| | For the Spring 2010 Schedule (click here) Early Development Program (Academy & EDP)
Welcome to the Early Development Program (EDP) for Amherst Soccer Club! We are excited you will be joining us and look forward to lots of fun on the soccer field. Background
In the Spring of 2006, ASC combined our academy and EDP programs. The combined program is designed to give young players the opportunity to work with like-skilled players and focuses on skill development and maximum touches on the ball during training and game settings. The program's format is consistent with the US National Youth Development Program as well as many soccer passionate countries. We strongly believe that it is important to help youngsters learn the skills of the game of soccer starting at a young age. National statistics demonstrate that before we start coaching youngsters, we should teach them the skills and then coach them tactically, building on these skills. We firmly believe this will develop a better and more confident soccer player. National statistics overwhelmingly show that if we do not develop the players technically at a young age they will eventually give up. Many youngsters are strong athletically and physically; however, if they do not learn the skills, these attributes are eventually overshadowed—we have observed this particularly at the ages of 12 through 14. Thus our EDP is structured to be FUN and teach basic skills, while also offering the opportunities for young players to put these skills to use. If you want to see some of the skills we teach being used by a 9 year old who was just signed by one of the preeminent clubs in the world, check out: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/08/02/manu.recruit.ap/ Format
We will have three weekly practices with a jamboree on Saturday or Sunday, and travel teams for boys and girls U10 players. Three days of training are offered so that sessions can be shorter (which is better at this age) and so that kids who have conflicts have varied nights to choose from. Kids do not need to be there all 3 nights but are encouraged to be there as much as they want to, and can handle. Each night will have a theme and the stations will reinforce the theme. The advantage of this format is that we put a strong focus on the individual player's technical development with exposure to multiple coaches in a dynamic format that keeps the players energized and engaged. (We will try our best to keep the M,W,F practice format and are awaiting the field schedule from the town.) The weekend jamboree-style tournament allows players to compete in small-sided games. Our plan is to have jamborees with two other clubs for newer EDP players (e.g., 4 weeks total with these clubs: club 1 home, club 1 away, club 2 home, club 2 away). We also will have a boys and a girls U10 team in the Granite State league (GSYSL) that will travel to other towns. Primarily this will be U10 players, but younger players may get invited to join this group. We have not registered a U9 team in GSYSL because we believe that 4v4 is a far better developmental tool at the younger ages. Thus we have found clubs with similar philosophies and will give the kids a “travel” experience while keeping their “touches on the ball” high.
Parents' Role
We believe that a parent's role is not as a coach but as a support staff. Your job is to get your player to practices and games in the proper attire and with the proper equipment. Players need to wear shin guards and cleats and bring a ball to every practice and game. Water bottles, sweats and smiles are important too. Please support your players with positive encouragement and leave the coaching to the coaches. At this age too many directions can confuse and frustrate. You will notice even as coaches we are often quiet allowing the children to learn from the situational experience. Questions/Contacts
Thanks for sharing your children with us. If you have questions please direct them first to Amy Facey who is the EDP Coordinator/club administrator. Please reach Amy at registrar@amherstsoccerclub.com. The EDP Director is Molly Dix, who can be reached at edp_director@amherstsoccerclub.com. For reference, our coaching staff, all of whom have exceptional soccer/educational/coaching backgrounds include Lesli Rendall, Betsy Hansen, Pete Camello, Pete D'Auteuil, Barb Bellipani, Chris Jay, Dean Jackson, Viet Pham, Javad Movassaghi, and Eric Facey. We will introduce the coaches at the parents' meeting. The Director of Coaching for ASC, Corlton Simmond will also be working with your kids periodically. We look forward to a great season. |
