GFSC Recreational Soccer Programs

These programs are designed to introduce younger children to the basics of soccer in a fun, non-competitive environment.  The goal is to develop the foundation for a life-long love of the game.  With children of this age, team sizes, as well as the number of players on the field at one time during the games are intentionally kept small.  This ensures that the teams are manageable, that each child gets plenty of individualized attention during practice, and that they all get lots of “game time” to put into action what they learned in practice.

Each week, the players will practice for 30-45 minutes and play a scrimmage for the remaining time.  The games are typically 3 vs. 3 in U6 and 4 vs. 4 in U8.  We intend to minimize the number of players on the field during the game to allow more touches of the ball per player and provide players a better chance to get involved when they are on the field.

U4 soccer is designed as an introduction to soccer through dynamic and exciting games. Each session focuses on developing movement and coordination skills.  Good sportsmanship and confidence.  Ratios of coaches to players are kept small to provide individual attention and encourage players to experiment with the skills and activities experienced in each session.  The program is based on introducing the fundamentals of the game while creating an enjoyment for the game that keeps them wanting more!

GFSC uses a child's Birth Year as the basis of age group assignment.  This is in accordance with US Youth Soccer guidelines.

During the Saturday sessions, kids in the U6 and U4 groups may be further separated by age and skill sets to ensure an optimal experience for the kids.

U6 and U8 sessions are facilitated by a professional trainer with assistance provided by parent volunteers. There are no team assignments and children are separated by age and skill on a weekly basis.

U4 will meet each week at Barley Sheaf Elementary School on Saturday mornings for 45 minutes.  Each session is facilitated by a professional trainer with assistance provided by parent volunteers.  There are no team assignments and children are separated by age and skill.  The first day each child will receive a t-shirt and will be encouraged to wear it each week.

Cancellations are generally made the day of practice.  In general, the sessions will continue provided the fields are not washed out and/or there is no precipitation.  All cancellations will be communicated via email to the email address provided when registering your child.  Please ensure you complete your registration accurately.  We often receive the wrong contact information or birthdate during this phase.

On the first day, U4-U8 players will receive a pinnie that should be worn each week.  Players are also required to wear shin guards at all times.  Players can either wear soccer cleats or sneakers.  If cleats are worn they must be soccer cleats.  Please ensure the cleats are plastic (not metal) and that there is no cleat on the toe as that could injure other players.  Lastly, there is no requirement for color coordinated shorts or pants.  Please just have your child wear whatever is comfortable and weather appropriate.

The referee work is done jointly by the coaches of the two teams.  At this level of game play, the coaches are usually on the field with the players during the game.  Together they decide if a ball went out of bounds, who touched it last, etc.   Since there is no official score kept, this is a low-stress activity.

Erin Henitz, Director of Recreation

Email: erinhenitz@gmail.com