Recreation Soccer (Pre-K-Grade 2)
Recreation Soccer
**Registration Closes 7/31/2026 at 4:00 PM**
Recreation teams receive a T-shirt uniform. Games begin roughly 9/12/2026.
We always need coaches! If you wish to coach a Recreation team or know of someone willing to coach, please write YES and enter contact info in the Q&A when registering.
The East Longmeadow Recreation Soccer program is designed for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grades 1&2. This program is perfect for players of all skill sets and abilities as it focuses on the basic FUNdamentals of the sport, as well as positive sportsmanship.
Format:
Big Kickers and Little Kickers will have one training with Futsal Street Soccer during the week for 45 minutes and that will run for 6 weeks in addition to their Saturday session. Both groups will have a combination practice and scrimmage on Saturdays that will be about 50 minutes (20-30 minute practice followed by a 20 minute scrimmage, Four 5-minute quarters with coach instruction). We will need parent volunteers to help run the games and assist at the Futsal trainings.
*Big Kickers and Little Kickers are both co-ed programs
First and Second grade play together. They will also have one training with Futsal during the week, a practice with their team during the week, and a game on Saturday. We will need parent volunteers to help coach the games and practices and assist at the Futsal trainings. Referees will officiate the games. Coaches will lead from the sidelines and enter the field if necessary to help set-up kicks and the start of the quarters. (Four 8-minute quarters)
*Our goal is to keep boys and girls at this age separate but if numbers are too low we may need to make the teams co-ed.
**Actual dates and times will vary. Games are usually held on Saturdays with practices during the week.**
Division Level Descriptions:
Little Kickers: Little kickers will bring an instructional introduction to the sport of soccer with an active focus on play, motor skill development and socialization. Participants will be given a T-Shirt and should provide their own cleats, shin pads and soccer ball (size 3). We will have supplies for the coach but the kids are encouraged to bring a ball to practice. Parents are encouraged to coach & volunteer at this level, as children are often most comfortable around a familiar face. This is a Co-Ed program for children ages 3 and 4, Pre-K.
Big Kickers: Big Kickers is for Kindergarten age players. Big Kickers focuses on teamwork, taking turns and cooperation, all while engaging in physical fitness and learning the basic FUNdamentals and rules of the game. Participants will learn how to dribble, shoot and pass in addition to basic sportsmanship skills. Parents are encouraged to help coach and/or volunteer to lead this exciting introduction to soccer program. Participants will be given a T-Shirt and should provide their own cleats, shin pads and soccer ball (size 3). We will have supplies for the coach but the kids are encouraged to bring a ball to practice. This is a Co-Ed program for children aged 5 and 6, Kindergarten.
Grades 1 & 2 Boys & Girls: This program still focuses on the FUNdamental skills of soccer with the introduction of some additional “soccer specific” concepts, rules and activities. Here is where players enhance their skill set and coaches begin to introduce concepts of attacking and defending. Players will experiment with a variety of new skills while fully engaged with a low player to ball ratio and highly dynamic activities. Volunteer Coaches will facilitate a fun learning environment in which players will develop a variety of technical and social skills. Participants will be given a T-Shirt and should provide their own cleats, shin pads and soccer ball (size 3). We will have supplies for the coach but the kids are encouraged to bring a ball to practice.
*Our goal is to keep boys and girls at this age separate but if numbers are too low we may need to make the teams co-ed.
**We may partner with the town of Hampden and possibly add in Wilbraham. This will give the kids more opportunity for games. Half the games will be in-town and the other half would be in the opposing teams home town. This is not exactly travel level competition but slightly more challenging than In-town soccer.