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The Junior Admirals Developmental Program is designed for those young players that have a “serious” interest in the game of soccer and would like a jump start in becoming an Erie Admiral. Players are able to enroll into this developmental program from the age of 6. These youngsters will learn the basic soccer skills together with the laws of the game. Parents will also be educated about the philosophy and process of the Erie Admirals Youth Development.
This in-house program is developed and structured to teach youth players the game of soccer in a fun, yet demanding environment. It is important that these youngsters enjoy what they do in order to allow for an optimal learning experience. Most of the training is oriented toward technical skills training. It is important that young players learn to master the ball at an early age so that a wide base can be established and the process of progressive learning can go on.
We as adults must must understand that we deal with kids and we must give them the opportunity to be a kid also on the soccer field. Teaching and coaching takes place at the level that these players are able to comprehend. Learning is an ongoing process that takes place at all times, however, not everybody learns and develops at the same pace! As parents, we must always be supportive to our kids and use positive reinforcement no matter what happens.
Players from the Junior Admirals Developmental Program may have the opportunity to join the Erie Admirals U-10 travel team when they reach the appropriate age. The Junior Admirals Developmental Program has two levels of enrollment. Based on the age and skill of the player, he/she will be enrolled in the U7, U8 or U9 age group. Within each age group the coaches will differentiate and take playing experience into consideration.
Program Structure
U7 Program:
• Players born after August 1, 2026
• Two activities per week
• One mid-week practice
• One practice Saturday
• Program runs from September 3, 2001–May 1, 2002
• Includes one player’s T-shirt
• Fee: $40 per month
Saturday practice will also be used for inter (squad)scrimmages. Players could be promoted at an earlier time to the U9 Program if it is in the best interest of their individual development (this with permission from the directors of development).
U8/U9 Program:
• Players born between 8/1/92–7/31/94
• Three activities per week
• Two weekday practices
• Game on Saturday according to league schedule
• Program runs from September 1, 2001–May 1, 2002
• Fee: $65 per month
Practices start the first week of September and are held bi-weekly in the evenings, and league games are played on Saturdays and Sundays. Two uniform T-shirts and one pair of Play® shorts are required to be purchased through Family First Sports Park.
Players that are actual Under 8 players, but have already been part of the Under 9 program, may be allowed to stay with this program with permission from Fabian and Pedro (Program Directors)
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Here are some guidelines that we as adults, coaches and parents must keep in mind when we see our child(ren) play.
A soccer game is made up of a stream of circumstances, situations, problems and opportunities which players have to “read and interpret.” Then based on what they decide to do, they must act or react rapidly.
Simply by playing, young players will intuitively learn to act and react: how to approach various reoccurring situations. We coaches can help them though to see and recognize possibilities, to make better decisions and to use approaches that are more effective.
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Important point to remember about young players…
Young players—those 5 to at least 10—should concentrate on technical development: ball mastery, skills, controlling their bodies and the ball.
Young players should PLAY, discover, experience and learn by trial and error, by making plenty of mistakes, by coming up with “what works right: on their own.
Soccer is a simple game. With young players we should simplify everything. We should concentrate on individual tactics, individual insight and decision making; then we progress to group and team tactics. Most principles in most stages of the Erie Admirals Soccer School are directed at individual players or pairs. Naturally, nothing happens in a vacuum—everything in soccer is in the context of the whole game action.
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