Recreation Ages & Programs

U3-U5 Parent & Player Program

The McLean U3-U5 Parent & Player Soccer Program is a recreational, development-oriented, family activity program. During every session the player and the parent are engaged in fun soccer-related games. These activities are led by trained McLean Youth Soccer staff coaches and take place in a circle.

Your child will have fun while developing balance, coordination, and important social skills. This is not a drop off or "stand aside and watch" program for the adults. You will be participating in the activities with your player as the parents form the boundary of a circle to help the young players to feel secure and also play along in many of the games.

The players will learn real soccer skills in a game format where the activity is designed to bring out each particular skill. The children learn from playing! The staff coaches model the skills, and the players can imitate the staff. The games replicate the demands of a real soccer game.

Players meet once per week for 45 minutes to an hour with club staff and each player's parent. An adult must participate along with the player. There are six (6) sessions per season which are held on Saturday mornings (subject to weather conditions).

FAQs

What should I bring?

  • Dress appropriately for changing weather conditions.
  • Every registered player will receive a t-shirt.
  • Bring plenty of water and a size three soccer ball with your child's name on it.
  • We recommend the children wear cleats or turf shoes; wet grass is slippery and cleats will be required as they get older.
  • Shin guards are recommended.
  • Adults should come in comfortable footwear suitable for moving and dribbling a ball.

Is my child going to be placed on a team? Or will my child play in actual structured games?

Your child will be playing in the same group each week and have the same staff coach leading the activities.  We do not form actual teams and no actual formal, structured games will be played.

Can I leave my child at the session?

One adult must participate with each child for the whole of each session. If you ever have to step away for a moment, you must have another adult assume responsibility for your child. Your full attention should be devoted to your child and the session.

Can I bring my other children to the sessions?

As long as you are still able to give your full attention to the player, other children may come and watch. You are going to be playing along, so babies in arms will present difficulties. If your child has an older sibling, they may be allowed to fill in for you during the class as long as you are present.

I have twins. May I participate with both of them?

Yes, although the sessions will be better for all if you have one adult per child.

U6-U7 Academy Program

The McLean Youth Soccer U6 and U7 program follows an "academy" format where every  player receives professional training and all volunteer parent/coaches are offered mentoring and guidance.

The U6 and U7 Academy is an inclusive program to give all levels of young soccer players the opportunity to develop their skills.

The purpose of this approach is to train players so that they are prepared for either the travel or recreation programs in the future and to provide guidance to volunteer coaches that they may utilize with their teams in later years in the recreation program.

The aim is to help both the coaches and the players!

  • U6-U7 teams have EIGHT practices and EIGHT games per season

U6 Format:

  • Teams practice for 60 minutes once per week with their volunteer/parent coach.
  • On Saturdays, three or four teams practice at one location for 30 minutes, using session plans provided by the club. This is immediately followed by a 30-minute game using our small-sided, continuous play model that maximizes touches on the ball.

U7 Format:

  • Teams practice for 60 minutes once per week with their volunteer/parent coach and professional staff coaches.
  • Six teams at a time practice on one field for one hour, using session plans provided by the club.
  • Every other week the team's session is run by a professional staff coach and assisted by the parent/volunteer coach.
  • On Saturdays, two MYS teams play two side-by-side games using a continuous play model that maximizes touches on the ball. These games are supervised by their parent/volunteer coaches.

Academy Extension Program:

  • Individual players may be invited to participate in one additional practice each week. This invitation will be offered to players who show the most energy and enthusiasm and will not be based on ability. The extension program is available by invitation only.

U8-U10 Program

The McLean Youth Soccer U8-U10 program offers a FUN, friendly, non-results oriented team structured program focusing on age-appropriate skill development. MYS Professional Technical Staff visit games to offer enhanced coaching education/support for volunteer/parent coaches in the form of "help on request" during games.

  • U8-U10 teams have EIGHT practices and EIGHT games per season (subject to weather conditions).

U8 Format:

  • Teams practice for 60 minutes once per week with their volunteer/parent coach.
  • On Saturdays, two MYS teams play two side-by-side games using a continuous play model that maximizes touches on the ball.

U9-U10 Format:

  • Teams practice for 60 minutes once per week with their volunteer/parent coach.
  • On Saturdays, each team plays one game against another MYS team in their age group.

U11-U19 SFL Program

MYS recreation players, ages U11 and older play on MYS teams which participate in the Suburban Friendship League (SFL) - a Recreation League in Northern VA. No tryouts are required or permitted.

The SFL has been operating since the fall 1990 season providing scheduling services for recreational soccer teams. The league's charter and decisions are based on whether the result is for the good of the players. During the spring and fall seasons, the SFL provides scheduling services to between 450 and 500 teams representing almost 30 different clubs.

Find out more about the SFL at www.sflsoccer.org.

  • U11-U19 teams have 8 practices and games.
  • Teams practice for 90 minutes once per week with their volunteer/parent coach.
  • On Saturdays and/or Sundays (primarily Saturdays), each team plays one game against another team in the Northern Virginia area in their age group.