About WSSL
Programs
West Side Soccer League is always working to improve the quality of soccer training and team experience it provides to its players and the overall experience it provides for its volunteers. The progression of increasing soccer skills from age five to age 18 is an area of great emphasis for the league.
A successful pilot in the Spring 2006 season inspired the Board of Directors to implement a shift to small(er) sided games in every division with a more specific emphasis on developing skills. Further, a free, enhanced weekly soccer skills session for all kids in U8 and above takes place on Tuesdays during Spring and Fall seasons to enable our players -- and coaches, should their daytime schedules permit -- to work on their individual soccer skills (see below for details).
Boys/Co-Ed & Girls Only Divisions
WSSL runs soccer programs for boys and girls ages 5 to 18. The league has a Boys/Co-Ed Division (in which some girls play), a Girls Only Division and a VIP Division.
Boys/Co-Ed and Girls Only Divisions participate in two seasons each year: Fall (September through November) and Spring (April through June).
VIP Division
The VIP Division is a network of teams for children of all ages with physical and developmental challenges of any sort who want to play soccer but require extra help to do so. The VIP Division is coached by parents and other volunteers. VIP seeks both team members and "buddies." Buddies are more experienced soccer players (generally ten years old and up) who work with the VIP players as peer coaches and helpers.
The VIP Division plays only during the Fall season.
Silent Soccer Weekend
Silent Soccer Weekend is an annual West Side Soccer League tradition, one that is also exercised in other leagues in the New York area -- competitive and recreational alike -- as well as across the country. Silent Soccer Weekend is one way for the league to encourage parents to let our kids play the game their way rather than the way we want them to play. It's an opportunity for coaches to notice how players learn from each other during the course of a game and appreciate all the subtle ways the game teaches. We expect coaches and parents to let our kids explore their potential by making their own choices on the field instead of being told what to do throughout a game. We want our players to be free to set their own level of competition rather than play to our expectations.
This is the essence of a child-centered sports philosophy. The best players in the world affirm that their early "street soccer" experiences were the foundation for becoming highly skilled and inventive players with a real love for the game. While our objective is not to create world class players, there are enormous benefits to giving children the opportunity to enjoy exploring the game's possibilities without the distraction of being micro-managed from the sidelines.
The American youth soccer system has recently recognized that over-coaching our young players stifles their creativity and development, which the international soccer community has been telling us for years. Silent Weekend is an opportunity for parents and coaches to learn that youth prefer to be stimulated, rather than instructed. A player's opponent provides all the stimulation they need to develop good soccer instincts, which is further enhanced if the game is structured to be age-appropriate. In such a game players have many opportunities to make decisions, move the ball, explore their primary roles, and adjust their play.
Coaches and parents will always see more than their players do, so it requires patience and self-discipline not to say what you think they should be doing. Let the players play the game their way. They are all doing their best, given their age and experience, and don't need to be urged to play harder or smarter than they already are. Build an appreciation for the patterns you see in their development. Once you do, you will discover many subtle moments to applaud.
Why Small-Sided Games?
First of all, what are "Small-Sided Games"? These are soccer games with fewer players competing on a smaller sized field. These are fun games that involve the players more because fewer players are sharing one ball. All ages can play "Small Sided Games", but it has a definite developmental impact on our younger soccer players.
Here are some of the reasons why we believe, as soccer coaches, administrators and parents, we must guarantee that our young soccer players play small-sided games:
1. Because we want our young soccer players to touch the soccer ball more often and become more skillful with it! (Individual technical development)
2. Because we want our young soccer players to make more, less-complicated decisions during the game! (Tactical development)
3. Because we want our young soccer players to be more physically efficient in the field space they are playing in! (Reduced field size)
4. Because we want our young soccer players to have more individual teaching time with the coach! Less players on the field and less players on the team will guarantee this! (Need to feel worthy and need to feel important)
5. Because we want our young soccer players to have more, involved playing time in the game! (More opportunity to solve problems that only the game presents)
6. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunity to play on both sides of the ball! (More exposure to attacking and defending situations)
7. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunities to score goals! (Pure excitement)
(We have excerpted the above from the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and think it says what we intend with Fall 2006 West Side Soccer League changes. We hope you all agree!)
This is something that many AYSO regions have been doing successfully for years and it was a great experience this past spring, first, for the kids and then, once they saw it in action, for the coaches, referees and parents. Our kids are always showing us how great things can be once we look at them through their eyes!
High School Program
WSSL’s high school program includes separate divisions of boys and girls ages U14 and older who are in or entering high school. In certain seasons, depending on registration levels, WSSL combines the U14 through U18 age groups and fields a good selection of high school level players. The Girls U19 division forms set teams and sometimes plays against AYSO teams from other areas. Traditionally, for the Boys U19 division, instead of forming set teams, WSSL organizes pick up games from the group of kids who show up each week. The kids who show up regularly, a high percentage of whom play on their various high school teams, quickly learn that weekly games against other good players improve their skills and development as competitive high school level players. The kids have the opportunity to renew old friendships, make new ones, and simply play soccer at a reasonably high level.
Travel Soccer
WSSL is a recreational soccer league and, as such, does not keep standings. WSSL does, however, recognize the value of a more competitive experience for players who seek it. WSSL’s sister organzation, Manhattan Soccer Club, hosts seasonal tryouts for its teams, the majority of which are made of current and former WSSL players. Manhattan Soccer Club, which is part of the Westchester Youth Soccer League, has 45 teams for boys and girls from U9 to U18/19. Each team has a paid professional coach and they play teams from the local area and Westchester. If you are interested in a more competitive travel soccer experience, please look into Manhattan Soccer Club at www.manhattansc.org.