AYSO Playground Soccer 101

1. AYSO Playground Soccer 101 How to Launch Playground Successfully Workshop #202

2. Workshop Objectives • To give you an understanding of the AYSO Playground Soccer Program • To help you launch and sustain a successful volunteer driven program for three year olds • How to spread the word to prospective parents

3. Have Fun! • A three year old doesn’t set expectations. A three year old doesn’t expect to be a freshman starter on High School varsity. A three year old isn’t looking for a college scholarship.

4. Why AYSO Playground Soccer? • Parents are increasingly looking for activities for younger tykes • A volunteer lead alternative to AYSO Camps Playtime Adventure • A way to grow your Region and introduce parents to AYSO

5. Why AYSO Playground Soccer? • Developed by the AYSO Coaching Commission and Player Development Team in consultation with pre-school child development professionals

6. Key Features of Playground • Gateway to the AYSO Program and Organization • Volunteer lead • Parent involvement • Not a soccer program* • Not a coaching program*

7. Playground Objectives • Develop child’s fundamental motor skills (FMS) • Use soccer as the teaching thread • Allow young players to enjoy the activities freely • Application of the six AYSO philosophies

8. New Parent Orientation It’s critical to set expectations

9. AYSO Kids Zone • The AYSO Playground activity area is part of the Kids Zone! • Perfect opportunity to introduce new AYSO parents to ‘the Kids Zone’ concept

10. Characteristics of 3 Year Olds • Time of Imagination • Physical Literacy is the priority - Balance - Running - Jumping - Throwing

11. Characteristics (continued) • Psycho-Social Development - Curious - Can be shy - Ask lots of questions - Can count - Follow basic instructions - Can have difficulty sharing

12. Characteristics (continued) • Physical Development - Can climb (on anything) - Can walk forward and backwards - Can stand briefly on one foot - Can kick ball forward - Can throw overhand - Can catch a bouncing ball

13. FMS Hierarchy • Walking before running • Balancing before twisting and turning • Rolling a ball before throwing • Stopping a ball before catching • Jumping before skipping

14. Regional Checklist Step by step guide for a successful AYSO Playground Soccer Program

15. Playground Checklist Step One: Find a Leader(s) • Lead by an AYSO Playground Activity Leader • Preference for an Advanced Coach/Instructor • May also be: - Advanced Coach - Intermediate Coach - Coach who has completed U6-U12 courses

16. Playground Checklist • Step One (cont.): Your Playground Activity Leader • Key to success of the program • Understands the AYSO National Coaching Program - consider more than one ‘Activity Leader’ • Understands the age group (parent & child) • Must follow AYSO Playground manual and guidelines

17. Hand Out Manuals Yep, we’re giving you one free! One for each parent? AYSO Supply Center http://www.ayso.org/For_Volunteers/resources/supply_center

18. Playground Checklist • Step Two: Find Space! • Doesn’t require much space! • Playing area is based on activity ‘grids’ • 100x100 space should accommodate players and parents

19. Playground Checklist • Step Three: Get the gear! • AYSO Playground equipment bundle and the AYSO Playground manual from AYSO Supply Center • AYSO Kids Zone materials • Playground T-Shirts from SCORE

20. The ‘Official’ Playground Kit • Found at the AYSO Supply Center, priced at $299, 10-15 players, can be used for multiple activity sessions and reused for years!

21. Uniforms or T-Shirts • Uniforms – All the same color, all the same number ‘3’ … t-shirts? Use the AYSO Playground Soccer logo.

22. Playground Checklist Step Four: Market, Market, Market!!! • Know your target demographics • Millennials use social media - Website, Facebook Ads, Twitter, SnapChat, Instagram - Pre-Schools

23. Playground Checklist Step Five: The Parents Meeting • Discuss program guidelines and expectations - Introduction to AYSO - Playground philosophy and approach - Parental involvement - Program specifics; time, day, duration, etc.

24. Weekly Activities • One hour per week … introductions, parents on the field, activity, and cool down … music included!

25. Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh my! - Jungle - Space - Ocean / Beach - Superheroes - Dinosaurs - AYSO Olympics

26. Playground Checklist Step Six:Play! • Select the activities • Recruit activity leaders (assistants) • Set up the activity area ahead of time • Have FUN!!!

27. Review, Rinse, Repeat • Even the best plans and brilliant leaders make simple mistakes … mid-season and post season set a meeting to review the process. • Figure out what worked well, identify what we can do better. • Contact the National Office with feedback and suggestions: petem@ayso.org • Review, Rinse out the ‘bugs’, and Repeat

28. Questions?

29. Other Best Practices & Brilliant Ideas • Hold a raffle at the Parent Orientation • 5th week hold the two hour U6 Coaching Course • Use music – bring a boom box to the field • Want uniforms? Make them all the same, #3! • Engage the parent, give them a jersey too! • AYSO Playground Soccer Micro-Site • www.aysoplaygroundsoccer.org • Have fun! #1 Engage the Parents, #2 Engage the Customer, #3 Engage a Coach

30. AYSO Playground Soccer Task Force • Matt Winegar – Chair • Dan Howald – Marketing • Michael Karon – Strategic Positioning • Joe Bondi – Data Collection & Research • Audrey Castreje – Area Implementation • Rudolph Charles – Regional Implementation • Connie Brinkerhoff – Pre School & Parent Education • Jeff Nordensson – Public Relations & Parent Orientation • Pete MacPhail – Staff Liaison and Project Manager

31. Additional Thoughts & Questions?

32. Thank you for attending! AYSO Playground Soccer 101 • AYSO National Coaching Program - #202