It is crucial that all Development Program parents become familiar with the United States Youth Soccer Vision for Youth Soccer: How Do We Measure Success document.Stingers Development Program will closely follow this vision as we create an environment that promotes individual player growth and development.It can be found at http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/story.asp?story_id=3974
Mission Statement
Stingers Soccer Club Development Program aims to provide female and male youth soccer players with high quality coaching focusing on motor, technical, and life skill development in a small sided games context (3 v 3, 4 v 4), within a fun, nurturing environment.
2010 Stingers Developmental Soccer Spring Calendar
Important Dates:
·March 15th-18th and 22-25th – Preseason Academy
·April 5th- practices can begin
·April 10th – Developmental Games Begin
·April 18th 3:00 p.m. –Stingers Day at the Rapids vs. Toronto F.C. (buy tickets through Stingers)
·May 9th 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Developmental Games Make-up
·May 22nd 9:00 am-2:00 p.m. Pam’s Spring Jam (Pam Christensen Memorial Jamboree) Bergen Valley and Graham
Saturdays (4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22) @ Graham 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.
The game calendar will not be published until registration is closed March 18th.
However U6 games will be at: 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.
U7 Game Times @ Bergen Meadow
Ainsworth, Legnard, Martin, Nirenburg/Maus, Pardo, Prescott- 12:00 or 1:00 p.m.
Berhorst, Henry, Vietor, Watkins- 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.
Goldman, Markey, McCabe, Putz- 12:00 or 1:00 p.m.
U8 Game Times @ Graham Field 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.
Development Program Core Principles
Fun
oDevelop an environment where each player and each coach can express themselves and derive enjoyment from the shared experience. Emphasis should be placed on positive encouragement and mentoring.
Ball Familiarity
Whenever possible we will incorporate the ball in sessions.This should facilitate each player getting plenty of touches of the ball.
·Maximize Individual Player Development
oTraining sessions, player grouping or pools, and teams should be formed with this in mind.
Freedom of Expression
Create a nurturing environment where players can freely express themselves and take risks.
·Coach the Game in the Child
oBy facilitating training sessions where the child can experiment and learn about his/her own natural abilities.
U5 Program (DOB- 8/1/2004-7/31/2005)
size 3 soccer ball
Purpose
The Stingers U5 Program is designed to provide our youngest players with the most enjoyable soccer experience possible as they begin their developmental journey. The Staff strives to provide a fun and safe atmosphere in which the players can begin to learn the basics of the game, while also learning basic motor skills. Players participate in one clinic per week (1 hour) run by the Director of Coaching and a Saturday pickup game in Evergreen, all supervised by Stingers Staff.
Goals
1. To make the game fun! 2. To provide a safe environment in which to learn. 3. To learn basic motor skills.
4. To begin to foster a sense of being part of the "Stingers Family."
5. To help players learn how to interact with others as they progress towards teams in U6.
U5 Structure and Program Methodologies
All U5 players have the opportunity to attend one of two training sessions per week, on Mondays from 5:15-6:00pm at Bergen Meadow or Wednesdays from 5:00-6:00pm at Wilmot.This training session will be conducted by the Developmental Director of Coaching, staff, and volunteer parents.Saturday mornings will be pick-up games where teams will be divided every Saturday based on DOC's decision.Games will also be at Bergen Meadow.
The reason for not forming teams at this age level is based on US Youth Soccer methodology and the egocentric psychology of 4 year olds. We will provide a fun, nurturing environment that is focused on individual players learning the basic motor and technical skills. It is our goal to provide the highest quality coaching for this age group.This is in tune with our player-based club philosophy; therefore, our teaching and management methodologies will also follow the United States Soccer Federation Youth Module program. We will incorporate pieces of USSF's licensing to fit each players' needs.
All sessions will stress coordination, agility, and mobility to aid players with body mechanics, movement, and awareness.Most importantly, the focus will be on children having FUN!
The Stingers U6 to U8 Program is designed to provide an opportunity for young players to learn the basic technical skills that are necessary as they progress in the game. The Stingers Staff places great emphasis on the technical part of the game; this in turn creates confidence on the field, and prepares players for competitive soccer. Stingers ensure a fun, safe, and professional training environment for all U6-U8 players, which fosters enjoyment and a hopefully a life-long love for the game.
Goals 1. Teach players how to be responsible and learn.
2. To work in conjunction with the U6-U8 team coaches. 3. Provide learning opportunities for our U6-U8 team coaches.
4. To enjoy competition without conflict.
5. To foster club unity and a sense of pride in the players.
6. Ensure 8:1 player: coach ratio. U6 Structure
size 3 soccer ball All U6 players have the opportunity to attend one out of two training sessions per week.The dates, locations, and times can be found at the top of the page or by click HERE. Players do not need to attend both sessions, but can if they choose.These training sessions will be conducted by the Developmental Director of Coaching, staff, and volunteer parents.In addition, U6 players will have the option of another session each week run by their team coach. At the club training sessions, players will train with all players within their respective age groups at the same time on the same field.
U7 and U8 Structure
size 4 soccer ball
All U7 and U8 players have the opportunity to attend one training session per week with their team coach(es), and will have the option to attend two sessions run by the Developmental Director of Coaching, staff, and volunteer coaches.Monday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 at Bergen Meadow will focus on 1 v 1 moves to beat an opponent.There are also another evening of sessions that can be foundn by click HERE; the other sessions will focus on building from the 1 v 1 moves and small group tactics.Games will be on Saturdays between 9am-6pm.
U6-U8 Program Methodologies
In tune with our player-based club philosophy, our teaching and management methodologies will follow the United States Soccer Federation Youth Module program. We will incorporate pieces of USSF's licensing to fit all players' needs.At the U6-U8 age levels is where the team concept is first introduced and each child is then placed on a team with a volunteer parent coach.
All sessions will stress coordination, agility, and mobility to aid players with body mechanics, movement, and awareness.Most importantly, the program will be FUN based.
U6-U8 Cost- $170
For U6 (DOB- 8/1/2003-7/31/2004) registration, click HERE
For U7 (DOB- 8/1/2002-7/31/2003) registration, click HERE
For U8 (DOB- 8/1/2001-7/31/2002) registration, click HERE
U6-U8 Street Soccer Fridays
There will be three opportunities for U6-U8 players to participate in Street Soccer Fridays.Street Soccer is designed as a non-structured free play for children.This is very similar to how soccer is played all over the world.Street soccer is also known as sandlot soccer, a kick-about, or a pick-up game.Street soccer is meant to be organized by the players making their own decisions on which goals to use, how many players on a team, and who is on a team, etc.The Developmental DOC will oversee and guide the players through the process, however Street Soccer is meant to be a stress-free experience for the players in a fun, safe environment. This is a way for Stingers to begin to give the game back to its rightful owners, the players.Parents are encouraged to attend, but only as silent and non-participatory observers.
Measuring Success for the Development Program
(Taken from US Youth Soccer Vision Statement, pg. 9)
“Striving to improve individual, group and team performance is more important at the youth level than the outcome. Simultaneously players should play to win. Coaches should teach and develop the players as they learn how to win. Parents should support the players and coaches. Intrinsic success is by its nature more difficult to measure than extrinsic success. A trophy is more tangible to an adult than the exhilaration a child feels while playing soccer. The final measure of success for parents of their child’s soccer experience will require a good deal of patience from the adults. That measurement is the free choice of the child to stay in the game!”
