| The Young Sportsmen’s Soccer League (YSSL) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Illinois since 1968 and is affiliated with the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) and it’s affiliates. |
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| League Structure |
| The YSSL is run by its’ Officers and Board members who are elected through the member clubs. The league’s members are guaranteed a voice in the direction and structure of the YSSL. |
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| Competitive Travel Soccer |
| The YSSL provides a competitive schedule of games for boys’ teams U9 through U19. (Girls teams are directed to participate in the IWSL, but we do allow mixed teams of boys and girls.) Teams are assigned to divisions by age and their level of competitive compatibility. A schedule of games for each division is created for each season. At the end of the season division standings are evaluated and teams are assigned for the next season. Teams move up and down the levels of competition based upon their earned points. |
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| Seasons and Schedules |
| Outdoor games are scheduled in fall (September – November) and in spring (April – June). There are 10 games each season for a total of 20 games each year. Five games at home five away in fall and in spring. |
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| The 10 games are played in a nine-week period. Teams will have a minimum of 1 weeknight game each season. Weekend games for U9 – U14 are played on *Saturdays starting at 12:00 noon. The U15 through U19 games are played on *Sundays starting at 9:00 a.m. Weeknight games are played Mondays through Thursdays starting at 6:00 p. m. |
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| *The YSSL schedules games around your field availability. We accommodate time, day and date restrictions. |
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| League Assigned Referees |
| The YSSL currently has 7 geographic districts in which games are assigned. USSF certified assignors are appointed and paid by the league. Center Referees are not assigned to games in which they are affiliated with a participants club. Assignors are held accountable for the quality and the reliability of the officials they assign. Each team is provided with a Referee Evaluation Card for each game. These cards are sent to the league and are the basis for assessments, reevaluation, development, suspension, and dismissal of referees. |
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| Where is the YSSL |
| Our home-office is located on the north end of Arlington Heights. Board meetings and club administrators meetings are held at the Schwaben Center in Buffalo Grove. |
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| We have 535 teams from 74 Clubs. These clubs include private organizations; community organized groups, and park district travel programs. The major concentration of clubs is in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, but our geographic area includes Johnsburg on the north, Evanston on the east, Oswego on the south, and Rockford on the west. |
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| Competitive divisions know no boundaries. We try to accommodate geographic limitations on the less competitive divisions. |
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| Dedicated to the development of soccer for kids under 9 through young adults under 19 by providing an organized competitive soccer program at all skill levels. |
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| YSSL Programs to Improve the Quality of Youth Soccer Games |
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| Licensed(Coaches) |
| Starting in 1991 the YSSL was the first and only league to require the Head Coach of every team to have a minimum of a State "E" license. The concept was simple. If we improve the level of coaching, we can improve the player’s level of play. To support this idea the YSSL pays one-half of the "E" license clinic fees for the Head Coach of member teams. |
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| Referee(Certification) |
| The YSSL feels there is no better officiating system than the 3-man system. With the inadequate number of certified referees in the state 3-man systems are impossible to provide. This league requires a 3-man system for all games U11 – U19. The club assigns the Assistant Referees to the games. To support the development of referees the YSSL pays the referee clinic and testing fees for new referees, from member clubs, who will be assigned as Assistant Referees for their games. |
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| Joining the YSSL |
| Membership in the league is a privilege extended to a club that is in good standing and exhibits a willingness to abide by the YSSL policies and procedures. |
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