Overview

Focused training for 5 – 12 year olds

Skills Institute was started in 2001 as a soccer development program that focuses on 5–12-year-olds who love soccer and have a strong desire to improve their soccer skills. The program begins with an evaluation and assessment of each player’s initial skill level so that we can tailor our curriculum to each player’s needs, while still retaining a strong technical emphasis on soccer progression. Within a group framework, each player receives personalized lessons that move the player to their next level of expertise so that they become more valuable to their current and future teams.

This personalized, adaptive approach to teaching fundamental soccer skills, when combined with the Skills Institutes’ low player-to-coach ratio, results in a fun, fast-paced learning environment that inspires players to achieve their personal goals as athletes, whether playing on club or school teams, or playing pick-up soccer with friends.

USSF Soccer Curriculum

The Skills Institute curriculum recently conformed to the USSF’s U.S. Soccer Curriculum. This age-appropriate instructional framework helps to guide overall player development in technical skill, tactical knowledge, physical ability, and social & psychological awareness. With this approach, we can provide age-appropriate clinics and classes that directly meet the needs of local clubs and youth soccer associations. Our classes and clinics are timely too, because we try to schedule them to accommodate the schedules and tryouts of most local youth soccer associations. That’s why the Skills Institute is a great fit for a wide variety of players, including first-time players, Lil’ Kickers graduates who are looking to join local youth soccer teams, and club players looking for a leg up in progressing to higher levels of competition.

Training Levels

Where do you belong?

Level 1 – Ages 5/6, 7/8, 9-12

Focus will be on basic fundamentals of player development:

  • dribbling
  • passing
  • shooting
  • trapping
  • how to use these skills effectively in game

Level 1 will take players through weekly sessions of fundamental skill building and competitive drills/games to develop self-confidence in practice and game situations.

Level 2 – Ages 7/8 & 9-12 (recommendation only)

Focus will be on the continual development of:

  • Individual technique
  • Field awareness
  • Speed and agility

Level 2 will take players through a challenging 50-minute weekly session of driving competence of the fundamentals, defining of positions, and development of personal strengths and how to contribute those strengths to enhance team play.

Curriculum

What to expect

Element
Tasks
Objectives
Tactical
  • Attacking Principle
  • Possession
  • Combination Play
  • Defending Principles
  • Finishing in the Final 3rd
Create space to receive the ball and keep possession.
Technical
  • Passing & Receiving
  • Running with the Ball
  • Turning
  • Shooting
  • Ball Control
Improve individual and collective basic soccer techniques.
Physical
  • Acceleration
  • Coordination/Balance
  • Agility
  • Perception/Awareness
  • Reaction
Develop speed, coordination, and balance with and without the ball.
Psychosocial
  • Motivation
  • Self-confidence
  • Cooperation
  • Concentration
  • Respect & Discipline
Interact positively and feel confident within the group.

Schedules

Mark your calendars

Fall Session Aug 26th – Nov 24th 2024

  • Priority registration opens Aug 3rd
  • Public registration opens Aug 10th

Registration

Sign on the digital line

Ready to register for one of our current or upcoming sessions?  Sign up via email using the button below!  You can also call us directly at (408) 225-1843 to register.

Questions?

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