Ages
1st & 2nd Grade

Purpose
Our U8 league is a continuation of our Pre-K/K U6 program, but with additional skill development on the basics of the game of soccer.  These sessions provide an age level-appropriate combination of clinic-style training and small-sided games. Sessions typically start the week of Labor Day. The program will focus on individual skills, developing a level of comfort with the ball and beginning to teach the concept of team play. 

Coaches
These sessions are facilitated by a professional trainer from Raise Your Level Soccer and Assumption University, with the assistance of parent volunteer coaches. Parents are encouraged to help out and coach. All parents that want to assist must be CORI checked through RYS, even if you have been CORI’d elsewhere.

Practice Format
Each practice will follow a clinic format, where the Coach will demonstrate new skills and games for the volunteers to implement with their teams. The Coach will circulate through the teams assisting the volunteers in working with the players. Kids are split up into 7 or 8 teams prior to the start of the season, and play with the same team for the entirety of the season. Teams may utilize small sided games by themselves, as well as scrimmages against another team towards the end of the session. The sessions provide players with an enjoyable and challenging opportunity to advance their soccer ability in a team format. To help prepare our kids for the travel level (U10 and up), teams will no longer be coed, beginning in the fall 2019.

Practice Days, Times & Locations
Monday/Wednesday from 5:15pm to 6:30 pm at the Community Center
Tuesday/Thursday from 5:15pm to 6:30 pm at the Community Center

Games
Sunday morning at CTMS Upper or Community Center School Fields.  Times TBD.


Equipment
Players should wear cleats, shin guards and provided RYS jerseys. RYS will provide size 3 soccer balls at the field, but players can bring their own ball if preferred.