PARENT INFORMATION

Equipment

    Players (and parents) are responsible for bringing the following items to all games and practice      sessions

• Clothing: Team shirt, shin guards (mandatory) and socks (any shirt for practice). Extra layers can be worn in cool

weather (additional garments should be worn underneath team shirt).__ Remove all jewelry, watches etc…

• Shoes: Sneakers or soccer cleats
• Ball: Size 3 ball

Please label soccer ball with player’s name. Bring it to every practice. Make sure it’s pumped (about

the same pressure as a basketball).

• Water bottle: Bring to every game and practice. Proper hydration is essential.

Expectations

1. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before game time, to do warm ups & stretching.

2. Players are expected to show positive attitudes, and to follow directions given by the coach. Name-calling, teasing,

criticizing or other acts designed to hurt feelings or cause injury will not be permitted.

3. Parents should avoid giving any coaching instructions or criticism. This can be very distracting to the child (even if the

instructions are helpful) because it takes his attention away from the game and keeps him from trying to figure things out

for himself. All communications should be general and positive (“Good pass”, “Nice kick”, “Way to go”).

4. If you are scheduled to bring refreshments, and cannot make the game for some reason, please trade with someone

else on the list. Appropriate halftime snacks are orange slices, grapes or other fruit that can be easily eaten (no seeds

please). End of game snacks are usually cookies, crackers, brownies etc… Please make sure to bring enough for the

entire team.

5. If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please see the coach after the practice or game in order to avoid

interruptions in the scheduled lesson.

6. Please make sure kids use the bathroom before leaving the house.

If weather conditions are questionable, please call the Weather Hotline.

Objectives

· Ball control

There are certain skills which every soccer player needs to acquire. One of the most important is the ability to

receive and control the ball. This skill is essential in order to be able to do almost anything else in soccer. It will

be the main focus for this age group.

· Passing

This skill is considered to be the second most important skill needed in soccer. Proper technique will be the

focus.

· Dribbling

At this level, dribbling is not natural and needs a lot of practice.

· Balance

Balance is essential. We will concentrate on proper stance.

· Communication

Communication is key. Verbal and non-verbal methods of communication are commonly used in soccer. At this

age, we will focus on verbal communication.

· Shooting

Time will be spent teaching the proper technique for shooting the ball. For beginners, toe kicking is quite

common and natural; however it is not the proper technique. It is a simple matter of physics. The more surface

area applied to the ball (instep), the more accurate and powerful the shot will be. The biggest reason not to let

beginners toe kick is that it is a bad habit that is extremely difficult to break. If taught the right way now, it will

not be an issue in the future.

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