The Pre-Academy L1 Program is designed specifically for 3- and 4-year-olds who are ready to take their first touches on the ball in an organized setting.
This program has some unique features that will promote social development and physical literacy in an age-appropriate manner. Children at this early age have developmental needs that are very different from those of older players, and thus require a learning environment that differs from “traditional” team sports programs.
Upon completion of the Pre-Academy L1 program, children will be well prepared to begin Pre-Academy L2 when they are 5 and 6 years old.
Key Objectives & Methodology
Program Information
· Ages: 3 and 4 year old’s
· Program Length: 8-weeks
· Activity Format: Individualized activities in a group setting
· Program Structure: Co-ed, instructor-led activities for children and guidance for parents.
· Session Frequency: (1) per week on Monday 45 minutes each at 4:30PM - 5:15PM
· Coaching: Each session is led by our Pre-Academy Director.
Equipment:
Size 3 soccer ball (inflated with a name on it)
Soccer cleats or athletic sneakers; NO SANDALS or open-toed shoes (You don’t have to go buy cleats just for this occasion.)
Shin Guards
Water bottle (with a name on it)
KVSC Pre-Academy L1 Program T-Shirt (included with registration)
What Parents Need to Know About Pre-Academy L1 Program
Sessions will be held weekly on Monday evening. If a session is rained out, it will be made up on the following Friday evening. The club will send an email 1-2 weeks in advance of the first session with more details and the upcoming schedule for your child.
Session Structure:
Dribbling with Ball (Stopping, Starting, Turning, Change of Direction and Running with ball.)
Receiving (stopping the ball the sole, inside, outside of feet)
Ball-striking (passing or shooting the ball)
Each activity will involve the child playing fun games in order to learn a task or to rehearse a new skill. New ball manipulation/mastery activities will be introduced each week, so it is important to attend all sessions to gain the most benefit from the program.
Parents will receive a copy of the lesson for each session so that they can repeat them at home several times during the week. We will be looking to see progress in each player's (and each parent's) understanding and skill mastery of the activities at the following sessions.
REQUIREMENTS
The Pre-Academy L2 Program provides 5-6 year old’s a fun, safe and developmentally-appropriate introduction to soccer.
In this program, we teach fundamental skills, basic movement skills (the “ABC’s of agility, balance, and coordination w/the ball) and help children learn to “move” skillfully. Players also learn how to work within a team environment, improve confidence and self-esteem, and enhance their social skills and interaction.
The Pre-Academy L2 Program provides playing options for all U5-U6 players and prepares them for the AYSO or KVSC Academy Programs.
Key Objectives & Methodology of the Micro Program
Methodology: Fun, soccer practice activities develop confidence with the ball. Short, fast-paced games during our sessions improve each player’s understanding of the game while minimizing “idle time” and boredom.
Program Information
Program Length: 8 weeks (Summer)
Game Format: Small-sided, Continuous Play Format
Practice Frequency: 1 (1) per week, 1-hour, beg. June 24th - August 19th
Games: In-House at practice.
Equipment:
Size 3 soccer ball (properly inflated, with a name on it)
Soccer cleats & Shin-guards
Water bottle (with a name on it)
Pre-Academy Shirt Kit (Received at 1st Practice)
Characteristics of 5/6 Players
Minimal differences between boys and girls
No sense of pace; easy fatigue and rapid recovery
Primitive motor skills and eye-hand/eye-foot coordination
Throwing, catching, and kicking a ball present real challenges
Still learning to control their body; love to run, jump, and roll around
Very short attention span; need simple instructions
No understanding of time and space relationships
Tend toward illogical thinking; fantasy and reality frequently intermingle in playtime
Highly egocentric; play in parallel to (and not with) each other
No sense of “team” or group dynamics
Focus is on the ball; they do not like to “share the toy”
Psychologically fragile (very vulnerable to criticism from adults
Age-appropriate Implications for U5/U6 Players
Movement education is very important; balance, skipping, hopping, jumping, running (forward and backward), getting down and back up, and changing directions are all essential skills to rehearse often
Ball control (trapping, sole delay, pull and dragbacks), running with the ball (dribbling), ball-striking (shooting and passing), and ball-winning are the main priorities for skill development
“Kicking” (or “booting”) is NOT SOCCER! We must teach players that we always control the ball first, and then decide to dribble, pass, or shoot.
Give generous praise and provide a pressure-free environment
Practices = 60 minutes in length
Get BIG when we have the ball, Get SMALL when we don't.
Players have issues with throw-ins and kick-ins, so postpone these concepts to later age groups (U7+)
Interested in becoming a sponsor of Kishwaukee Valley Soccer Club?