My kid attends an international school where "football" is king. So, plays at recess regularly.

Bringing a ball to school is the best way to find other kids who want to play

9 yo ds every day at recess at school and most days at extended day in addition to travel

My DS plays soccer at recess and also with neighborhood kids. Not sure at recess, but at home, it ranges from small sided games (very small, biggest would be 3 v 3) to mostly chit chat occasionally shooting against a goalie. Nothing super competitive (and the soccer ability differs greatly between kids), just kids having fun.

In late middle school and high school my DS and friends played pick up soccer frequently. These were almost all kids on the JV/Varsity team so it wasn't totally casual, but all self organized at local parks, etc. This was not during the HS soccer season obviously since they were playing 7 days a week in season.

We need something like this... a movement.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/18/atlanta-subway-soccer-fields-marta-streets

DD plays whenever, wherever she sees a field and a ball. She plays with anyone willing to play with her, no matter age, gender, etc. this happens at school or at random parks we may be at. We also try to go to as much pickup soccer as possible. She’s loves it and just wants to play no matter what the weather is.

Like others, my kids play soccer at recess when they are allowed to have the field. When my eldest was in elementary, they were able to play every day, while my youngest has to alternate days. We have a huge basement that we've set up for sports, so they and their friends play down there all the time. My youngest makes our somewhat elderly nanny shoot on him if he doesn't have friends over. He also plays on his own for several hour each weekend in imaginary tournaments. He draws up a bracket and takes turns being each team.

My oldest meets friends at local schools to practice shooting and skills any day he doesn't have practice or a game. Sometimes there are other people there and they will get a game going. I wish there were more frequent pick-up opportunities in walking distance.

My 17 year old goes to Draper Park to play pick up with all the people there several times a week (mix of kids and adults), like he has for the better part of the last decade.

My U11 brings his soccer ball to school and plays during recess. At home, he plays with another neighbor (2 years older) and mostly juggles and plays soccer tennis.

My kids do this all summer.

Pick up play at our local park that has a turf field. They are usually the only Caucasians and the age bracket and talent varies greatly night-to-night. I swear they grow the most in the sport over the summer. They also play so well together (10.5 and 13)---it's a 'brother' thing from playing with each other for so many years and taking others on. They know where and when the other will go.

During the school year, the weeknight practices--and then the school work on the 1-2 nights off, games on weekends leave much less time for this so the two of them go out back and play...and sometimes end up in a wrestling match/fight.

PP - meant to add that they both really enjoy the recess play, and pick up in general. At home isn't nearly as fun, because there aren't many opponents, but any touch on the ball is good as far as I am concerned.

My U11 and U8 DS play at recess on the blacktop, when it is allowed - apparently they get pretty physical and soccer is periodically banned. At home they play indoors in the hallways (which I hate) and on a small lot at the end of the street, with each other or any of the neighbors who happen to join in (we are in a townhouse). My older son will also go out on his own to practice shooting in our pugs or to practice juggling.

My 6 year reports that he plays at recess every day.

He also often plays outside in our yard or street with neighbors, and even indoors, to my chagrin with his brother.

I'm probably not your target audience, though. He's only playing indoor soccer this year, and wanted to play baseball in the fall and spring.

He's on the older side for the soccer league, and he is a decent enough player - but he's not a superstar.

Out of curiosity, I would love to know how many of us have kids that are involved in small sided play that is separate from their club.

I realize that for most of our kids, the idea of playing with others in the neighborhood is an artifact of yesteryear. But are there similar arrangements that your child is a part of? (This question isn't limited to playing on streets --- or even on hard surfaced courts, but just small sided play that happens in an organic way, without coaches, shin guards, corner flags, uniforms, etc.)

If so, I'd love to hear about details like how it happens, who is involved, what the spirit of it is, the standard of play, and most of all, how much your child likes it.