Cal South has developed a unique and innovative program to introduce soccer to our youngest players, 5-8 years old. This program, called the Cal South Youth Developmental Leagues, combine learning in a fun and positive environment and the excitement of league play through small-sided games. As part of this program, a set of well thought-out practice sessions have been prepared to assist coaches in introducing children to the fundamentals of soccer techniques through fun games and then put these newly learned skills to use by playing small-sided games. The program operates under the simple belief that kids learn by playing. Thus, everyone plays in virtually 100% of the time in both games and practices. It is Cal South's goal that by creating a developmentally appropriate and fun-filled environment, children can be provided with the foundation to enjoy the game of soccer for many years to come.

Who Does the Youth Developmental Leagues Benefit Most?

Players

• Practice sessions designed around activity and fun: no lines, short explanations, fun games, lots of touches on the ball, conducive to learning, learning by playing.
• Small-sided games maximize active participation and touches on the ball.
• Allows the Game to be the teacher!!
• 50% guaranteed playing time was good, but what about playing virtually 100% of the time!
• Ensures that their introduction to the game of soccer is fun!!
• Cultivates an affection and appreciation for the game of soccer.

Coaches

• Take what they have learned at the Youth License and continues to nurture their introduction to the game.
• YDL Handbook with "Fun" tested developmentally appropriate practice curriculums that allow first time coaches to create a fun environment conducive to learning for their players.
• Alleviates work and pressure of planning practice sessions and instead allows them to be more openly involved in the fun at hand and more open to learning themselves.
• Small-sided "Two Games in One" format and Minimum 75% playing time in games for players, alleviates pressures of winning, balancing playing time and positions.
• Cultivates an appreciation and affection for the game of soccer.

Parents

• Program facilitates the education of parents (Parent Education Packet) and provides perspective emphasizing the development of youth, not winning at all costs.
• Creates a positive environment for their children to learn and have fun.
• Small-sided game format alleviates parental pressures of playing time, their child being stuck in a position and stresses development, not just winning.
• Their kids are guaranteed to learn and have fun playing soccer in this program, what parent wouldn't like that!
• Cultivates an affection and appreciation for the game of soccer.

Leagues

• It is a great program with the focus being on the development of everyone involved: players, coaches and parents.
• Eases recruiting of volunteer coaches and facilitates the likelihood of them continuing to coach.
• Program design alleviates potential burnout at young ages and instead cultivates a love for the game.
• Great recruiting tool to attract new members at the youngest age levels entering youth soccer for the first time. Instruction, games, playing almost 100% of the time.
• Easy program to run as both a fall and spring program (minimizes fields required and league administrator time commitment).
• Reflects the philosophy of player development expressed in state and national coaching schools.

Cal South Provides:

• League administrator section outlining how to set up your Youth Developmental League.
• Professionally done Coaches Handbook for each coach consisting of the following sections:
  • Overview
  • League Set-up
  • The Players
  • Small-sided Games
  • Essential Concepts
  • Practice Sessions
  • Team Management
  • Coaching
  • Injury Prevention and Care
• YDL Parent Education Packets.
• Coaching Clinic opportunity - running through a practice session with your coaches.
• Nike Youth Developmental League Coaches T-shirt for every coach.
• 3x8 Personalized Youth Developmental League Banners.
• Ongoing support by Cal South, Director of Recreation and the Corporate Office.

As a means of providing insight as to how we have come to develop this program and why certain games work so well in practice sessions, we have done so with an understanding of the physical, mental and social characteristics of the age groups in which we are dealing with. It is for these reasons that it is so important that the activities we utilize in training sessions are "Developmentally Appropriate" for that age group. Be sure to keep these things in mind as you go through your season and reference them from time to time, just too keep things in perspective.

Provided below are several excerpts from the Youth Developmetal League Manual describing a number of the ideas, concepts, and practicve drills that serve as the foundation of the program. For additional information on establishing a Youth Developmental League in your area, contact

Luis Salcedo
Cal South Director of Competition & Membership Development
(888) 429-7276

Excerpts from the Cal South Youth Developmental Leagues Manual

	Youth Developmental League - Overview
	Youth Developmental League - The Players
	Youth Developmental League - Why Small-Sided Soccer?
	Youth Developmental League - Essential Concepts
	Youth Developmental League - Drills vs Games
	Youth Developmental League - 3v3 Laws
	Youth Developmental League - Practive Session for U6
	Youth Developmental League - Practice Session for U8

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