Grassroots soccer the way it should be — relaxed, community-centered, and all about the love of the game. Teams are formed by zip code, practice is local, and every player gets on the field. No pressure, just play.
Registration, schedules, and guides for parents, coaches, and referees in the Recreational program.
Register by July 6. Boys and girls U4–U12. Season Aug 15 – Oct 17, 7 games. $175 registration fee, uniform included.
Register Now →Fall 2026 schedule on GotSport once published. Find your team, field locations, and week-by-week matchups for the season.
View Schedule →Volunteer coach resources — field assignments, practice guidelines, communication protocols, and US Soccer development standards.
Coach Resources →New to GBYSL? Sideline etiquette, age group rules, registration tips, and everything families need for game day.
Parent Guide →Become a GBYSL certified referee. Find game assignments, certification requirements, and referee guidelines for Rec matches.
Referee Info →Northern Nevada's largest youth soccer league since 1984. Learn about our community-first approach to youth sports.
About Us →Teams are organized by age division based on birth year. Every division plays age-appropriate field sizes and formats.
Everything volunteer and club coaches need to get registered, certified, and ready for the season.
Practice fields open up two to three weeks before the first game (weather and city/county permitting). To change a practice schedule, email recreationaladmin@gbysl.org.
Need to reschedule a game? Coordinate with the opposing coach first, then contact recreationalcheduler@gbysl.org to arrange a new field and referees.
Uniforms, photos, and medals are released to a team representative only — watch for an email when they're ready for pickup.
View Recreational Standards (PDF) → for ball size, roster size, and goal size by age division.
What to know before your first season — registration, team placement, equipment, and sideline expectations.
GBYSL Recreational runs two seasons a year: Spring (March/April–June) and Fall (August–October). The registration fee covers field fees (paid to Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County), player registration (paid to US Club), uniform, team photo, and a medal.
Practices are set by your coach; games are scheduled by the league, typically Saturdays with some midweek games for U8–U14. Cleats and shin guards (worn under the sock) are required at every practice and game — families purchase these themselves. Uniforms are distributed by your coach.
GBYSL has zero tolerance for verbal abuse of referees or players, by coaches or parents.
Quick answers to what new and returning families ask most.
$175 covers 8–10 weeks of practice, 7 games, a uniform, a medal, and a team/individual photo. Late registrations are $225.
By the zip code submitted at registration. If there aren't enough players in your zip code, you'll be grouped with the nearest one.
Coaches are volunteers and choose practice day, time, and location, usually starting about two weeks before games begin. Your coach will email team practice details directly.
We make every effort to recruit a parent volunteer. If we can't find one, we may pull from an affiliated club, move your child to a nearby team, or offer a refund — this is rare.
No refunds are issued unless registration insurance was purchased at signup.
5301 Longley Lane, Building A, Suite 5 — across from The Fitness Connection gym, next door to George and Sons Garage Doors. There's no signage on our building, so look for theirs.
Coaches reach out once they've secured a practice field and time. If you're within two weeks of the season starting and still haven't heard anything, contact the GBYSL office directly.
Format, timing, and rules by age division — plus the common rules every team follows.
| Age | Format | Time | Ball | Headers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U4 / U5 / U6 | 4v4, no goalkeeper | 4 quarters (5–8 min) | Size 3 | Not allowed |
| U7 / U8 | 5v5, no goalkeeper | 4 quarters (8–10 min) | Size 3 | Not allowed |
| U9 / U10 | 7v7 with goalkeeper + build-out line | 2 × 25-min halves | Size 4 | Not allowed |
| U11 / U12 | 9v9 with goalkeeper | 2 × 30-min halves | Size 4 | Allowed |
U4–U8 play kick-ins only (no throw-ins) and may score directly off kickoffs. U9 and up add throw-ins, penalty kicks, and offside law. See the Build-Out Line Rule above for U9/U10 specifics, or view the full Recreational Standards (PDF) →.
U7 and younger games are played inside AirPitch inflatable boundary systems — already used by clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal for small-sided development.
3v3 small-sided play inside the AirPitch boundary keeps the ball in play almost the entire game, dramatically increasing each player's touches and accelerating development.
"The benefit to training in smaller spaces is you don't give players time to think... every single action is completely different. That's the key." — Pep Guardiola
GBYSL offers registration-fee assistance for families who need it.
Fall 2026 registration is open through July 6. Join thousands of kids across Reno and Sparks for a season of fun, community soccer — no experience required.