header-u5jamboree Before the start of each season, there is a mandatory U5 Parents Meeting to discuss the program. Please check the CALENDAR for upcoming dates.

Before the U5 Jamboree Program, we did not have children at the age of 4 play on teams. Some 4 ½ year old children were put on teams with children who were 5 and 6 years old and, no surprise, there was a big difference in attention span and abilities. We have now implemented a program just for 4 year olds that has been successful in other cities across the country.

First things first!

Learning soccer techniques and tactics is completely unimportant at this age level. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t teach kids to play soccer! Kicking the ball in a given direction, running and moving the ball with your feet, stopping the ball without using your hands, shooting at the goal and blocking shots: this is all great fun.

These are the basic elements of soccer that we aim to teach children by leading them in various exercises and by simply letting them play the game. However, we consider it just as important that they learn the following skills in our program:

  • Interacting comfortably with a group of one’s peers
  • Working together as a team toward a common goal
  • Dealing with both victory and defeat
  • Respecting opponents
  • Accepting and obeying the rules of the game

In addition, your child will:

  • Develop his/her own style of handling the ball
  • Learn how to move in a variety of situations
  • Improve his/her coordination (mobility, agility, reaction speed)
  • Have FUN playing the game of soccer and being part of a team

So don’t be surprised if we are doing exercises that may seem like they have nothing to do with soccer: developing basic skills like climbing, balancing, hopping, throwing, jumping and so on plays a valuable role in the long-term development of soccer skills. However, practice sessions will center around the game of soccer.

Of course, we will also play matches against other teams! But for all of us, the point should not be to win as many games as possible. We want every child to be physically active and having fun playing the game. Preschool children are not good at sticking to assigned positions or duties – for them, the drive to play is much stronger. And we don’t want to restrict them to positions yet anyway, just as you wouldn’t want to decide yet what your child should be when he grows up.

Children learn best when they can experience playing the game without worrying about what position they should be playing! At this age level, we only distinguish between “up front,” and “in back”. So it’s natural to change positions from game to game, and even during a single game to either score goals or stop the other team scoring.

During the Saturday morning sessions, all children must have a parent present during the whole time. Players do not have to come at the same time slot each Saturday. Parents will be invited to participate in the sessions as required by the coaching staff. It is critical to the success of the program that all parents remain positive and encouraging during the session.

Having you participate gives you soccer knowledge and hopefully the confidence to become a coach in the U6 program the following year. Any inappropriate action could result in the parent, and hence the child if the other parent is not present, having to leave the field and not participate further in the session. The girls will be receiving pink uniforms and the boys will be getting blue. These will be theirs to keep. They will treasure this first jersey for a very long time.

Region 111 is committed to making this program a success. The staff brings to the table many years of coaching experience at many levels, including coaching our own children from the same young age! We believe we have assembled a great team, and with your support the season will be a great success.

Program Details

The objective of this program is to provide young players and their parents with a “pressure free” introduction to the beautiful and simple game of soccer. At this age players should be exposed to soccer by playing simple, fun activities and games that require little to no practice, and a minimal time commitment.

The program allows players to discover the game for themselves, while parents are given a foundation on which to build and grow into future AYSO coaches, referees and administrators.

Typical Saturday session will include:

  • 15 minutes Group warm up and activities
  • 5 minutes assigning players into small groups for the various games and training activities and a water break
  • 25 minutes Training activities and Games
  • 5 minutes Team organizing and water break
  • Assigning players to teams
  • Assigning field locations
  • 25 minutes 3 v 3 Game, played in two halves of 10 minutes with 5 minutes for half time. Players are of course allowed to take additional water breaks at any time during the games if they so wish.
  • 5 minutes Wrap up

There will be approximately 8 games going on, with a parent acting as game supervisor. These parents are ONLY required to keep the game going. All other parents should be encouraged to cheer positively and refrain from “coaching” (giving directions) from the sideline.

This is the time for the kids to play – LET THEM!