Age Group Overview, Curriculum & Development Philosophy

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1 Age Group Overview, Curriculum & Development Philosophy Page 1 of 8

2 Age Groups & Formats: KC Select Youth Development Program (YDP) (U6-U8) (4v4 Format) KC Select Juniors (U9-U10) (7v7 Format) KC Select Juniors (U11-U12) (9v9 Format) KC Select Seniors (U13-U14) (11v11 Format) KC Select Seniors (U15-U19) (11v11 Format) Levels of Play: U6 to U8 Developmental Open Signups U9 to U10 Junior Academy; Juniors U11 to U12 Junior Academy; Juniors U13 to U19 Academy; Elite; Premier Page 2 of 8

3 YDP Overview The KC Select Youth Development Program is a youth soccer program that provides instruction to our youngest players (U6-U8). This program is designed to be the developmental bridge from recreational soccer to competitive soccer. The professional trainers from KC Select will provide age appropriate technical instruction and teach game behaviors to the very youngest players. The KC Select Youth Development Program is vital to the foundation of the KC Select Soccer Club. The focus at these critical ages is to enhance and encourage individual skill development while establishing a love and passion for the game. As coaches and educators, we understand the importance of correct and relevant instruction at an early age, which will help foster success at an older age. The learning environment that we create will be positive and safe for these young players. This will aid in building confidence, self-esteem, and the love and passion for the game. The YDP program has open signups and is inclusive for all participants. Age Group Emphasis: 1. Ball skills and general soccer awareness emphasis on technique (1v1, 2v2) 2. Teamwork how child interacts with others U6 Ball/Player Ratio = 1:1 Ball Size = 3 Practice Length =< 45 Dribbling with various parts of the feet Striking the ball Turning while dribbling What do the out of bounds lines mean Which goal to attack No positions, instead reference a shape (triangle) Heading the ball is prohibited Movement education taking place within the practice (balance, jumping, twisting, etc.) Sharing FUN!! U7-U8 1:4 Ball Size = 3 Practice Length =< 60 Reinforce previous skills Juggling = block tackle receiving ground balls with the inside of both feet shooting with the inside of the foot dribbling and changing directions intro push pass Intro to lines (back line, forward line) 1v1 attacking (dribble vs. pass) Heading the ball is prohibited Play games that promote agility, eyefoot and eye- hand coordination, balance, etc. Players will begin to work in pairs Age Group Playing Time Starters Playing Different Positions U6/U7/U8 YDP Teams Format = 4v4 No GK s As equal as possible amongst all players. All players should play a minimum of half of every game Starters are picked on a rotational basis all players start an equal number of games throughout season (as equal as possible) Players should spend equal time being an attacker and defender. Page 3 of 8

4 Juniors Overview The top team in each respective age group will be designated KC Select Junior Academy. Junior Academy players will be gradually introduced to the KC Select Academy system by participating in additional Academy training sessions designed for their respective age group. Typical Leagues & Events: Heartland Premier D1-D2, Gold Level Tournaments (primarily local) Team Name: KC Select Junior Academy followed by birth year (i.e. KC Select Junior Academy 2007) All other teams in these age groups will be considered Junior Teams. Continued Development and emphasis on fundamentals and technique remains primary focus for all players in the Junior age groups. Typical Leagues & Events: Heartland Premier D2-D7, KC Metro League, Local Tournaments Team Name(s): KC Select name of the team s choosing followed by birth year (i.e. KC Select Celtic 2007) Age Group Emphasis (U9-U10) 1. Advancement of foundation skills 2. Starting to introduce field awareness spacing 3. 3v3, 5v5 situations and the role the kid plays within the team framework 4. Pool kids of similar development continued emphasis on the pool vs. team U9/U10 1:4 Ball Size = 4 Practice Length =< 75 Reinforce previous skills Dribbling for speed passing with the inside and outside of the feet instep drive receiving ground balls with the instep, inside, and outside of the feet dribbling fakes Reinforce previous tactics 1v1 defending roles of 1st attacker and defender 2v1 attacking getting goal side shape in three players intro support play play a variety of positions principles of attack Intro the concept of cooling down Players can now work in groups of 3 and 4 Continue to reinforce sportsmanship - Nutrition U9/U10 Junior Academy & Junior Teams Format = 7v7 As equal as possible amongst all players. All players should play a minimum of half of every game Starters are picked on a rotational basis all players start an equal number of games throughout season (as equal as possible) Every player will play an attacking and a defending position during the season but not necessarily equally. If the ability/preference of the players allows, players will play approximately 2/3 of the game in their best position (determined by coach). Players willing to play GK will rotate throughout the season Page 4 of 8

5 Age Group Emphasis (U11-U12): 1. Continuation and advancement in technique of ball skills (where and when to use them). 2. Introduction of game tactics and field awareness 3. Player s emphasis on success not coach s emphasis on winning 4. Larger commitment to the sport and becoming a better player 5. Introduction to situational ball movement 6. Transition to heavier emphasis on team training vs pool training 7. Introduction of Pre-Academy and Elite teams U11/U12 1:6 Ball Size = 4 Practice Length =< 90 Reinforce previous skills intro heading and crossing moving throwing in dribbling feints receiving air balls with the chest and thigh 1 st touch receiving outside of foot passing receiving with either foot passing with both feet introduce chipping and volleying (1/2 and full) Reinforce previous tactics 2v1 defending, 2v2 attacking and defending, roles of 2 nd attacker and defender man to man defense combination passing support play verbal & visual communication halftime analysis wall pass principles of defense Players should know how to warmup and cool-down Self Motivation how to learn from each match Age Group Playing Time Starters Playing Different Positions U11/U12 Premier Teams Format = 9v9 As equal as possible amongst all players. All players should play a minimum of half of every game Starters are picked on a rotational basis all players start an equal number of games throughout season (as equal as possible) Players will begin to play a specific position more frequently. Players may still play other positions in various game situations but not necessarily in every game. Ideally a few players will begin to standout as future GK s. U11/U12 Junior Academy & Junior Teams Format = 9v9 Some players will begin to play more than others which may be influenced by the commitment to the team (attendance at practice/games) and skill level Some players may begin to start more games than others. This will be based upon skill level and commitment to team Players will play a specific position. In certain situations players may play other positions but they will typically have a specific role they will play on the team. Ideally the team will have two GK s Page 5 of 8

6 Seniors Overview KC Select has three levels of competition from U13-U19 age groups. The first level is Academy which is the highest tier of team competition. The second level is Elite which is the middle tier of team competition. The third level is Premier which provides training to better prepare players for their High School teams. This third tier is for players who are looking for individual player development in a less demanding training environment. ACADEMY LEVEL TEAMS The Academy program is designed for our most advanced players who are dedicated to compete at the highest levels and compete against the best talent regionally and nationally. Coaches focus on educating their players to reach for greatness to be able to meet their potential on and off the field. Whether it is to become an international talent, a regional or state winner or a player who wants to be the absolute best, the Academy level fosters the next step of soccer development. Academy teams will consist of players from a broad geographic area (North, South and Kansas) and will be based on calendar year groupings unless a player is talented enough to play-up in age. Academy players will participate in a minimum of 2 team practices during the Spring/Fall seasons, plus 1 Academy pooled training session per week run by various high-level KCS coaches, and with Academy players from other age groups. Soccer will be an Academy player s primary sport and a primary soccer commitment of months is expected. Typical Leagues & Events: Midwest Regional League, Heartland Premier D1, Missouri Qualifying League, State Cup, Top Local and Regional Tournaments and College Showcases. Team Name: KC Select Academy followed by birth year (i.e. KC Select Academy 2000) ELITE LEVEL TEAMS The Elite level consists of high level players who receive similar benefits as an Academy player and compete in the second or third tier at local, state, and regional events. The Elite player is inspired with a similar ambition as an academy level player. They will compete and look to advance themselves to academy level through individual play (players having the opportunity to move up). Elite players will have opportunities or team play (teams maybe promoted to a higher division). Coaches focus on educating elite level players to reach for greatness and to meet their potential. Typical Leagues & Events: Heartland Premier D1-D3, Missouri Qualifying League, Presidents Cup or State Cup, Top Local and Regional Tournaments and College Showcases. Team Name(s): KC Select name of the team s choosing followed by birth year (i.e. KC Select Flames 2000) PREMIER LEVEL TEAMS Ideal for players who have a passion for the game and who wish to improve their skills and play for their high school teams. This is a less demanding environment with minimal travel. Premier players will have the opportunity to compete and look to advance themselves to the Elite level through individual play (players having the opportunity to move up). Premier level teams will compete in local leagues and tournaments with no or minimal travel. Coaches focus on player development while helping players who may not be as committed as an academy/elite player. Typical Leagues & Events: Heartland Premier D4-D7, KC Metro League, Local Tournaments. Team Name(s): KC Select name of the team s choosing followed by birth year (i.e. KC Select Wave 2000) Page 6 of 8

7 Age Group Emphasis (U13-U14): 1. Continuation of foundation skills with an emphasis on team development 2. Introduction into systems of play (4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2) 3. More focus on tactics 4. Building State Cup teams 5. More intense training situations U13/U14 1:7 Ball Size = 5 Practice Length =< 90 Reinforce previous skills introduce bending balls chipping to pass variety of crosses (placement) ½ and full volley shooting heading to pass outside of foot shot intro chipping to shoot Reinforce previous tactics delay, depth, and balance in defense compactness 3 rd defender role recovery runs support play restarts defending in the different 1/3 s attacking in the attacking ½ - checking runs takeovers switching positions during play zone defense post match analysis intro transition Static stretching during the cooldown fitness work with a ball introduce need to rest to recover Age Group Playing Time Starters Playing Different Positions U13/U14 Premier Teams Format = 11v11 Some players will begin to play more than others which may be influenced by the commitment to the team (attendance at practice/games) and skill level Some players may begin to start more games than others. This will be based upon sill level and commitment to team Players will play a specific position. In certain situations players may play other positions but they will typically have a specific role they will play on the team. Ideally the team will have one primary GK and a field player backup U13/U14 Academy & Elite Teams Format = 11v11 Players will play more than others The starting line-up for each game will be based upon player commitment and performance. Some players may start every game and others may not or may take turns starting depending upon their weekly performance in training Players will play a specific position. In certain situations players may play other positions but they will typically have a specific role they will play on the team. Ideally the team will have one primary GK and a field player backup Page 7 of 8

8 Age Group Emphasis (U15-U19): 1. Less focus on skills and more on tactics 2. Narrowing down from multiple to more singular sports exceptions are made on individual basis 3. Commitment to every training session 4. More travel 5. Introduction to strength and conditioning U15 -U19 1:10 Ball Size = 5 Practice Length =< 90 Mastery of previous skills positions specific skills Chipping to score Reinforce previous tactics able to adapt tactics during the run of play rhythm of play role of the 3 rd attacker principles of attack and defense diagonal passing overlapping runs switching the point of attack Time off for rest soccer specific weight training U15 + Academy, Elite and Premier Teams Players will play more than others The starting line-up for each game will be based upon player commitment and performance. Some players may start every game and others may not or may take turns starting depending upon their weekly performance in training Players will play a specific position. In certain situations players may play other positions but they will typically have a specific role they will play on the team. Ideally the team will have one primary GK and a field player backup Page 8 of 8

HARBOR PREMIER COACHES CURRICULUM 2017/2018

HARBOR PREMIER COACHES CURRICULUM 2017/2018 JUNIOR ACADEMY & DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY JUNIOR ACADEMY Practice schedule Boys and Girls Monday s and Wednesday s 1 hour. From May December sole focus on Skill development