Our Winter Select program offers talented and committed players the opportunity to continue with competitive high level soccer through the winter, without threatening club sides playing in the Fall and Spring seasons. The program is delivered as a partnership with our Youth Premier Soccer League summer (YPSL) select teams, and is part of our commitment to providing the best possible year-round opportunities for the soccer communities we serve. These teams do not play in the Fall or the Spring.

Our philosophy is that Select soccer should be competitive but positive, with an emphasis is on the highest possible level of training, and developing the technical skills that can be honed indoors to help players perform better when they return outside for the spring season. While winter tournament play provides a focus, the emphasis is on the performance of skills in game situations rather than win at all costs.

The program for each age group is specific to the needs of those players, but all consist of training through March, with at least one indoor tournament (which has an additional cost). Training sessions are at the Randolph Indoor Sports Pavilion and the Princeton Sports Center, two first class indoor facilities.

The Fast Starters program is aimed at 5-7 year olds, and is fun, but with a focus on player learning, and the development of basic soccer skills.

The purpose of the program is to teach individual skills, and that it's okay to experiment and try them on a soccer field. This is imperative at all age groups, but unfortunately, from the moment young boys and girls start playing travel soccer, games, winning games and using the percentage plays will - directly and indirectly - affect their ability and desire to experiment. That isn't what it says in “the brochure”, but it's true. When real competition is introduced, people play to win not to learn, and in many cases, training sessions become reactive to results, rather than pro-actively teaching players skills. By way of a context / example of this, English Premier League Youth Academies used to have hundreds or even thousands of people watching some of their games, as young as U9, U10 and U11. While arguably a great experience for the kids, it could never be described as the best learning environment for young players, with every mistake cheered or booed by thousands of people.

At Manchester United, the plan to combat this was a skills-based program with a number of 4v4 games going on simultaneously instead of "mini-Premier League" games. These took place without referees, with players keeping score, and with parents and supporters kept back from the side of the field to give the players some space. This allowed young players to experiment and try skills they had learned, without the consequences of risking a game being won or lost in a pressured environment. At Manchester united, every youth player plays every position, and the focus is on new trying skills and learning to execute them in game situations. At around ages 12-14, positions and results etc were more forcibly developed. The system was developed and implemented by Rene Mulensteen, who is still at Manchester United initially as the technical skills director, and now as the assistant Head Coach to Sir Alex Ferguson.

This detailed background is necessary to genuinely understand the philosophy behind the Fast Starters program. The coaches are experts, and will teach the young boys and girls to be as skilled as they can be at this age. However, the transition from performing a skill in training and doing it in a game situation is difficult - for anyone at any level. In order for it to best happen, we work to create the best possible learning environment, particularly in the games part of each week. This isn't a liberal perspective on youth soccer from someone who doesn't believe in competition - believe me, we all like to win. However, our staff team, genuinely and passionately believe in what we are doing, and this program is an opportunity to create something special for all the kids involved. There should be a difference in approach between six and sixteen year old players, and there’s plenty of time to focus on results later.

Fast Starters 2009 program registration form  ...................................  Download   

Field Directions  ....   click here

The training young players receive can not only shape their playing habits for the remainder of their playing careers, but also serves to inspire them to greater things.

Our First Touch program is dedicated to motor skills for pre-school children through our Pre-school Soccer Enrichment Program. As well as running these courses at a number of independent facilities, our coaches can will travel to your pre-school to run program, allowing children to take part in the sessions at a facility they are familiar with, whilst also saving parents the time and effort of making sure their children can get to the sessions on time. We have a number of pre-schools and day care centers already taking part in this soccer enrichment program, and the courses are extremely popular with both the children and parents.

Any Pre-school or day-care centers or parents who are interested in having our Soccer Enrichment Program at their facility should contact us to discuss the program in more detail.

Our coaching with young players focuses on the Dutch skills philosophy of "total soccer". This model encourages players to develop a wide range of abilities and to make the correct decisions on the field, rather than simply conditioning them to rely on instructions and only understanding how to play one position.

Throughout everything we do, there is a large component of fun. We recognize that the happy player is more receptive to learning, and we want people to leave every session counting the minutes to the start of the next one!

This program is:

Especially for younger players

The best possible introduction to soccer for the aspiring soccer player.

Based on the world-famous Dutch coaching model

Helpful to players that want to develop the individual ball skills and techniques needed to be successful

A chance to learn the rules of the game

A wonderful introduction to 'the beautiful game'

The SONESOCCER Training Academy offers a structured program of training, the opportunity to play in some of the biggest tournaments in the region against other elite players, and is staffed by the best coaching staff in New Jersey. Based in a variety of high-quality locations based around the nucleus of each team, the Academy helps players reach their potential, guided by staff of the highest quality. Academy players have the opportunity to try out for the summer tournament programs, each of which participates in four strong tournaments across Region One.

The SONESOCCER Academy staff includes former Manchester United youth coach Andy Sones, and the other familiar faces familiar include Adrian Borrows (Director of Boys Academy Programs), Mark Dutton, Mark Woodward, Rob Alman, Graham Hickson and Phil Flannery. All coaches have worked in Academy programs in England as well as the United States, and bring their experience to bear in creating the ideal environment for players looking to take their game to the next level. The program incorporates techniques, tactical development and sports psychology from the finest youth development programs across the world, delivered through high quality coaching, for the perfect training package.

Our Academy program progresses from the individual skill requirements to team and tactical awareness in a multi-layered fold approach. Each season consists of four stages of development:

• Physical preparation
• Individual technical development
• Tactical development
• Evaluation

The Physical Preparation stage will see players work on their speed, endurance, balance and co-ordination to ensure they are ready to play at the highest level. Players will be tested at the beginning, during, and at the end of each season, as well as involving a Speed, Agility and Quickness (SAQ) program specific to soccer.

The Individual Technical Development stage incorporates skills such as passing, dribbling, turning, control, heading and shooting. Much this content is be tested in a way to ensure the players receive objective rather than subjective feedback, while following the SONESOCCER philosophy of development through understanding - encouraging players to understand their own performances and make their own decisions in the game, through knowledge gained in training.

During the Tactical Development stage, players will work on their awareness, anticipation and decision-making in high intensity training sessions, developing through unopposed, opposed and game-speed situation.

The Evaluation stage involves players providing a self-evaluation of their progress through the program, and written feedback from the coach explaining progress made, areas of strength, and avenues for improvement. This provides tangible evidence of what has been covered, while providing a goals and a focus for future work.

This carefully constructed program is the culmination of considerable research and development by a number of coaches, taking information from youth training programs at Manchester United, and Liverpool from England, drawing heavily on the Ajax youth model and Dutch individual skill philosophy, as well as Italian team structures, and the United States ODP program. We have adapted and developed this information to produce a coaching curriculum and style specific to the needs of players here looking to maximize performance both individually and in relation to team performance.

Advanced Technical Training is here!

Following the success of the Center of Excellence program and as a result of both parent and player feedback, the Advanced Technical Training (ATT) program is designed to develop the technical abilities of the higher level soccer player, focusing the development and execution of skills in pressured situations. Recognizing that team training sessions need to focus on a group of players and their collective needs, ATT classes will have smaller group sizes to allow more one-to-one training. Game play will be in 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 situations, with a focus on the individual skills necessary to beat opponents. Also covered are different ways of striking and bending the ball, improving first touch and increasing the speed of decisions in pressured situations.

Playing high level travel soccer is a pre-requisite for entering the program and applicants should be aware that the intensity is not for everyone, but designed around the needs of the focused and motivated player. The ATT class is for 9 through 11 year-old players, ATT+ is for 12 through 14s, and ATT High School is for 14-17 year olds and specifically designed around the off-season needs of the HS player, although there is flexibility between groups based on ability.

Places are limited to ensure quality and small coach/player ratios, early classes have already sold out. The class represents great value for the techniques learned to equip the player for the highest level of soccer.

Peak Soccer Performance (PSP) provides all-round soccer development with a specific focus on developing speed and agility, acceleration, reaction time, pace and power. The coaching element is in the context of practical situations – preparing players to execute skills correctly at speed under pressure. All this is achieved by analyzing and developing the specific requirements of the soccer player, delivered in a soccer context. We also use a variety of equipment including speed hurdles, ladders, rings and parachutes, and video-analysis where appropriate. All this works toward making players mentally and physically better prepared to perform to the peak of their potential.

Motivated players will gain huge benefit from this stimulating and challenging program delivered by high level soccer coaches who also have personal fitness training qualifications, and a proven background in fitness and conditioning. Places are limited to ensure quality and small coach:player ratios. PSP is guaranteed to take your fitness and your game, to the Peak of Soccer Performance!!!

This is a new program designed to work the individual in a small group. The session revolves around FUTSAL, which develops first touch, control and dribbling abilities. This program is different because the coach’s interact with play. Working on the players individual ability’s in game related situation they get to try new things and work on their technique under pressure. Each player will be evaluated on the first week to work out what they need to improve as well as this each week there is a special topic; i.e. running at players, this emphasis confidence to beat players not just pass around them.

This program is limited to 12 people meaning that every player will have close training. Every player’s will have an evaluation written about them, so they can work on the necessary thing they need to improve their game.

Futsal is the only Official form of Indoor Soccer approved by FIFA. It is played on all the continents of the world in over 100 countries by more than 12 million players. Futsal is played on a basketball-size court, and can be played on a variety of surfaces. Without the walls, futsal is a great skill-developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pin-point passing. It is an exciting game for children as well as adults.

Great soccer superstars such as Pele, Zico and Socrates grew up playing the game and credit Futsal with developing their skills. Futsal is played with a special low bounce ball, requiring players to use their skills, rather than the ball's bounce, to propel it.

This program teaches players some of the basic techniques necessary to play the game effectively, with plenty of time for players to learn themselves in game situations. Included in the price is participation into the State Futsal Championship at the appropriate age.

The Goalkeeper Master Class will develop the key skills needed for this specialized position. The class will cater for keepers of all ages with sessions designed to challenge all ability levels. Skills taught will focus on the Ten Principles of Goalkeeping – essential technical, tactical, physical and psychological practice for all keepers serious about improving their game.

Handling – The Key Consideration

Body Shape – The Gunslinging Gorilla

Staying Alert – The Concentration Factor

Staying on Your Feet – The Importance of Footwork

Body Behind the Ball – Making Barriers

Getting Set – Ready for Action

React, Don’t Anticipate – The Reaction Factor

Recovery – Making the Second Save

Decisions, Communication and Organization – The Boss of the Defense

Goalkeeping in Transition - From Last Defender to First Attacker

We all know that offense sells tickets and defense wins championships. Whether you consider yourself a defender, midfielder or attacker, as soon as your team doesn't have the ball, you're defending! Knowing how to defend properly can often be the difference between victory and defeat and after all, if you don't concede a goal, you can't lose. The Art of Defending will cover all the essential aspects of defending and will help the individual, defensive unit and team improve the following:

1. 1v1: Winning the Individual Battle
2. Pressure, Cover, Balance
3. Man-to-man and zonal marking
4. Defending in transition
5. Controlling the space: staying compact as a unit
6. Making play predictable
7. Defending set-pieces
8. Developing the Defensive Mentality
9. How to tackle
10. Effective communication

Individuals and teams will benefit greatly from this intense, focused program.

Winning Attitudes focuses on the least practiced but often most important aspect of soccer: the psychological side of the game. This practical, classroom-based program will help all players develop their mental game, covering the following areas:

• Psychological profile: what kind of player are you?
• Positive Mental Energy: Developing Confidence
• Control and Discipline
• Visualization: How to set goals
• Mental Toughness
• Competing v Playing
• Motivation: Extrinsic and Intrinsic
• Staying positive: what to say when you talk to yourself
• Having a Winning Mentality

The program will prove beneficial for players of all ages and abilities and will help the individual in other walks of life.

A cost effective alternative to individual private sessions, Skills Builder training develops soccer skills in small groups. Focusing on passing, dribbling, first touch and ball striking, the Skills Builder program is a perfect addition to any winter soccer training program.

Working in small groups (maximum six) brings the individual into focus, increases the training intensity of training, and enables more individual feedback for each player. For programs unlike regular training – try the ADI experience with SONESOCCER.

Designed for talented younger players, the Skills and Drills program focuses on the decisions and execution of individual soccer skills. Working on all the components of soccer play, the program develops the speed and quality of the skill performance – preparing the player for a successful Spring season.

Working in small groups (maximum six) brings the individual into focus, increases the training intensity of training, and enables more individual feedback for each player. For programs unlike regular training – try the ADI experience with SONESOCCER.

The Trick and Beat program focuses on the individual skills used to dribble past opponents in games. Useful in all positions, but essential in attacking areas, the Trick and Beat curriculum is designed to produce skillful attacking players, full of flair, and with an array of dribbling weapons to put fear into even the best defenders.

Working in small groups (maximum six) brings the individual into focus, increases the training intensity of training, and enables more individual feedback for each player. For programs unlike regular training – try the ADI experience with SONESOCCER.

For the strong player looking to be pushed and tested to their limits, the skills mastery program focuses on the performance and improvement of skills under increasing pressure. The highest levels of soccer are defined by the limited time and space players have to execute their moves, and the Skills Mastery program tests those limits, as well as teaching and training players to perform in the confined areas found at the highest levels of soccer.

Working in small groups (maximum six) brings the individual into focus, increases the training intensity of training, and enables more individual feedback for each player. For programs unlike regular training – try the ADI experience with SONESOCCER.

The perfect preparation for an effective spring season, the College Prep program is designed exclusively for the serious player looking toward college soccer as a serious option. Running physical training sessions straight out of D1 and D3 training packets, with skills sessions designed to develop the individual tools necessary to perform at the collegiate level, the program is unique in it’s focus, and unparalleled in it’s delivery.

Working in small groups (maximum six) brings the individual into focus, increases the training intensity of training, and enables more individual feedback for each player. For programs unlike regular training – try the ADI experience with SONESOCCER.