Recreational Developmental Program

The recreational/developmental program spans Kindergarten through roughly 6th grade; however older players, those U11 and above (see Age Group Table below), have typically played in either the pre-competitive or competitive program. The Rec/Dev program is composed of a kindergarten group, a 1st and 2nd grade group, and a 3rd and 4th grade group.

• Registration closes for Spring season March 22 , Register online [+]
• Spring 2024 Game Schedule [+]
• The Rec/Dev program is coed.
• 2 practices per week are organized in White Rock and 2 in Los Alamos for each age group.
  North Mesa :: Tues/Thurs , 5:30-6:30
  Overlook :: Tues/Thurs & Mon/Wed , 5:30-6:30pm
  Send email for details [+]
• Practices are run by age group (not on a per team basis), with multiple coaches and parents helping out.
• Players are allowed to practice in either location, and can practice more than twice a week if they so desire.

The past few years, the different age groups have been able to practice at the same time and field location. The Kindergarten group is not scheduled for formal games. The primary emphasis is having fun with the ball and learning ball handling skills. For the older groups, small field games are played on Friday evenings in Los Alamos and White Rock with a minimum of six games per season. For the last few years teams have not been permanent, but rather change week to week. The Rec/Dev program has a Fall season and Spring season that run over a 2-month period, typically starting in mid-September and mid-April.

To promote better technical development of our players, LAYSL uses the US Youth Soccer recommended small-sided game format (https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/official_rules_for_small-sided_games). Our Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grade teams play 4 v 4, our 3rd and 4th grade teams play 7 v 7, and our U11 and U12 teams play 9 v 9. The goal is to have many games being played simultaneously to keep all the players engaged. For young players, the small sided format is critical to ensure that all players get many touches on the ball and are not overwhelmed by the tactical complications of a larger-sided game. In the long term, getting many touches help the players develop the technical skills needed for playing 11 v 11 when they are older. The small-sided format helps prevent the “bunch ball” game that occurs when players who are too young to understand team tactics attempt to play a large-sided game. Small-sided games are an acknowledgement that children do not understand the game the way that adults do.

LAYSL will reimburse you for coaching classes that you complete (however, please obtain LAYSL Board Approval before registering for a class). In addition, our experienced and licensed coaches often share practice plans with other coaches. Assisting an experienced coach is also a good way of learning how to coach. Experience is not a requirement to become a coach.