Playground / Schoolyard Guidelines
See also AYSO wiki
https://wiki.ayso.org/wiki/Size_of_Ball_and_Field_by_Age_Division
Activity Day
Playground (4U) and Schoolyard (5U) are designed to provide more flexibility to coaches to meet the needs of young soccer players. At this age, many children aren't quite as comfortable being on the soccer pitch without their parents and engaging in the typical soccer activities associated with the 6U and up divisions.
These two divisions can be combined or can be run in the 6U format or even combined with 6U depending on the region needs. Playground and schoolyard consist of a group of players with similar uniform in their group rather than of 6. The group of players does activities to develop their Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS), develop their social skills and promote interaction with the other players, and "technical development session". Players wishing to do a jamboree style scrimmage can do so as part of one of the activities. Playground / schoolyard kits include pinnies for putting on the players to do scrimmages. All activities to occur during the 60-minute session including.
One key element of these two programs is that parents can be and are encouraged to be on the field with their own player. Not all activities involve a soccer ball but rather are geared toward FMS and being social skills so the players feel more comfortable interacting with other players and coaches and detaching themselves from their parents.
Typically, these two programs follow the same number of Saturdays as the regular CORE season. Since the program is built as a 6-week program, coaches or "Playground Leaders" and "Schoolyard Leaders" can opt to repeat the sessions and/or deviate from the sessions depending on the needs of the players.
The Field:
Region may elect to use a 6U field (25-35 x 15-25 yards) marked with lines or cones with each group utilizing half of the space or the entire field, or opt to use a different layout or space to designate for the teams to use.
Player's Equipment:
Shin guards are not required until 6U
Closed toes shoes required
Uniform with shirt, shorts, and socks is typically provided similar to 6U and up.
Playground / Schoolyard Kit:
Typical kit on loan to coaches:
Playground or Schoolyard Manual
8 large cones
10 small cones
8 pinnies (scrimmage vests)
Bean Bags 3” Multicolor
Beach Balls 12” Multicolor
Parachute - 12’ diameter
Mesh equipment bag
6 foam soccer balls
6 Hoola Hoops
1 Set of Pug Nets (2 nets in a set)
Typical equipment coaches keep:
Coach Bag with;
Whistle;
First Aid Kit;
Size 3 Soccer Ball'
Coach Shirt
Roster size: 1:8 supervision ratio. It is recommended groups of 16 with two "Playground Leaders" or "Schoolyard Leaders" to a group. leaders register as coaches, complete background checks, take the coach trainings and other required trainings just like coaches for 6U and up.