HOW DO WE DEVELOP FUTURE SOCCER PLAYERS?

The fact is that kids do not play in the same way that adults do. We have yet to see a group of 5 or even 7 year old kids - without serious adult intervention - go out on a soccer field and organize themselves into a set formation with set positions playing 11 players vs. 11 other players and then play an organized game. If you put a child out on the field with goals and a soccer ball what is the first thing they want to do? Score goals! 

As a result, and this is backed by a lot of research from the current best European soccer nations and others around the world on what is the best way to develop a kids’ love for and skill in soccer, we play with smaller numbers on the field. This gives kids more chances to do what they want: score goals.

As the kids get older and they start to understand bigger concepts, we will slowly integrate and add more players on the field. The more kids score goals the more they will enjoy soccer and the more they will want to play. The more they want to play the more they will play and the better they will get. Specific positional and tactical roles can come later. 

For more on specific tactical roles see our Elite Juniors Academy program and our Elite Competitive program. The U9/10 age group (starting with 2014/2015/2016 birth year players for Spring 2024) is the traditional year where players can choose to stay in the recreational program or choose to move into our Elite Juniors Academy and strive to reach the highest level of play, but before they get there our goal is to first get them to learn to love soccer and to love playing with a soccer ball.

Focus On Fundamental Skills

The GESC Rec program also focuses on individual skill development, on building confidence in players, and on maximizing player creativity by allowing kids to learn the game gradually in a fun, engaging environment. Our goal is to have the players feel comfortable and confident with a ball at their feet. Our provided training sessions, therefore introduce proper ball-handling basics and techniques through a series of age-appropriate activities that advance progressively. GESC players will be asked to use all parts and both of their feet to handle the ball.

By focusing on mastering the basics, GESC players will hopefully develop a confident first touch on the ball and progress to more advanced techniques as they get older. With a strong fundamental foundation, players will improve their chances of becoming excellent decision-makers with the ball and learn how to maintain poise when under pressure.

Focus on Creativity

GESC also believes in the huge benefits that come with playing in a semi-informal and unstructured play format, as they do in Central and South America, in Europe, and in other parts of the world. By introducing "street soccer" to our recreational soccer players, this format will keep the games fresh, competitive, and engaging for the players, and provide flexibility for families if they can't make every week. By breaking the overly structured model, players will have the opportunity to match up with players whose abilities technically and/or physically mirror their own, and at times, be matched up with players that are above their level.

Unlike traditional weekend games where players are assigned to a specific team, our staff will have the ability to manipulate the street soccer games to put players in different realistic situations, where they will have to rely on their individual technical skills, decision making, and creativity in order to make an impact. This type of environment is not only fun and very beneficial developmentally, but it will also be used for player identification purposes. The intention with the street soccer days is to allow the players to learn from the game. We want to see players solve problems, make decisions, and learn from making mistakes all with minimal coaching.

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