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American Youth Soccer Organization Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

AYSO Region 419 - Dubuque, IA

Welcome to Kickstart

Kickstart is based on a jamboree format where we mix and match weekly to meet new friends and focus less on teams and leagues and more on kids just playing!

Youth sports today are often overly structured and adult-driven, draining resources and the joy of participation.  It’s time to change the game. Like pickleball reshaping tennis, we must rethink what makes soccer—soccer and be bold and creative in our design.

Free play in parks and backyards has produced the world’s greatest talents. When kids have the freedom to play, they grow into healthier, happier, more creative people.

Let’s give the game room to breathe. Let’s bring back joy, imagination, and freedom. When kids own their play, they stay engaged longer. They play because they love it—not because they’re told to. That’s the foundation of lifelong passion.

Let’s create an environment where the game belongs to the kids. Where the ball teaches, and the field inspires, in a less structured space.

“Man, this is baseball. You gotta stop thinking. Just have fun! I mean, if you were having fun, you would’ve caught that ball.”    Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez, The Sandlot.

How it works

  • Teams are formed each week in a Jamboree format.

  • A Jamboree is a fun, festival-style structure designed to introduce the sport without the pressure of competition or directive coaching. Teams are formed weekly on the day, promoting flexibility, interaction, and enjoyment over winning.
  • Groups can be initially formed by age but with flexibility to move a child as needed based on their developmental stage.
  • Each session should run for 1 hour maximum.
  • Sample Schedule:
    • Session Explanation/Group Formation by Kickstart Leader and Parents ~12 minutes


    • FMS Activity~15 Minutes

     
    • Game-Like Activity~15 Minutes


    • 2v2 or 3v3 Match~ 18 minutes

     

Cognitive Development

Psychosocial Development (summarized)
Generally speaking, Kickstart players:

  • Are interested in new experiences and adventures.

  • Can be shy.

  • Are inquisitive and ask lots of questions.

  • Can answer simple questions.

  • Become more creative in their fantasy play and storytelling.

  • Often cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality.

  • Can often have challenges sharing.

Expectations

  • Kickstart is not a coaching program.

  • The priority is the introduction and development of fundamental motor skills (FMS) and social and emotional learning (SEL) with a soccer thread.

  • Easy organization and operation for volunteer leaders.

  • A structure that helps address common local obstacles, i.e., qualified coaches, uniform ordering, field space, etc.

  • Parental and community engagement...and recruitment.

  • A modified game format explicitly designed to maximize holistic development.

Physical Development

Physical Development (summarized)
Generally speaking, Kickstart players can:

  • Bend over without falling. 

  • Walk forward and backward. 

  • Walk up and down stairs (alternating feet).

  • Climb (on anything!).

  • Stand on one foot (for approx. 5 seconds).

  • Hop.

  • Kick the ball forward.

  • Throw the ball overhand.

  • Catches a bouncing ball (most of the time)

National Partners

Contact Us

AYSO Region 419-Dubuque, Iowa

526 West 5th Street 
Dubuque, Iowa 52001

Email Us: [email protected]
Phone : 563-564-4718
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