Player Development
We strive to lay a solid technical foundation for our players. Only with solid technique can players begin to grow tactically. By focusing our efforts on the development of individual player skills at the younger age groups, we can establish the platform to grow a vibrant soccer community full of players that know, love and enjoy playing the game of soccer.
We need to instill in our players: hard work, self-confidence, accountability, sportsmanship, community and team. These are the building blocks for developing soccer acumen and good people.
We understand that most parents get their children involved in youth sports to have fun, make friends, experience camaraderie and learn. This does not mean we can’t make that experience challenging. Ultimately, we want all participants to experience a sense of accomplishment as they progress through our club.
The process to achieve this consistently is through the development of a curriculum of age-based: techniques, tactics, performance and psychology. Within that curriculum kids need to be able to develop at their own pace psychologically, physically, technically and tactically. To achieve this it will sometimes be necessary to group like-players together on teams or during training in order for all participants to be challenged appropriately.
Our goal is to ensure every player develops and grows each season.
Pillars of Skill
1. Passing/Trapping/Juggling
- Inside of foot, Inside of Foot, Inside of Foot!
- Knee bent, toe up, heel down, ankle locked, plant foot next to ball pointing at target, with center of body over the ball.
- Receive across your body and into space.
- Possession vs Attacking passing and receiving (you don’t always have to go forward).
- Juggle, Juggle, Juggle!
2. Shooting
- Instep, Instep, Instep!
- Toe down, heel up, ankle locked through impact, plant foot further from ball pointing at target, center of body over the ball, follow through land on shooting foot.
3. Dribbling
- Foundation, inside-outside, Speed dribble (to score, to space), holding, shielding ball.
4. Tackling
- Soccer requires the ability to tackle effectively. The 3 main tackles are the block tackle, poke tackle and slide tackle.
- The block tackle is the most fundamental tackle and is utilized in most 50/50 situations. It allows the player to challenge the opponent, stay upright and when done correctly maintain possession of the ball. It also has the same fundamental body part movements as passing/trapping > Inside of foot, Compact, Center of body and weight over ball
5. Possession First
- Team Possession (passing), Personal possession (dribbling/shielding).
- You move the ball to move the defense!! GOAL: 2-3 touches ONLY!
- One-touch to create scoring opportunities or to avoid immediate defensive pressure ONLY.
Cornerstones
1. Sportsmanship
- Play with passion, but always respect your opponent, your teammates, your coach and the ref. > RESPECT THE GAME!
2. Community/Club
- Coaches should have their team participate in an organized event for the betterment of their community. (Clean a Park, Clean a Roadway, Donate to Food Bank, Homeless or Senior Shelter, Volunteer at animal shelter, be creative as we are just trying to mold good people).
- Coaches must supply name and contact info for following as soon as teams are selected:
- Team Manager – recommended but not required, assists coach with TEAM App and logistics.
- Team Rep – Coordinates volunteers from team or age group, needed for the club to function.
- Tournament Rep – Assists planning Father’s Day Frenzy.
- Families must be active in the club by helping out when requested. This is a 100% Volunteer club and only with everyone’s efforts can we continue to deliver organized and competitive soccer to the children of our community.