What is the Junior Rams Program?- Provides a structured soccer experience built upon a curriculum that is age developmentally appropriate
- Teach building blocks for successful soccer development for players in Kindergarten through Second Grade
- Prepare for the transition to the Travel Program or continued development with the RAMS House League
- The overarching concept is to help players know what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and do it well
- Improve the technical skill/ability of all players and their understanding of the game
What are the focuses of the Junior Rams Program?
- Fun - Nurture a love of game that will build healthy values and habits that last well beyond the sessions
- Maximum skill development of all participants regardless of ability through professionally designed and age appropriate curriculum that stresses enjoyment and full participation
- Child centered programs that instill independence and creativity that “transfers the power of play” back to the kids
- Professional and passionate coaches that want to be role models to the children in the program
- Be a positive influence on the culture of soccer and sports in the community we serve
Should my child play with their birth year or grade level?
New Canaan FC is proud to offer our youngest players the option to play based on a child’s birth year or grade level. The registration system will only allow you to register your child based on their birth year, but after you register, forward your confirmation email to [email protected] and request that your child be moved to the desired program. Any credits due to program price differences will be placed back on your Blue Sombrero account. Any questions please email [email protected].
Please Note: The Junior Rams Program registrations have been amended to allow for Grade Based Participation. The preference is for Age Based, but if you prefer Grade Based for you child this is now an option. Our coaching base reserves the right to recommend players move within the programs where age or physical maturation requires for best player development and enjoyment. Once the player ages out of the Junior Rams Program, they will need to play with their birth year.
What is the commitment for the Junior Rams Program?
- 1x practice per week for Kindergarten and 2x practice per week for First and Second Grade
- Practices are run by our Professional Coaching Staff
- Practices and games are broken into girls and boys
- See our Program Schedules Page for scheduling information
- All players will use a size 3 soccer ball - this should be brought to ALL practices and games
What is the PARENT commitment for the Junior Rams Program?
- Each team requires ONE parent volunteer to be the Saturday game day coach
- Co-coaches or assistant coaches are encouraged in case a parent coach is unable to make a particular weekend
- Parent coaches that are unable to make a particular weekend are expected to arrange a replacement co-coach, assistant coach, or other parent on the team to volunteer for that week
- If there is an issue the parent coach is expected to notify the Junior Rams Director via email, Bill Casey ([email protected])
- NCFC Professional Coaches are available and present each game day to ensure games are organized and answer any parent questions
- Parent coaches should be familiar with the information published on the "Note to Junior Ram Parent Coaches"
What is the Game Day format?
- Check the Field Assignment table to check which field their child's team is playing on
- Kindergartners (U6) play three 12 minute periods with two 5 minute breaks; First Graders (U7) play two 20 minute halves with a 5 minute break; Second Graders (U8) play two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute break
- Kindergartners (U6) play 3 v 3 (no goalies); First Graders (U7) play 4 v 4 (no goalies); Second Graders (U8) play 5 v 5 (including goalies)
- ALL PARENTS ARE TO WATCH THE GAMES FROM BEHIND EITHER GOAL AND ARE NOT PERMITTED ON EITHER SIDELINE DURING THE GAME
- Games will be refereed by NCFC Travel players - THEY WILL MAKE MISTAKES. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE COACHES OR PARENTS QUESTIONING THE REFEREE'S DECISIONS
- Junior Rams games are generally on Saturday mornings in the fall, and Saturday afternoons in the spring
What is the curriculum for my Kindergartner?
Kindergarten age group game info
Play 3v3 with size 3 ball
Game time: 10-15 min warm up, 3 periods of 12 mins, 5 min breaks
Goals size: 6' wide by 4' high
- Basic Movements (changing speed and directions without the ball)
- Controlled stopping
- Identify various parts of the foot to dribble and control the ball
- Controlled dribbling and foot skills (keeping ball close, changing directions with ball, stopping with ball, and awareness of other players in playing area)
- Kicking with force and velocity to advance ball
- Basic trapping and receiving skills
- Understanding boundaries on the field of play
- Self and group competitions and creative game play
What is the curriculum for my First Grader?
1st Grade age group game info
Play 4v4 with size 3 ball
Game time: 10-15 min warm up, 2 halves of 20 mins, 5 min half time
Goals size: 6' wide by 4' high
- Dribbling while under controlled and passive pressure
- Using multiple parts of the foot to dribble soccer ball
- Basic moves and turns
- Dribbling the ball away from pressure
- Spatial awareness of teammates and defenders
- Basic passing skills
- Introduce ideas of ball possession
- Offensive options for players (passing, dribbling, shooting)
- Introduction of strategy formation
- Shooting and passing at targets
- Playing within the boundaries on the field of play
- Self and partner competitions and introduction of team play
What is the curriculum for my Second Grader?
2nd Grade age group game info
Play 4v4 (5v5 including goalkeeper) with size 3 ball
Game time: 5 min warm up, 2 halves of 25 mins, 5 min half time
Goal size: 10’ wide by 5’ high
- Handling pressure on the ball
- Feints and fakes
- Movement without the ball
- Development of passing skills (properly weighted passes)
- Development of shooting skills (target selection)
- Introduction of Goal Keeping
- Introduction of heading (with modified balls)
- Trapping and receiving with other body parts (chest, thigh)
- Basic juggling skills
- Restarts (goal kicks, corner kicks, free kicks, throw ins)
- Team Competitions