Tillsonburg Soccer Club Programs

U5 Co-ed

“First steps, first kicks”

At this introductory level the objective is to get children moving and to keep them active. No competitive games should be played – the objective is for adults and children to play together informally. The children being active, together, with a well-known family member will give them a sense of security and safety and as such enhance their first group soccer experience.

The physical literacy curriculum provides for learning basic fundamental movement skills such as running–jumping–twisting–throwing–catching.

The technical requirements are not about teaching the techniques of soccer. They are to encourage children to enjoy becoming friends with the ball. They can experience the following through fun and imaginative games: running with the ball, stopping and changing direction with the ball, dribbling, kicking and shooting.

Format

No team games are played at this development stage. Players are involved in interactive competitions with parents, grandparents, older siblings etc. Practice should be 30 to 45 minutes in length.

Small-sided games can be 1v1, e.g. Mom or Dad vs. Child. During practice each player should have a ball, lots of touches, left and right foot. Just let them play with lots of movement. Encourage the use of both feet, different parts of foot and body.

Areas of Focus

• It must be FUN!
• Every child has a ball
• Parents present – but not on the field with players, unless the player needs it.
• Physical Literacy – more emphasis on the technique, of jumping/running/hopping
  – add competitions
• Basic ball familiarization games, rolling, bouncing, kicking, catching.
• Players still learn by playing games using imagination – relate the games more to the techniques of soccer
• Players will respond to a high-energy environment.
• Change the session activity or game often.
• These players love praise and enthusiasm
• Introducing the game at 1 v 1 and 2 v 2
• No Goalkeepers yet