CASA is a youth development program that uses soccer as its teaching medium. We strive to teach youngsters the fundamentals of the game according to nationally and internationally recognized age appropriate principles. We view soccer as part of our players’ overall education and life experiences. As they grow older we hope it will be a catalyst to the development of good study habits as well as good citizenship. At the youngest levels, skills must be learned in a nurturing and unpressured environment and the games will be viewed as opportunities to enhance their skill development with minimal emphasis on outcomes. The goal is to provide each player the opportunity to have quality training and skill development so that eventually they can compete at all levels whether it is recreational, select, or competitive. That is possible because in addition to our recreational league we also belong to the Nor Cal Premier League.
Player Development
All players will progress through an intensive trainings series prior to each playing phase. In the Spring & Summer Training Series I, players will redefine and polish individual ball feeling and technical ball-handling skills. Every session will incorporate a focused topic into game-related environments that will promote a better understanding of when and where to use their skills. Players will be able to take the lessons learned from the Spring and Summer Training series and apply them to the Fall Soccer Program. In the Winter Training Series II, they will be introduced to the art of Futsal. Practices in Training Series II will introduce different foot skills, with the emphasis on the early emergence of attractive soccer and confidence on the ball to dribble and take risks. The focus of these training series is to encourage players in a positive environment that will create a natural ability to use those skills during competition.
Training Environment
Trainings will run approximately 60-75 minutes. Staff will incorporate a weekly topic into their training sessions, to create an academy style of learning. Players will rotate through coaching staff during weekly sessions to establish a familiarity and connection with all coaching staff and academy players. All sessions will conclude with small-sided games to allow players to use their new or polished techniques and to promote an early love of play.
Game Environment
Games will be played in 3 phases. The Spring & Summer Session or Playing Phase I, Fall Soccer Program, and the Winter Session or Playing Phase II. In Phase I games will be played outdoors in a 3v3, 4v4, or 6v6 style of play. In Phase I play, kids will be placed in different groups each week to promote strong interplay with all of the kids and coaching staff. Phase I will be played In-house along with Play Days with other clubs. The Fall League will run just like other recreational soccer leagues. U6’s will play 4v4 with no goalies and U8’s will play 6v6 with a goalkeeper. Players will be place on a team for the entire Fall League.Playing Phase II, or the Winter Session, will be played Futsal style. This will allow players to accomplish a new speed and style of play.
