In Schoolyard Soccer, children get to play soccer in an age-specific program, and you, the parents, get to participate with them! The program is designed for kids 4-5 and takes place for 60 minutes on Saturday mornings only (there are no practices). Schoolyard Soccer provides a fun introduction to soccer for our youngest players.
A Master Coach will lead each session. The Master Coach will introduce a game/activity that will practice a certain skill or part of the game using explanation and demonstration. Each pair (player/parent) will then attempt the activity while the Master Coach circles between pairs providing specific help or suggestions so that the activities are performed as intended. After a suitable amount of time, the Master Coach will bring the players and parents back together as a group and recap what they have done, introducing the next game/activity.
Each Schoolyard Soccer program will end with a 15 minute short-sided scrimmage. Most importantly, we allow the players to play without coaching or teaching them as this experience is designed to expose them to soccer, not to begin developing them. The two goals of the program are to allow the players to enjoy the activities and to let the game be the teacher.
KEY POINTS
- Parents are part of the program for fun and support. Parents participate in warm up activities, skill learning activities and during games, you are the "lines" on the field!
- Teams are made each week, from whoever shows up. If your player is sick or "not in the mood" it's OK!
- SCHOOLYARD SOCCER is one day per week, this is our practice and game all in one fun hour. We learn skills and then we use those skills in a game so we can remember them.
- LESS PRESSURE! We let them play their games with as little interference as possible. It's more important to have fun and get exercise and learn that sports are fun!
IS THIS THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR MY CHILD?
If you answer yes to these questions, Schoolyard is probably a good choice.
- Can they run and kick well?
- Do they have a short attention span?
- Do they tend to get anxious if they are away from mom or dad too long?