LAYSL has three programs – Recreational League, Pre-Competitive Team, and Competitive Team. The amount of time involved increases as a player goes from the recreational to pre-competitive to competitive programs.
Recreational/Developmental Program
–spans 1st through 4th grade and includes a special kindergarten soccer training academy. There are no tryouts for recreational teams. The goal of the program is a fun healthy environment, focusing on player development rather than winning games. Groups are coed and are typically broken out into two groups of 1st & 2nd graders and 3rd & 4th graders. Practices are twice a week in Los Alamos (Mondays and Wednesdays) and twice a week in White Rock (Tuesdays and Thursdays) with all age groups practicing nearby. The 1st grade and above group play games once a week on Friday evenings alternating between Los Alamos and White Rock. Kindergarten soccer may include some soccer festivals, de-emphasizing games.
Pre-competitive
–teams are formed for the U10/9 age groups, and sometimes the U12/11 and U13 and older age groups if enough players are available. These teams are intended to help with the transition to the competitive program. There are separate boys and girls teams in the pre-competitive program and they play in the Santa Fe Northern League with games in Santa Fe and Los Alamos on Saturdays. They may also play in several tournaments throughout the year, typically located in Santa Fe or the Bernalillo/Albuquerque area, but some may involve travel out of the state (e.g., Durango, CO). Players in this program are expected to want to improve their game and not be disruptive in practice session
Competitive
–teams play in the Duke City Soccer League which is considered the best in the state. Players are expected to commit to the team, be serious and focused at practice and games and wanting to improve their level of play. In addition to teams from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, teams from as far away as Las Cruces, El Paso and Durango often participate in this league. Competitive teams typically play in several tournaments each year. Competitive teams start at the U11 or U12 age level. Tryouts for the U11 through U14 competitive teams are held annually in mid-May. Spring-only competitive teams are formed for high school players and the tryouts for the U15 through U18 age groups are typically held in November.