Competitive Soccer U11 U18 Fire FC competitive and recreational programs represent the fourth (U11 U14) and fifth (U15 U18) stages of our long term development model. During these stages in competitive soccer, players are placed on teams, which best suit their needs on an individual level (technically, tactically, psychologically, and physically). The main objectives are listed below. The difference between Premier and United Cost Travel (WSSL vs. CYS) Premier team participate in CYS (Colorado Youth Soccer). Most United teams play in WSSL (Western Slope State League), although they do have the option to play in CYS (but that decision must be made at the pre season meeting in June). Commitment Premier teams play in one to three more tournaments each year, as well as train regularly in off season months (i.e. November through February or June to July). Competitive Program: U11 U12 Develop the person and you develop the player. Primarily on the development of various foot skills, learning, and implementing proper technique, using both feet and various surfaces on the feet; players and their coaches at this level have a natural desire to win and should be fostered, but not become a focal point. oriented) and are strongly encouraged to participate in off season programs (especially if they have realistic aspirations to move up to Premier). There is an increased emphasis on improving the technical abilities of each player to allow other aspects of the game to also be introduced and developed: concentration, training habits, and game awareness. Players should be playing three to four different positions in this stage (throughout the season) and coaches should rotate between using two to three different formations per season (even two per game) to introduce players to and help them better understand how to manipulate time and space within those formations. Playing time should be very equal for all players. It is imperative to regulate the training and numbers of games the individual plays at this stage: balancing the demands put on players is essential, as
players are approached to play for club, middle school, and State and possibly Regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) squads. Game format: All players are encouraged to explore playing in various positions to help with the development of their overall game understanding, development, and awareness. As a club, our aim is to help our players understand the game. We want to help our players learn how to think fast, and to allow them to grow their confidence individually as a player and collectively as a team. For Premier players, the season moves toward year round play that includes appropriate rest and recovery periods, and appropriate training to competition ratios (3:1 is ideal). Competitive Program: U13/14 The focus is primarily on the development of various skills, learning, and implementing proper technique, using both feet and various surfaces on the feet; players and their coaches at this level have a natural desire to win and should be fostered, but not become a focal point. orientation) and are strongly encouraged to participate in off season programs (especially if the have aspirations to move up to Premier). Instruction continues to emphasize the importance of technical excellence and developing a sound tactical base. There is an increased emphasis on improving the technical abilities of each player to allow various aspects of the game to also be introduced and developed: concentration, training habits, and game awareness. Strength, explosiveness, anaerobic speed, and endurance will become a focus in this development stage and should be done with a ball as much as possible. Players should be playing two or three different positions (throughout the season) and coaches should rotate between using two to three different formations per season (even two per game) to introduce players to and help them better understand how to manipulate time and space within those formations. Playing time should start to be more tailored to what a respective team s coach sees fit/necessary for the time, moment, or game as a whole. Playing time will probably not be the same for all players, as commitment levels and
abilities start to vary a bit more as players decide to commit more or less to the sport and/or their team. Small sided games should be a key facet for which to show and help players understand how to work in numbers up/numbers down situations as these situations present themselves throughout the majority of any game. It is imperative to regulate the training and numbers of games of the individual at this stage, balancing the demands put on players is essential as players are approached to play for club, middle school, and State and possibly Regional ODP squads. Game format: All players are encouraged to explore playing in various positions to help with the development of their overall game understanding, development and awareness. As a club, our aim is to help our players understand the game. We want to help our players learn how to think fast, to allow them to grow their confidence individually as a player and collectively as a team. For Premier players, the season should evolve into year round play that includes appropriate rest and recovery periods, and appropriate training to competition ratios (3:1 is ideal). Competitive Program: U15/16 At this level players need to be really well balanced. A player whose behavior varies excessively between euphoria and drama on the basis of the result (winning and losing) will perform poorly in competition. There is no place for arrogance, conceit, or a feeling of superiority, said Ginés Meléndez, a youth coaching director for the Spanish FA. Vincente Del Bosque, Spain s National Team Coach said, If you have to tell people you are, you aren t. If you have to tell people you are good at something, maybe you are not. The focus now shifts from the development of various foot skills to implementing the needed skills within the tactical framework of our style of play; players and their coaches at this level have a natural desire to win and should be fostered, but should not become the main focal point. orientation) and are strongly encouraged to partake in off season programs (especially if the have realistic aspirations to move up to Premier).
More of an emphasis will be placed on the tactical (positioning) aspect of the game. This does not mean the technical repetition to hone skills should be ignored. Players need to have a consistent ability to focus on the tasks at hand and be able to adapt. People talk about tactics, but when you look at it, tactics are just players. You change things so that the team can get the most out of the skills they have to offer, but you don t go any further than that. Pep Guardiola, former Barcelona head coach More challenging technical skills should be taught and applied regularly (i.e. bending a ball or striking a ball accurately over distance) in trainings and games. Strength, explosiveness, anaerobic speed, and endurance should be implemented within the training activities and with a ball as much as possible. Players should be play two different positions regularly throughout the season and coaches should rotate between using two to three different formations per season (even two per game) to introduce players to and help them better understand how to manipulate time and space within those formations Playing time should be more tailored to what a respective team s coach sees fit/necessary for the time, moment, or game as a whole. Small sided games should still be a key facet for which to show and help players better understand how to work in numbers up/numbers down situations as these situations present themselves throughout the majority of any game. It is imperative to regulate the training and numbers of games of the individual at this stage, balancing the demands put on players is essential as players are approached to play for club, high school and State and possibly Regional ODP squads. Game format: All players are encouraged to play two or three positions, but are not discouraged from playing just one. As a club, our aim is to help our players understand the game. We want to help our players learn how to think fast, to allow them to grow their confidence individually as a player and collectively as a team. For Premier players, the season should be year round play (including the high school season) that includes appropriate rest and recovery periods, and appropriate training to competition ratios (3:1 is ideal). Competitive Program: U17/18
At this level Players need to be really well balanced. A player whose behavior varies excessively between euphoria and drama on the basis of the result (winning and losing) will perform poorly in competition. There is no place for arrogance, conceit or a feeling of superiority, said Ginés Meléndez, a youth coaching director for the Spanish FA. Vincente Del Bosque, Spain s National Team Coach said, If you have to tell people you are, you aren t. If you have to tell people you are good at something, maybe you are not. The focus continues to be: implement the needed skills within the tactical framework of our style of play; players and their coaches at this level have a natural desire to win and should be fostered, but results should not become the main focal point. orientation) and are strongly encouraged to participate in off season programs (especially if the have aspirations to move up to Premier). More of an emphasis will be placed on the tactical (positioning) aspect of the game. This does not mean the technical repetition to hone skills should be ignored. Players need to have a consistent ability to focus on the tasks at hand and be able to adapt. People talk about tactics, but when you look at it, tactics are just players. You change things so that the team can get the most out of the skills they have to offer, but you don t go any further than that. Pep Guardiola, former Barcelona head coach More challenging technical skills should be taught and applied regularly (i.e. bending a ball or striking a ball accurately over distance) in trainings and games. Strength, explosiveness, anaerobic speed, and endurance should be implemented within the training activities and with a ball as much as possible. Players should be able to play two or three different positions well. Coaches should keep one main formation, but be able to shift into any formation necessary if needed. Playing time should be more tailored to what a respective team s coach sees fit/necessary for the time, moment, or game as a whole Small sided games should still be a key facet for which to show and help players better understand how to work in numbers up/numbers down
situations as these situations present themselves throughout the majority of any game. It is imperative to regulate the training and numbers of games of the individual at this stage, balancing the demands put on players is essential as players are approached to play for club, high school, and State and possibly Regional ODP squads. Game format: All players should be able to play two or three positions well, but should predominantly play in one primary position. Our aim is to help our players understand the game. We want to help our players learn how to think fast, to allow them to grow their confidence individually as a player and collectively as a team. For Premier players, the season should be year round play (including the high school season) that includes appropriate rest and recovery periods, and appropriate training to competition ratios (3:1 is ideal).