The Junior Kickers program is provided for children ages 6 - 8. The program stresses development versus winning and follows the US Youth Soccer Best Practices for Youth Development. Professional trainers follow the best practices and small sided games are used extensively.
The season will begin the late March and run through or early June. The investment for the Fall 2011 season will be $185.00. A training/game jersey is an additional $16.00.
Training sessions will be held twice per week, midweek, during the early evening hours. Friendly matches will be played against other clubs with similar programs on the weekends.
The program is not designed to compete or interfere with local recreation programs and many of the past and present Junior Kickers will still play with their local recreation teams. The Junior Kicker program will provide the more frequent and professional training some players and families desire.
To register your child for Junior Kickers, click here to go to the registration page.
Why Small-Sided Games?
On a worldwide level, the small-sided game is recognized as a key component to player development. In neighborhoods, beaches, and parks all around the world, children have traditionally enjoyed the game of soccerr. Extensive research points to the small-sided game as the most appropriate and fun learning environment for our youngest players.
In many countries, as professional and formal instruction continues to filter down to the youngest age groups, there is a movement toward small-sided games. Several of the traditionally strong soccer nations are leading the change. In additional to Holland, Brazil, and England many international soccer federations have endorsed small-sided soccer as the premier player development system.
Local clubs who have adopted a small-sided training environment include:
• Yardley-Makefield Soccer
• West Windsor Plainsboro Soccer
• Montgomery Travelers Soccer Club
• Princeton Soccer Association
These clubs have all introduced a soccer Academy for younger age children. While the details among programs differ slightly, the general principles are:
• Open to younger players interested in soccer (ages 6-8)
• Player development curriculum incorporates US Youth Soccer Best Practices with technical skills training
• Midweek training with professional trainers
• Weekend games in 4v4 or 5v5 format (includes goalkeeper) on small fields
• Strictly no sideline coaching at games. Supervision only
• No standings. No official score-keeping
• ‘Festival Days’ are mini-tournaments hosted by participating Clubs (ie: YMS, WWPSA, MTSC)
• No participation in traditional travel leagues
The principles are designed to:
• Solely focused on player development
• Improve all aspects of the technical soccer skills at an early age
• Involve more players and give them more touches of the ball
• Increase their level of responsibility and decision making in game situations and confidence to make the decisions
• Ensure all children have fun, develop team camaraderie and enjoyment of the game of soccer
The Junior Kickers program will adopt many of the guiding principles listed above as the club and training methods evolve over time.
To register for the Junior Kickers Program please click on the registration link on the left hand side of the home page.
This year’s Junior Kickers Alumni:
