Coastal Kicks Soccer sessions are age appropriate and led by trained and certified adult soccer coaches and trainers.  Programs are organized into age groups to maximize player development, safety & fun!     

MINNOWS PROGRAM - AGES 3-4  
Children learn basic soccer skills, develop greater motor coordination, agility and learn through play. Every child has a ball to maximize touches and time on the ball. Soccer is adapted to fun kids games like Red Light Green Light, Sharks & Minnows, Simon says & more.

Minnows Program Philosophy
The Coastal Kicks Soccer (CKS) Minnows Program is designed for our youngest players – three and four year olds -- to build their love affair with the soccer ball through productive age-appropriate physical activities. It is based on a large body of research on education, child development, and play, and years of refining by Coastal Kicks.

The program is NOT specifically designed to teach kids how to play competitive soccer at this young age. Rather, all activities use fun games to build agility, balance, and coordination skills using a soccer ball. Through these games, players will begin to develop the ability to control and strike the ball, which will form the foundation of their soccer skills. 

The CKS Minnows Program approach contains the following critical elements –

• Age-Appropriate:  Three to four year olds are very self-centered; they don't share well and prefer "parallel" play (playing alongside each other), rather than "cooperative" play (working together to accomplish a goal) or "competitive" play (games involving defending). 
• Parent Involvement: Parental involvement is essential at this age. At the beginning, all parents are included in some games to get the kids comfortable in the group setting. Beyond that, it is important that parents ensure that their child is engaged with the group activities. Some children in this age group may need to have their parent with them on the field in order for them to participate, even holding their child and participating like a player to show their player how it’s done. A gradual reduction of parental involvement is a natural progression over weeks, if not forced.
• Time Management: Each session is limited to 45 minutes in length, due to limited attention spans at this age group. Frequent water breaks are taken OFF the field with a parent, and parents are asked not to let their child return to the field until the coach asks them to. If a child loses interest before the end, it is better to take them home, than to force them to continue.
• Creativity/Problem Solving: Games are designed to give the kids a task, without telling them exactly how to do it.  We like to let them decide, struggle, and come up with their own solutions. And however they solve the challenge is great, there are no absolute “right” ways. If you give younger children enough time and space to take risks and fail, they will figure it out. The youngest kids will need some suggestions to kick-start their creativity.
• One ball per player: Remember, they are not great with sharing yet, and we want them to get possessive of their ball. So each player has their own ball, and there are no games that involve defending/stealing balls. The balls we use are small enough that they can place one of their feet on top of the ball with their sole AND maintain their balance (we use a Size #2 soccer or "skills" ball, and parents should get them also to use at home).
• Agility, Balance, and Coordination with a Ball: We don't try to teach them how to play the game of soccer at this age. There's plenty of time for that. We let them play, have fun, and learn to love playing games with a ball. Without knowing it, they will improve their agility, balance, and coordination, which are key elements to successful athletics of all varieties.
• Focus on Controlling the Ball and Striking the Ball: Each week, we play a variety of games that emphasize either controlling the ball with their feet or striking the ball. Through repetition, players begin to develop these core skills that form the foundation for playing soccer successfully when they get older. 
• Using All Body Parts: At the youngest ages, players use other body parts to play with the ball, even their hands. Because they live in America, they will always default to using their hands to play ball because most of the sports/play activities they see do that. Using different body parts still increases their agility, balance, and coordination, and they will have more fun if they are not told “no”!

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM - AGES 5-12
Dolphins - Players work on ball control, dribbling, passing and shooting with fun activities & small-sided games. Focus on individual player development. 
Games are 4v4
Marlins -  Continuation of 5's with more specific skill sets of ball control, dribbling, passing and shooting activities & small-sided games. Focus on individual player development. Games are 4v4 & 5v5
Barracudas -Further development of individual technical skills & an introduction to team concepts and tactics. Age progression from individual player to understanding as a team player.  Games are 5V5
Sharks - Players are trained on technical skills in the areas of ball control, dribbling, passing and receiving, tackling, shooting, heading and ball manipulation. Players are also introduced to tactical and combination play. Sessions are available to both team and individual training. Games are 7v7 or 9v9

PROGRAMS FOR OLDER PLAYERS with INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP TRAINING SESSIONS
U13 - U15 year olds - In addition to technical skills training players focus on tactical awareness, overall fitness, and principles of attack and defense. Players gain greater ball control skills, individual skill and an overall understanding of the game. Sessions are available to both team and individual training.
U16 - U18 year olds - Designed for the serious player looking to reach their potential and play at the highest level. Players are taught the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological aspects of the game to help foster the 'total' player.  Player strengths and weaknesses are identified and addressed.  Emphasis is placed on 1 v 1 individual skill in both the attack and defense as well as 2 v 2 and 3 v 3 tactical situations.  In addition, unbalanced 3 v 2 and 4 v 2 scenarios are worked on in the attack as well as defense.  Sessions are available to both team and individual training.

* Coastal Kicks Soccer utilizes the 5 v 5 system of play for sessions with small groups or teams with the intent of training players for the 11 v 11 match. Our objective is to identify talented players in the area and provide them the highest level training.

COMPETITIVE PROGRAM U8-U17
The Coastal Kicks Soccer competitive program is designed for competitive and advanced level players, between U8 and U18, who demonstrate the desire and ability to learn and play soccer at the next level. This competitive program is designed to develop each individual player to their fullest potential while at the same time inspiring responsibility and commitment to a team.

At Coastal Kicks - United Soccer Alliance we pride ourselves in creating and nurturing technically gifted players. We are committed to teaching valuable life lessons, helping all players become the best people they can become through the principles of sport.

CKS offers two divisions to its competitive program.
U8 Developmental Program - acts as a competitive transition program for U8 players working towards playing competitive and travel soccer. Players in the developmental program will play both in-house games as well as games, festivals with area clubs such as Clay County, Prime Sports, CH4, .... U8 Developmental program also receives additional futsal and technical training in addition to standard team training.

U9-U18 Competitive - CKS comp teams play in the EDP North Florida competitive league, a FYSA affiliate in Local, Metro and Regional Divisions. In addition to competing in the EDP league each team will attend a minimum of one tournament per fall and spring season.

What is the training schedule for Competitive / Travel Teams?
Coastal Kicks Soccer Competitive teams train twice a week with supplemental goalkeeper, skills and futsal training. Teams train August - May with a winter break in late November and limited winter training before full time training begins again in February.
* All Competitive Teams will participate in pre-season team camps last week of July or First week of August 
* All teams compete in at least one tournament in fall & spring
* Supplemental Futsal, Goalkeeping and Skills Training in addition to regular team training
* Professional Club Coaches
* Proper balance between training & games
* Limited travel with younger teams
* Lower cost and Scholarships available!