Monroe Township Youth Soccer is a Non-Profit organization with the sole purpose of providing a place for youth to play soccer. We are independent from the township and receive no external funding from the township. All of the MTYS registration fees and fundraising is how we maintain our fields (which the club owns) and keep the club running. There are no paid individuals on the board of the club and parent volunteers are always needed. Please email info@mtys.org if you are interested in volunteering.
The Recreational League is the largest of the leagues here at MTYS with players ranging from ages 5 to 13 playing. The primary focus of this league is to provide a solid environment for players to get better and have fun while doing it. While there are some players that will move from this league into our travel programs which start at the age of 7, other players will continue to enjoy the In-house program. MTYS as a rule will do their best to always provide a place to play for anyone who is interested in soccer.

The Recreational league is broken down into 4 basic groups which may vary slightly based upon the number of signups. Please keep in mind that ages for soccer do not follow a calendar year, so while your child may be 5 now, they may be a micro player based upon the birth date. To figure out your age group, it is whatever your age is on August 1st. For example if you are 5 but were born on July 31st, you will be a Micro player since you will be 6 on August 1st.

Soccer T

Players age 4 and 5, this group is designed to develop an interest in soccer without any pressure. This group meets 1 day a week for both practice and game in the same day. The players will be setup with a hour time slot, the first 15 – 20 mins will be some small group instruction from the coaches and the balance of the time will be game play. This age group will play typically 4v4 or 5v5 with no goalies. The goal is for the players to have fun and want to come back week after week. Coaches in this group are typically parent volunteers who are not required to have any prior experience coaching. This age group is all about FUN!!

Micro

Players age 6 and 7, this is the first age group that we separate the boys from the girls. Also in this age group we start to change focus a little and give a slight bit of structure to the game. Players will be playing 5v5 or 6v6 on a slightly larger field with a goalie and with some basic rules. Basic soccer rules such as throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are part of this game. We also assign a youth referee to officiate the game and help enforce the rules while still teaching the players. For a complete set of rules for Micro’s please visit our website, www.mtys.org. The main focus at this age group is individual skill combined with team work on a basic level. Creative play comes from individual skill, this is very important at this age. Things like not taking the ball from your team mate and working together to defend would be examples of team work. While positions are an important part of the game of soccer, it is not the primary focus at this age group. Players will be introduced but not held to a specific spot. All players at this age should be rotated through the various spots on the field to encourage learning and fun. FUN should still be the primary focus of this age and as such no standings are kept.

Town

Players age 8 - 10, this age group is where we start to really see the game take shape. Players will be playing anything from 6v6 – 8v8. Typically we have 7v7 in this age group, but numbers dictate what we can do. These players will also be playing on a larger field with larger nets. Some more rules are enforced at this age, with youth referee’s utilized to help enforce these rules. Players will now be called for fouls in addition to normal rules such as throw-ins, corner kicks and goal kicks, for a complete list of the rules please visit our website, www.mtys.org. The town age is where we start to encourage players to play as a team while still using their individual skills learned in the earlier programs. You will also see a bit more structure around positions, but again players should not be left in one position alone. Rotating the players will help them develop into a very well rounded team and individual soccer player. Concentration on some tactical play will help the players in this age group develop into future travel players. Coaches are still typically parent volunteers, but usually have some soccer experience. That being said the directors are always available to teach coaches as needed. There are multiple courses that a parent can take to help learn as well. This program again should be centered around a good balance of learning and fun. Players who are looking for a higher level of competition should tryout out for a travel team.

Academy

Players 11 and up, this age group is designed to give those players who either do not want to play travel or did not make a travel team a place to play. The program is designed to help players improve all of their individual and team skills. By working hard and with our coaches players should be able to make a travel squad the following year. For players who do not want to play travel, this program is a great spot to offer them someplace to play and have fun while doing so. There is typically a professional or experienced coach who runs training for this group to assist the parent volunteers who coach the teams.