NJYS’s 4v4 Club Foundation Program allows children to have fun. (Photo courtesy of New Jersey Youth Soccer)
EAST WINDSOR, N.Y. – New Jersey Youth Soccer demonstrated its 4v4 Club Foundation Program.
This program is designed for players and coaches to benefit from an hour of open play and friendly competition. The event was run by NJYS coaching schools staff members Rick Meana and Lou Mignone. It was hosted in Tinton Falls, N.J. by staff and volunteers from Match Fit Academy, including Brendan Murphy who has New Jersey Youth Soccer roots.
“With this event, we hold true to the core values of our 4v4 Club Development Program: inclusion, enjoyment, creativity and learning,” said Meana, NJYS director of coaching. “During the session, 9U/10U boys and girls teams from Wall Soccer Club, Millstone United and Marlboro Soccer Club participated.”
Added Mike Turtle, Wall SC boys director of coaching: “It was one full hour of playing, no coaching, just playing. It really had a ‘Street Soccer’ feel to it with the kids just getting there and enjoying the game. With Rick, Lou and Brendan in attendance, all the boys had three of the best coaching educators in the state of New Jersey on hand. We will definitely be doing this again.”
The program is designed as a series of sessions using the smallest version of the game that has all of the elements of a real full-sided game but in a space that young children more easily can understand and learn soccer. The 4v4 game format makes learning and developing more fun because players are constantly in close contact with the ball, maximizing participation and engagement and accelerating skill acquisition and game intelligence of all players involved.
This uses pool of players rather than distinct teams. This approach allows players to train and play with a variety of players based on numbers, ability, age, height, weight, etc. Formal games, referees and rosters are not needed at this age, so playing with and against teammates provides a flexible and fluid approach.
Results and standings are not recorded, and this event limits travel time for participants.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
