Our Mission
Intramural Program Overview
Trainer Cost per Session: Inquire within
Total Trainers per Session: 4
Trainer-to-Player Ratio: 1 Trainer for every 12 Players
For this age group, the primary focus will be on developing individual skills, particularly footwork, to prepare players for travel soccer. The emphasis will be on improving their ability to take on defenders 1v1 and perform in game-like situations. Given the age group’s attention span, each training session is recommended to be 1 hour and 15 minutes in length.
Weekly Session Plans
Age 5 (Focus on Fundamental Skills)
The goal is to introduce basic soccer concepts while developing ball control and footwork in a fun, engaging way. The skills covered each week will progressively build on one another:
1. Dribbling: Basic dribbling techniques to develop close ball control.
2. Turning: Introduction to simple turns (e.g., inside/outside cut, drag backs). 3. Dribbling 1v1: Developing confidence in dribbling past a defender in a small area. 4. Ball Control: Focus on trapping the ball with different parts of the foot (inside, outside, sole).
5. Short Passing: Basic passing with the inside of the foot in a controlled setting. 6. Pass and Move: Encouraging players to pass and then move into space to receive the return pass.
7. Shooting: Introduction to shooting with both feet, using small goals or targets for
accuracy.
8. Receiving the Ball on the Ground: Practicing soft touches to control the ball with the inside and outside of the foot.
Ages 6-8 (Building on Skills and Introducing Advanced Concepts)
At this stage, players are ready to expand their technical abilities while still focusing on fun and engagement. The following skills will be covered:
1. Dribbling: Advanced dribbling techniques with a focus on maintaining control in tight spaces.
2. Dribbling 1v1: Strengthening the ability to attack and defend 1v1 in more dynamic situations.
3. Short Passing: Refining passing accuracy and timing, with an emphasis on passing while moving.
4. Pass and Move: Developing spatial awareness and understanding of timing when passing and moving.
5. Receiving the Ball on the Ground: Enhancing ball control and technique when receiving passes on the ground.
6. Defending 1v1: Teaching basic defensive positioning, including staying low and using the body to block or win the ball.
7. Receiving the Ball in the Air: Introducing techniques for receiving aerial balls using the feet, chest, and thighs.
8. Long Passing: Focusing on passing over longer distances with accuracy, using the inside of the foot for controlled passes.
Session Structure
Each session will be structured to maintain focus and provide maximum player development through a combination of skill-building drills, small-sided games, and feedback:
1. Warm-Up (10 Minutes): Light jogging, dynamic stretches, and simple dribbling exercises to prepare the body.
2. Skill Drills (30 Minutes): Players will be divided into 4 groups, with each trainer leading a specific drill (e.g., dribbling, passing, 1v1). Groups will rotate every 7-8 minutes to ensure exposure to each skill.
3. Small-Sided Games (20 Minutes): Mini-games (e.g., 3v3 or 4v4) will be used to apply learned skills in a more game-like environment, with an emphasis on dribbling, passing, and shooting.
4. Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (10 Minutes): Light stretching and a brief discussion to reinforce key takeaways from the session.
Trainer Responsibilities
Each trainer will be responsible for a group of no more than 12 players. Trainers should provide constructive feedback, maintain a positive and encouraging environment, and ensure each player gets ample individual attention during drills. Creativity and engagement in drills are encouraged to keep the session fun and impactful.
Travel Prep Course Overview
The Travel Prep Course is designed for players transitioning from recreational soccer to travel teams. It focuses on enhancing technical skills under pressure, improving tactical awareness, and understanding competitive soccer rules.
Key Areas of Focus:
1. Game Understanding & Soccer Rules
○ Basic Rules: Offside, fouls, free kicks, and goalkeeper restrictions.
○ Free Kicks & Penalties: Direct/indirect kicks, positioning, and taking penalties. ○ Goalkeeper Rules: Basic positioning and handling in the penalty area. 2. Tactical Awareness
○ Positions & Formations: Understanding roles (forwards, midfielders, defenders) ○ Game Situations: When to attack, defend, or hold possession.
○ Spatial Awareness: Reading the game, creating space, and positioning. 3. Advanced Foot Skills & Dribbling Under Pressure
○ Dribbling: Maintaining control under pressure and using all parts of the foot. ○ 1v1 Attacking & Defending: Decision-making on when to dribble or pass. 4. Small-Sided Scrimmages & Game Application
○ 3v3 & 4v4 Games: Focus on quick decisions, positioning, and teamwork. ○ Mini Tournament: Friendly competition to apply skills in real game situations. 5. Mental Toughness & Sportsmanship
○ Dealing with Pressure: Staying calm in high-pressure moments.
○ Teamwork: Supporting teammates and maintaining a positive attitude.
Course Structure
Each session lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, broken down as follows:
1. Warm-Up (10 mins): Dynamic stretches and ball control exercises.
2. Skill Development (25 mins): Drills focused on technique and tactical decision-making. 3. Game Situation Drills (25 mins): Small-sided games to apply skills.
4. Cool Down & Recap (10 mins): Stretching and discussion to reinforce key takeaways.
Camps
Intramural Camp (Ages 5-8)
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Duration: 2 hours per day, 5 days
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Cost: Inquire within
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Focus: Fun, basic skills development with an emphasis on fostering a love for the game.
Camp Breakdown:
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Day 1: Introduction to Fundamentals & Ball Mastery
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Focus: Dribbling, basic ball control, and footwork. Fun, engaging drills like cone weaving, toe-touches, and basic passing.
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Fun Activity: “Sharks & Minnows” (dribbling game) to keep them engaged.
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Day 2: Passing & Team Play
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Focus: Passing accuracy, receiving, and teamwork. Drills for short passes and understanding how to pass to a teammate.
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Fun Activity: 2v2 games to encourage passing and teamwork.
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Day 3: Defending & Positioning
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Focus: Basic defending principles like how to stop an attacker, how to position yourself, and when to apply pressure.
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Fun Activity: “Red Light, Green Light” with a defending twist.
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Day 4: Shooting & Finishing
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Focus: Introduction to proper shooting technique. Fun, simple finishing drills like shooting at targets in the goal or using small goals.
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Fun Activity: Mini shooting competition.
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Day 5: Game Day & Tournament
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Focus: Putting everything into practice with small-sided games. Let players apply the skills they've learned in a relaxed, game-like setting.
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Fun Activity: Mini-tournament where each team plays multiple short games.
Travel Camp
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Duration: 3 hours per day, 5 days
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Cost: Inquire within
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Focus: More advanced skills, tactical awareness, and preparing for competitive play.
Camp Breakdown:
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Day 1: Technical Skills & Ball Mastery
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Focus: Perfecting dribbling, first touch, passing, and ball control. Higher-level skill drills for better ball manipulation.
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Fun Activity: 1v1 or 2v2 games to emphasize ball control and dribbling.
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Day 2: Tactical Awareness & Movement Off the Ball
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Focus: Teaching players how to move when they don’t have the ball, finding space, and making runs. Building a tactical understanding of positioning.
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Fun Activity: Small-sided games where players have to pass and move off the ball to receive passes.
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Day 3: Finishing & Shooting Under Pressure
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Focus: More advanced shooting techniques, like volleys, chips, and shooting under defensive pressure.
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Fun Activity: Shooting challenge with defenders or pressure situations (e.g., timed shots).
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Day 4: Defensive Tactics & Game Awareness
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Focus: Advanced defending techniques, positioning, and working together as a team in defense. Teaching awareness of attacking movements and how to close down space.
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Fun Activity: 1v1 defensive drills or "defending from the front" drills (attacking players work as defenders).
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Day 5: Game Day & Tournament
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Focus: Putting everything into practice with larger, competitive games. Emphasizing all aspects of the game—technical, tactical, and team play.
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Fun Activity: Mini-tournament with teams based on skill levels, giving kids a chance to show off what they’ve learned.
Goalie Camp
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Duration: 1.5 hours per day, 4 days
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Cost: Inquire within
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Focus: Developing goalkeeping skills and confidence in the net.
Camp Breakdown:
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Day 1: Introduction to Goalkeeping & Footwork
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Focus: Basic goalkeeper positioning, footwork, and catching techniques.
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Fun Activity: Simple footwork drills that also involve hand-eye coordination, like catching balls from various angles.
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Day 2: Shot Stopping Techniques
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Focus: Handling different types of shots, including low, high, and hard shots. Positioning for different angles.
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Fun Activity: Goalkeeper shot-stopping competition, where players try to save shots based on difficulty levels.
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Day 3: Diving & Reaction Time
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Focus: Diving safely, diving for both high and low balls, and improving reflexes.
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Fun Activity: Reaction drills with coaches throwing or kicking balls to various sides.
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Day 4: Distribution & Game Management
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Focus: Goalkeepers’ role in starting attacks, distribution (throws, kicks, punts), and commanding the defense.
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Fun Activity: Scrimmage where goalkeepers practice their distribution under pressure, setting up counter-attacks.
Speed & Agility Camp
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Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes per day, 5 days
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Cost: Inquire within
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Focus: Improving speed, agility, and overall athleticism.
Camp Breakdown:
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Day 1: Dynamic Warm-Up & Agility Drills
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Focus: Introduce dynamic stretches and agility drills like ladder drills, cone weaving, and shuttle runs.
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Fun Activity: Speed races in short bursts, encouraging players to beat their own times.
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Day 2: Speed Drills & Reaction Time
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Focus: Sprinting techniques, building explosive speed, and reaction time training.
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Fun Activity: 10-15 yard sprints, paired with reaction games where players must react quickly to a signal.
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Day 3: Agility & Change of Direction
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Focus: Improve agility by teaching players how to change direction quickly while maintaining control.
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Fun Activity: Agility courses with cones, focusing on quick pivots, direction changes, and balance.
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Day 4: Strength, Power, and Endurance Training
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Focus: Simple bodyweight exercises to build strength and endurance (e.g., squats, lunges, push-ups) combined with speed drills.
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Fun Activity: Combine sprint intervals with bodyweight exercises to simulate game conditions.
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Day 5: Combined Speed & Agility Course
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Focus: Combine all of the drills learned in the previous days into one large agility and speed challenge.
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Fun Activity: Timed agility courses with multiple elements like sprints, lateral movements, and quick feet.