Minnesota Youth Soccer Association

[Updated: 5/13/2013]

The Player Development Program is a training program for boys and girls ages 6-16 to learn and improve in a fun and encouraging environment, designed to uphold MYSA’s mission to “promote the importance of education, self-esteem, diversity and teamwork in a safe, fun environment, allowing players to develop to their fullest potential in soccer and in life.” These four-day soccer camps not only provides age and developmentally appropriate soccer training but also moral development activities tailored to each age group. For more information please contact Chato Alvarado, MYSA Coaching/Player Development Administrator, at 952-252-1688 (800-366-6972 ext. 211) or chatoalvarado@mnyouthsoccer.org.

Players will experience:

• On-the-field technical and tactical instruction using the “Teaching Games for Understanding” approach. This game/activity approach allows the participant to fully experience the ever changing environment the game of soccer offers.
• A “player centered” approach concentrating on those “individual skills” used most by players and needed to excel in soccer.
• Technical and Tactical emphasis include: Dribbling and Ball Control, Passing and Receiving, Shooting/Finishing, Individual initiative, Support around the ball, Defending Individually and in Small Groups, Transition, Game Awareness and Soccer Fitness.
• Approximately 75% of each session will utilize competitive games such as 1v1 and 4v4.
• Opportunity to train and play with and against other player’s outside of your team and club.

Camp Highlights:

• Qualified Professional Staff
• Small Coach to Player Ratio (1:12 average)
• Dynamic Camp Curriculum
• Age Appropriate Coaching
• Focus on Technical Development and Small Sided Games
• T-shirt & water bottle for each registrant
• Memories for a lifetime!

Coaches Checklist:

• Did the players have fun?
• Are the sessions organized and objectives clear?
• Was there maximum participation by the players in the session?
• Is creativity and decision making by the players being used
• Was the feedback positive, personalized and frequent?
• Did the activities objectives relate to the demands the players will face in a game?

The Team Camp new this year gives teams and their coach an opportunity to work on specific aspects relevant to the team. Many successful teams have prepared for their season by participating either as an entire team or with small groups of team members. In some instances, team members are grouped together to facilitate team unity, cohesion and chemistry. Team coaches can request specific training or identify team objectives requiring work at camp.

When 10 or more players register from the same team, each camper will receive a $20 discount off the tuition fee. Please note that the team discount is not available for the Half Day Camp.

Teams of 10 or more campers may deduct $20 from the full tuition fee for each camper. To sign up for the Team Camp you must contact John Curtis, MYSA Director of Coaching and Player Development, at 952-252-1686, to register your team. The team coach may attend for free to observe all of the sessions. Space for such teams is limited at each campsite and will be accepted on first come first serve basis.

Staff: Collegiate and ODP coaches as well as current and former college players.

Questions may be directed to Chato Alvarado, MYSA Coaching/Player Development Administrator, at 952-252-1688 (800-366-6972 ext. 211) or chatoalvarado@mnyouthsoccer.org.