We're excited to try a couple different things this season to make our program even better for our players.

U5 (4 yr olds): We continue the popular U5 Jamboree program in which parents accompany their children on Saturday morning to learn new soccer skills from a Master Coach for 1/2 hr, before splitting up into small teams for the remainder of the hour to play short games. This program will run for six weeks from September 10th through October 15th. Registration includes a uniform and ball the players keep. While there's no coach-led practice outside of the 1-hr Saturday sessions, we expect parents will help and encourage the kids to practice their new skills during the week.

U6 (5 yr olds): We continue with small teams (only 4 players) and small-sided (3 v 3) games to ensure that players get the maximum amount of "touches" on the ball, have fun, and learn basic skills. Although we allow coaches to call an occasional midweek practice, most will have a short practice session prior to their Saturday games. U6 games are only 10-min per half and the program runs for 7 weeks from September 10 through October 22nd.

U8 (6 & 7 yr-olds): U8 teams generally have 6 or 7 players and play 5 v 5. As we want these young players to get as much playing time as possible, coaches will play 6 v 6 if both sides have 7 players show up. The emphasis is on fun and developing skills and we do not have goalkeepers or even keep score at this age. As with U6, the season runs for 7 weeks from September 10 through October 22nd. Coaches usually hold 1 practice per week.

U10 (8-9 yr olds): We still have small-sided games at this age (9 per team playing 7 v 7) to accommodate young players skills and teammate awareness and encourage more time with the ball. with teams of 9 playing 7 v 7. The regular season runs for 6 weeks from September 10 through October 15th, with most coaches practicing twice per week. Then all U10 and U12 teams will participate in a new end-of-season 2-day tournament on October 22nd and 23rd. Don't plan anything for this weekend as all teams will play at least 3 games and possibly 4 games over the two days with games scheduled from 8 am Saturday to late afternoon Sunday, followed by awards in the park.

U12 (10-11 yr olds): While we still have small-sided games at this age (11-12 per team playing 9 v 9), the field size increases and goals are full size. The regular season runs for 6 weeks from September 10 through October 15th followed by the 2-day tournament on October 22nd and 23rd. Most most coaches practice twice per week.
 
U15 and U19 (12-14 yr olds & 15-18 yr olds): As with last year, 14 yr olds will be given the option of playing in the U19 division. New this year is the tight integration with Mammoth Lakes' teams. Both boys and girls teams in the U15 and U19 divisions will play each other and each of Mammoth's teams. Although U15 and U19 divisions play most of their games during week nights, this new format will involve some travel to Mammoth and games on Sat or Sun. This will be followed by a 3-game tournament format in which the 6 teams (3 Mammoth and 3 Bishop) of each division will be divided into two groups, the teams within the groups play each other to determine who advances to the championship and consolation games. U19 boys with only have 5 teams (3 Bishop and 2 Mammoth) will play 2 rounds of group play (10 games). Check the schedules when they are posted for details.