Dear Parents and Players,

Welcome to the Cardinals! Over the next 10 years your daughter is going to have a wonderful experience, learn how to play soccer, and most importantly, have fun. As your family begins their experience with the Club, I would first like to touch on what I have found to be the most frequently asked question,

What is the difference between recreational soccer and Select soccer?

The time involved and the pre-conceived notion that winning is everything!

Most importantly, select soccer incorporates the two most critical factors in your daughter's development - training and structure - which, in my opinion, are the main differences between recreational and select soccer.

TRAINING
The Cardinal training staff is the best in the City. During your first season with the club your daughter will be exposed to trainers from France , England , Italy and the US . The knowledge, not to mention the cultural differences that they bring to the game and training, will be second to none . Not only is my staff culturally diverse, they also bring with them over 40 years of professional playing experience and the highest coaching credentials possible.

STRUCTURE
This point moves me very nicely into discussing the pre-conceived notion that winning is everything! As you read through the information attached you will see the different stages of development your daughter will experience with the Cardinals. Winning is important in select soccer, but it is not the guideline to success. Our ultimate goal during their introduction to select soccer is to develop players while trying to be competitive. The older the player, the more competitive we become. Everyone involved in the game should want to win; this is after all, competitive, select soccer! But, to lose a game having played well, should always be seen as a success, above playing poorly and winning!

Finally, another area of concern for parents involves playing time. Documentation regarding the Club's stance on this issue will be handed out at a later date. It is important to address the pre-conceived notion that paying a club fee entitles each player a guaranteed amount of playing time. This idea is unrealistic and is another difference vs. recreational soccer - there are no minimum playing time requirements. However, time on the field during these early years is critical and requires very equal playing time in order to develop. Eventually, with age and the increased demands of the game, playing time issues become more structured and the benefits of being highly skilled and dedicated to the program are very apparent.

Therefore I would like to take this opportunity to give you a brief outline in regards to the continued development of your daughter, and the long road ahead! In 2002 I developed a curriculum for the Cardinal Training Staff. This is in place for two reasons: First, something we sometimes overlook is the ratio between your daughter's development compared to her developmental age, and her mental awareness at such a young level; The second, and most important reason, is that I do not want your child's development hindered by trying to teach them too much, too soon. The latter results in many players "missing out" in regards to the vital core base elements that will make them great soccer players at a later age.

By the time our players reach the end of their Cardinal experience, they will have gained an education in soccer that is second to none. They will have completed their first, most important steps to becoming a complete player. As they head off to college, our players will be proud of their achievements and confident in their own abilities. Most importantly they've had fun in the process, and will be leaving the program with as much enthusiasm for the game as they did when they started!

Yours Sincerely,

Jon Pickup
Director of Coaching
Tel: 513 232 2292, Cell: 513 470 0068
E-mail: Jonpickup@hotmail.com

THE CARDINAL SOCCER "COMPLETE" PLAYER PROFILE

Below is a breakdown, and is the opinion of the Cardinal Soccer Club as to what makes the complete player!

U8 - U9 ages

• During these early years "TEAM" play is a concept players do not understand. Therefore, our goal is to develop very technical, individual players with the ability to dribble at opponents with confidence. Most training sessions will be geared towards individual skill and ball control. Being the "master of the ball" is the ground base to which all players should start. Without this basic, yet very difficult concept, no other soccer can be taught. You will unfortunately see players dribble in their own penalty box, resulting in goals. You will also see players over dribble when they should have passed the ball. I refer you back to the very first sentence above!
• Players will be given the opportunity to play numerous positions, some with which they will be very unfamiliar. After time they will gain a greater appreciation for other players in the same role and a better understanding of what it takes to become a soccer player. Remember, a player's best way of learning is through his or her own mistakes.
• As they reach the end of the U9 fall season basic passing will be introduced, but individual skill will still be the main element of their development. You will begin to see players start to think when they have the ball, when to dribble and when to pass. Space, spreading the field and positions become important due to the increased level of competition.
• As they move into U10 age group, "TEAM" is now becoming a word that they can start to understand. With the added strength and awareness of the players real soccer begins to emerge!

U10 -11 ages

• "TEAM" is essential at this developmental age. Individual skill is still important, but teamwork and small group activities need developing. Defensive and offensive help regarding pressure, cover and space are all-important factors as they grow as soccer players. However, please remember player's progress differently! Some players will still over dribble instead of passing, or chase after the ball all over the field. This is normal, and something that will work itself out as they get a better understanding of what we do in practice and why the other players on the team are more successful through using these techniques.
• Due to their obvious growth and increased strength, different types of passing will be introduced. Long passes, back passes and crosses from out wide will add yet another dimension to their overall education as a player.
• Personalities will start to develop and you will see leaders emerge on the field.
• Heading the ball will become an important attribute due to the ball being in the air more than it has ever been. Playing the ball out of the back and using combination play all over the field will all become important factors for our players. This will on occasion, result in us conceding goals, but more importantly will teach our players how to play soccer.

U12 - 14 ages

• As our players reach the age of 12/13 they will have acquired the basic tools in regards to becoming a soccer player. Individual positions have been narrowed down and the team/players will understand their role and what is expected of them. More importantly they will understand what is expected of the players around them. This is a direct result of playing multiple positions in their early development years.
• The girls will have reached a maturity level, not only psychologically but also physically, where the game can now be taken to the next level. Overlaps and being able to cover the length and width of the field as a team, all become vital components in their development. Tactics now require 6-8 players. Combining the defense with the midfield, the midfield with the forwards, all become key elements in their growth as individuals and as a team.
• Set plays now become an important factor due to their ability and strength with the ball, something that was impossible at the early stages of their development. Playing the ball with a purpose, the speed in which they do it and tactical combinations both defensively and offensively allow them more options on the field than they have ever had.
• By the time our players leave our U14 age group, and as they head off to play High School soccer, our players will be skilled, competitive and free thinking players with the ability to adapt and problem solve on their own.

Remember, success between the ages of U8 - U14 is not seen through a win loss record, rather the development and continued improvement of the individual and team. Winning is important, but more important is winning the right way! This requires a greater level of skill, and a player that understands the game of soccer, creating freethinking individuals that are successful and continue to love the game of soccer.

U15 and above

• During your daughters final 4 years with the Cardinals their soccer year will be split into 2 parts, the High School season in the fall, and the Cardinal select season in the spring. Competition in training and games is at its highest. The demands and commitment from our players is of the greatest level and our soccer takes on yet another dimension.
• Tactical training becomes even more complex. Combination play, the ability to change the field and utilize the counter attack takes the physical demands of our athletes to a much higher level. Repetition work from their early development years as a Cardinal are reiterated and used constantly in practice.
• As our players reach the age of 16/17 winning becomes important. College coaches and scholarships become a focal point of our players and exposure to these kinds of environments comes hand in hand with a winning team. New concepts, game by game tactics and a higher level of mental toughness take over from the ground based development of the players and team in previous years.