U3-U4 Mini Kickers Parent & Player Program
The MYS U3-U4 Parent & Player Soccer Program is a recreational, development-oriented program for young soccer players born between 2022 and 2020 to enjoy with their family. In each session, players and parents engage in fun soccer activities led by trained McLean Youth Soccer staff coaches. These activities take place in a circle formation.
During the program, each player will have fun while developing balance, coordination, and social skills. This is not a program where parents simply watch from the sidelines. Parents or guardians will actively participate in the sessions alongside their player.
An adult must accompany each player throughout the program. There are six sessions per season which are held on Saturdays (subject to weather conditions). Each player will receive a t-shirt as part of their registration.
FAQS
What should the players and parents wear and bring?
- Dress appropriately for changing weather conditions.
- Bring plenty of water.
- Bring a size 2 soccer ball with your child's name on it.
- We recommend the players wear cleats or turf shoes.
- Shin guards are recommended.
- Adults should come in comfortable footwear suitable for moving and dribbling a ball.
Will players be placed on a team or play in actual structured games?
- There are no actual teams formed and no structured games will be played.
- Each player will be playing in the same group each week and have the same staff coach leading the activities.
Can I leave my player at the session?
- One adult must participate with each child for the entirety of each session.
- If a parent needs to step away for a moment, they must have another adult assume responsibility for their player .
- Each parent’s full attention should be devoted to their player and the session.
Can parents bring their other children to the sessions?
- As long as parents can give their full attention to the player, other children may come and watch.
- Parents are going to be playing along, so babies in arms will present difficulties.
- If a player has an older sibling, they may be allowed to fill in for a parent during the session as long as the parent is present.
I have twins. May I participate with both of them?
- Yes, a parent can participate with both of their twins.
- But it is generally better for all if there is one adult per child.
U5-U6 Kickstart Program - NEW for Spring 2025
Starting with the Spring 2025 season, MYS is one of 18 clubs nationwide participating in the US Youth Soccer Game Format Project of 3v3 games. This game format supports greater individual skill development and decision-making. Player enjoyment increases with both more touches on the ball and more opportunities to score. And parents’ perception of their child’s experience with soccer is more positive in 3v3 and 2v2 formats.
U5/2020 Format:
- Saturday Morning Games - Teams meet for 3v3 games using small-sided, continuous play for 45 minutes. Head and Assistant coaches from both teams organize restarts and substitutions.
- Teams practice for 60 minutes once during the week with their volunteer head coach and assistant coach. Practice schedules depend on coach and field availability.
- Players will need to bring a size 3 ball.
- Coaches can also choose to have their once weekly practice be part of the MYS U5-U8 Rec Academy - on a turf field with equipment and professional MYS staffing support.
U6/2019 Format:
- Saturday Morning Games - Teams meet for 3v3 games using small-sided, continuous play for 45 minutes. Head and Assistant coaches from both teams organize restarts and substitutions.
- Teams practice for 60 minutes once during the week with their volunteer head coach and assistant coach. Practice schedules depend on coach and field availability.
- Players will need to bring a size 3 ball.
- Coaches can also choose to have their once weekly practice be part of the MYS U5-U8 Rec Academy - on a turf field with equipment and professional MYS staffing support.
U7-U8 Academy Program
The McLean Youth Soccer U7-U8 (2018-2017 birth years) Rec Academy is available for coaches who choose for their team to be part of the program. The program follows an "academy" style format where professional MYS staff coaches run the sessions alongside MYS volunteer coaches and provide guidance as needed.
The U7-U8 Academy is an inclusive program that allows young soccer players of all levels to develop their skills and passion for participation in the sport. The program aims to prepare players for future travel or recreational programs while also providing guidance to volunteer coaches for upcoming seasons.
U7/2018 Format:
- Teams practice for 60 minutes once per week.
- All practices are led by volunteer coaches.
- Players will need to bring a size 3 ball.
- Coaches can also choose to have their once weekly practice be part of the MYS U5-U8 Rec Academy - on a turf field with equipment and professional MYS staffing support.
- On Saturdays, two MYS teams play side-by-side 4v4 games using a continuous play model. These games are supervised by volunteer coaches.
U8/2017 Format
- Teams practice for 60 minutes once per week.
- All practices are led by volunteer coaches.
- Players will need to bring a size 3 ball.
- Coaches can also choose to have their once weekly practice be part of the MYS U5-U8 Rec Academy - on a turf field with equipment and professional MYS staffing support.
- On Saturdays, two MYS teams play side-by-side 4v4 or 5v5 games using modified restarts with kickins, kickoffs, and continuous play. Games are supervised by volunteer coaches.
- Parent volunteers help setup and take down portable goals for games.
U9-U10 Program
The McLean Youth Soccer U9-U10 program offers a fun and friendly, team-oriented program focusing on age-appropriate skill development. MYS Professional Technical Staff visit games to offer enhanced coaching education and support for volunteer coaches.
U9/2016-U10/2015 Format:
- Teams practice for 60 or 75 minutes once per week with their volunteer coach.
- Players will need to bring a size 4 ball.
- On Saturdays, each team plays a 7v7 game against another MYS team in their age group.
- Parent volunteers help setup and takedown portable goals used for 7v7 games.
- The Goal Keeper position is introduced and multiple players will rotate playing goalkeeper each team, each game.
- Referees will be assigned, or in the event of no assigned referee attending a volunteer parent will referee.
U11-U19 NCSL-Rec Program
MYS recreation players ages U11 and older play on MYS teams that participate in the Nation Capital Soccer League (NCSL) recreation level league (formerly known as SFL) in Northern Virginia. No tryouts are required or permitted.
During the spring and fall seasons, the NCSL-Rec provides scheduling services to between 450 and 500 teams representing almost 30 different clubs.
- To find out more about the NCSL-Rec, visit the website HERE.
U11-U19 Format:
- Teams practice for 75 minutes once per week with their volunteer coach.
- U11-U12 players will need to bring a size 4 ball. U13+ players will need to bring a size 5 ball.
- On Saturdays and/or Sundays (primarily Saturdays), each team plays one game against another team in the Northern Virginia area in their age group.