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E.L.I.T.E. Soccer & Basketball Academy
PHOENIX RECREATION
Building Confidence and Skills Through Fun Play
Phoenix Recreation
The ESBA Phoenix Recreation™ for youth ages U5 – U14 focuses on building confidence, coordination, ball mastery, and a love for the game in a positive and development-centered environment. The program was designed to allow all boys and girls, regardless of experience, the opportunity to play the game of soccer and basketball.
Players are introduced to age-appropriate technical skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, first touch, spacing, and basic game awareness through fun, engaging activities and small-sided games.
The program emphasizes creativity, teamwork, and decision-making while helping young athletes develop discipline, communication skills, resilience, and confidence both on and off the field.
Phoenix Recreation offers training for two age groups:
Ages U5 - U7
Ages U8 - U14
All players involved in the Recreation Level are guaranteed 50% of game play time.
Youth Ages U5 - U7
DEVELOPMENT GOALS ( Ages 5 - 7)
⚽ Soccer
Ball familiarity
Dribbling confidence
Coordination
Basic passing
Spatial awareness
Balance & agility
🏀 Basketball
Ball control
Hand-eye coordination
Footwork
Passing basics
Shooting mechanics
Confidence moving with the ball
🧠 Social-emotional
Listening skills
Emotional regulation
Taking turns
Encouraging teammates
Resilience after mistakes
Positive communication
AGE-APPROPRIATE COACHING
At ESBA, ages 5 –7 are not trained like miniature professionals.
They are developed as:
Children first
Athletes second
Because confidence, joy, and development matter more than early pressure.
The Phoenix Recreation programs runs continuously throughout the year in 12-week sessions in the Fall and Spring. Players can select the dates & times that fit into their schedule (as available). Players can either attend individual sessions or sign up for the full 6-week session.
SESSION STRUCTURE (60-Minutes)
1. Welcome & Warm-Up (10 min)
Goal:
Excitement
Movement
Engagement
Mindset
Activities:
Freeze tag
Animal movements
Cone races
Follow-the-leader
Coaching Style:
Energetic
Encouraging
Interactive
2. Ball Mastery & Coordination (15 min)
Soccer
Toe taps
Dribble through cones
Red light / green light
Shark attack dribbling game
Basketball
Stationary dribbles
Dribble races
Bounce & catch
Dribble freeze game
Focus:
Comfort with the ball
Confidence
Coordination
3. Skill Development Stations (15 min)
Soccer Stations
Passing Gates
Kids pass through cone gates.
Shooting Fun
Shoot at mini goals.
Obstacle Dribbling
Dribble around cones and hurdles.
Basketball Stations
Layup Footwork
Basic step progression.
Passing Targets
Chest pass to targets.
Shooting Spots
Close-range form shooting.
4. Small-Sided Games (15 min)
Soccer
3v3
4v4
No goalkeepers initially
Basketball
3v3 half court
Modified rules
Focus on spacing and movement
Purpose:
More touches
More participation
Better decision-making
5. Team Circle & Confidence Close (5 min)
End every session positively.
“What did you improve today?”
“Who encouraged a teammate?”
“What was fun today?”
Finish with:
Team cheer
Positive affirmationSoccer
Youth Ages U8 - 14
Players ages U8–U14 work on age-appropriate soccer skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and basic game understanding while learning how to compete with effort, respect, and joy.
Developmental Goals
Ball Control & Dribbling
Passing & Receiving
Shooting & Finishing
1v1 Attacking
Defending Basics
Spacing & Field Awareness
Teamwork & Communication
Game Understanding
Agility, Balance & Coordination
Our goal is to create a positive soccer experience where every player can grow, learn, compete, and have fun—regardless of skill level or previous experience.
Phoenix Recreation
Fall 2026/Spring 2027 FEE Schedule
Introductory Development
The Phoenix Recreation is designed to build confidence through play. We focus on movement, fun, coordination and ball familiarity.
Age and Play Rules
Younger players are permitted to play up, but older players cannot play down.
Tryout Dates
No tryouts required for Phoenix Recreation. Every player who registers will be accepted in the recreation program and will be placed on a team.
Practice
Practice will take place on Tuesday from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm at
Alice B. McCullough Field or North Laurel Park field 1.
Note: monthly practice schedules will be posted at the beginning of each month.
Games
Kids will have scrimmage games throughout practice.
Gender Rules
There are no coed teams allowed in the Phoenix Rising.
Uniforms
Jerseys and/or uniforms are available for purchase.
Required Equipment
Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child has the proper size ball, shin guards, soccer cleats and water.
Empathy. Resilience. Teamwork
E.L.I.T.E. Soccer & Basketball Academy (ESBA)
Two Sports. One Purpose. One Academy
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