The ultimate goal is for the players to have fun, develop good soccer habits, and help ensure we feed the travel and school teams with strong players.

Community Based

• We are community based to help make a strong future generation. It takes a club working together to make a real difference.
• Recreation soccer is for introducing the game of soccer to youth while teaching fundamentals in a fun environment.
• Elite Teams (Local Travel) is for encouraging a strong competitive nature and higher expectations all while maintaining good sportsmanship.
• This is a developmental program so make sure to help the kids who are struggling learn proper techniques. 

Time on the Ball is Key

• All training should maximize this and limit discussion. Skills games and small-sided games that replicate real game situations are the way to go. No line drills. Line drills are no fun and serve little purpose.
• Make sure all activities engage as many players as possible to avoid players standing around and losing interest. 

Positive Sportsmanship 

• Use positive reinforcement. Teach them to encourage and help their teammates. Praise teammates when they work hard.
• Praise players for effort, not skill, and encourage them to always do their best to get better. Remember that merit matters and empty praise helps no one.
• Do not accept laziness, poor sportsmanship, or disrespect of themselves, teammates, coaches, refs. We have a zero tolerance policy for abuse towards anyone.
• Use redirection techniques for developing focus and correcting bad behavior. 

Mistakes are How We Learn, Merit is Important

• Games are always a learning experience and should be thought of as training exercises not championships.
• Ask guided questions to get the players to think about how they can improve.
• Avoid “Joystick Coaching,” dictation of all the players’ decisions from the side lines. It is best to sub them off and discuss some changes then put them back on. Players will learn better when they make mistakes and figure it out on their own.
• All players should have equal playing time and play multiple positions. However, we need to teach merit. If kids are disrespectful or do not participate in practice they are not guaranteed equal time on the field regardless of skill level.
• Late bloomers, yet hard workers, can make champions. Natural athletes, who won’t work hard, will fall behind.

Competition is Good

• Encourage healthy competition with games and exercises that have them beat their own best or have winners (U10 up).
• Teach a winning attitude and coach to win the next game not necessarily the current game.
• Guide them for greater competition and to join travel if warranted. 

Trust the Process

• It will take time to develop the players and for them to learn skills and strategy
• You must not rush into matches and scrimmage is the “S word”. Keeping kids engaged with skill games will keep them having fun while improving their skills. 
• We do not want only a few players playing while others stand around afraid to engage.