How do we develop our players
Stages of Development
While high-level technical skills, tactical understanding, and consistent hard work lead to success on the field, at Mavericks, we also believe that every player matters, and every player develops differently. We tailor our training curriculum to meet specific age appropriate needs for each individual, and we provide equitable playing time that represents each player’s stage of development. We emphasize teaching players how to focus on the process and guide players on how to respond to any outcome in a positive and productive way.
Age plays a big factor in the way children learn, especially when the learning process involves both mental and physical activity. Soccer educators play a critical role in selecting the appropriate content and methodology to correctly develop youth soccer players. All Mavericks training sessions are adapted to the age of the players, always taking into consideration the characteristics of human and player development.
Learning to Play (U6 to U8)
Younger players at this age levels do not have the same capacity to understand the environment around them like adults. Players at these age groups are still developing and gathering the experience necessary to interact with their surroundings. Children need to build their own experiences on and off the field. Coaches will focus their trainings and exercises to the individual. The very basic tactical components must be used in small-sided games. Training sessions must be engaging, fun and treated more like a physical education class.
Key Training Characteristics
- Training session must be based around play. All practices must be based around fun, engaging and rewarding games.
- Maximum exposure with the ball is required; players must be encouraged to experiment by themselves.
- Players must be encourage to build relationships with other players and develop the understanding of responsibilities within the team environment
- Developing motor skills like walking, running and jumping must be combined with basic ball manipulation and control alongside encouraging mental confidence.
Learning to Train - U9 to U10
- Further grow each players love and passion for soccer
- Continue to develop their technical and introduce more advanced psychomotor skills
- Introduce small group tactical principles
- Begin teaching players important values and principles of productive training
During this age group we begin to introduce small group tactics so that players can begin to understand where to orient themselves on the field based off of each other, the opposition, and the moment of the game. As players progress to older and more competitive levels, they must have a capacity to solve complex soccer problems in less time. Therefore, players will begin working on basic tactical situations in this stage to prepare them.
Key Training Characteristics
- Development of age specific soccer skills and techniques used in common 7v7 situations to foster competency, confidence, and creativity
- Focus on basic attacking and defending principles through individual and small group exercises and small sided games (1v1s, 2v2s, 3v3s, and 4v4s)
- Continuation of psychomotor skill development to develop agility, speed, coordination, and balance
- Players will be introduced to our Attacking and Defensive Objectives. They’ll begin to learn the Mavericks style of play offensively and defensively; how to combine, transition and finish in the final third, as well defend as a unit, cover, balance, and deny chances.
- Players will be required to rotate around multiple positions to avoid early specialization
Training to Train - U11 to U12
During this age grouping there is an opportunity to structure training sessions similar to that of older players. The main component of the training sessions will be technical. The most important area to develop players in this age group is technique and basic tactics. As players become older, the capacity to solve in game problems begins to increase. Therefore, players will begin working on basic tactical situations such as playing out of the back and both attacking and defending principles
Key Training Characteristics
- U9-U12 players have a window to learn. Therefore it is the right age to work of specific soccer techniques and skills so developing a sound technique is essential during these ages.
- Focus must be placed on simple attacking and defending through One on One and two on one training drills/scenarios. This trainingdevelops individual skills as well as the passing techniques require in a team game
- Physically players need to understand their own body movements. Physical training needs to be based around speed, coordination, balance and agility.
- The use of small-sided games (2v2 and 3v3) to develop the understanding of attacking and defensive principals.
- Tactical understanding should come in the form of learning possession, combination play, transition and finishing in the final third.
- Understanding the roles/importance of the defender positions is very important at this age group.
- Players will be required to rotate around multiple positions to avoid early specialization
Training to Compete - U13 -U15
At this age group, players are beginning to gain a good understanding of the game. However due to physical limitations in strength and size and the player’s physical and mental changes that are taking place, development of players needs to occur in a safe and healthy manner. Coaches are mandated to avoid overtraining and to train with a focus on tactical and technical elements over physical elements. Tactical training is based on strategy, positioning and understanding set play and is of the up most importance for players to learn at this age.
Key Training Characteristics
- Training sessions should evolve around tactical training and players should have the opportunity to practice in larger spaces
- Technical development continues and practicing all types of footskills and techniques areimportant
- Strength and endurance should be a part of the fitness training of players.
- Warm ups and cool downs must take and important role as players are experience significant changes to their bodies.
- Dynamic stretching increase flexibility for players
- Players’ must develop discipline at this stage of their development.
- Coaches’ instruction must be followed during trainings and games
Competing to Win- U16 -U19
With physical and mental development mostly complete all components of training can be geared towards producing the highest potential of the soccer player. Strength and muscle development helps develop technique at high speed; it also allows players to react quicker to tactical situations. This stage of development is crucial for combining all components of soccer in order to increase players "soccer" knowledge.
Key Training Characteristics
- Tactical training through small-sided games is essential during at this stage
- Attacking and defensive principles must figure in all games allowing players to training on speed of play, quick transitions, counter-attacking, creating and finishing in the final third and pressing and a defensive unit.
- Technical training must focus on speed and accuracy.
- Tactical training must be emphasized around playing positions
- Physical components of the game are important at this stage: endurance, strength, speed should feature in weekly training sessions
- Commitment and discipline is expected to the team alongside concentration in training
Age Group Matrix
| Season | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Year | |||||||
| 2020 | U4 | ||||||
| 2019 | U4 | U5 | |||||
| 2018 | U4 | U5 | U6 | ||||
| 2017 | U4 | U5 | U6 | U7 | |||
| 2016 | U4 | U5 | U6 | U7 | U8 | ||
| 2015 | U4 | U5 | U6 | U7 | U8 | U9 | |
| 2014 | U4 | U5 | U6 | U7 | U8 | U9 | U10 |
| 2013 | U5 | U6 | U7 | U8 | U9 | U10 | U11 |
| 2012 | U6 | U7 | U8 | U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 |
| 2011 | U7 | U8 | U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13 |
| 2010 | U8 | U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 |
| 2009 | U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 |
| 2008 | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 |
| 2007 | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 |
| 2006 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 | U18 |
| 2005 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 | U18 | U19 |
| 2004 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 | U18 | U19 | |
| 2003 | U15 | U16 | U17 | U18 | U19 | ||
| 2002 | U16 | U17 | U18 | U19 | |||
| 2001 | U17 | U18 | U19 | ||||
| 2000 | U18 | U19 | |||||
| 1999 | U19 | ||||||
| 1998 |
Mavericks Soccer Club Play Time Club Policy
The goal of the Mavericks is the development of every player so that the player is able to play at his or her highest level of skill and ability. The coaching staff understand that each player need sufficant playing time to assist with their learning at training.
To ensure the essential development of all players, each player should be allowed sufficient playing time during all competitive games. It is the club offical policy that each player
- All U9-U12 Player should play a minimum average of 50% of the time during competitive games
- All U13-U14 Player should play a minimum average of 40% of the time during competitive games
- All U15+ Players should play a minimum average of 25% of the time during competitive games
A players has the ability to increase the amount of playing time they received through the following factors
- Player shows up regularly to practice
- U9-U12 75% is the minimum requirment
- U13+ 85% is the minimum requirement
- Respect - All Players
- Positive Attitude - All Players
- High effort - All Player
- Performance - U16+ Players Only
Policy does NOT apply to State Cup or tournament elimination games.
Parent code of conduct
The Mavericks have a Parents Code of Conduct policy (detailed below). Every year at registration, as part of registration, we require that the Parents Code of Conduct be reviewed and initialed as part of the registration process. This year the forms will be electronic as part of the Online Registration process.
The spirit of the agreement is to ensure that a positive environment for our youth athletes is provided. The basic text of the agreement is listed below.
Parents, family members, and fans must be good spectators
Mavericks Soccer Club provides a positive environment for youth athletes to play and enjoy soccer. Remember that the kids are involved in youth soccer for their enjoyment, not yours. Parents, family members, and fans need to be aware that players, coaches and game officials can make this experience possible only with your support. If an incident occurs during a game or practice and you are in disagreement with the game official, coach or players please try to understand that errors will happen; however, such action does not give a parent, family member or fan the right to be verbally abusive or violent.
As a parent of a Mavericks player I agree to the following:
- I will set a good example of sportsmanship by being respectful to the game officials, coaches, players, and teammates. I will have control over my emotions and be courteous towards game officials, coaches, parents, and players.
- I will stay 2 yards outside the field line.
- I will nurture the players with positive comments, and refrain from coaching the team.
- I will not stand behind the goals.
- I will not have any physical or verbal confrontation with coaches, game officials, players, and parents before, during, and after games.
- I will not use derogatory remarks or make gestures of profanity at any time.
- Coaches and team parents are collectively responsible for the behavior of their team’s spectators.
- No alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or dogs will be brought or used on the soccer grounds or parking lots.
- I will not enter the field of play at any time without the permission of the referee. This includes a parent of an injured player.
Should there be any concerns or issues with respect to parent or Coaching behavior, it is expected that you will contact the Director of Coaching, Technical Director, or any Mavericks Board Member to alert them of your concerns.
Violations of the Parents Code of Conduct are subject to disciplinary actions as defined in theMavericks Zero Tolerance Policy regarding Inappropriate Behavior.
MAVERICKS ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
All complaints regarding inappropriate behavior by any adults associated with a Mavericks team (i.e., any team officials, parents, or other adults present on the team sideline), as well as all yellow or red cards issued to team officials, will be promptly investigated by the Mavericks Disciplinary Committee. If: (1) any team official receives a yellow card or red card, or (2) the Committee determines that the adult behavior in question violates any policy of the Mavericks, ACCYSL, District 4, GSSL, or NorCal Premier the Mavericks will impose the following sanctions (in addition to any other sanctions imposed by D4, GSSL, or NorCal):
First offense: 1 to 2 game suspension, unless the Committee determines in its sole discretion that a verbal caution is sufficient.
Second offense: 2 to 4 game suspension.
Third offense: Suspension for at least the rest of the season; the Committee may extend this suspension to include some or all of the next season.
The sanction will apply to the adult team representative responsible for the infraction (whether it be the head coach, assistant coach, or parent).
Código de Conducta para padres en español
Los Mavericks tiene un Código de Conducta de los Padres de la política (que se detallan más abajo). Cada año durante la inscripción, es necesario que una copia firmada del Código de Conducta de los padres ser presentados con materiales de inscripción. El espíritu del acuerdo es asegurar que un ambiente positivo para nuestros jóvenes atletas se proporciona. El texto básico del acuerdo se enumeran a continuación.
Los padres, miembros de la familia, y los aficionados deben ser buenos espectadores
Mavericks ofrece un ambiente positivo de juego y disfrute para nuestros jóvenes atletas. Recuerde que los niños están involucrados en el fútbol juvenil para su disfrute personal, no el suyo. Los padres, miembros de la familia, y los aficionados deben ser conscientes de que los jugadores, entrenadores y oficiales del juego puede hacer que esta experiencia sea posible solo con su apoyo. Si ocurre un incidente durante un juego o en la práctica y está en desacuerdo con el árbitro del partido, el entrenador o los jugadores por favor trate de comprender que los errores suceden, sin embargo, tal acción no da a un padre, miembro de la familia o aficionado el derecho de abuso verbal o violento.
Como padre de un jugador del Club Mavericks estoy de acuerdo en lo siguiente:
• Voy a dar un buen ejemplo de integridad al ser respetuoso con los oficiales del juego, los entrenadores, jugadores y compañeros de equipo. Voy a tener control sobre mis emociones y seré cortés con los oficiales del juego, los entrenadores, padres y jugadores.
• Me quedaré dos metros fuera de la línea del campo.
• Voy a complementar a los jugadores con comentarios positivos, y me abstendré de dirigir a la selección o equipo.
• No estaré detrás de las porterías en ningún momento durante los juegos.
• No tendré ningún enfrentamiento físico o verbal con los entrenadores, oficiales del juego, los jugadores, y los padres antes, durante y después de los partidos.
• No usare comentarios despectivos o gestos ofensivos en ningún momento para el equipo o los padres.
• Los entrenadores y padres de los jugadores en el equipo son colectivamente responsables por el comportamiento de su equipo y sus espectadores.
• No traeré conmigo ninguna substancia alchólica, tabaco, drogas ilegales o mascotas a los campos de fútbol o a sus estacionamientos.
• No entrare al terreno de juego en ningún momento sin el permiso del árbitro. Esto incluye al padre de un jugador lesionado.
En caso de cualquier duda o problema con respecto a los padres o al comportamiento del entrenador, se espera que se ponga en contacto con el Director de Entrenadores, Director Técnico, o cualquier Miembro de la Junta directiva de Mavericks para alertarlos de sus preocupaciones.
Las personas que violen el código de conducta de los padres estarán sujetas a medidas disciplinarias como se define en la política de cero tolerancias de Mavericks con respecto a comportamientos inapropiados.
POLITICA DE CERO TOLERANCIA ACC MAVERICKS
Todas las quejas sobre el comportamiento inadecuado de cualquier adulto dentro de un equipo de Mavericks (entrenadores del equipo, los padres u otros adultos presentes en la banca del equipo), así como todas las tarjetas amarillas o rojas emitidas a los jugadores, padres o entrenadores del equipo, serán investigadas con prontitud por el Comité de Disciplina de Mavericks. Si: (1) cualquier oficial del equipo recibe una tarjeta amarilla o tarjeta roja, o (2), el Comité determina que la conducta de los adultos en cuestión viola la política de Mavericks, ACCYSL, Distrito 4, GSSL o NorCal Premier, Mavericks impondrá las siguientes sanciones (además de otras sanciones impuestas por D4, GSSL, o Premier NorCal):
Primera infracción:1 o 2 juegos de suspensión, a menos que el Comité determine a su sola discreción que una advertencia verbal es suficiente.
Segunda infracción:2 a 4 juegos de suspensión.
Tercera infracción: Suspensión de por lo menos el resto de la temporada, el Comité podrá extender esta suspensión e incluir algunos partidos o todos los de la próxima temporada.
La sanción se aplicará al adulto representante del equipo responsable de la infracción (ya sea el entrenador, ayudante de entrenador, o el padre).