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This team is ideal for the player who wants to reach higher competitive levels and has a desire to learn from some of the country’s finest professional youth coaches (see staff bios).
The coaching focus is on individual players’ skills, tactical comprehension, psychological maturity, and physical prowess necessary to create a balanced athlete. This is based on the European and South American concept of team development, which is rarely followed in the USA. We are not looking for a 'quick fix', but rather a long term technical, tactical and physical development of the individual. The emphasis on winning at all costs in not a priority. The sooner UFC can provide high level technical and creative training in a year round soccer environment the more likely we will be able to build a successful team whose players will be capable and enjoy playing at a high-level. In order to achieve this success, the club needs to introduce the culture of soccer to players at the youngest possible level, as they do overseas. Many players either are not taught the correct skills at young enough age and are simply not exposed to ‘real’ soccer coaching, coaches and a real soccer environment. Unfortunately many young players are left behind and enter the competitive game in their mid- teens only to find that a lot of technical development should have occurred before their growth spurts.
(the following paragraph is taken in part from the Southern California Blues Girls Soccer Club website with permission from Larry Draluck, Club President and Director of Coaching of So. Cal Blues). No parent coaches are allowed at the club- We provide instruction offering the serious player every tool necessary to reach her personal potential in the sport of soccer. Proven player preparation for competition at the club, Olympic development, college level, and beyond. Emphasis on the fundamental correct body and thinking forms of SKILLS as the foundation from which players reach their potential in the sport of soccer. Once the correct body and thinking forms of SKILLS are mastered, UFC players are taught to execute their SKILLS under the pressures of the game of soccer. Direct exposure to state, regional, and national games, players, and coaches. UFC players attend collegiate and national level games and develop role models through association with top caliber players in games and practices. "In UFC we have a program which is unique in the United States. The most obvious difference is our trademark style of play-. Ball Possession, versus the common "kick and run" soccer; which may produce more "wins" in a player's younger years, but does little to prepare her for play at top competitive levels. While we emphasize the importance of winning soccer games, from a coaching stand point, long-term growth of the player comes first with UFC. It's a difficult, tedious approach, filled with highs and lows, but the results are worthwhile. We are also one of the first clubs nation wide to bridge the gap between youth and adult soccer. Union F.C is joined by a high-powered adult women's team, Northern California UFC that also goes by the U.F.C. name. This affiliation provides visual role models for our young players, something desperately lacking in American soccer. At UFC we are most satisfied by the fact that we've been part of the growth of a great deal of Olympic development, collegiate caliber soccer players, and successful human beings. If you are serious about soccer and want the best environment in which to develop your talent, UFC may be right for you. Although no promises are ever made about being selected as a member of a state, regional, national, college, or professional soccer team, UFC is proud that many of our players do go on to be selected for the Southern California State Olympic development program and many of our nations top NCAA college teams.
We will achieve excellence by focussing repetitively on technique. Without the fundamental understanding of the player/ ball relationship, you cannot begin to effectively teach and utilize the variety of options in the tactical game. And, in order that you can utilize all these personal skills fully, a sound physical fitness must be achieved. There is not much success derived of thinking a good game, ultimately, you must be able to execute the skills in competition. Technique is a broad term, which encompasses all the relevant skills needed to perform with composure and thus derive greater enjoyment. Tactics will always depend on team talent, opposition and field conditions. Physical conditioning means more than running hard and fast, it also encompasses flexibility, agility, balance, timing and rhythm. We try to cover the spectrum, creating a well-balanced athlete, able to play at the next level. |
in your soccer program each year.
make arrangements for pick-up or drop off.