For our youngest children, we have a great program that is part soccer, part physical fitness, and plenty of fun. We have been running this program for younger kids a few seasons already and have had great feedback. Note that Playground Soccer is not a team-based program. There are usually 8 to 10 children per group, and it is led by a Master Coach. You are welcome to request to be put into the same group with your friend(s) if you like.

Players need: Protective shoes, such as soccer cleats or tennis shoes.

Schedule: The program is on Saturdays, and lasts roughly an hour.

How to help: We are run by volunteers. There are many ways to help, but our biggest need at this age might be sign up as Playground Field Helper, who helps the Master Coach keep the kids on task. Also, Event Staff, which is just a few hours per season to help at a booth or check-in table.

Our under-5 players get to enjoy our 5u Jamboree Soccer, a great program to introduce players and parents to the fun activity called Soccer. This program is a little different from the older age groups. In Jamboree Soccer, we aren't yet focusing on teamwork or team-based skills. Just as we do with the 4u Playground Soccer, in 5u we make use of a Master Coach. We also train a handful of 5u parents to help the Master Coach work with the kids. This program is more about basic development, communication, fine motor skills, fitness, and developing a love of the game through encouragement.

Schedule: Jamboree Soccer runs only on Saturdays. It begins with about 40 minutes of fun drills and skills for practice, and finishes up with a scrimmage (four quarters, five minutes each) against another team, taking roughly 30 minutes more.

Players need: Shoes, shin guards, size 3 soccer ball. Mask, and water.

How to help: Our biggest volunteer need at this age is parent coaches to help the Master Coach. No experience or soccer knowledge is needed. We provide all required training. Our Jamboree program has been very successful, but in order to keep it running smooth, we need your help. Please consider being a Parent Coach, as we need one parent for every three to four players.

Our under-6 players get to enjoy small sided practices and games, a great continuation to introduce players and parents to the fun activity called Soccer. In 6u we also make use of a Master Coach, similar to 5u. Our parent coaches get lots of guidance and direction from the Master Coach, as well as the other parent coaches, helping them along. This program is more about basic development, communication, fine motor skills, fitness, and developing a love of the game through encouragement.

Schedule: 6u Team Soccer runs only on Saturdays. It begins with about 40 minutes of fun drills and skills for practice, and finished up with a scrimmage (four quarters, five minutes each) against another team, taking roughly 30 minutes more.

Players need: Shoes, shin guards, size 3 soccer ball. Mask, and water.

How to help: Our biggest volunteer need at this age is parent coaches to help the Master Coach. No experience or soccer knowledge is needed. We provide all required training.

Our program for the kids in these age groups begins the more traditional AYSO season experience. Players at this age may be more mature than the 5u or 6u, but we need to be patient and not force them to develop too fast.

Teams of about 5 or 6 are formed, and they compete 4v4. We have one evening practice per week at 7u, and we have two evening practices per week at 8u (and older).

Primary focus: Ball and player.

Schedule: Practices are an hour each, one evening a week at 7u, and twice per week at 8u (and older). Usually it will be at 5:00 or 5:30 at these ages, but we work with our coaches to find the right time slot. Games are an hour on Saturdays.

Players need: Shoes, shin guards, size 3 soccer ball. Mask, water.

How to help: Our biggest volunteer needs at these ages are coaches and referees. No experience or soccer knowledge is needed. We have a great (but small) ratio of kids to volunteer, it means we need lots of the families in these age groups to volunteer.
You don't need any experience. We provide all required courses, you provide some energy and enthusiasm.

Our program for 10u includes 9u players, so it is a bigger range from youngest to oldest. We have about 8 to 10 players per team. There are opportunities for post-season events such as City Cup and Playoffs.

Schedule: There are two evening practices per week. We work with the coach on finding proper and convenient days, time, and also location for practics. We encourage early evening, usually around 6:00 for this age group, and most often either on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Again, we work with the coach to set the schedule. Games (7v7) are on Saturdays, and last about an hour.

Players need: Shoes, shin guards, size 4 ball. Mask, water.

How to help: AYSO is run by volunteers. There are many ways to help, our biggest volunteer needs at this age are coaches and referees. We provide full training and equipment, you just need to provide some energy and enthusiasm. Additionally, your willingness to volunteer helps the team toward their Volunteer Points requirement.

Our program for 12u includes 11u players so there is a two year range from youngest to oldest. We aim for 12 players per team. There are opportunities for post-season events such as City Cup and Playoffs.

Schedule: There are two evening practices per week. We work with the coach on finding day and time, and also location. We often see practices around 6:00 or 7:00 for this age group, and either on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Again, we work with the coach to set the schedule. Games (9v9) are on Saturdays, and last about an hour and fifteen minutes. Also to note that 12u teams may play a few of their games outside of Irvine, against neighboring regions.

Players need: Shoes, shin guards, size 4 ball. Mask, water.

How to help: While we still need referees and coaches, the best way most of you can help at this age group is with various staff positions, such as helping with booths at events such as photo day or jog-a-thons, coordinating or assisting with one of our programs such as All Stars, Academy, or Extra. Your willingness to volunteer helps the team toward their Volunteer Points requirement.

Our program for 14u spans a two-year gap, so there is a bigger range from youngest to oldest. We aim for 14 players per team. There are opportunities for post-season events such as City Cup and Playoffs.

Schedule: There are two evening practices per week. We work with the coach on finding day and time, and also location. We often see practices around 7:00 or 8:00 for this age group, and on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Again, we work with the coach to set the schedule. Games (11v11) are on Saturdays, and last about an hour and 20 minutes. Also to note that 14u teams often play some of their games outside of Irvine, against neighboring regions.

Players need: Shoes, shin guards, size 5 ball. Mask, water.

How to help: Many of you have put in your time as volunteers or have managed to avoid it. The best way most of you can help at this age group is with something easy, low time commitment. Event staff to help a few hours during the season at an event booth or table check-in, or even being a Field Captain, those are both great tasks that you can help with. Another option is to have your child get trained to referee, and they can referee for the younger 8u or even 10u players. Your willingness to volunteer helps the team toward their Volunteer Points requirement.

Our program for 16u spans a two-year gap, so there is a bigger range from youngest to oldest. At this age, more players have outside activities, so we tend to allow larger rosters. 16u also introduces a slightly different format of play (free substitutions) and there are fewer teams.

Schedule: As with most age groups, there are two evening practices per week. We work with the coach on finding day and time, and also location. We often see practices around 7:00 or 8:00 for this age group, and on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Again, we work with the coach to set the schedule. Games (11v11) are mostly on Saturdays but occasionally may have a game on Sunday or during the week. The game will be about an hour and a half. Also to note that 16u teams may play about half of their games outside of Irvine, against neighboring regions.

Players need: Shoes, shin guards, size 5 ball. Mask, water.

How to help: Many of you have put in your time as volunteers or have managed to avoid it. The best way most of you can help at this age group is with something easy, low time commitment. Event staff to help a few hours during the season at an event booth or table check-in, or even being a Field Captain, those are both great tasks that you can help with. Another option is to have your child get trained to referee, and they can referee for the younger 8u or even 10u players. Your willingness to volunteer helps the team toward their Volunteer Points requirement.

*Players can earn volunteer service hours for their school by volunteering.

Our program for 19u spans a three-year gap, so there is a big range from youngest to oldest. At this age, more players have outside activities, so we tend to allow larger rosters. Note that 19u teams may play about half of their games outside of Irvine, against neighboring regions. As with 16u, 19u also follows a slightly different format of play (free substitutions) and there are fewer teams.

Schedule: As with most age groups, there are two evening practices per week. We work with the coach on finding day and time, and also location. We often see practices around 7:00 or 8:00 for this age group, and on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. Again, we work with the coach to set the schedule. Games (11v11) are mostly on Saturdays but occasionally may have a game on Sunday or during the week. The game will be about an hour and a half.

Players need: Shoes, shin guards, size 5 ball. Mask, water.

How to help: Many of you have put in your time as volunteers or have managed to avoid it. The best way most of you can help at this age group is with something easy, low time commitment. Event staff to help a few hours during the season at an event booth or table check-in, or even being a Field Captain, those are both great tasks that you can help with. Another option is to have your child get trained to referee, and they can referee for the younger 8u or even 10u players. Your willingness to volunteer helps the team toward their Volunteer Points requirement.