Youth Sports Leagues

Youth sports leagues follow a season-based schedule with spring, fall and winter offerings. Soccer is held in fall and spring. 

• Spring Youth Soccer Leagues -

  • Standard registration is open from February 20 - March 19, 2023. 

  • Late registration is available between March 20 - March 26 for an additional fee. Late registrations are only accepted in person at a YMCA branch. 

  • Season runs from April 3 - June 10, 2023

• Fall Youth Soccer Leagues - 

  • Standard registration is open from July 24 - August 20, 2023

  • Late registration is available between August 20 - August 27  for an additional fee. Late registrations are only accepted in person at a YMCA branch. 

  • Season runs from September 5 - October 28, 2023

Youth Soccer Classes and Clinics

Youth soccer classes and clinics follow our standard program schedules with monthly and academy offerings. View our program registration schedules.

Soccer Classes & Clinics

Intro to Soccer: Ages 3 - 5
Monthly Program
With a focus on developing basic soccer skills, team work, and sportsmanship, this is perfect for young children of every ability. Coaches instruct on soccer skills such as kicking and hands-free play.
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Soccer Clinics: Ages 3 - 13
This soccer clinic meets once a week with a focus on developing basic soccer skills such as kicking and passing. YMCA staff introduce basic game concepts and enhance your child’s experience through age and skill-appropriate drills and scrimmages.
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Youth Soccer Leagues

A shirt and end-of-season participation award is included with all youth soccer league registrations. 

Preschool Soccer League: Ages 3 - 4
With a focus on developing basic soccer skills, team work and sportsmanship, this league is perfect for young children of every ability. Volunteer coaches, mindful of the participants' ages, instruct on soccer skills such as kicking and hands-free play. 
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Youth Soccer League: Ages 5/6 Co-ed
Young athletes focus on developing basic soccer skills, team work and sportsmanship. This league is the perfect introduction to the sport of soccer. Volunteer coaches instruct children on soccer skills such as kicking and passing, while introducing basic game concepts. 
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Youth Soccer League: Ages 7/8 Co-ed
This youth league focuses on continuing the development of basic soccer skills, team work and sportsmanship for children of every ability. While advancing the participants' footwork skills in kicking, passing and shooting, volunteer coaches also lead soccer practice drills and teach game strategies. 
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Youth Soccer League: Ages 9/10 Co-ed
This youth league focuses on continuing the development of basic soccer skills, team work and sportsmanship for children of every ability. While advancing the participants' footwork skills in kicking, passing and shooting, volunteer coaches also lead soccer practice drills and teach game strategies. 
View Offerings >

Youth soccer offerings are available at YMCA locations across Chester County. Programming may vary by location. 

• Coatesville YMCA in Coatesville, PA
• Jennersville YMCA in West Grove, PA
• Kennett Area YMCA in Kennett Square, PA
• Lionville Community YMCA in Exton, PA
• Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center in West Chester, PA
• West Chester Area YMCA in West Chester, PA
• Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn, PA

To browse youth sports offerings by locations near you, please select your preferred location from our activity finder tool.  

We're always looking for community support in running our soccer programs, if you're interested in becoming a youth soccer coach, please join us today.

Youth soccer league schedules are based on a number of factors including field or gym availability, coach availability and the age level of the participants. Younger students typically have practice and games one day per week with practice and a game held together in a single time block. Older students typically hold a week-night practice separate from their weekend scheduled game. 

During registration, families have the opportunity to note one day that does NOT work for their schedule. Schedules will be sent out at a later date.

Families interested in having a set schedule can explore our clinic and class offerings, which are held weekly with no deviations to the schedule.

To help ensure that all youth sports league participants and families have a positive experience, the YMCA may extend leagues to compete across branches in a regional capacity. The complete list of locations are listed below and travel is typically limited to the locations closest to your "home" branch. 

• Coatesville YMCA in Coatesville, PA
• Jennersville YMCA in West Grove, PA
• Kennett Area YMCA in Kennett Square, PA
• Lionville Community YMCA in Exton, PA
• Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center in West Chester, PA
• West Chester Area YMCA in West Chester, PA
• Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn, PA

Participants are required to secure their own shin guards for youth sports leagues. 

Each player will receive a jersey that we ask is worn at each game. In addition, all players must wear rubber cleats or sneakers. Jeans and sweatpants are prohibited as well as jewelry, watches, wristbands and barrettes. 
 

All players MUST play at least half of each game. No one player may play the entire game unless his/her team has only enough players to field one team.
 

• Direction/possession will be determined by a coin toss.
• The ball must go forward; the player who first kicks the ball cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched the ball.
• The goalie (Ages 7-9) may touch the ball with his/her hands while the ball is in the penalty area. The goalie may touch the ball with their hands despite the fact that he/she may be outside the penalty area. This is permitted as long as the ball is in the penalty area.
• The goalie (Ages 7-9) may not be charged once gaining possession of the ball. One hand on top of the ball while the ball is on the ground is sufficient to define possession.
• Players may move the ball with any part of the body except hands and arms.
• The ball is not out until the entire ball crosses the line.
• Slide-tackling is NOT permitted.
• Direct kicks will be awarded for fouls such as pushing, tripping, holding, etc. Goals may be scored from a direct kick.
• Indirect kicks will be awarded for fouls such as dangerous play, obstruction, etc. A goal may not be scored from an indirect kick. The ball must touch any player (off. or def.) before a goal can be scored.
• There will be no penalty kicks.
• On all free kicks the defender must stand 10 yards from the ball unless field space prohibits that, i.e. indirect kick from the goalie box.
• The referee has control of the game. As part of that control, the referee often uses the rule of ADVANTAGE. This rule states that minor penalties will not be called, if it is in the best interest of the team in possession. “PLAY ON”
• There will be a single box (3 yards) around the goal area within which no offensive OR defensive player may touch the ball. No players will be permitted in the goal area.
• A touch by a defensive player will result in a goal for the offensive team.
• A touch by an offensive player will result in an indirect kick by the defensive team outside the 3-yard box. Any ball entering the 3-yard box that stops; results in a goal kick if last struck by the offensive team and a corner kick, if last struck by the defensive team.
• Goal kicks will be taken from the 3-yard line. All defensive players will be beyond the mid field stripe on goal kicks.
• There are no off-sides for 4-6 year olds. “Off-sides” will be called in 7-9 year olds
• For 4-6 (no goalies), Coaches should focus on working the ball up field with passes/spreading the field. It is also expected that the defense will not just stand in front of their own goal.
• Defenders are encouraged to challenge the offensive player with the ball as they cross mid-field and not wait until the offense gets close to the goal.
• No coaches or spectators will be allowed behind the goal line.
• ALL coaches are expected to cooperate with one another to provide the best experience possible for each player. ALL coaches must abide by the decisions of YMCA Staff and referees.
• Soccer coaches and spectators are expected to be excellent role models for their players as well as each other.