Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Youth Development Program (YDP)?

The Space Coast United Youth Development Program (YDP) focuses on child and player development in an environment that promotes experimentation and creativity, and is intended to promote a player’s life-long love of the sport. YDP puts the needs of the children first and provides a higher level of technical training led by professional trainers in a fun and rewarding environment. A Club Curriculum is followed so that all players are provided with the appropriate level of training and one that is progressive through the age groups. This program is player rather than coach focused. We do not intend that our players will be radio controlled from the sidelines; instead we want to develop players to can make decisions for themselves. This is displayed in many of the Curriculum activities were the children have to choose options. Evidence suggests that this methodology supported by coaches asking questions rather than always providing the answers can help players to remember more effectively and replicate skills in a game environment.

Why did the club change from a traditional recreation Program to YDP?

There are a number of compelling reasons for this change. But all of the reasons answer one question: Are we putting the needs of the children first? Between the ages of 12 and 14, approximately one-half to three-quarters of our country’s youth quit organized sports. And because of the physical and mental challenges and necessary maturity required to play soccer at the highest level, we’re losing players before anyone knows whether they will truly excel in the sport of soccer. Our job as soccer coaches is to keep our players in the game and keep them playing as long as possible. So we are joining a national trend that drastically reduces the emphasis on short-term gain (an overemphasis on winning) and instead focuses on long-term benefits. In other words, we are going to focus on the reasons children play sports. Children play sports because it’s challenging, because they learn new things, because they get to be with their friends and meet new friends and because it’s just plain fun.

Will we have Trophies at the end of the season?

There will be no trophies or medals within YDP. Space Coast United has never provided trophies at the Recreational/YDP age groups. As a new program we intend to step away from this and instead players will be provided with a participation certificate at the end of season. We encourage our coaches to have a team party at the end of the year however Trophies and Medals will not be a part of that. The Club’s view is that there is plenty time to win medals and awards in the future when the children enter into results based play. At this age we want them to play for the joy and learning that can be achieved within this program

Who can participate in the YDP?

Program eligibility is limited to U5, U6, U7, U8, U9 and U10 players. All U5 through U10 players within our club or joining our club are eligible. No selection or rating of players for entry is allowed. Following from the trend in other local sports such as Basketball there will be no special requests starting in Spring 2011 season.

What are YDP practices like?

Practices will take place at either Wickham or Viera Soccer Fields. Coaches accompanied by Club Trainers will work from a SCUSC developed curriculum focusing on individual skills and game like situations. The Club trainers will deliver a model first practice of the week and the coach will then lead the second practice of the week supported by a trainer if required. Emphasis is on skill development and learning to “love the ball” all in a positive stress-free environment. And finally, every practice will provide opportunities to play the game.

How much training time will be provided?

For U6 and younger players, Space Coast Soccer YDP will provide a one hour training session each week. U8/U10 players will practice twice each week for 75 minutes. Each session will be a step in a season long skills progression.

What are YDP game days like?

Space Coast United YDP now have fixed team rosters. On game days, teams will play against other SCUSC rostered teams.

How many games will the YDP provide?

Players in the YDP will play eight to ten games depending upon whether it is Spring or Fall. The goal of the Space Coast United Soccer Club YDP Directors and their staff is to offer a game day where every player spends the majority of their games on the field playing.

What is the format of the YDP games?

Space Coast United U5/U6 YDP games are played in a 4 versus 4 (4v4) format. U5/U6 games will last 30 minutes with a half-time.

U7/U8 YDP games are played in a 4v4 format. U7/U8 games will last 30 minutes with a half-time. U8 and younger do not play with goalkeepers.

Our U9/U10 YDP will play a 6 versus 6 format which includes goal keepers. U9/U10 games will last 50 minutes with a 5 minute half time break. The number of substitutes for each team will be sharply limited in an effort to give all of the players the greatest amount of play time. If a team is short on players, players can be moved from other games immediately over to the game that needs more players.

Why don’t you teach tactics?

There are two main reasons why this is not a focus within YDP. Our technical goal is to teach to be comfortable and confident with a ball that they can take on an opponent and beat them with skill. In essence we are teaching 1v1 tactics at this stage. Furthermore we also promote the ethos that the game at the weekend is an extension of the previous week’s practices. This means that teaching moments should be taken in the game that follow on from what the focus of the practice was. The game result should not take over from the development that we are trying to achieve with the players. We find that as coaches and trainers work with players over the course of the season basic shape is achieved and players learn to understand their defensive and offensive duties through the process of playing in the game. A small amount of time will be spent during scrimmage at practice however overall this will be a season long learning experience.

What will the Youth Development Program (YDP) do for the competitiveness of the Space Coast United Soccer Club?

With a long-term focus on the needs of the players, we strongly believe this will make us a more competitive club. The YDP will help us develop more highly skilled players than our current recreational/competitive soccer approach. The YDP will also generate a larger pool of knowledgeable and skilled players. We will also build a stronger sense of club loyalty. As more of our players and their parents meet each other, we build a spirit of community within our club. In the long run, more of our older players will choose to stay and play for Space Coast United Soccer Club. We also hope that YDP will help more children develop a life-long commitment to the Sport.

What happens if the results in a game are lopsided?

While the game is underway, players may be moved between teams. This may mean that players between the opposing teams are exchanged or it may mean that a player is moved into the game from some other team. The bottom line is that the Space Coast United Soccer Club YDP Coaches, Directors and their staff will have the ability to adjust the games to make them challenging and equally competitive. A numbers up or even numbers down situation can be recommended also to maybe challenge the one or two players who at this level may be faster and stronger thus creating an uneven game. Other options can be to provide skills challenges before players can attempt a shot on goal. A close competitive game is the best outcome for every player. It is dangerous to push the kids to stay on the field without substitutes. If a team does not have enough players the coaches are instructed from the start of the season to either share players or reduce the number on the field to make it competitive and also safe.

Where will the YDP take place?

The Space Coast United Soccer Club YDP practices and games will all take place at Wickham Park Soccer Fields (Melbourne, FL) and Viera Regional Park.

Questions About YDP?