8U PROGRAM (BIRTH YEAR 2017)

OVERVIEW

Designed as a bridge from the Club Development Program (CDP) for six and seven year olds, this program will prepare our eight year old players for competitive soccer at the 9U level and beyond.

At this level of play, emphasis is placed on developing each individual's technical skills, including dribbling, passing, receiving, and ball striking. In other words, the ball will be at the players feet as much as possible.

• Sessions will focus on 1v1, 2v1, and 2v2 activities where players will develop the intuition to manipulate the ball and make quick decisions for the benefit of their team.
• An introduction to the "tactical" side of play will be provided where players will learn positions, structured plays, and how to play together as a team.

PROGRAM SPECIFICS

Training sessions will focus on gender-specific groups of seven to ten players. Changing from session to session, individuals will learn to work with new players and coaches each practice.

EPSC coaches are licensed staff members who follow a play-train-play-train model.

JAMBOREE SPECIFICS

Players will participate in the Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (TCSL) Fives event and/or in-house club jamborees against other local programs.

• Teams are formed before each event based on player availability and an emphasis on competition.
• Jamborees consist of each team playing at least two games within a two or three hour time block. Jamboree dates and times will be communicatied as soon as possible, however, are usually scheduled between 1:00 and 7:00PM on Sundays.
• 5v5 Games (4 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper)
• Emphasis is placed on the player's development first rather than the score of the match.
• TCSL Fives - League Info