Long before USSF or WYS committed to the modified playing rules, NYSA was at the forefront of the movement.  For years NYSA has been running our U6 program utilizing the small sided 3v3 game strategy that is now the required style of play throughout the US.  The benefit of small sided games is that they have a universal appeal as each player is actively involved in the game and is able to develop their skills at an accelerated pace.  The U6 program encourages movement through soccer related games that encourages a safe environment where the competitive pressure of winning is replaced with fun.

Players in the U6 program will be assigned a team with a parent volunteer as the head coach.  The teams will meet one time per week for a total of 55 minutes.  The sessions will be divided into two with the first 30 minutes devoted to a team practice and the remaining 25 minutes devoted to a game against another team.  During the 30 minutes practice sessions children will be taught the basics of dribbling, passing, and shooting with all sessions being planned out by our Director of Coaching.  While players will have the chance to participate in developmentally appropriate games to develop their skills, more importantly, they will have fun and develop a love for the game.

The season for our U6 program begins the week of September 11, 2023.  

All recreational teams are coached by volunteers, these are often parents, siblings, or grandparents of players.  If you would like to coach your child’s recreational team, you may volunteer as you register online or on your child’s registration form.  All volunteers are required by NYSA and WYS to complete a national background check, do Safe Sport Training, online Concussion Awareness Training, and online Sudden Cardiac Awareness Training.  All trainings are free and all online trainings can be done at a time convenient to the volunteer (all trainings musts be complete before volunteers can work with players).

To help coaches, NYSA holds a special U6 coaches meeting and training, as well as, has our Director of Coaching or other Master Coaches in attendance to help as needed.  The Master Coaches have several years of soccer training and are hired and trained by our Director of Coaching.

Players who wish to play for NYSA need to register online.  Registration for the fall U6  season opens in February and our early bird registration runs until May 31st.  We encourage everyone to register for the fall season as soon as possible as teams are formed throughout the season and spaces fill fast. 

We recommend that every player has their own soccer ball for practice (size 3 ball).  In addition, all players are required to wear shin guards and to wear their NYSA provided uniforms for all sessions.    NYSA also recommends all players wear soccer cleats.  

NYSA has coordinated with Northwest Sports Photography to provide high quality team photos for our families.  The exact date and time will be picked by the coach and communicated to families. 

If you have questions about the upcoming season, feel free to call our office at (425) 486-5106 or send us an email ([email protected]) and someone will get back to you.