PSJ Soccer will once again offer the Little Kickers Soccer program for those atheletes younger than league age 5 (born on or before July 31, 2004). The program is designed specifically for youngsters ages 3 and 4 that may not be ready for structured "team" play.
Concept
The objective of the MiniKickers program is to replicate the back garden
environment in which most young players are introduced to soccer by helping to
educate parents on activities that can be used in this situation.
How does it Work?
The sessions involve both the parent and their own child participating within the
practice. The head coach oversees the practice, demonstrating the skill activities
focused on that day. The head coach moves around the group supporting those
who require help and ensuring that parents are relaying the correct techniques.
Philosophy
The activities are based on a philosophy that utilizes the child’s imagination to create a positive, exciting, and
fun soccer environment. As a result of this soccer philosophy, we create a fun, yet highly active, pressure free
practice that supports skill development.
Coaching Methodology
The major advantage of having parental involvement is the greater amount of attention that each child
receives. By having an adult observe and assist each child, distractions are limited and the child focuses more
on the specific soccer activities. This ratio of one parent to one child also ensures constant positive adult
support and encouragement, a constant focus on maximum ball contact, and encourages greater repetition of
game situations i.e. one v one activities.
The curriculum is based upon individual ball work and introduces the basic concepts of passing, shooting, and
control with different parts of both feet. The parental involvement allows these skills to be taught more
effectively with the requirement that parents may have to physically support their child helping to ingrain the
movement patterns that are required for a particular skill. The ethos for the parents is that if you don’t have
dirty knees by the end of the practice then you haven’t participated!
