U8 Fall & Winter First Kicks Program Information

U8  Fall & Winter First Kicks Program Information

Thank you for registering for the Fall and Winter First Kicks program. This page will provide you with all the information that you need for your child to enjoy the program and ensure you have all the information you need for the program.

Dates:

Training/Practice Information

When you registered your child you would have selected a team that practices either on a Tuesday or a Thursday with their game day taking place on Saturdays. Below is the list of teams and their practice days:

All Tuesday and Thursday training sessions will take place at Jericho turf field (Click link for field info)

Each team has been assigned a grid on the field at Jericho, please select your training day to locate your teams grid at Jericho, this will be where you will train each week.

Tuesday 6.00pm - 7.00pm (Click for field info)

Thursday 6.00pm - 7.00pm (Click for field info)

Game Day Information

Games will take place on Saturdays . There is no Saturday programming on thanksgiving giving weekend.   All Saturday sessions will take place at  Chaldecott Park (please click for field info). The field map for Saturday sessions can be found HERE, please familiarise yourself with the field map so you know where to go on Game Day!

Below is the schedule for the Saturday games:

Weekly Curriculum:

There will be a subtle revamp of the training curriculum was going to take place. In the detail below, you will find the new mid week session breakdown which will consist of an arrival activity, intro small sided game, technical activity and final game.

Weekends will remain the same, where the focus IS game play, but we will be asking coaches to implement the new arrival activities.

Arrival Activities

Each mid week session and GAME DAY will begin with an arrival activity:

Ball Control Arrival Activities

for the juggling, players of these age groups should utilize a "Drop - Tap - Catch" format where they are just trying to make contact with the ball once and catching it. If they can complete multiple in row; great...but that is not the standard.

Dribbling Activities

This can be done by simply having the coaches drop a few cones on the field of play and asking the players to dribble and complete the turns (or new turns).

Ball Mastery Activities

This is simple, but requires the coach to demonstrate the activities and is more geared toward the more advanced u7 player(s) and most u8s.

By selecting one of the above mentioned arrival activities, we are asking that groups spend the first 5 to 10 mins working on this. The choice is yours, but this must have a 1 player to 1 ball ratio so all players are on the ball.

Intro Small Sided Game 

Once the bulk of your team has arrived and you have completed the arrival activity of your choosing, break your groups into teams and play (3v3 for the u6s / 4v4 or 5v5 for the u7/8s). The purpose of this portion is to engage the players and get them moving. Ball rolling time is the key here and having the players remain moving and dynamic is what we are looking for. Spend no more than 10-12 mins on this and feel free to use any of the small sided games provided on the templates below. 

1- Regular game

2- Reverse Goal Game (having the goals reversed 10 yards off the original goal line)

3- 4 goal game (which requires coordination with your neighbouring grid to ensure you have enough goals)

4- Endzone Game

5 - Numbers Game (1v1s / 2v2s / 3v3s)

Technical Activity

This portion of the session requires at the very least 10-15mins and the hopes of the design of this portion ensure that players are moving and active, but there is a "teaching / demonstrating" component here that requires attention. We will provide guidance around what the technical topic is, and allow for contributions, additions but please remain within the topic:

Passing/Receiving

ie Gate Game, Clean your room

Video link for an example of the Technique

Running with the ball/Dribbling

ie Surfers & Sharks, Trick or Treat, Indy 500, Pirates of the Pug

Video link for an example of the Technique

Deeks /Shooting

ie Bermuda Triangle, *Surfers & Sharks/Indy 500 that ends with a shot on goal

Teaching the step over video link

Video link for an example of the Technique

End Game

Once you have completed 1 or 2 Technical activities, end with a real game in your designated aged groups format (3v3 / 4v4 / 5v5). Try to keep at least 15 minutes for this part, and feel free to coordinate with neighbouring teams to mix up the competition for the end of your session. 

Session TOPICS Each Week

Week 1 Jan 9 & 11

Dribbling / Running with the Ball

Week 2 Jan 16 & 18

Passing & Receiving

Week 3 Jan 23 & 25

Deeks & Shooting

Week 4 Jan 30 & Feb 1

Dribbling / Running with the Ball

Week 5 Feb 6 & 8

Dribbling / Running with the Ball

Week 6 Feb 13 & 15

Passing & Receiving

Week 7 Feb 20 & 22

Deeks & Shooting

Week 8 Feb 27 & 29

Coaches Choice

What you need:

All players should have Cleats, Shin Guards and Water. Players should wear their first kicks kit.

Report your absence:

Please let us know if you are unable to attend a session, this allows our staff to plan. If you are not able to attend one of the weeks please complete the Absence Form.

Who do I contact?

If you have any problems with your kit orders or your registration please contact our administration team at info@vancouverunitedfc.com, if you have any questions regarding the program please contacts at info@vancouverunitedfc.com