U6-U8 Grassroots Program
Grassroots Program
The new Bay Oaks Grassroots Program is for U6-U8 players looking for even more high level soccer. This is the perfect program for kids who are currently chomping at the bit and for those ready to prepare for our U9 Competitive Bay Oaks play down the road. Bay Oaks Grassroots is ideal for many kids, including those who already enjoy the Jr Academies.
Based on our believe that the more one does something, the more one improves, we are adding more opportunities for our youngest players to play and train. We are also providing a higher level of training and competition.
The Bay Oaks Grassroots program is a parent-choice program without tryouts, open to all U6-U8 kids who really want to play more.
We expect more U8 players, but if your U6 player is up for it, that's great!
The Bay Oaks Grassroots players must be born after 8/1/2006.
Overview
Specially designed EBU Bay Oaks Grassroots Uniform.
Trainings are 2 days a week with professional staff coaches. (Mon. and most likely Fri.)
6 Month Program (mid-March to mid-June and mid-August to mid-November)
Fast Footskills and Enhanced Motor Skills components.
Special guest coaches.
Games on Saturdays with consistent late afternoon times for schedule convenience.
Special periodic Play Dates with other clubs.
Optional Sunday Street Soccer with U9 boys and girls. (Free)
Year starts in Spring.
Optional Summer Camps (Special Two-weeks-for-the-Price-of-One-Week)
What does the program cost
Fees are $575/year plus uniform cost.
How do I register
Use this link to register: http://www.sportability.com/spx/Leagues/League.asp?LgID=22791
Where are the games?
The spring games will be at Raimondi Park in Oakland. The fall games will be at Bushrod Park in Oakland.
When and where will the training sessions be held?
The spring training sessions will be at Raimondi. Mondays and most likely Fridays, 4:15-5:45pm. The fall training sessions will be at either Bushrod or Raimondi.
What does the game day look like?
No change to the U8 4 v 4 set-up or rules, with an added layer of scheduling consistency with all games in the last afternoon slot each week.
This allows for the players to also play with their rec teams (if they want), easier scheduling for other family needs because the games are at the same time each Saturday, and better opponent flexibility for our special play dates.
Can my child still play with their rec team in the spring?
Yes, Grassroots players can also play with their Recreational team in the spring.
Who are the coaches?
The lead coaches for the program are Momi Assayag (with over 15 years experience coaching in the club), and Director of U6-U8 Programs Mark Grody, (over 12 years in the club). Our professional staff coaches all have tons of experience coaching this age group. Also, we will utilize players from our Jr Coaching Program as well as experienced parent coaches wishing to develop.
What will the training sessions look like?
Curriculum based, we use modern best practices including tons of ball touches, fun exercises and teaching games, and small sided games at the end of every practice. Throw in the warm-up with enhanced motor skills component and there you go! We plan to have players train together in distinct groups for blocks of time with the same coaches. Then we will adjust those groups from time to time based on many factors, such as classmates, siblings, rapport with coach etc.
What are enhanced motor skills?
This is the running, jumping, rolling, etc that the modern kid seems to do less of than we did as kids. This component of our program is scientifically based on the work done by the leading developers of talent in Italy's Serie A (the highest professional league in Italy). Being able to move one’s body more consistently and more efficiently at an early age provides for a strong motor skills base (good for all sports and just moving around in the world). For example, the growth spurts that throw everybody off are more quickly navigated with a stronger initial sense of one’s body in time/space. These segments of training are some of the most fun because the players get to use cones and gates and hoops while running and spinning etc.
I'm worried that it might be too competitive too soon. Is this the case?
We don't think so. We still play 4 v 4, which allows for more chances to touch the ball and make decisions. We still mandate that everybody plays. We still don't keep score. We still don't keep league tables. We still don't have refs. We are only adding a few local drives for play dates a year. “Too competitive” is subjective, but usually relates to focusing on game day scores and winning at all costs, rather than focusing on player development. Playing against and training with better players makes it more competitive in a good way, testing the players and allowing for quicker growth in a challenging and nurturing environment.
What's the benefit of optional 4v4 Sunday Street Soccer?
We want to provide a safe place for the players to just come PLAY! NO COACHING. NO FEAR. NO WORRY. Just an outlet for creative soccer and club building. Mixing ages and genders allows for new experiences on the field. For the older players, it allows for more leadership roles to develop. For the younger players, it allows them to see what the next level looks like. For the girls and boys, it allows for them to play against a wider group of players and personalities. It is the perfect compliment to focused skill training. We provide it as an option, so that it won't feel like a chore. Just show up and play like a pick up basketball game. Come late, leave early, or never miss a minute.
What are Play Dates?
These are special inter-club game days. It's a nice change of pace and it also provides nice competition. We will participate in up to six a year. Traveling a little to about three a year is an exciting primer for future U9s and adds a little excitement to the year.
“Playing Up”?
This is a term to describe players that play in an older age group than they would normally.
Any U6 player that can handle it (physically, emotionally) is welcome to join the Bay Oaks Grassroots Program. Just take extra care in the decision to try.
Most U8 players are not ready for the jump to U9, even when they are very good. A huge difference at U9 is that the teams now play 8 versus 8. Not only does that mean fewer ball touches for each player, it also is a big cognitive jump in terms of positioning and decision making with and without the ball. U9 also keeps score, has league tables, and requires more travel. All of which are fine, but there is usually no need to jump into it when one can enjoy the benefits of playing another year at U8.
