What is the Training Center?
The Soccer City Training Center offers young soccer players the ability to learn and hone their skills in a competitive, fun training environment. Players are introduced to new ways to think about the game; the “when and where” to apply learned skills.
Is Training Center meant to solely develop individual skills?
The answer is no. The Training Center is meant to be a complete training experience across different developmental groups. Its purpose is not only to educate and improve the individual; it also intends to improve the individual amongst a team setting. Part of the Training Center incorporates league play and games. The purpose of our players participating in games is not to focus on results (this should be our last concern), rather to apply learned skills and concepts from training in a game-like setting.
For clearer breakdown, please take a look at a snapshot of our curriculum regarding the “Learning Focus”:
The Learning Focus
Skill Development
Individual
· Individual players will learn skills pertinent for future development (prerequisite skills, physical and technical) and positional play
Group/Team
· Players will learn how to play and learn within a group setting. Individual technical ability will be intertwined within a group tactical setting.
Knowledge and Understanding – When and Where
· When/Where in use of applicable technical skill(s)
o Player will be exposed to technical decision-making moments; e.g. When and Where to dribble using laces
· Understanding visual cues
o ‘When/Where’ to perform specific technical and/or tactical skills based on game situations
· Tactical awareness
o Positional sense, multiple position understanding, requisite attributes needed
Intangible Development
· Confidence
· Sportsmanship
· Leadership
· Respect
For some, the Training Center supplements their outdoor fall and spring seasons. It is a great opportunity for players to stay sharp throughout the winter months and receive high-quality coaching from Soccer City’s professional staff. And for others, Training Center is the beginning of a soccer journey that will commence with learning in leaps and bounds. The goal for all Training Center players, novice or veteran, is to continue to grow their love for the game and be motivated to improve collectively and on their own.
We didn’t win every game in our league… this season was a waste :(
Entirely not true! While we at the Training Center recognize the value and importance of winning and losing, we certainly do not prioritize the results of games. The goal is for players to improve on a game-to-game basis. If players can recognize and correct their own mistakes, then they are well on their way to becoming an excellent player.
As parents, it is YOUR responsibility to make your child aware that the more time they spending training AWAY from their typical team practice schedule, the better they will become. Ultimately, you should be the one encouraging your child to spend more time around the ball. Knock the ball around with your son or daughter. Have him or her show you some of the new things they’ve learned or have been working on.
For more information on how you can help defining success to your child, reference the Competitive Advantage at: http://www.competitivedge.com/ppg/ppg06.html
