The summer plan has been set. Youth Pickup begins Saturday July 3rd @9am for all 7-15 year olds within earshot. This program is open to everyone so please spread the world! Jump to our sign up page to register for one or all days now: La Finca Saturday Pickup
We’ll also be taking several teams this summer to the 3v3 Live tournament in Tinton Falls, NJ on July 16. And, we’re looking into running our own small-sided tournament in August or early September.
Special thanks to our newest program sponsor, SPECTRA FX, for making this all possible.
The pickup program will utilize small-sided games, 3v3 to 5v5. These are fast-paced with an emphasis on foot skill development. They will be fun, competitive and great opportunities to develop the creative talents of every player.
We’re also going to experiment with modifications to the small games recommended by the legendary English coach, Michael Baele. By the end of the program we’re aiming to develop a La Finca selection of these games that we’ll utilize in all our programs going forward.
Why small-sided?
The inspiration for the use of small-sided games in coaching lies in street football and 'kickabouts' on the nearest available patch of grass – small groups of players playing intense, high-tempo, skillful, competitive-yet-fun football.
It’s widely held that the practice was first adopted as a structured coaching method by the Dutch Football Association back in the 1970s under the guidance of Rinus Michels, the inspiration behind what became known as 'Total Football'.
The Dutch recognized the decline in street football and the damaging effect that would have on developing players in future generations. They formulated the 4v4 method as a response and it became widely known as 'the Dutch way'.
—64 Small-sided Games by Michael Baele
La Finca, Keep an Eye Outside and an Ear to the Street
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