Tusc Juniors

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Hot Shots

2018 - U5

Free*

Jr Academy

2017 - U6 / 2016 - U7

$89*

Pre ACademy

2015 - U8

$129*

INTRODUCTION TO SOCCER

TUSC JUNIORS introduces families to soccer and to Tennessee United Soccer Club. Our focus in all three programs is to create a fun environment that improves skills and inspires a love of the game.

To Register for a TUSC JUNIORS program for Spring 2023, Click Here

Select your child’s age group by their birth year from the drop-down menu.

For more information please contact, Alyx Gabers, at alyxgabers@tnunitedsc.com

The Juniors Approach to Coaching

At this stage in their development Juniors players are in the ‘golden age’ of acquiring information. We refer to them as little sponges. However, they are still very ‘me-centric’.

It is essential that we use this time in their development to help them acquire the appropriate skills so they will be prepared to learn the appropriate tactics they will need to compete at the older age groups

Juniors players make plenty of mistakes. And while we will work to help players learn from their mistakes, it is of vital importance that players have the freedom to try new skills that may lead to those mistakes. And more importantly we must praise players’ efforts and successes when trying those skills. When we tell a player we are impressed with a specific skill we saw them use we are encouraging them to do it again.

An important part of a player’s soccer development is their decision making skills. If, after a mistake, we dictate what the correct decision should have been, we have robbed the player of a chance to develop their decision making skills. If, instead, we ask the player what they could have done differently we are challenging them to come up with a solution to the problem on their own.

Coaching Staff

As required by Tennessee State Soccer Association, Head Coaches for the Juniors Program will obtain the proper level of coaching license or approved equivalent for coaching a Division 3 program.

Where most recreation (Division 4) programs do not require coaches to attend USSF approved coaching education courses, the minimum level of coaching certificate for Division 3 programs (E Certificate) requires 18 hours of coaching education.

Parents of Juniors players are welcome to get involved with their child’s experience as a Parent Coach. Parent Coaches assist the Head Coach or Age Group Lead by engaging and encouraging players at practices and games. No prior soccer experience is needed.

The Skills

Juniors development will be focused on the following:

Basic ball manipulation including a variety of dribbling techniques which encourage the use of all surfaces of the foot.
Short passing technique using the inside of the foot for maximum accuracy.
Receiving the ball using a variety of foot surfaces so the ball moves in the direction they want to play.
Basics of using team play to maintain possession of the ball.
When it is most appropriate to dribble and when it is most appropriate to pass.

Teams

Unlike most recreational leagues, Juniors players at TUSC will not be split into well defined teams. In fact, several ‘teams’ worth of players will all practice together. There are numerous reasons why this is advantageous to both players and coaches. Mainly, practicing together allows coaches to match players of similar skill levels together so every child has the opportunity to achieve some success. Also, by practicing as ‘one team’ we eliminate the ‘us vs. them’ mentality that often causes players, coaches, and parents to focus on winning instead of player development.

Games

As recommended by U.S. Youth Soccer and Tennessee State Soccer Association, game format will be 4v4 with no goalkeepers.

Players will participate in 7-9 game days depending on rainouts. On game days, players will be divided into teams of between 5 and 7 players. Each team will play one game (two, twenty-minute halves). Teams will change for each game day. Games will be played against other teams composed of TUSC Juniors players.

All games will be played at Drakes Creek Park or Volunteer Park at Arrowhead.

Unless otherwise specified, games will adhere to the U.S. Youth Soccer Junior Playing Recommendations .

Season Schedule

Fall season Juniors registration will begin in late June. Spring season Juniors registration will begin over the winter break. There is NO TRYOUT process for Juniors players.

A team meeting for parents will be held before each season to discuss the program. Location and time of the meeting will be released in the month leading up to the season.

Practices for Fall will begin in early August, and end in mid November.

Practices for Spring will begin in early March, and end in mid May.

The TUSC Hot Shots at TUSC is focused on introducing young players to the game of soccer. Through a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, free play and fun games, Hot Shots players will learn basic techniques for dribbling, passing, and receiving the ball. Players will be given the freedom to explore physically and begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active.

Eligibility, Registration, and Cost

Hot Shot players, also referred to as U5, are defined in the Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 seasons as children born between January 1st, 2018 and December 31st, 2018.

The Hot Shots at TUSC is open to players of all skill levels including players who may be brand new to the sport.

There is no registration fee for Hot Shots participation – it is FREE. There is a practice shirt purchase required, which will be ordered separately. This TUSC practice shirt can be used all throughout their career at the club (until they grow out of it).

Practices

Hot Shot players will attend one, 45-minute practice a week.

Tuesday or Thursday from 5-5:45 pm at Drakes Creek Park (DCP) in Hendersonville.

This is current, but subject to change when training schedules are released.

Practices will utilize fun games which encourage the mastery of specific soccer skills.

Player Equipment

All Hot Shot players must have the following equipment for all practices and games:

01. Size 3 soccer ball

02. TUSC Practice shirt

03. Shin guards with navy or black soccer socks covering the guards

04. Soccer appropriate cleats – no baseball or football cleats permitted

05. Water

Like the Hot Shots, the Jr Academy focuses on establishing a solid foundation of skills and enjoyment of the game. Through a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, free play and fun games players will continue to learn basic techniques for dribbling, passing, and receiving pressure-free. Players will be given the freedom to try their skills in a game setting without worrying about the repercussions of failure to encourage creativity and confidence.

Eligibility, Registration, and Cost

Jr Academy players, also referred to as U6 (2017) and U7 (2016), are defined in the Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 seasons as children born between January 1st 2016 and December 31st 2017.

The Jr Academy at TUSC is open to players of all skill levels including players who may be brand new to the sport.

The cost for participation is $89 per season. Uniforms are ordered and purchased separately. The $89 registration covers the following fees and costs:

Practices

Players will attend two, 60 minute practices a week.

2016 Jr Academy players will practice:

Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7 pm at Drakes Creek Park (DCP) in Hendersonville

2015 Jr Academy players can choose:

This is current but subject to change when training schedules are released.

Practices will utilize fun games which encourage the mastery of specific soccer skills.

Player Equipment

All players must have the following equipment for all practices and games:

01. Size 3 or 4 soccer ball – size 4 is preferred, but size 3 is fine

02. TUSC practice uniform for practices – TUSC game uniform for games

03. Shin guards with navy or black soccer socks covering the guards

04. Soccer appropriate cleats – no baseball or football cleats permitted

05. Water

This age group has recently been granted D3 select status and our players are recognized by the State Organization (TSSA) and US Youth Soccer. TUSC initiated a brand new in house program that has encouraged individual development, playing games in small sided formats and follows the recommendations, guidelines and principles that the US Soccer Federation advocates for players at this age focusing on fundamental skill development.

Pre Academy players will begin to use the skills they have developed as individuals to now work within a team. Skills development will continue as players are introduced to formation, more complex decision making skills, and positional dynamics. Outside club competition will be added to the schedule with two Jamboree dates and one tournament weekend.

Eligibility, Registration, and Cost

Pre Academy players, also referred to as U8, are defined in the Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 seasons as children born between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2015.

The Pre Academy at TUSC is open to players of all skill levels including players who may be brand new to the sport.

The cost for participation is $129 per season. Uniforms are ordered and purchased separately. The $129 registration covers the following fees and costs:

Practices

Pre Academy players will attend two, 60 minute practices a week. A player can choose from two practice locations:

This is current but subject to change when training schedules are released.

Practices will utilize fun games which encourage the mastery of specific soccer skills.

Jamboree Dates

In addition to normal Juniors game days, Pre Academy players will have two Jamboree Dates during each season where games will be coordinated with an outside club. Some travel to another park in Middle Tennessee (Murfreesboro, Clarksville, etc) or Bowling Green, Kentucky may be required. Players will play two games in one day.

Tournament Weekend

Pre Academy players will be invited to play in the TUSC United Cup of Champions tournament held each season – September in the fall and April in the spring. Players will be split up into formal teams to play three to four 7v7 games against outside clubs over the course of a weekend.

Player Equipment

01. Size 4 soccer ball

02. TUSC practice uniform for practices – TUSC game uniform for games

03. Shin guards with navy or black soccer socks covering the guards

04. Soccer appropriate cleats – no baseball or football cleats permitted

05. Water