Fundamentals First Academy is excited to offer a K-2 Instructional Soccer program starting September 2023. All sessions take place at Archbishop Riordan High School on Sundays. The games will run from 8:00 AM and conclude by 5:00 PM for kinder and grade one and conclude by 5:15 PM for second-grade matches. The field is synthetic, allowing play to occur during inclement weather. Erin Stovall joins the family and brings her knowledge and passion for soccer.
Erin Stovall has been the head athletic trainer at Archbishop Riordan since the fall of 2014. A bay area local born and raised, she has a long-standing history around soccer, playing in both the club sector and intercollegiate athletics. In 2021, Erin was the head coach of the newly established girl's soccer program at Archbishop Riordan as the school transitioned to co-education.
As with our instructional basketball league, our number one goal for the children is for them to experience the sport of soccer in a caring and nurturing way. We aim for the children to learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and, most importantly, having fun participating in sports. Our leagues are heavily team-based; however, there may be opportunities for individual players.
Our instructional soccer league is open for children in grades K, 1, and 2. The goal is to introduce the children to the fundamentals and have them grow in the sport each year. As with our basketball program, there are no additional days for practice.
Children in grades kinder and first have an hour block for drills and games. We want to maximize each minute of these sessions. While there are five players from each team on the pitch, the remaining players from each team will be doing drills with our FFA staff. When we call for subs, the two groups will switch. The goal is for the children to only sit for a sip of water.
The second-grade league will have a one-hour and twenty-minute block for their practice time and play. Teams will start with 30 minutes of practice and drills followed by two twenty-two-minute halves. As always, FFA is happy to facilitate the training for groups that request it.
Below is a sample of how each session might look:
Kinder and First Grade:
In the example below, Group A is the first five players on the pitch for each team, and Group B is the remaining players.
8:00 AM - 8:10 AM
Programming begins promptly at the top of the hour, with all teams working on pre-assigned drills for ten minutes with Coach Erin and her staff.
8:10 AM - 8:20 AM
Group A - Five v five-play, with no goalies - 10 minutes
Group B - Session I skill work with FFA coaches - 10 minutes
8:20 AM - 8:30 AM
Group B - Five v five-play, with no goalies - 10 minutes
Group A - Session I skill work with FFA coaches - 10 minutes
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Group A - Five v five-play, with no goalies - 10 minutes
Group B - Session II skill work with FFA coaches - 10 minutes
8:40 AM - 8:50 AM
Group B - Five v five-play, with no goalies - 10 minutes
Group A - Session II skill work with FFA coaches - 10 minutes
8:50 AM - 8:55 AM
Wrap up and shake hands
Second Grade:
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Programming begins promptly at the top of the hour, with all teams practicing.
8:30 AM - 8:53 AM
The first half of seven v seven-play, with a goalie, commences
8:53 AM - 8:55 AM
HALFTIME
8:55 AM - 9:18 AM
The second half of seven v seven-play, with a goalie, commences
9:18 AM - 9:20 AM
Wrap up and shake hands
PRICING:
Co-ed Kinder, First Grade Boys, and First Grade Girls - $150 per player
Second Grade Boys and Second Grade Girls - $210 per player
Teams are limited, so reserve your teams now!
CLICK HERE TO LOCK IN YOUR TEAM
Once a team roster is submitted, families will have two weeks to make payment. If the entire team has not registered within two weeks, it will jeopardize their entry into the league. *
*If you reserve a kindergarten team, your families will have until June 1 to register.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many divisions are there?
There are five divisions:
Co-ed Kindergarten
First-grade Boys *
First-grade Girls *
Second-grade Boys
Second-grade girls
* First will likely play as a co-ed league
Is the league co-ed?
Our kindergarten league is co-ed. If you have a co-ed team for grades one or two, the team will play in the boys ' league in grades one or two.
Does our team need a coach?
KINDER and FIRST GRADE
For kinder and first grade, we will have one FFA staff officiating and another working with the teams during the skills sessions. We encourage teams to have a team manager to assist our staff with drills if needed.
What time should we arrive for our game?
Players should arrive five minutes before the scheduled start time.
What uniform should my child wear?
Each child will receive a reversible league jersey.
The children should come wearing soccer cleats for the turf field, shin guards, and shorts or sweats.
Are there separate days for practices?
No, the sample schedule is listed above.
What are the minimum and maximum number of players on a roster?
For kinder and first grade, the minimum number of players is eight, and the maximum is ten.
For second grade, the minimum is ten players, and the maximum is fourteen.
Can exceptions be made, and teams go over the maximum?
As long as the team is ok with having more than the suggested maximum and know that the amount of playing time is less for each child, we will honor the request.
Can exceptions be made, and teams be under the minimum?
With many activities and commitments for families, we must have the minimum number to ensure enough to avoid forfeits, which impacts other teams.