Recreation General Info
The primary focus of Humboldt Youth Soccer League is to provide a positive and fun soccer experience for our local community of youth soccer players, ages 4 to 13.
Registration for the 2026 Fall playing season will be online only starting in May. Please see our Registration page for instructions on how to register.
Please see the age matrix below to determine your child's age group.
HYSL Age Matrix for 2026 Fall Season
Little Kickers / U5 — Team Age: U6 Birthdate range: August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 Ball size: N/A. 3 players per team, 5 to 6 players on the field. Little Kickers is run academy style with practices and drills focused on skill building. There are no games on Saturdays. Parent participation as coaches is required.
U6 — Team Age: U6 Birthdate range: August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021 Ball size: N/A. 4 versus 4, no goalkeeper. One coach per team is allowed on the field to direct players. League-sponsored referees are provided only if enough are available.
U7 and U8 — Team Age: U8 Birthdate range: August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2020 Ball size: 3. 8 to 9 players per team, 5 versus 5 including goalkeeper.
U9 and U10 — Team Age: U10 Birthdate range: August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2018 Ball size: 4. 10 to 11 players per team, 7 versus 7 including goalkeeper.
U11 and U12 — Team Age: U12 Birthdate range: August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2016 Ball size: 4. 12 to 13 players per team, 9 versus 9 including goalkeeper.
U13 and U14 — Team Age: U14 Birthdate range: August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2014 Ball size: 5. 22 players per team for a full-sized field, 11 versus 11 including goalkeeper.
Definitions and Policies
Playing age represents the breakdown if teams were based on age-pure divisions. Team age is the basis used by HYSL to organize teams. U stands for "Under." A child is considered under the age listed when they turn that age during the year.
Requests to play up or down an age group are seldom granted. Please ask a board member about the Move Up/Down Policy for more information.
Players born August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022 may only register for Little Kickers. HYSL encourages parents and guardians to strongly consider the child's physical, emotional, and social development when registering.
Field Navigation
Redwood Fields
Games for U6, U8, U10, & U12 games are played at Redwood Fields in Cutten.
2026 Redwood Fields Layout
U8 A & B Fields: Northwest corner, spectator seating between the two fields
U10-A Field: North of baseball diamonds, spectator seating on east side of field
U12 Field: Northeast corner, spectator seating on west side of field
U10-B Field: East of baseball diamonds, spectator seating on west side of field
U8-C Field: Southeast corner
U6 A & B Fields: Southwest corner, spectator seating between the two fields
No seating is permitted on goal-sides of the fields for spectator safety.
Washington Elementary Field
U14 games are scheduled on Sundays at Washington Elementary.
Our recreation program requires early registration during the month of May. Families are encouraged to register early in order for players to not be placed on waitlists.
For more information on registration, please go to our REGISTRATION page.
Teams are formed in June AND WILL ONLY BE FORMED BASED ON THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER COACHES. Our goal is for the volunteer coaches to initiate notification of team placement in early August, but this is strictly dependent on having enough coaches and all coaches have completed the mandatory requirements. Please allow through August 18 for coaches to make contact before reaching out to the league if you have not received contact. Be sure to check emails, spam, answer blocked calls, and watch for texts from unknown numbers at this time!
Please refrain from contacting the league to inquire about player team placement as it is very time consuming to look up individual player information and to respond to these inquiries while trying to get the season set up. Your patience and flexibility is appreciated. Practices for the 2026 season are scheduled to start the week of August 31 and the regular game season will begin on Saturday, September 12. The last games will be October 31/Nov 1 (depending on age group). The first weekend of November is reserved for make-up games, at the discretion of the board.
*ALL DATES ARE TENTATIVE PENDING BOARD APPROVAL
Soccer cleats and shinguards are required for all practices and games. Long socks must be worn over the outside of the shinguards. Shorts can not have pockets or belt loops. No jewelry is allowed. Earrings must be removed - they can not be taped over or have band-aids covering them.
COACHES are always needed and the league relies on parents to be involved. Don’t be intimidated if you’ve never played - soccer is such a fun game! There are plenty of ways to learn. Check out our Coaches Corner for more resources and information about coaching. It is mandatory that any adult who interacts with the players MUST complete the following requirements PRIOR to participation with the players/teams:
Live Scan fingerprint
Background Questionnaire
Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments (formerly Heads Up Concussion Training)
SafeSport Mandatory Reporter Training/SafeSport Refresher
Grassroots Coach Training - optional
See the link for more information on each requirement.
TEAMS WILL ONLY BE FORMED BASED ON THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER COACHES WHO HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS.
HYSL requires that at least two adults be registered for every team. If the adults are married/partners, then we ask that a third person be listed who is willing to help should one or both of the primary coaches be unable to be present.