The
Ridgewood Soccer AssociationThe
Ridgewood Soccer Association
Information Handbook
Section 4. The Playing Program
Approved by the RSA Board of Trustees on January 13, 2000
Modifications since last approval are in red font
The purpose of this section of the RSA Handbook is to describe "WHAT" the RSA is seeking to accomplish in each of the programs. For the "HOW", see the guides for coordinators in section 5.
4.3.1. Division 4 Intown Program
4.3.2. Division 4 Traveling Program
Division 6 (generally 1st and 2nd grade) is small-sided, coed, and play is
in-town only on Saturday mornings. It is an entry-level program designed to
teach the fundamental skills of soccer in a supportive, non-competitive way that
ensures that every child will have a positive experience regardless of his or
her ability. It is designed to give the children maximum contact time with the
ball so they can build their skills rapidly. First year players are supplied
with a ball of their own.
The program is conducted by a professional soccer training organization (currently U.K. Elite) with the assistance of volunteer parent "coaches".
In addition, this program is designed to enlist parents who are new to soccer to become coaches for the first time. Parents who volunteer to "coach" do not need any prior experience or knowledge of soccer. The coaching role is to supervise and encourage a small group of children while the soccer educator teaches them games.
In order to support the parent’s role in the program, the RSA offers a 2 hour "coaches only" clinic on the first Saturday of the season. The is run by the soccer educators (currently UK Elite) in two parts. In the first session, coaches learn how to coach (encourage and motivate) young children. In the second session, they participate in the drills and games the children will learn.
The RSA views this program as an essential recruiting tool for the continued vitality of the RSA organization.
The Division 5 (generally 3rd and 4th grades) soccer program is a 2 hour Saturday morning in-town recreational program designed to further develop the soccer skills of young players and to help train the volunteer coaches with real skill and practice examples. Most Division 5 players have participated previously in the Division 6 program. The overall goals of the program are to enable the participants to have fun while enhancing their soccer skills. Although winning is fun, it is not a primary objective of the program. Developing skilled soccer players who exhibit sportsmanship, teamwork and a sense of fair play defines the philosophy of the program.
The Division 5 program begins with a one hour clinic taught by the high school boys varsity soccer coach and his varsity players followed immediately by a one hour 5 on 5, short field game between two teams. The clinic portion is designed to further develop the individual soccer skills introduced in the Division 6 program while the game portion is designed to introduce team and strategy skills needed to successfully compete on the field. The first seven weeks of the program include a clinic and game session while the subsequent weeks include only a one-hour game. All session are held on the fields behind the Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
It is the RSA Board of Trustees’ belief that the 5 on 5 small field format for this age group is preferred over an 11 on 11, standard field match. In a 5 on 5 small field format, players are always close to the action, have more involvement in the game, and have more opportunities to "touch" the ball. All are essential to developing soccer skills.
Coaches are encouraged to participate in the clinics so as to be able to reinforce those skills during team practices later in the week. Coaches, especially the new coaches, are also offered the opportunity to participate in the Division 6 coaching workshop.
Division 4 (generally 5th and 6th grades) is gender specific. Children can participate in an in-town program and/or a recreational traveling program.
4.3.1. Division 4 Intown Program
The Division 4 in-town (generally 5th and 6th grades) soccer program is a 2-hour Saturday program designed to further develop the soccer skills of intermediate players. Similar to Division 5, the overall goals of the program are to enable the participants to have fun while enhancing their soccer skills. Developing skilled soccer players who exhibit sportsmanship, teamwork and a sense of fair play defines the philosophy of the program.
The in-town program is gender specific with the boys’ program running Saturday morning and girls’ program running Saturday afternoon. These times are set to accommodate players also interested in playing in the Division 4 traveling program (see section 4.3.2 below).
The Division 4 program begins with a one-hour clinic taught a professional soccer training organization (currently U.K. Elite) with the assistance of volunteer parent coaches. At the Division 4 level, the clinics transition in purpose from the in Divisions 5 and 6 clinics by adding game tactics to the individual skill building exercises. The first seven weeks of the program include a clinic and game session while the subsequent weeks include only a one-hour game.
The clinic is followed immediately by a one hour 7 on 7 match on a shortened field. The game (number of players and field size) is designed to reinforce team skills and tactics learned in the clinic session and leads the players into the Division 3 program (11 on 11, full-sided field).
4.3.2. Division 4 Traveling Program
The Division 4 traveling program is full-sided (11 on 11) recreation program and operates under the auspices of the Northwest Bergen Soccer Association (NWBSA). RSA teams play teams from other communities located in northwest Bergen County. Girls’ teams play on Saturday mornings and boys’ teams play on Sunday afternoons.
The RSA Board has come to realize that our players are having difficulty making the transition from Division 5, small field, 5 on 5 games to the full size 11 on 11 games in this program. Since 1998, the RSA has employed the expertise of a professional soccer training organization (currently U.K. Elite) and is providing several weeks of clinic sessions (3 pre-season, 2 early season) to help the players make the transition to this level of play. The focus is on proper positioning, team tactics, etc. Results have been mixed and this portion of the Division 4 program objectives requires more development.
The Division 3 (generally 7th and 8th grades) program is a traveling recreation league operating under the auspices of the Northwest Bergen Soccer Association (NWBSA). The RSA teams play teams from other communities located in northwest Bergen County. Matches are played full-sided (11 on 11) and are gender specific. Girls’ teams play on Saturday mornings and boys’ teams play Sunday afternoons.
To further improve team tactics and space awareness, the RSA utilizes five weeks of clinic sessions (3 pre-season, 2 early season) with a professional soccer training organization to help the players at this level.
There is no intown program at the Division 3 level
The RSA Special Needs Program is open to all children aged between 6 and 15 who require special instruction. It is offered to Village of Ridgewood residents and to children with special needs from other communities.
The program is led by a teacher certified in special education and includes clinics and games that are appropriate for the group participating. The program runs for 7 weeks beginning on the first Saturday after Labor Day.