Welcome to soccer at Founders Park! We are very excited to get the Fall 2023 season started. Our outdoor program is hosted by the City of Lake Saint Louis Parks & Recreation Department, held on-site at Founders Park Soccer Field A. Sessions are held on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 5:15p or 6:00p. Founders Park is located at 7 Freymuth Rd in Lake St. Louis. We will be on Field A, located toward the back of the park. View a map of the park here: https://www.lakesaintlouis.com/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=1768

Game Play: Soccer Shots sessions are instructional and utilize developmentally appropriate practices for children between age 2 and 8. From time to time, our sessions include scrimmaging. When we scrimmage, we use this approach: 

Soccer Shots games are played using an intentional and developmentally appropriate approach that progresses from week to week, allowing children to learn as we go.

Our objectives are:

• • Helping children learn scrimmage concepts such as:
    • playing with one ball
    • boundary lines/the meaning of “out of bounds”
    • moving in the correct direction on the field and scoring in the opposite net
    • cheering for teammates, working together with our friends, and waiting our turn to play,
      not using our hands to pick up the soccer ball or to push another player, etc.
  • Introducing young players to a game environment in such a way that children have a positive and fun experience while playing the game of soccer.
  • Further developing skills taught during weekly Soccer Shots sessions. You may see our coaches pause game play, especially in the early weeks, to reinforce or capitalize on coaching moments related to spacing, passing to a teammate, etc.

Ground Rules & Other Tips for the Grown Ups

We do not keep score in Soccer Shots, nor do we have officials.

We cheer for our friends and teammates.

Family members are asked to cheer and encourage, not to coach or correct.

The most important words you can say to your child when they walk off the field, now and as they grow older, is: “I loved watching you play.” To learn more about why we take this approach, please watch this video from Changing The Game Project founder, John O’Sullivan. https://youtu.be/VXw0XGOVQvw

Your child might be uncomfortable, shy, or upset when you arrive at the field. It’s likely a new place with unfamiliar faces. If this happens, telling your player things like “try your best” or “I believe you can do it” are helpful.

Playing with just ONE soccer ball is tough. It’s very common for younger players to cry and get very sad about this hard truth. If this happens with your child, don’t fret, as this will improve over time.

It’s always a good idea to go potty right before we start.