SoccerTouch (4 to 8 years)

Overall, our SoccerTouch program is designed to engage kids in the sport of soccer and teach them soccer FUNdamentals in a way that allows each child to be successful.  Our program uses our SoccerTots program as a foundation, then builds on that foundation with fun skills games, team games, and progressively builds in scrimmages for children over time.  Emphasis on all classes is individual development and fun.   The use of props as done in our SoccerTots program is gradually phased out with each new program to move into a more traditional but FUN sports setting in our Tiger program.

SoccerTouch: Bears Program (4 year olds)

  • Experience: Completion of SoccerTots Cub program (with coach recommendation) or league play experience.
  • Overview:  The Bears program is a transition program from our Cubs program that has heavy use of hula hoops, tunnels, noodles and other play items to a more structured soccer program.  Emphasis is still on FUN with periodic use of play items (1-3 games per class), getting children comfortable dribbling in various spaces and more advanced FUNdamental soccer skills. Team play is introduced in fun games and short scrimmages.
  • Skills:
    • Individual Skills: Focus on dribbling in smaller areas and avoiding other players.  Begin use of one basic soccer move (drag back).  Introduce juggling with ball.
    • Passing Skills:  Introduce trapping, encourage use of laces and instep, right and left foot.
    • Shooting Skills:  Encouraging shooting from distance, proper shooting with moving ball, right and left foot.
    • Team Play: Introduce small-sided games with 3-5 minute scrimmages, basic scrimmage with passing encouraged. Other fun team play games working on communication and group play.
    • Listening Skills:  Following directions, independent play, encouraging participation in team play exercise.
    • Duration at Level: 1-2 seasons.

SoccerTouch: Grizzlies Program (Older 4 year olds and Younger 5 year olds)

  •  Experience: Completion of Bears program (with recommendation of coach) or two seasons of league play.  The biggest factor is whether the child is comfortable in a scrimmage environment.
  • Overview:  The Grizzlies program moves to expand the lessons learned in the Bears class with heavier emphasis on proper individual footwork skills, encouraging passing and movement, and footwork.  This program’s number one goal is for kids to have FUN, using play items (1-2 games per class), but also to expand their knowledge of soccer FUNdamentals.  The rules of the game are also introduced over the course of the season.
  • Skills:
    • Individual Skills: Continued focus on dribbling in smaller areas and avoiding other players.  Continued development of soccer moves (drag back, step over and fakey).  Introduce foundation footwork skills.
    • Passing Skills:  More emphasis on trapping to include proper foot placement for trapping and introduce changing direction, encourage use of laces and emphasis on instep.
    • Shooting Skills:  Encouraging shooting from distance, proper shooting with moving ball, introducing volleys.
    • Team Play: Small-sided games with 5-10 minute scrimmages.  Introduce team play lessons for scrimmages including passing.
    • Duration at Level: 1-2 seasons.

SoccerTouch: Cheetah Program (Older 5 year olds to 8 year olds)

  • Experience: Completion of Grizzlies program (with coach recommendation) or league play.
  • Overview:  The Cheetah program moves to expand the lessons learned in the Grizzlies class with continued emphasis on proper individual skills, encouraging passing and movement and more advanced footwork.  This program’s number one goal is for kids to have fun, but also to learn more team soccer and game play.   There is less use of fun props in this class (average 1 game per class).  There is greater time in scrimmages in this program.
  • Skills:
    • Individual Skills: Continued focus on dribbling in smaller areas and avoiding other players.  Continue use of soccer moves (drag back, step over, fakey, step over cut).  Greater emphasis on soccer foundation work.  Emphasis on changing direction.
    • Passing Skills:  Advanced trapping to include proper foot placement for trapping and changing direction, encouraging use of laces and instep in proper situations.
    • Shooting Skills:  Encouraging use of laces and instep in proper situations.  Continued emphasis on volleys.
    • Team Play: Small-sided games with 10 minute scrimmages.  Greater emphasis on passing and introduce basic positions, offense, defense, midfield.
    • Duration at Level: 1-2 seasons.

SoccerTouch: Tiger Program (6-8 years old)

  • Experience: Completion of Cheetah program (with coach recommendation).
  • Overview:  The Tiger program is our final soccer touch program that continues to expand the lessons learned in the Cheetah class. This program’s number one goal is for kids to have fun, but also to learn more team soccer and game play.
  • Skills: This program continues to build upon the Cheetah program and continues to work on proper footwork, passing and shooting as described above.
  • Team Play Focus:  Team play becomes the focus as emphasis on basic tactics and movements are taught as well as focusing on proper passing and dribbling in game play situations.  Each class ends with a small-sided game with 7-minute halves. (14-minute scrimmage).