The Juniors Program is highlighted by many changes.  One of the biggest changes is all teams play 11v11.  Another change that is easily noticeable is with the individual players.  Most players are going through puberty or are in the prepubescent stages. 

 

The Juniors Program is designed to prepare the players for the elite travel side of soccer.  At these ages, most players have decided either to quit or keep playing.  For those who have chosen to keep playing as a Legend, the Juniors Program is constructed to take them to the next level.

 

As we enter into the 11v11 realm, soccer becomes more complex.  Players are presented with a plethora of new decisions they were not presented with before.  In the Juniors Program, we prepare them to make the best soccer decisions possible.  It is no longer good enough just to go out there to train and play the game.  The PSA Staff will make sure that players think the game and try to understand it as they progress through the different stages of the Juniors program. 

 

In the beginning of the program (U12), complex technical skills will be taught.  The initial stages of the Juniors program is also focused on playing and making decisions within the game playing 4v4.  Most technical and tactical concepts can be taught in 4’s.  U12 teams will play 4v4 over and over to help understand each defensive and attacking role and how it relates to the big picture.  Once those roles and responsibilities are recognized, we can start to focus on the bigger picture and hopefully by the end of the Juniors Program, players should have a good grasp of the roles of most positions on the field.

 

·        Complex technical repetition: receiving balls out of the air with different surfaces; driving and chipping balls over distance; bending balls- hitting the ball with the inside and outside part of the foot to pass and shoot

·        Small group attacking

·        Small group defending

·        Possession

·        Understanding the game

·        Understanding space

·        Understanding roles & responsibilities

·        Increased demands in training

·        Static and dynamic stretching to prevent injuries

·        Introduction to results

 

The Juniors Program is quite expansive.  There are other facets of the game now taking shape within the PSA Mission Statement and philosophy.  The mental and physical realm will start to impact the game as well.  The introduction of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) will also take place during the Juniors Program with a formal seminar open to all Legends Juniors before the season starts.  The PSA Staff encourages any and all players to participate in Illinois’ ODP. 

 

Practices will be 2 to 3 times a week.  All sessions will last 90 minutes and every player is required to bring their own ball and their own water.