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Created page with "=AYSO Kickstart = ==What is AYSO Kickstart?== thumb AYSO Kickstart is AYSO’s entry-level soccer experience designed to reimagine early play environments, spark joy, boost development, and help kids fall in love with the game from day one. Grounded in years of sport and early-childhood research, Kickstart transforms traditional practice into child-centered play. Sessions feature fun, fast-moving activities and modi..."
 
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=AYSO Kickstart =
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Kickstart}}
<div style="background:#003366; color:white; padding:14px; margin:10px 0; text-align:center; font-size:110%; font-weight:bold; border-radius:6px;">
==What is AYSO Kickstart?==
Getting Kickstart off the ground in your Region?<br>
⚫
[[File:2025-03-17 18-02-30 GH5M2 Cruz P1029177-X.jpg|thumb]]
<span style="font-weight:normal;">
⚫
AYSO Kickstart is AYSO’s entry-level soccer experience designed to reimagine early play environments, spark joy, boost development, and help kids fall in love with the game from day one.
Email <span style="text-decoration:underline;">programs@ayso.org</span> for any additional questions or resources.

</span>
⚫
Grounded in years of sport and early-childhood research, Kickstart transforms traditional practice into child-centered play. Sessions feature fun, fast-moving activities and modified small-sided games that create a lively, sandlot-style jamboree experience.
</div>

<div style="float:right; width:320px; margin:0 0 1em 1em;">
⚫
Kickstart is typically offered for the youngest and first-time players and serves as the first step in the AYSO player pathway.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
⚫
==Why Kickstart?==
|+
⚫
[[File:2024-10-19 10-17-41 GH7 P1002415-X4.jpg|left|thumb]]
! | '''ADDITIONAL RESOURCES'''

|-
| <hr style="margin:4px 0;">
[https://share.articulate.com/lqYgO8USYnGtlVUj0PG5- Parents Guide Preview]<br>
[https://share.articulate.com/DTFbatZZz3H0RT5d-XD3O Program Leader Preview]<br>
[https://share.articulate.com/i1-gtLsr0kqfuUmzQTiC8 6U Parents Guide Preview]<br>
[https://share.articulate.com/G2RbAbtXNeUxZWi_UIWT6 6U Program Leader Preview]<br>
|}
</div>


==='''Why'''===
⚫
[[File:2024-10-19 10-17-41 GH7 P1002415-X4.jpg|thumb|300x300px]]


Kickstart looks and feels different from traditional youth soccer, and that is intentional.
Kickstart looks and feels different from traditional youth soccer, and that is intentional.
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'''Benefits include:'''
'''Benefits include:'''
*Physical health
#Physical health
*Unleashed creativity
#Unleashed creativity
*Social and emotional growth
#Social and emotional growth
*Confidence and independence
#Confidence and independence
*Accessible and inclusive play environments
#Accessible and inclusive play environments
==='''What'''===
⚫
AYSO Kickstart is AYSO’s entry-level soccer experience designed to reimagine early play environments, spark joy, boost development, and help kids fall in love with the game from day one.


⚫
Grounded in years of sport and early-childhood research, Kickstart transforms traditional practice into child-centered play. Sessions feature fun, fast-moving activities and modified small-sided games that create a lively, sandlot-style jamboree experience.


⚫
Kickstart is typically offered for the youngest and first-time players and serves as the first step in the AYSO player pathway.


==What does a Kickstart session include?==
=== '''What does a session include?'''===
⚫
[[File:2025-03-17 18-02-30 GH5M2 Cruz P1029177-X.jpg|thumb|200x200px]]
Each Kickstart session is simple, fast-moving, and designed to keep players active.
Each Kickstart session is simple, fast-moving, and designed to keep players active.


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#A Fundamental Motor Skill activity (such as skipping or balancing)
#A Fundamental Motor Skill activity (such as skipping or balancing)
#A game-like soccer activity to build skill and understanding
#A game-like soccer activity to build skill and understanding
#'''The Big Match''' – a modified small-sided game (2v2 or 3v3)
#The Big Match – a modified small-sided game (2v2 or 3v3)
Each session also includes a social and emotional learning theme, such as helping others, sharing, or teamwork.
Each session also includes a social and emotional learning theme, such as helping others, sharing, or teamwork.

==Why do parents choose Kickstart?==
⚫
==='''Why do parents choose Kickstart?'''===
⚫
[[File:2024-10-19 10-29-32 GH7 P1002918-X4.jpg|thumb]]
Parents choose Kickstart because it:
Parents choose Kickstart because it:
*Feels welcoming and low-pressure
*Feels welcoming and low-pressure
*Fits into modern family schedules
*Fits into modern family schedules
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*Encourages parent participation and support
*Encourages parent participation and support
For many children, Kickstart is their first organized activity, and the program is designed to make that experience positive and memorable.
For many children, Kickstart is their first organized activity, and the program is designed to make that experience positive and memorable.

==How does Kickstart support development?==
==='''Development'''===
⚫
Kickstart creates a strong foundation for future soccer participation by:
⚫
[[File:2024-10-19 10-29-32 GH7 P1002918-X4.jpg|thumb|left|225x225px]]

⚫
Kickstart creates a strong foundation for future soccer participation by:
*Introducing basic ball familiarity and movement
*Introducing basic ball familiarity and movement
*Building comfort in a group play environment
* Building comfort in a group play environment
*Encouraging listening, sharing, and simple directions
*Encouraging listening, sharing, and simple directions
*Helping players transition confidently into team-based soccer
* Helping players transition confidently into team-based soccer
The goal is not to rush development, but to set players up for long-term success and enjoyment.
The goal is not to rush development, but to set players up for long-term success and enjoyment.

==How does Kickstart reflect AYSO’s philosophies?==



=== '''Values'''===
As an official AYSO program, Kickstart follows the AYSO Six Philosophies:
As an official AYSO program, Kickstart follows the AYSO Six Philosophies:
*Everyone Plays®
*Everyone Plays®
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*Good Sportsmanship
*Good Sportsmanship
*Open Registration
*Open Registration
*Balanced Teams
* Balanced Teams
Kickstart introduces these values from the very beginning of a player’s soccer journey.
Kickstart introduces these values from the very beginning of a player’s soccer journey.

==Kickstart at a glance==
=== '''Snapshot''' ===
*'''Who:''' First-time and youngest players
*'''Who:''' First-time and youngest players
*'''Focus:''' Fun, movement, confidence, and play
*'''Focus:''' Fun, movement, confidence, and play
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*'''Structure:''' Flexible sessions designed for families
*'''Structure:''' Flexible sessions designed for families
*'''Outcome:''' Happy kids, confident parents, players ready for team-based soccer
*'''Outcome:''' Happy kids, confident parents, players ready for team-based soccer
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kickstart}}

Latest revision as of 02:04, 19 February 2026

Getting Kickstart off the ground in your Region?
Email programs@ayso.org for any additional questions or resources.

Why

Kickstart looks and feels different from traditional youth soccer, and that is intentional.

Today’s youth sports are often over-structured and adult-driven, which does not always match the needs of the child. Kickstart adapts the environment so the game belongs to the kids again.

The streets, parks, and backyards have produced some of the world’s most creative players. When children are given the freedom to play, they become healthier, happier, and more confident.

Benefits include:

  1. Physical health
  2. Unleashed creativity
  3. Social and emotional growth
  4. Confidence and independence
  5. Accessible and inclusive play environments

What

AYSO Kickstart is AYSO’s entry-level soccer experience designed to reimagine early play environments, spark joy, boost development, and help kids fall in love with the game from day one.

Grounded in years of sport and early-childhood research, Kickstart transforms traditional practice into child-centered play. Sessions feature fun, fast-moving activities and modified small-sided games that create a lively, sandlot-style jamboree experience.

Kickstart is typically offered for the youngest and first-time players and serves as the first step in the AYSO player pathway.

What does a session include?

Each Kickstart session is simple, fast-moving, and designed to keep players active.

Every session includes:

  1. A Fundamental Motor Skill activity (such as skipping or balancing)
  2. A game-like soccer activity to build skill and understanding
  3. The Big Match – a modified small-sided game (2v2 or 3v3)

Each session also includes a social and emotional learning theme, such as helping others, sharing, or teamwork.

Why do parents choose Kickstart?

Parents choose Kickstart because it:

  • Feels welcoming and low-pressure
  • Fits into modern family schedules
  • Focuses on fun, development, and child ownership
  • Builds confidence instead of stress
  • Is run by an organization they trust
  • Encourages parent participation and support

For many children, Kickstart is their first organized activity, and the program is designed to make that experience positive and memorable.

Development

Kickstart creates a strong foundation for future soccer participation by:

  • Introducing basic ball familiarity and movement
  • Building comfort in a group play environment
  • Encouraging listening, sharing, and simple directions
  • Helping players transition confidently into team-based soccer

The goal is not to rush development, but to set players up for long-term success and enjoyment.



Values

As an official AYSO program, Kickstart follows the AYSO Six Philosophies:

  • Everyone Plays®
  • Positive Coaching
  • Player Development
  • Good Sportsmanship
  • Open Registration
  • Balanced Teams

Kickstart introduces these values from the very beginning of a player’s soccer journey.

Snapshot

  • Who: First-time and youngest players
  • Focus: Fun, movement, confidence, and play
  • Style: Sandlot-inspired, small-sided, child-centered play
  • Structure: Flexible sessions designed for families
  • Outcome: Happy kids, confident parents, players ready for team-based soccer
Retrieved from "https://wiki.ayso.org/w/index.php?title=Kickstart&oldid=4660"