OpenPlay Fridays

FREE weekly soccer. No drills. No pressure. Just play.

Quick Summary

OpenPlay Fridays runs as a Summer Series and Winter Series and is designed to give the game back to the kids.

Players show up, pick teams, make the rules, and play soccer the way they love it—free-flowing, creative, and fun.

OpenPlay at a Glance

The Big Idea: Give the Game Back to the Kids

At LNYSA, we believe soccer should stay joyful. OpenPlay Fridays is built on a simple principle: sports should belong to the kids.

That means no drills, no pressure, and no sideline coaching. Instead, kids play pickup-style soccer the way it is meant to be—creative, fast, and free. Players form teams, choose positions, and learn through the game itself.

What to Expect on a Friday

• Pickup-style games where players create their own teams
• Lots of touches, movement, and decision-making
• A positive environment that supports confidence and creativity
• Casual supervision for safety, but no formal coaching during play

Why OpenPlay Matters

• More love for the game: kids stay motivated when play stays fun
• Creativity & confidence: players try things, take risks, and learn naturally
• Better decision-making: without constant instruction, kids think for themselves
• Friendships & leadership: players communicate, negotiate, and organize games
• Healthy, active time: real play beats screen time every week

A Gift to the Community

OpenPlay Fridays is offered at no cost. It is free to register and free to play for both the Summer and Winter Series. Weekly booking is required to secure a spot and complete the waiver.

Part of the LNYSA Player Pathway

LNYSA is built by local families for local families, supporting players across a complete pathway: From First Kicks to Future Stars—from MiniKickers through Recreational Soccer, Select, and LUFC.

OpenPlay Fridays fits perfectly into that ecosystem. It is a great entry point for new players, and a fun supplement for recreational or competitive players who want extra play without the pressure.

How to Join

1. Book your player’s spot for the Summer or Winter Series session
2. Complete the waiver during booking
3. Show up ready to play—kids take it from there

Helpful Links

• Book OpenPlay Fridays (Summer / Winter Series)
• Learn About the LNYSA Player Pathway

Simple on Purpose

OpenPlay Fridays is simple on purpose: players take the reins, make their own decisions, and just play. That is the magic—and that is why kids love it.

⚽ See OpenPlay Fridays in Action

OpenPlay Fridays is simple on purpose — kids take the reins, make their own decisions, and just play. Watch the short video below to see what makes OpenPlay so special.

No drills. No pressure. Just play.
That is OpenPlay Fridays.

Ready to Book OpenPlay?

Reserve your player’s spot for the next OpenPlay session and let them enjoy soccer the way kids were meant to play it.

OpenPlay Fridays FAQs

Simple, fun, and pressure-free soccer. Here are the answers to the most common OpenPlay questions.

Quick Note

OpenPlay sessions are designed to be simple, fun, and pressure-free. Please review the FAQs below and reach out anytime if you have questions.

Is there a cost to participate?

OpenPlay Friday sessions are FREE to play. When booking a session, families are asked to purchase a program t-shirt for the relevant Friday session and age group.

Can I volunteer to help?

Absolutely—we’d love the help. Volunteer support helps keep OpenPlay safe, fun, and organized.
👉 Sign up to volunteer here

What does the OpenPlay program t-shirt look like?

You can view the current t-shirt design here:
🎽 See t-shirt design

Sizes available (youth): X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large

What are the dates for the OpenPlay Series?

OpenPlay Fridays runs in two seasonal series:

• Summer Series: Starts in June
• Winter Series: Starts in early December

What is the duration of each session?

Each OpenPlay Friday session runs for 90 minutes.

Is OpenPlay structured like Fall & Spring soccer?

No—and that’s the point. There are:

• ❌ No formal coaches
• ❌ No drills
• ❌ No laps
• ❌ No lines

Just kids playing soccer.

Why PLAY Matters

The best athletes don’t work sports—they play them. When sport becomes more work than play, kids lose the fun, and performance often drops right after. OpenPlay is built around PLAY, JOY, and FUN—where confidence and creativity grow.

Can my player bring a friend?

Yes. Soccer is better with buddies. Please have each player book the correct Friday session and age group and order a program t-shirt.

Can we walk in without registering?

Walk-ins are allowed, but advance registration is strongly preferred so we can plan field space and staffing. Please book at least 2 hours before the session begins. All players must be registered and have a completed waiver on file.

Why must I sign the waiver?

Soccer is a contact sport and carries inherent risks. All parents/guardians must review and agree to the waiver terms before participation.

Do players need to bring a soccer ball?

No. LNYSA provides soccer balls for each field.

Are shin guards required?

Yes. We strongly recommend all players wear shin guards during OpenPlay.

Should my player bring water?

Yes. Please bring plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the session.

Still Have Questions?

We’re happy to help. Reach out anytime and our team will point you in the right direction.