We have been a proud partner of the Los Angeles Soccer Academy since 2011 and wanted to share a few exciting new clinics that they are offering. These highly specialized clinics are for 8-12 year old kids.
(Guest post from Alvarez Ricardez, Club President, Los Angeles Soccer Academy)
This is open to all members and non-members of LASA, so bring a few friends out, no RSVP required!
We’ve added a few more clinics to our schedule (including an all girls program) to give you several options for Elite Feet, Striking/Finishing and Goalkeeping options. Please check out our new days and times here:
Elite Feet
This is a challenging skills clinic for players of all ages and is open to both members and non-members of LASA. No RSVP is needed, just come on out ready to work hard and have fun! The fee for this clinic is $10, please bring cash and pay the coach before the clinic begins.
Schedule:
Boys Ages 8-12: Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm with coach Alex
Girls Ages 8-12: Fridays 4:30-5:30pm with coach Jesse
Clinics are held at Cheviot Hills park. Coaches will focus on the following technical areas of development:
Ball-Control (fakes, feints, moves)
Dribbling (change of pace and direction)
1v1 (creativity, confidence, composure)
Striking/Finishing
This is a challenging striking and finishing clinic for players of all ages and is open to both members and non-members of LASA. No RSVP is needed, just come on out ready to work hard and have fun! The fee for this clinic is $10, please bring cash and pay the coach before the session begins.
Schedule:
Co-ed Ages 8-12: Fridays 5:30-6:30pm with coach Michael
Clinics are held at Cheviot Hills park. The finer technical points of striking and finishing the ball will be emphasized. An excellent clinic for forwards and midfielders.
Striking and Finishing (finesse, accuracy, approach)
Goalkeeping
This is a challenging goalkeeping clinic for players between 8-12 years old, and is open to both members and non-members of LASA. No RSVP is needed, just come on out ready to work hard and have fun! The fee for this clinic is $10, please bring cash and pay the coach before the session begins.
Schedule:
1st and 3rd Friday of every month 4:30-5:30pm: Open to all LASA and non-LASA players $10.
2nd and 4th Friday of every month 4:30-5:30pm: Registered LASA club goal keepers only (FREE).
Clinics are held at Cheviot Hills park with coach James. The finer technical points of goalkeeping will be emphasized.
How to correctly use your feet, body and hands
Approaching every attacking situation, from 1v1 to set pieces
Diving and saves from every angle
Ball Distribution
Soccer Shots is proud to partner with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and its Soccer For Success program, an after-school program that aims to fight childhood obesity and provide positive social benefits. Check out this video from a Soccer For Success event in Los Angeles last month, which two Soccer Shots Co-Founders (Jason Webb and Justin Bredeman) were able to attend.
“It’s about building the whole child. Soccer is just the hook.”
-Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
(Guest post from Coach Alia at Soccer Shots Los Angeles)
Encouragement is the gift that every child should receive. Although this statement seems obvious, encouragement really does make a difference in a child’s life.
I was coaching at Life House Preschool and about two sessions into the program a new child enrolled in my class and I was absolutely thrilled! The kid who was new to the class seemed apprehensive about playing soccer however he came along and attempted to play in all the games. About midway into the session I noticed that he was crying and I went over to him to see what was wrong. He informed me that he was sad because he did not think his mom would pick him up after lunch. I informed him that he had nothing to worry about because he would see his mom soon.
During this situation I saw more than the need for his mother, I also saw a kid who was easily upset and scared. I could easily relate to this child because when I was younger I was very much like him. I was very shy and was often afraid to talk to other people so I was quiet and kept to myself. What really helped me when I was younger was to have somebody encourage me and let me know I was doing a good job in whatever I was doing.
I knew that this child needed encouragement.
What made the situation even more perfect was the fact that the word of the week was encouragement! During the session I explained what encouragement was and had all the kids cheer for one another throughout the session. At the end of the session I also had everyone clap for this kid to show him that he did an amazing job that day at soccer.
During the following week to my surprise this kid did not cry at all!
Instead he was laughing and having a great time throughout the whole class.
I was very excited about this because I know that the other kid’s encouraging words made a difference in this child’s life. It doesn’t take much to encourage a child but it can make an enormous impact on their life in a positive manner. Each and every day, no matter how small it is, encourage a child. It may seem trivial however it can make giant impact in a child’s life.
On November 2, 2011, Soccer Shots and its nonprofit arm, Global Goals, got to officially convert their fundraising efforts to real, live, positive impact. Soccer Shots franchisees nationwide raised money through Global Goals over the past year in order to install a SportCourt – a multi-use athletic court – on the asphalt grounds of Avon Avenue Elementary School in Newark, NJ (see Jason Webb’s recent post with more information on the installation and the impact it will have on the school and community).
Check out our video HERE of Jason Webb, Soccer Shots Partner and Co-Founder, speaking to Dominique Lee, Founder & Executive Director of Avon Avenue Elementary School, about the exciting news!
(Guest post from Nicole Cody, Owner, Soccer Shots of Greater St. Charles)
Our oldest son, Micah, has played team sports since he was 4 (he is almost 8 now). He started with soccer, and added basketball about a year ago. Over the last four years, I have spent many (many) hours as the model soccer mom, on the sidelines cheering him on…
“Micah, please pay attention to the game and stop hanging like Spiderman in the net.”
“Son, you should apologize to him for that slide tackle.”
“Honey, it’s OK to pass the ball to your teammate once in awhile.”
“You. Are. On. The. SAME. TEAM!!!!!!!”
“Goooooooooaaaaaaaaallllllllllllll!” (which, one week, was quickly followed by “is it really necessary to celebrate your goal by pretending to make a snow angel in the middle of the field????”)
This past weekend, he played in his first basketball game of the season, and my view from the sideline allowed me to see – and appreciate – the difference that a really, really, really good coach can make.
Micah was placed on a recreational co-ed basketball team with Coach Julio. I’ve seen a lot of coaches over the last four years, but I have not experienced a coach like Coach Julio. I knew he was special at the first practice, when he said, “I’m going to be loud, but you’ll hear me being loud to encourage and teach the kids.” True story – he is loud but encouraging… Maybe one of the most encouraging coaches I’ve ever seen. He has been able to connect with my son in a way that not many other coaches have before… he is a very patient teacher with a rowdy group of second-grade boys. During this game, I found myself paying more attention to how consumed he was at making sure the boys were having fun and learning. The ref called everything – traveling, double dribble, you name it – and I’m pretty sure there were four baskets scored during the entire (hour-long) game. No one kept score (that I could tell), not even the coach or the players, and for my ultra-competitive little guy, that was a miracle in and of itself. And even though the whistle kept blowing, Coach Julio never lost his patience and never stopped encouraging the boys. He clapped, he cheered, and he gave high fives like they were going out of style.
He consistently and repeatedly communicated with my son in a way that he could understand and connect with. He was constantly getting to Micah’s level – making eye contact and showing that he was engaged and in it with them.
He knew all their names… even after only a couple hours with them. And then, today, when I checked my email, Coach Julio had taken headshots of each of the boys and made a poster with their picture and name so that they could all learn and remember their teammates’ names.
Did I mention that Coach Julio is a volunteer coach?
As a Soccer Shots owner, this experience struck me because at Soccer Shots, coaches are really important.
We look for people who will not only be dependable and patient, but will (more importantly) be encouraging with the children who play with us. We look for coaches who are able to make Soccer Shots the best 30 minutes of a child’s week. We hire coaches who believe that it’s more than just soccer – coaches who truly believe that they have the ability to leave a lasting impact on the youth that we serve through the game of soccer. We hire coaches who not only understand that this is the foundation of our program, but who also take their responsibilities as a role model to tiny, amazing little people very seriously.
To be honest, it’s not easy to find these types of coaches. It’s tempting to “settle” when faced with a very full schedule, a fast-approaching season, and a shortage of talented instructors.
As a parent, it is this kind of experience that I imagined for my child when I signed him up for sports in the first place. And it’s the kind of experience that only a really, really, really good coach can provide. Maybe he’ll stick with basketball… or soccer… or maybe he won’t. But either way, I guarantee that he will remember Coach Julio and think of him with a smile.
(Guest post from Coach Adam at Soccer Shots Los Angeles)
In one of the many adventures that I have participated in, this story shows the power soccer has in uniting strangers from completely different walks of life.
Back in 2008, I was very fortunate to travel to South America for six months.
Everywhere I went, literally everywhere, there were soccer fields that seemed to sprout up from grass, concrete, and half finished buildings whose various levels seemed to defy architectural logic. Soon, it became quite apparent how important the game is to our neighbors to the south.
Kids begin the game at such a young age, and play with such ease; it is no wonder why the continent holds 9 World cup titles, with five coming from Brazil alone!
As a soccer lover, I felt right at home. Of the four countries I visited, (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia) each of their citizens welcomed me in similar yet different fashions. But one trend that maintained consistent was their eagerness to drop everything and include me in the many games that I played with local adults and children. All that I needed to say was donde esta la partida? Translating in English to where is the game? If there was a ball and any sort of makeshift goal, a game would begin in the time it took to get two sides together.
My most memorable experience by far, was the trip I took to the DEEP coastal jungle of Ecuador. By boat, (and I mean a canoe with a motor) the village of San Miguel is a five hour ride from a river outpost in the middle of the jungle, which is a four hour bus ride from a major city. Hopefully that paints a picture as to how remote this place was. Upon arriving, we disembarked with our backpacks to a village whose residents are of African descent.
Stepping onto shore, it was both heartwarming and sad that these people completely welcomed us without any question to their humble village. Heartwarming because it showed the human capacity for goodness and humility and sad because I questioned if these gracious people would be embraced in the same fashion back home.
For five days we lived amongst the great people of San Miguel. They had little to no money and sustained themselves through bartering with different villages that dotted the sides of the river. We celebrated Easter with them, (which was a mix of African and Catholic tradition) we ate with them, danced with them, and of course, played soccer with them.
After one of the older teenagers approached me in what appeared to be a combative stance, I thought I might need to talk my way out of a pickle.
But instead he asks in English, “are you English”? “No”, I said. “I am actually American. “ Soon we got lost in language translation. So I fell back on my customary “Tienes una pelota? Donde esta la partida? He replied, “eres un jugador?” (You are a player?) Si, por supuesto. (Yes of course.)
From the time I spoke those words to the time we were playing was no more than five minutes. Soon, all the older kids in the village had joined us and we began our intense game of soccer, San Miguel style.
Soccer, San Miguel style consists of playing on a cement field complete with bits of glass and shards of broken concrete. Oh, and some of the kids play barefoot! Soon the kids are bleeding profusely while we play with a ball no bigger than a large softball.
So here I am playing in a steamy jungle, with kids who are playing barefoot on concrete, and running circles around me.
This was quite humbling for me as I claim a pretty good mastery of the game. We continued this as a daily ritual for the short time we were there. And while language was at times an obstacle, the game of soccer helped level that obstacle if even for 30 minutes.
I wanted to share this story because sports, especially soccer can act as a unifying force. In my case it brought together groups of people whose lives couldn’t have been any more different. We see this every four years during the World Cup. There is always one country participating who is suffering from some form of civil strife. Yet whatever is happening in that country at the time, there is always unification around their team and their fellow countrymen. Even for just a month, people can put aside their differences and embrace a similar and powerful cause.
If soccer can help unite a country, think of the impact it can have on the youth around the world. We need to harness the positive power of the world’s greatest game and expose it to as many kids as possible. In the process, we might just end up saving the world.
We are extremely pleased to announce that Paul is now the West San Fernando Valley Director! For the past two years Paul has coached and managed the Soccer Shots program in the San Fernando Valley at an extremely high level. He truly represents the absolute best of what Soccer Shots is all about. Kids, parents and the staff at our schools all love Coach Paul!
Check out Coach Paul in action as he leads a group of 30+ kids with creativity and imagination! The kids have a blast using their giant bucket of water (soccer ball) to put out the fires (cones) as they fly (dribble) around the field in their helicopters!
Paul brings 25 years of experience working with children in sports and recreation for organizations including non-profit organizations, public schools and with the Disney Company. Additionally, he also operates a robust children’s party entertainment company with his wife. During Paul’s career his certifications have included youth sports coach and personal trainer and his lifetime of experience coaching youth soccer for preschoolers and older children began in 1986!
After the birth of his second son five years ago and following the acquisition of two additional party companies, Paul resigned from his role as an Executive Director with the YMCA to spend more time with family and with the family businesses. With his youngest son beginning kindergarten he took on a part time management role as Coordinator of the Topanga youth sports program in 2009 involving 200 children ages 3 to 13 in various sports including a rapidly growing soccer program in which he continues to coach several teams each season.
With a diverse and enriching body of experience well suited to coaching and working with young children, Paul began coaching for Soccer Shots at the beginning of 2010. His experience with sports and working with children has been a great match!
Parents are constantly asking us to refer a soccer program as a “next step” for their child beyond Soccer Shots. These parents believe in our philosophy of offering a non-competitive, high energy, fun, age-appropriate introduction to the wonderful game of soccer and trust our experience and values. There are typically two reasons that parents ask us for our recommendation:
1) Their child is graduating from preschool where Soccer Shots is being offered and they want their child to continue with soccer OR
2) They are a fan of our program but their child is too old for our program which primarily serves 3-5 year olds.
Because of this we have been seeking a partnership with a local soccer academy that matches our philosophy. I am pleased to say that we have found the right match. “The Los Angeles Soccer Academy believes in technical development over the current trend of winning-at-all-cost found in many youth programs. We are dedicated to reversing the kick-and-run approach used to attract families and generate revenue at the sacrifice of player development… These are the years we want our children to play with confidence and control…”
In addition to the LASA programs for U6 and up, Soccer Shots will now be offering our program at the Los Angeles Soccer Academy by offering the 3-6 year old program.
The following is an excerpt from losangelessoccer.org:
At most youth clubs, if a child does not make the team he is left with only recreational options such as AYSO. At LASA we don’t marginalize children who are not ready for the club level. We place them into our academy program so they can train alongside our club team and develop the skills needed to eventually reach their goals. Each player has an opportunity to play on one of our club teams when ready, or play in our academy to attain the skills needed to reach the competitive level. We also start our services at 3 years-old, to give every child a head start through our affiliate program, Soccer Shots. We firmly believe when you nurture the love for the game first at this early age, the skills will follow.
We are dedicated to development over winning-at-all-cost. We are a possession-minded academy and club. We do not subscribe to the kick-and-run game played in many youth leagues across the US and England. We combine the possession principles of Spain, the 4v4 foundations of Holland, the flair and creativity of Brazil, and the determination, hustle and pride of US soccer.
In addition to developing individual skills, our USSF licensed coaches also teach principals of shape, teamwork, attack, vision, penetration, support, mobility, width, improvisation, pressure, cover, balance, delay, compactness, restraint and the counter-attack. At the end of every practice we incorporate match free-play to insure we allow the game to teach our players. All of our practices are founded on simple soccer, played smart.
Soccer Shots (Ages 3-6)
This is an exciting introduction to soccer for 3, 4, 5 and 6 year-olds, with a focus on nurturing a creative environment through engaging and fun practices. Our partners, SOCCER SHOTS will provide all the fun, in keeping with the LASA Mission Statement and Philosophy. Graduates from the Soccer Shots program can then advance into our U6-U8 program with confidence and a developed set of skills. This program runs one day a week. Practices are held on LASA fields alongside our other programs. To register for Soccer Shots, click on your age group here: 3-4 Year Olds | 5-6 Year Olds
U6-U8 Academy
This is the second stage of development for ages 6, 7 & 8. This is for players who have shown progress at the recreational level (AYSO) or at an introductory program such as SOCCER SHOTS. This is a fun but challenging training program to help younger players realize their potential and help them develop the skills needed to reach the club level. All players will be taught through guided discovery by NSCAA and USSF licensed coaches. Our focus in this age group will be on dribbling, control, creativity, confidence and fun! This is also an excellent supplement for club or AYSO players looking to add additional technical development into to their season. This program runs two days a week.
U9, U10, U11, U12 Academy
Academy players in U9-U12 train alongside our club teams of the same age groups. This is an excellent opportunity for players to bridge the gap between AYSO and competitive club-level soccer. Our goal is to help players develop and integrate into our club system. This is the first step on that journey. To join one of our club teams instead, please contact coach Alveraz for try-out opportunities and details: info@losangelessoccer.org.
At Soccer Shots, it is part of our mission to impact youth in a positive way, but there are times when the depth of that impact is more profound than we could have hoped for. The following is a letter from a parent of Soccer Shots participants. We have changed only the names to protect the family’s anonymity but the rest is a copy/pasted letter that we wanted to share. Let it be a reminder to all who work with children that the time we spend (even if it’s only 40 minutes, one day a week) can be deeply meaningful.
Dear Coach Matt,
I wanted to take the time to write you an email, to thank you for all you do in running the Soccer Shots Program. Both of my boys, Jason, now 4, and Phil, age 3, have benefited from this program in more ways than you know. That is why I am writing you, to give a first-hand account on how your program is serving others.
To many families, signing up their child(ren) may be on a long list of to-dos, a part of “growing up”…a milestone. For my family, it was a way to bring joy to a life that was hanging on by a thread.
When I initially signed Jason up in the Fall of 2009, it was out of my strong desire to engage him in an activity that was positive and promoted teamwork, self-confidence, and encouragement. You wouldn’t have known this, but it was a very difficult time for the boys and me. At the time, we were living in a home with an active drug and alcohol addict–my husband (and their father.) As you can imagine, this made it very difficult to have a “normal” life and marriage, as life with an addict is very far from that. I was also praying that the soccer program would bring a positive male influence into my son’s life, even if it was only once a week.
Last Spring, you were one of those people. I appreciated your commitment to Jason, especially when you engaged him back “into” the activity and really worked with him, encouraging him to have fun and participate. Your effort was to be commended. You always gave him special attention, and he still talks about playing soccer, and his coach was “Coach Matt.”
This season, Phil was old enough to start the program. He has had Coach Brad, and again, what a wonderful experience it has been. Brad is just wonderful with the kids, and I have tried to thank him on several occasions, knowing that he really has no idea just HOW thankful I am. One particular moment sticks out.
Early in the season, Coach Brad called Phil, “Phil the Thrill” and the name stuck with him. I know to Brad, it may have been an off-hand comment, but to Phil, it meant the world. After all, his coach gave him a special name!
At night, when I tuck him in, sometimes he waits for me to say, “I love you–Phil the Thrill–my little soccer man!” As a teacher, I have served so many families, and have had the pleasure of knowing their stories and sharing in their lives. I really feel God has gifted me in this way of serving others. Please know that I feel you have this gift, too, and THANK YOU for bringing together such an amazing team of people to do this work.
I think those of us in service positions don’t realize the magnitude of the work we’re doing at times, the lives we can be touching and not even know it, even through the game of soccer. The way we react to a child; an encouraging word, a happy disposition, a hug or high-five, even an off-hand “nickname” can go a long way in the life of a child. So today, I want you to know how much you and Brad have meant to my boys, and for that I am forever grateful.
Melissa
We hope this parent knows how much letters like this mean to everyone in Soccer Shots. This is why we do what we do.
Soccer Shots is a leader in youth soccer development for children ages 3-5 & 6-8.
Offered at preschools, daycare centers, and parks, our nationally recognized non-competitive skills program offers a high energy, fun, age-appropriate introduction to the wonderful game of soccer.
Soccer Shots is owned and directed by Rian Heim and his wife Alyssa. Their passion for soccer and working with youth was their motivation for bringing Soccer Shots to Los Angeles. 2011 marks the fourth year that Rian and Alyssa have been running Soccer Shots here in Los Angeles. Together they make every effort to deliver a solid program that children, parents, and schools will benefit from and enjoy. They currently live in Playa Del Rey with their one year old son Charlie and dog Buddy.
Soccer Shots Los Angeles Blog
