Alameda Soccer Club Recreational Soccer
Alameda Soccer Club’s Recreational Soccer program focuses on learning the sport of soccer through individual player development, team building, and having fun! We welcome any child from age three, and any level of experience to join us playing the beautiful game. Players can request to play with their friends, schoolmates, or neighbors and/or with a specific coach. No tryouts are necessary, simply register and have a BLAST!
The ASC recreational soccer plays Fall and Spring seasons.
Fall Soccer
The league season begins after Labor Day with 8 scheduled matches. Registration opens in May and closes in mid-July. Coach-led practices begin in mid/late August.
Spring Soccer
The league season begins in March with 8 scheduled matches. No matches are played on Easter Sunday or Memorial Day Weekend. Registration opens in November and closes at the end of January. Coach-led practices begin in mid March.
Recreational Practices and Games
If you are unsure about the correct age group for your child, please refer to the Age Chart.
ASC Internal Play
Our youngest age groups play with other players/teams within Alameda Soccer Club with a focus on foundational individual players skills such as ball handling and improved coordination with fun games and activities.
- U4 - U5 age groups meet for a single event Sunday mornings in Alameda with fun games led by coaches from our 24/7 UK Soccer Acedemy training partners, designed to improve technique and coordination. There are no teams in these age groups, rather focusing on individual skill development and having fun. Parents are encouraged to participate!
- U6 age group meets for a singe event on Sunday afternoons in Alameda with 30 minutes of skills practice followed by a 30 minute scrimmage. Teams are led by parent volunteer coaches.
Our early elementary age groups continue to prioritize individual development while also learning basic elements of team play including passing technique and simple formations of play. Practices take on more structure with leadership from our volunteer parent coaches and training support from our professional coaches from 24/7 UK Soccer Acedemy.
- U7 age group participates in two events per week, with one weekday practice, supported by our 24/7 trainers, and one volunteer coach-led weekend match on Saturdays in Alameda.
- U8 age group participated in three events per week with two weekday practices (including one 24/7 trainer session), and one volunteer coach-led weekend match on Saturdays in Alameda.
JLYSL League Play
Our oldest teams participate in league play through our affiliation with the Jack London Youth Soccer League, playing matches against other recreational teams from Oakland, Berkeley, Albany and Richmond. These teams also have the opportunity to participate in JLYSL recreational soccer tournament at the end of the Fall season.
- U9+ teams are fully volunteer coach-led and typically have two weekday practices in Alameda with one match each weekend. Matches are played on either Saturday or Sunday and may be played in Alameda, Oakland, Montclair, Piedmont, Berkeley, Albany, or Richmond. The furthest drive during the season is typically less than 30 minutes.
Practice and game schedules are set once teams are formed and are communicated via TeamSnap.
Recreational Team Coaching
Volunteer Coaches
Coaches and assistant coaches can register through the same registration link as above. All coaches and team managers should register as soon as possible - teams cannot be formed without volunteer coaches. No coaching or soccer knowledge is necessary to be a successful coach. Please contact our coaching coordinator if you have any questions about coaching.
Professional Coaches
The Alameda Soccer Club is committed to developing our recreational soccer players, and supporting coaches for our elementary-aged (U7-U10) teams with the help of professional trainers from 24-7 UK Soccer Academy. Volunteer parent coaches will lead their teams, but will have the opportunity to work with a professional trainer once a week, utilizing a planned training curriculum.
Rules and Safety
Alameda Soccer Club’s recreational soccer program focuses on fun, player safety and helping all participants develop a lifelong love for the game. As such, we have implemented the following guidelines to ensure a safe, fun environment for everyone:
Zero Tolerance Policy
Soccer is only a game. The athletes are children, the coaches are volunteers, the game monitors and referees are human, and it isn’t the World Cup. The behavior of our players, coaches, parents, and spectators must honor what we all want our children to become. As guidance, we follow and enforce the Zero Tolerance Policy as outlined by the Jack London Youth Soccer League, which all parents are required to review/sign before their child may participate.
Air Quality Policy
The Air Quality Policy has been developed utilizing national standards as established by the EPA and serves as a guide for coaches, team managers, parents, and players about unsafe playing conditions related to air quality.
Rain-Out Policy
Soccer is played rain or shine, rather it is field conditions that dictate whether or not it is safe for our players. Rain-out decisions are made by Alameda Recreation and Parks Department for weekday practices and by either ASC officials or JLYSL for weekend matches.
Heat Guidelines
As heat becomes an increasing issue during our seaons, the club and Jack London Youth Soccer League follow guidance from US Soccer regarding prioritization of player safety during practices and/or matches. Heat-related decisions are made by ASC officials for weekday practices and by either ASC officials or JLYSL for weekend matches.
COVID Policy
We will continue with our COVID safety protocols as the State and County advise. We will make changes to this policy only if advised by the State or County.
Equipment and Uniforms
All players will need soccer-specific cleats (no metal spikes), shin guards with socks worn OVER the shin guards, a ball, and water bottle to be brought to all practices and games.
Ball Sizes by age group:
- U4 - U8 = Size 3
- U9 - U12 = Size 4
- U14+ = Size 5
Team Uniforms
- U4-U5: ASC jerseys are included with registration and will be given to you at the start of the season.
- U6-U8: Team country jerseys are included with registration and will be given to you by your child’s coach.
- U9+: ASC uniforms should be purchased from Soccer Post in South Shore Shopping Center. Players will need two uniform jerseys (home/away), uniform shorts, and uniform socks. Uniforms should not be purchased until your child has been assigned their jersey number, which will be coordinated by the team’s coach.
Financial Aid
Our policy is to make sure all children can play and have Financial Aid options available to help families with registration costs. For registration questions or to request financial assistance contact our registrar at recregistrar@alamedasoccer.org
Have Questions?
For questions related to the Recreational Soccer program contact our Recreational Team Coordinator at recteamscoordinator@alamedasoccer.org.
For registration questions or to request financial assistance contact our Registrar at recregistrar@alamedasoccer.org.