.jpg)
Divisions of Play
Clinic Program (U4-U6)
The Clinic program at V.O.B. Soccer is for young players who are interested in trying soccer. The program is designed to introduce young children up to the age of 6 to the game. The children are not expected to have any skills in soccer, only a desire to have fun playing the game. They play on a small team against other V.O.B. teams at the same age level (coed). The teams meet on Sunday afternoons (some Saturday exceptions) for a half hour practice, which is followed by a half hour game. The size of field and goals varies which each age group. The focus of the program is to have all of the children have as many “touches” with a soccer ball as possible, getting them comfortable playing the game. No scores are kept and all of the children are given equal time to play in the game. At the end of the season all of the children are rewarded with a trophy for their efforts.
Unless otherwise stated all clinic sessions run Sundays from 12:00 -1:00 pm and/or 12:30- 1:30 pm at St. Patrick's soccer field.
Intramural Program (U7-U8)
The VOB soccer club offers a competitive, in-house Intramural program designed to help young soccer players continue their development and make the transition from our clinic program. Games are held at St. Patrick’s soccer field, and game times are on Sundays at either 2:00pm or 3:15pm (unless otherwise stated). Games are (4) four 12 minute quarters, with a continuous clock. See the Division FAQs above for more details about the VOB intramural program.
We require that all U7 or U8 players registered with the club play within our Intramural program. However, in addition to our Intramural program, a VOB coach may also request to place his / her team within a VOB-approved Intraleague or Pre-travel soccer league. VOB board approval is required for these requests.
Interleague Program - Pre-Travel SSI (U9)
Interleague SSI is done through Suffolk Soccer Interleague in collaboration with a number of other local clubs to begin the travel experience for our club while still maintaining an active intramural level program when needed. Tryouts for this program are run in June for the following Fall/Spring season.
Suffolk Soccer Intraleague (SSI)
Started in 1986, Suffolk Soccer Interleague (SSI) has grown into the largest interleague / intramural program on Long Island, with over 350 teams and more than 50 local soccer clubs participating, Interleague SSI is done through Suffolk Soccer Interleague in collaboration with a number of other local clubs to begin the travel experience for our VOB club while still maintaining an active intramural level program. SSI is sanctioned by US Club Soccer.
Just Say Soccer (JSS)
JSS, under the sanctioning of SAY Soccer (affiliated with the New York Club Soccer League), is the largest U7-U8 league in the area. JSS offers a league enabling children of all abilities to play soccer, while strongly emphasizing sportsmanship. The JSS league includes sensible distance travel games enabling players to play against teams from outside their club
Travel Program (U9 – U18)
Travel soccer is for the advanced level players that are committed to increasing their skills and knowledge of the game. Our teams participate in LIJSL. Tryouts are announced and run in the month of June for the upcoming Fall/Spring season.
Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL)
The largest youth soccer league in the US. In the first two years of league play (not including tournaments) travel matches for our teams are typically limited to Suffolk County. Teams are formed, via tryouts, each June for play in the fall and spring seasons. Age groups for travel teams start at U10 (under-10 years old) and continue to U19, tryout dates for our teams will be posted on this site, as available and all eligible players are welcome.
NY Club Soccer League (NYCSL)
founded in 2009, is fully sanctioned by US Club, a member of the United States Soccer Federation. NYCSL provides opportunities for soccer players with advanced skills to compete with and against others with similar skills and desires. The primary focus of the league is developing the child as a person first, and a player second.
NYCSL currently offers 3 leagues, the National Premier League (NPL), NYCSL Premier League and NYCSL Travel League, as well as the NY Cup.
Age Group and Small-Sided Games Mandate from U.S. Soccer
Click to view official press release from U.S. Soccer
FRISCO, Texas (August 24, 2015) The world of youth soccer will continue its evolution as all members of U.S. Soccer will begin to transition on two key factors to encourage further youth development. The first change will be the nationwide adoption of Small-Sided Games and the second will be a shift from school-year to calendar year for the age grouping of teams.
"With these initiatives, we're more likely to have players better prepared down the road," said Tab Ramos, U.S. Youth Technical Director and U-20 Men's National Team head coach. "With small-sided standards, what we're trying to do is to help players develop by putting them in an environment where they are constantly involved in the play, and our changes in birth-year registration will make age groups easier to understand, while aligning our calendar with the international calendar."
US Youth Soccer, the largest member of U.S. Soccer, will assist members with information on these changes through the national office and our 55 member State Associations.
US Youth Soccer director of coaching education and long-time advocate of Small-Sided Games, Sam Snow acknowledged, "Since the mid 1980's US Youth Soccer has been an advocate for Small-Sided Games. Why? The many benefits to the players and even to novice coaches are clear. With fewer players on the field making quick tactical decisions is easier. Players are in the vicinity of the ball more often which engages them in all four components of the game. The players are realistically exposed to the principles of play frequently. In short, Small-Sided Games will accelerate the development of American soccer players."
Small-Sided Games
Small-Sided Games are mandated as of August of 2017, with specific changes occurring in regard to alterations to the field size, goals and rules. The result is a decrease in 11-vs-11 competitions in lieu of more 9-vs-9 and 7-vs-7 competitions. US Youth Soccer has been encouraging Small-Sided Games for more than 20 years and most of the 55 member State Associations have adopted the philosophy during that time.
The benefits of Small-Sided Games for players include more fun, more touches on the ball and more tactical decisions. The style of play allows players to learn different positions, learn tactics quicker, increase fitness and allow players to be more emotionally and socially involved; creating a more fun and enjoyable game.
Small-Sided Games FAQ: [Download PDF]
Small-Sides Games USSF Standards Chart: [Download PDF]
"What we're trying to do is to help players develop by putting them in an environment where they are constantly involved in the play," Ramos said. "That could be with the ball and that could be without the ball, but when you make things small-sided, everyone is somehow involved in the play, whether that's in defending, in cutting angles, in cutting the ball back, you're always in the play."
Calendar Year
Effective August 2017 U.S. Soccer will go back to calendar birth years to align with international standards and Youth National Team programs.
Using the school calendar for age groups is practiced only in the United States and Canada; as all other FIFA members go by the calendar year.
Previously, age groups were determined based on players born between August 1 and July 31. The change to calendar year age groups will reflect the calendar year, or January 1 to December 31. Players are still allowed to "play up" or play in an older age group.
US Youth Soccer, a respected leader in player development for more than 40 years, has seen the evolution of the game and various changes. The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has used the birth year for the grouping of players since it was established in 1977. In fact, the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sport, awarded at the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships also shows the history of teams named for their calendar year age group.
Calendar Year FAQ: [Download PDF]
Calendar Year Age Matrix 2016-2023 [Download PDF]
"Overall, the two things this accomplishes is it makes things easier and it gets us on the same calendar with the rest of the world," Ramos said. "So now it becomes easier to identify for U.S. National Teams and everything else when it comes to international soccer."
Click here for U.S. Soccer's official statement on the changes.