For the players in Kindergarten and 1st grade, age 6-7, Shaker Youth Soccer Association
offers a soccer program where the emphasis is on learning enjoyment and creating
a foundation of technique and awareness. The Challenge K&1 program is a low-stress,
fun filled environment where players will encounter a games-based program to develop
basic soccer skills. These include maze and target games; juggling and balancing the ball;
dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting; and tackling the ball. Players are exposed to
simplified competitions and a variety of fun games culminating in small-sided 3v3 and
4v4 soccer games in a Festival format. Through these activities, each player will have
many opportunities to practice and discover basic soccer skills. The Challenge K&1
program is offered both outdoor and indoors, year long.
Fall and Spring sessions are each 7 weeks
long. The program also continues indoor in the winter.
In the Fall and Spring outdoor seasons, during questionable weather, please do check the Field status section on the right of this webpage in the afternoon of the event for updates on whether the fields are open or closed for soccer activities.
The K-1 program is run in collaboration with the City of Shaker Heights. Click here for the online registration info for K-1 program called "Soccer: Instruction and Small Sided Games". This link also has details including when and where, and how to register. Or you can also go to the Shaker Community website and click on the recreation brochure for soccer related information as well. Registration can be done at Thornton Park or, alternatively, a registration form will be posted on the 'Latest forms' section on the right prior to the start of the season (late registrations will be accepted).
During the outdoor seasons, the K-1 soccer actitivies take place at the Shaker Middle School Lower Field (please double check the brochure). For directions to this field, please click the 'Field locations' link on the left.
Although there are experienced coaches present for running the practices and scrimmages for a number of groups of children, there are usually opportunities for enthusiastic volunteer coaches to help out.
The K-1 indoor winter program takes usually place
at the Force Fitness center (click Field locations link on the left for directions) and the
registration packet will be posted on the Latest forms section on the right prior
to start of the season.
Contact us for more information: Brian Miller