While Dynamo is primarily focused on running Recreational and Travel seasons in the spring and fall, we do usually offer a wintertime indoor session each year. But families should be aware that—in its current form—it differs from our standard outdoor leagues in a few ways. Please read below for some important points on how Dynamo Indoor works.

Indoor is mostly intended for Rec players

For Dynamo players at the Travel level, there are several futsal leagues in the area that can be joined—as a team—to compete against other area teams. We recommend this path for Travel teams over the winter if there is enough interest among their players. Dynamo Indoor, instead, is intended to mimic more the open and welcoming-to-all vibe of our Rec League. We don’t ban Travel players from joining indoor, and in some cases it may be appropriate for a young Travel player looking to improve skills over the winter, but the overall atmosphere is intended to be a fun-forward rec-like experience. 

Indoor is once a week, Sundays only

During Spring/Fall seasons, Dynamo teams usually meet two (Rec) or three (Travel) times a week for practices and games, and we have options of Saturdays or Sundays. In indoor, it’s just one meeting per week of one hour on Sunday morning. The general plan is to spend the first 10-15 minutes of that hour warming up with a drill or two, then spend the rest of the hour playing a game.

Indoor is all coed

Outdoors, we have separate boys and girls leagues for certain age groups, but indoors it’s all coed given the limited space and time we have available. When making teams, we pay attention to gender and try to balance teams as much as possible.

Indoor is all small-sided

Because of the smaller dimensions, all ages will play 5v5 or fewer kids on the field per team. This will be a change for older kids, but they will still have one of their players as a keeper and use bigger goals. Teams will be limited in size to make sure everyone can get enough playing time.

Indoor may require different shoes

Some indoor surfaces are gym floors and require non-cleats (indoor or turf soccer shoes, or sneakers) to play. In 2024, U13 will play on gym floors, while the other age groups will be on synthetic turf and can still use cleats.

Indoor goes from U6 to U13

As of 2023-24, we have four age groups for indoor: U6, U8, U10, and U13. All of these are coed as mentioned above.

Indoor League Information Winter 2024

Dynamo's philosophy emphasizes development of fundamental soccer skills, knowledge of the rules of soccer, and good sporting behavior with an eye towards creating lifelong lovers of the game of soccer. We seek to minimize outside pressures on our players. We do not pursue success in competition for its own sake, but only as a by-product of our approach.

We expect all spectators to model this behavior both in practice and in match play, specifically by:

• showing respect for all coaches at all times;
• showing respect for all players regardless of perceived skill level;
• praising positive team behaviors rather than individual efforts;
• minimizing sideline involvement (i.e. NO coaching from the sidelines).

Please keep in mind that Dynamo is an entirely volunteer-run organization. Parents who have the urge to shout out instructions to players, coaches, or referees must restrain themselves or will be asked to find another league.

Jump to a particular topic using the links below, or scroll down for more information.

General Information | Coaches | Formats and Rules | Equipment | Game Location and Fields | Game Schedule | Referee Interest Form

General Information

The season will begin January 21, 2024. It will be 8 games long and end on March 10, 2024. Games will be held on Sundays only, starting at 9 am, 10 am, or 11 am and lasting 1 hour.

Games will be played in the athletic complex of the Neighborhood Academy. The address is 709 N. Aiken Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
Registration will begin in late November and end in late December. Space is limited so there will be a waitlist.

Coaches

Dynamo Winter Indoor coaches must obtain the same clearances as coaches participating in the fall and spring seasons, as required by PA law. If you have already gone through the PA West/Affinity process, your clearances should show up as verified when you sign up to coach. If you have not, please work on obtaining your clearances if you don't have them already. Detailed directions on obtaining clearances are here: Rec Coaches (pghdynamo.org). Please send completed clearances to [email protected].

Formats and Rules

Regardless of age, each child participating in the Indoor League should bring some basic items for each game:

• Soccer Ball (size 3 up to and including U8, size 4 for U9 and older)
• Shinguards
• Soccer socks to cover shinguards
• Appropriate footwear (soccer cleats, other soccer shoes, or sneakers)
• Water bottle

Game Location and Field

Games will be played in the athletic complex of the Neighborhood Academy. The address is 709 N. Aiken Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
U6, U8, and U10 games will be played on the turf field. U13 games will be played on the court. 

Game Schedule

Each team has one game per week on Sunday. 
U6, U8, and U10 teams are expected to play in the multi-sport turf facility.
U13 is expected to play on the basketball court.
Look for more information here in the coming weeks!

Referee Interest Form

If you are interested in refereeing Dynamo Indoor, please fill out this form: Referee Interest Form.
You must already have a badge and have refereed in at least one outdoor Rec season.

Questions