PFC Junior Development Program Description
Age Groups: 4 through 8 year old boys and girls.
Seasons: The program will be offered in the Fall, Winter and Spring.
Princeton FC's Junior Development Program was developed with young kids in mind who want to start to learn the game of soccer, develop important fundamental skills and have some fun playing the game.
When young players enjoy practice and games, they become motivated to get better. The JDP Program is under the direction of Stoyan Pumpalov, Princeton FCs Director of Programs and Head Professional and conducted with other PFC professional trainers and coaches. In this program, we know it is important to be patient and to be great educators. The most important responsibility of the trainers and coaches at this level is keeping the game fun and developing good foundation of basic technical skills and body coordination.
Our Junior Development Program is based on skill development via professional training as well as fun and small-sided games. Children will train and play with children of similar ages (i.e., 5 and 6 year olds together and 7 and 8 year olds together).
We will emphasize development on the following technical skills as well as expectations of how to play the game. We expect the children to progress well over time and for them to significantly advance in their competency on these skills.
Ball control - ability to control the ball with inside, outside, instep and sole of the foot. (both feet) Basic changes of directions: inside cut - outside cut - sole of the foot turn, basic change of speed using outside and inside of the foot.
Moves to beat an opponent - ability to use basic moves to beat the opponent 1 vs. 1
Passing - ability to make basic push pass (Both feet). Accuracy and pace.
Receiving - ability to trap the ball with inside of the foot and sole of the foot (soft touch with both feet) Introduce and challenge: receiving ball from the air.
Finishing - with inside of the foot, short distance, up to 10 yards away from the goal.
Teamwork - importance of working and partnering with other players when playing the game
Sportsmanship - importance of good sportsmanship. We will reinforce the virtues of team spirit, of being humble when winning and succeeding, remaining optimistic when losing and feeling falure...remembering its as important how we play the game as the result.