Webster Soccer Association

1. Webster Soccer Association Micro Soccer Intro

2. The largest club in Monroe County • Member of New West Youth Soccer Assoc. (NYSWYSA) • Member of United States Youth Soccer Assoc. (USYSA) • Only club to own: • Indoor Turf Complex • Two outdoor grass complexes • Lighted stadium with bleachers • Full time office staff and Executive Director. • Over 2,000 players participate in programs from U3 thru adult. • Hosts the “Lakefront Classic/Empire Cup Tournament”: • The largest youth soccer tournament in western New York. • 2014 over 350+ attended from NY, IL, PA & Canada.

3. “THE GAME WITHIN EACH CHILD” The youth soccer player is defined as any child from pre-school through adolescence. This course takes the approach that the “game within each child” is at the center of all beliefs, decisions, and actions taken by the child, coach and organization. It is the ultimate goal of youth soccer development within the United States, to unlock the “game within each child”, to help each player reach their full soccer potential. “I HEAR IT - I FORGET IT” “I SEE IT - I REMEMBER IT” “I DO IT - I UNDERSTAND IT”

4. STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT The content of this course has been designed to be easy to understand. However, there are a few terms that may seem more complicated that they really are. The first three terms are the categories of characteristics that are used throughout the course. They are: 1. PSYCHOMOTOR DEVELOPMENT The process of acquiring physical skills as related to mental ability to recognize cues and respond with the appropriate action. 2. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT Mental development. This includes not only memorization, but also creativity and problem solving. 3. PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The development of the sense of self in relation to others. It covers a range from individual awareness, to pairs (playmates), to small and large groups.

5. PIAGET’S STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT SENSORY- MOTOR STAGE The “Me” stage. Ranges from infancy to becoming a young child. At this stage, sensory input is the primary method of learning. The early acquisition of language and the ability to walk occur at this stage. • PRE-OPERATIONAL STAGE *** WSA MICRO SOCCER *** • At this stage the difference between reality and fantasy is fuzzy. Children at this stage are naturally curious and individually oriented. U5 / U6 • CONCRETE OPERATIONAL STAGE *** WSA PDP and CLUB SOCCER *** • Rules play a significant role in their lives. Rules provide the basis for co-operative play with their playmates. U8 / U10 • FORMAL OPERATIONAL STAGE *** WSA TRAVEL *** • This is the stage of adult logic. The motivation for a given action is as important as the outcome of the action. U10 / U12

6. PRACTICE GROUPS TO CONSIDER U5 / U6 INDIVIDUAL - THE PLAYER AND THEIR BALL U7 / U8 WILL BEGIN TO WORK IN PAIRS OR THREE’S U9 / U10 SMALL GROUP GAMES U11 / U12 LARGE GROUP GAMES

7. THE ADVANTAGES OF PLAYING SMALL-SIDED GAMES THE SMALL SIDED GAMES PROVIDE: More time with the coach. • More space to be successful. • Increased number of touches on the ball. • More playing time! • Energetic workouts. • More opportunities to make decisions. • Repetitive situations. • Ability to learn to attack and defend. Roles of which will be readily understood along with the importance of teammates. • THE SMALL FIELD ENABLES: • More efficient use of space. • More efficient players. • More opportunities to score! • Players are actively involved for longer periods.

8. CHARACTERISTICS OF U6 CHILDREN PSYCHOMOTOR DEVELOPMENT (SENSORY- MOTOR STAGE) Movement education approach • Differences between Boys and Girls are minimal • Motor development begins with the head and moves downward to the feet, and from the center of the body outward. • Easy fatigue, rapid recovery. • Increased use of all body parts. • Need to explore qualities of rolling and bouncing the ball. • Emphasis of fundamental movement skills: • Locomotor Development • Walking, running, leaping, jumping, hopping • Non-Locomotor Development • Bending, stretching, reaching, twisting, pulling, pushing • Basic Manipulative Development • Throwing, catching, striking

9. CHARACTERISTICS OF U6 CHILDREN • COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT (PRE-OPERATIONAL STAGE) • Begins at the onset of early childhood. • Tend to only one task at a time. • Children are naturally curious and individually orientated. • Play consists of a high degree of imagination and pretend activities. • Difference between reality and fantasy is fuzzy. • Simple rules only. • Limited understanding of time, space and boundaries. • PSYCHSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (PRE OPERATIONAL STAGE) • Beginning to develop self concept, body awareness, and self image through movement. • Egocentric … they see the world only from their perspective, demonstrated through parallel play. • They ALL want the ball. • Lots of praise, and the opportunity to play with no pressure is essential. • May verbalize team but do not understand group or collective play.

10. CHARACTERISTICS OF U8 CHILDREN PSYCHOMOTOR DEVELOPMENT Skeletal system is still growing. Growth plates are near joints, thus injuries to those areas merit special consideration. • Cardiovascular system is less efficient than an adults. A child's heart rate peaks sooner and takes longer to recover to full resting rate. • Children elevate their core temperature more quickly with activity and take longer to cool down than adults. • Improvement of pace and coordination is evident from U6 to U8, however the immaturity of a U8’s physical ability is obvious. • COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT • Concrete operational stage. The age of rules for cooperative play. • Limited ability to tend to more than one task at a time. • Beginning to develop space awareness. • Limited ability with personal evaluation.

11. CHARACTERISTICS OF U8 CHILDREN PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Self concept and body image are beginning to develop. Very fragile. • Great need for approval from adults such as parents, teachers, coaches. • Love to show off. • Easily bruised, negative comments carry great weight. • Like to play Soccer because it is “fun”. • The universe is expanding from the home to the neighborhood. • True playmates emerge with inclination toward partner activities. • Team identity is limited “I play on coach Bob’s team”. League concepts are non-existent.

12. Fall 2014 sessions: 9/13/14; 9/20; 9/27, 10/4 & 10/11 PLEASE ARRIVE 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO YOUR SESSION STARTING AND GATHER AT YOUR AREA TO BE ASSIGNED TO A FIELD

15. 3 - 4 year olds FUTURE SUPER STARS MICRO SOCCER (5 week program, 1 day a week fall, 2 x winter, spring) U5 – U6 CLUB SOCCER / WORLD CUP (7 Week Rec Program offered fall, winter & summer) U7 – U10 U7 – U10 TOURNAMENT EXPERIENCE (10 week spring program, 1 day a week, with tournament play) U7 – U10 TRAVEL PDP (Nine month program, 2 days a week with league & tournament play) U11 – U19 TRAVEL (Nine month program, 1 or 2 days a week with league & tournament play) U11 – U17 ELITE (Nine month program, 3 days a week with league & tournament play)