Levels of Play: Recreational Soccer
Recreational Soccer, or REC Soccer is our entry level into the beautiful game. REC Soccer has a heavy emphasis on the teaching and learning of the fundamentals of soccer, all while having fun! We have age divisions all the way from U4, up to U11/12 for the Fall 2021 season. All teams practice at Hemby Bridge Elementary. Some once a week (U6) and some twice (U7 and up). All Rec Soccer Players U7 and up compete in the Union County Youth Soccer League. Teams typically play 6-8 games a season (weather depending) with an end of season tournament held at Optimist Park, Weddington.
Our In-House Teams (U6) , will receive a participation trophy at the conclusion of the season.
U6 COED
This League is geared towards players 4 & 5 years of age There are teams & games at this level. These players are placed on teams and they will practice once a week with their team & coach. The games are played at Hemby Bridge Elementary Soccer Fields on Saturday mornings during the season. The teams will play against other PRAA teams. They will play 5v5 with no goalies. The approach here is to develop foot skills: Dribble with all sides of both feet, Dribble out of trouble, Dribble past someone, Soft first touch, proper passing skills and spacing. This will allow them to make a seamless transition to our next League, U7-COED.
U7-COED/U8-GIRLS/BOYS
This League is designed for 6-7 years old players who enjoy playing and want to improve their skills and experience. At this stage we emphasize striking the ball properly, Positions, Rules of Game, Spacing, Shooting, Dribbling, Body Movement, Field Vision, Eye-foot coordination and Goalkeeping. By end of U8 players should capable of Dribbling skills including, Dribble with all sides of both feet, Dribble out of trouble, Dribble past someone, Stopping and running with the ball at speed, Shield the ball with body from other players, Demonstrate a soft first touch (including trapping), Demonstrate basics of proper shooting technique, Demonstrate basics of proper passing with reasonable accuracy at 8-12 yards, Very basic tactical skills such as, Maintaining position but moving with play (not chasing the ball everywhere it goes), Moving forward and spreading out when attacking, Retreating and become more compact when defending, Basic quick, coordinated movements with and without the ball. This allows the players to make a seamless transition to our next League, if the parent and player so chooses. Teams practice twice a week and play games on the weekend, typically with 8 games in a season.
U9 - U15 GIRLS/BOYS
This is designed for players who want to continue playing recreational soccer without the commitment to a full year round. These divisions will practice twice a week with their coaches and teams and play in the Union County Soccer League. We will still emphasize the basics as there is still learning and coaching that must be done. Teams at 9U Start with 8v8 including a goalkeeper but progress to bigger numbers on the field as the teams get older. The players now move into gaining a more rounded understanding of the game. Positional awareness, vision and decision making becomes the focus of instruction. Players tend to find 'their position' at this age.