Microkickers & Minikickers Schedule
Concept
The objective of the MiniKickers program is to replicate the back garden environment in which most young players are introduced to soccer by helping to educate parents on activities that can be used in this situation.
How does it Work?
The sessions involve both the parent and their own child participating within the practice. The head coach oversees the practice, demonstrating the skill activities focused on that day. The head coach moves around the group supporting those who require help and ensuring that parents are relaying the correct techniques.
Philosophy
The activities are based on a philosophy that utilizes the child’s imagination to create a positive, exciting, and fun soccer environment. As a result of this soccer philosophy, we create a fun, yet highly active, pressure free practice that supports skill development.
Coaching Methodology
The huge advantage of having parental involvement is the greater amount of attention that each child receives. By having an adult observe and assist each child, distractions are limited and the child focuses more on the specific soccer activity. This ratio of one parent to one child also ensures constant positive adult support and encouragement, a constant focus on maximum ball contact, and encourages greater repetition of game situations i.e. one v one activities. The curriculum is based upon individual ball work and introduces the basic concepts of passing, shooting,and control with different parts of both feet. The parental involvement allows these skills to be taught more effectively with the requirement that parents may have to physically support their child helping to ingrain the movement patterns that are required for a particular skill. The ethos for the parents is that if you don’t have dirty knees by the end of the practice then you haven’t participated!
How The Minikickers Program Works:
The following steps should be taken for the program to work as effectively as possible.
Parental Orientation
Parents will be provided with the lesson plan via email before each session.
Demonstration of Activity
Throughout the program, when introducing the next game or progression, the head coach should attempt to educate the parents as to the technique that is being introduced and how that technique during this game will lead to future progress.
Soccer Homework
At the end of the activity, the players are presented with some fun activity to complete at home.
Each practice session shall last between 45-60 minutes.
Minikickers Equipment List
All players should be encouraged to bring:
- A size three soccer ball.
- Soccer Cleats or sneakers.
- A light snack and drink. (As part of the clubs philosophy on promoting a healthy lifestyle, fruit is the recommended snack that should be brought to practice)
- Appropriate soccer clothing.
All parents or adults should bring:
- Comfortable shoes or sneakers.
- Appropriate soccer clothing.
- The head coach will bring the following items to the program each week:
- A supply of extra balls and enough cones and pinnies for the program to run effectively.
