED-TOED SHOES. Shin guards are worn UNDER the player’s soccer socks next to the skin. The socks must completely cover the shin guard.

The following are not allowed at any practice or game:

Splints or casts (hard or soft) of any kind; and
Earrings or other jewelry while playing - with or without tape or band-aids.

We recommend you refrain from piercing ears until the end of the season.

Playground & Schoolyard General Session Schedule

The total duration of each session is approximately 1 hour.

10 minutes - Group formation (Playground & Schoolyard Coordinator/Activity Leader).
20 minutes - Activities I and II (locomotor and non-locomoter).
10 minutes - Activity III organizing and set up & water break.
20 minutes - Activity III (object control).

Group leaders should meet 10 minutes prior to the beginning of each session to coordinate activities.

The AYSO Playground/Schoolyard Modification Supplement has a lot of great information regarding activities for the kids.

Registration

This program is open to any player that meets the applicable age requirements. Generally, registration is open beginning in November for spring season and beginning in May for fall season. Registration closes after the first two sessions for Playground & Schoolyard and as divisions fill up, but no later than the first game for Core programs.

Please go to our registration webpage for more details.