2008 SEASON

Boys & Girls; Kindergarten To 4 Years Old On Or Before October 1, 2008

( 2008 Season Dates: 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18)

What is the KinderKicker Program?

KinderKickers is an enjoyable non-competitive program designed to help our youngest of soccer players begin to develop basic soccer skills by participating in fun-filled soccer oriented children's games and basic physical education activities rather than through competitive team play or repetitive practice drills.

These professionally designed games and activities are formatted to allow the children to begin acquiring fundamental soccer skills while simply out having fun with a soccer ball.

The Livingston Soccer Club believes that early emphasis on skill development in this manner will gradually enhance each child's overall ability and, ultimately, enjoyment of the sport as they grow and develop with it over the years.

This program does not involve competitive team play but instead emphasizes frequent contact with a soccer ball as the method of developing fundamental skills. The program does not teach player positioning or team tactics as such instruction is more suitable for older children.

The Soccer Club wants children, first and foremost, to have fun. Additionally, they would like the participants to learn basic soccer skills while developing an appreciation and affinity for the game of soccer specifically, and exercise and team play in general.

KinderKickers is not a "drop off" program and parents are expected to stay and watch the children play, and even sometimes join in the action

How does the KinderKicker Program Work?

Each participant in the KinderKicker program is placed on a "team" of approximately 15 kids. Each team is assigned a group of parent volunteer KinderKickers coaches. This team will meet for one hour each week on Saturday mornings at the same time and same field for each session of the KinderKicker program. The teams are segregated by nursery school and kindergarten students.Also kindergarten teams are divided by gender (all girls or all boys)

Each session is pre-programmed by a detailed diagramed lesson plan that has been developed by the Ashley's Soccer Camps, Inc. in conjunction with the Livingston Soccer Club. These lesson plans have been thoroughly reviewed and updated to reflect the latest coaching techniques. The lessons each teach a basic soccer skill while masquerading as a child's game. The plans are specifically designed so that each child is constantly kicking his or her own soccer ball or alternatively stated, having "maximum touches on the ball". You can see KinderKickers Lesson Plans here

Apart from the lesson plans, there will be several professional soccer coaches from the Ashley's Soccer Camps, Inc. patrolling the KinderKicker field and assisting our great parent volunteer coaches to execute their lesson plans.

At the core of the KinderKicker program is our wonderful volunteer KinderKicker coaches who display enthusiasm, motivation and patience, and perhaps a bit of goofiness.. This is all in the name of providing a fun-filled and safe environment for your future Ronaldinho or Mia Hamm to acquire a love for the game and basic soccer skills.

Towards the end of each session, the coaches may run a "scrimmage" using several balls and having no goalkeeper. Do not be disappointed if all the kids "beehive" around the ball. That is what nursery school and kindergarten kids do.

Remember our parent coaches are volunteers who have taken their time to attend training and safety sessions and run these practices. Make sure you let them know how much they are appreciated.

Who , What, Where, When And Equipment?

The KinderKicker program starts on Saturday September 6, 2008 and runs on Saturdays (9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18); NEW FOR 2008: There are THREE sessions: the early session runs from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, the 2nd session runs from 9:30-10:30 and the late session runs from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM. The first session is primarily intended for those families who have other children playing in the rec soccer program in grade levels that will be meeting from 9-12. The program takes place at the Harrison School, which is on North Livingston Avenue. In late August you will be contacted by a team coach who will inform you about your team, session time, contact information and field locatin at the Harrison School. Every week you will report to the same field at the same time.

PLEASE DO NOT PANIC IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM A KK COACH BUT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM YOUR OLDER CHILD'S COACH OR A FRIEND HAS HEARD FROM THEIR KK COACH. BECAUSE OUR PROGRAM IS THE ONLY ONE IN REC SOCCER THAT CONTINUES TO ACCEPT LATE REGISTRATIONS UP UNTIL THE SEASON STARTS, WE ARE STILL TWEAKING ROSTERS UNTIL THE VERY END; ALSO, MANY COACHES ARE ON VACATION TOWARD THE END OF AUGUST AND YOU WILL BE CONTACTED UPON THEIR RETURN.

At the first session of the KinderKicker program each child will receive their very own official genuine KinderKicker soccer ball and spiffy coordinating t-shirt. Parents: please ... please ... please ... write your child's TEAM name on the soccer ball and at the end of the KinderKicker season, each player will receive a team ball to keep forever which you may then personalize with your child's name.   If you should lose a soccer ball a limited amount of replacement balls may be available for $5.00 (fee payable by check to the Livingston Soccer Club).

Your child should be dressed in shorts or other weather appropriate pants and may wear sneakers, tennis shoes or cleats. Children shoud wear shin guards to protect them aganst the kicks fro othe players. Also, for your child's safety, please remove all jewelry prior to each session. Additionally, each child should have an ample supply of water based on weather conditions.

Your team administrator will provide you with the date and time of your child's picture day schedule once the season has begun. Photographs will be taken at the Livingston Community Center on Hillside Avenue, we will do our best to make sure that your designated picture time does not interfere with your session time..

Additional information will be distributed to you by your Team Administrator.

You Had Mentioned A Team Administrator. What Is That?

Each of our amazing KinderKicker volunteer coaches have equal responsibility for the on-field successes that we undoubtedly will experience during the season. In addition, one of the coaches has been appointed the Team Administrator. This person will be your contact with the KinderKicker program and, for example, will call you when there is a weather cancellation. Please address any questions to your Team Administrator. You will find out who this person is in late August.

Parking And Specific Safety Concerns?

The parking at the Harrison School is very very tight. We urge you to arrive early and to carpool when possible. The parking lot to the Harrison School can be accessed either from North Livingston Avenue or from Ashwood Drive. Ashwood Drive is a residential street just north of the school. Street parking is permitted on Ashwood Drive and the street has nice sidewalks. Since this is a residential street we ask that you remind your children to be respectful of the neighborhood.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, do not allow your children to play or dribble soccer balls in the parking lots, sidewalks or streets. Please insure that your kids hold their soccer balls while not on the field.

What Are The Rainout Procedures?

If KinderKickers has to be cancelled because of inclement weather, you will be notified by your Team Administrator of that fact and any make-up information.

Next Year I Would Like To Coach, But I Never Played Soccer. Is That OK?

We are always looking for great coaches and would encourage you to volunteer by indicating that fact on your child's registration form next year. The requirements to coach is a love of kids, enthusiasm, being a bit wacky and having played kick ball on the playground at least once in the third grade.  You must be be prepared to make a time commitment to attend all the Saturday sessions during the season.  Additionally, there are two pre-season training sessions for you to attend and receive training by the professionals from Ashley's Soccer Camp. First time coaches must attend a mandatory 3 hours Rutgers Safety Course( paid and provided by LSC) for insurance reasons.

If you meet these criteria, the Livingston Soccer Club strongly encourages volunteering. Being a KinderKicker volunteer is a wonderful way to begin coaching youth sports in general and soccer specifically

Can I Request That My Child Be On The Same Team as Someone Else Or Play At A Specific Time?

The Livingston Soccer Club will try to honor all requests for a child to attend a particular session provided that request is made during the regular in-person registration period. Please indicate any preference on your registration form. This placement cannot be guaranteed.

However, for your child's initial comfort, you may request to be on a team with up to 2 other children. While we cannot guarantee your request, we will do our best to make sure that your child is with 1 of their 2 requested buddies.. The soccer pitch is a wonderful place where a child can meet and play in an organized fashion with other children that they do not know. Even if your child does not know any of the other kids on the team, he or she will be quickly involved in a series of activities that will acclimate them to their new teammates and new friends.

If you feel that your child's experience will be enhanced by having one buddy on the team, the Soccer Club will try to honor that request (if possible) as indicated on your registration form. Please limit this special request to up to 2 children only. The Soccer Club will not necessarily honor a request for more then one child. All request must be submitted to the KinderKicker Director by June 15th.

Putting together the team rosters is a very difficult and time-consuming exercise. Other than for extraordinary and unforeseeable reasons, roster changes will not be made.

Is This The Section Where The Miscellaneous Information Goes?

· Late Registrations for KinderKicker's are permitted (if space is available) on a first-come, first-served basis. Please send an email to president@lsclub.com if you 'd like to register your child.

· After the start of the season, there will be no refunds of fees.

· Label all your child's clothes that you bring to the field.

· Each child receives a special giveaway during the season as well as a variety of smaller giveaways after each session. We find that this premium encourages attendance. Also at the last session, we will surprise the kids with participation award.

* Please help us keep the fields clean by picking up all of your belongings and disposing of your trash.