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Lil’ Kickers

Lil’ Kickers classes are carefully curated and wildly fun. Classes are led by high-energy coaches and packed with creative games structured to help kids tackle age-appropriate developmental milestones. Rooted in renowned child development theories, our innovative curriculum provides kids ages 18 months to 7 years the skills they need to learn soccer and grow as individuals, all while having a blast. Come see why more than a million kids nationwide love our program!

   

This year-round program is offered at both our East – Willoughby, and West – Lorain, locations. Classes are held outdoors during the warm weather months (when there are no other activities on the outdoor fields and the weather allows). If we cannot host classes outdoors they will be held on our indoor fields. **SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE AGE GROUPS & DESCRIPTIONS **

 

EAST Location – Willoughby

WEST Location – Lorain

 

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The Fine Print: Lil’ Kickers Policies

Lil’ Kickers FAQ’s

 

Often a child’s first experience with group learning, this class is designed to give them a perfect start. 

Class Overview

Bunnies classes are specially designed for children between the ages of 18 and 24 months. The purpose of the class is discovery. Together, coaches and parents will guide that discovery and help children build basic skills such as balance, coordination and socialize them within a group dynamic so they can develop confidence, learn how to follow directions, and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

Each activity is geared toward how children at this age learn with repetition being the crucial element. Coaches walk around the field to provide individualized attention. They care about what each child needs and accommodate for those needs.

Because adult participation is vital to the success of Bunnies classes; parents, guardians, or other caregivers are required to participate to help guide their child through the activities. Parents act as positive role models and help direct their child’s behavior and encourage participation, thus freeing the coach to focus on facilitating the games more effectively

Child Development Information

At this age, there is a tremendous amount of development occurring on all fronts—physical, emotional, cognitive, social—and all at an amazing rate. The world has truly opened up for these children and in their minds, it exists purely for their gratification.

 

In this class, kids begin to learn to actively engage with the coach and other players.

Class Overview

Thumpers is a class designed specifically for the needs of two and three years old. The classes use fun games, activities, and sensory tools to help the older toddler learn how to integrate into a group learning environment and build fundamental social, cognitive, and physical skills. To maximize learning, adult participation is required.

Child Development Information

Physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development continues at a rapid pace during the Thumpers age period. While the attention spans and cognitive abilities of this age group have increased, these toddlers continue to need one-on-one attention and guidance, especially in a class situation.

 

Here, preschoolers who are not quite ready to be on the field alone discover some independence.

Class Overview

Cottontails is a class designed for children who are ready for more of a challenge than a Thumpers class, but who are not quite ready to be on the field without a parent or caregiver. The Cottontails curriculum is designed to build fundamental skills such as balance, coordination, and ball-kicking skills. Cottontails classes also offer another component—helping your child build a sense of independence. As children progress through the session and become ready for more independence, parents can choose to transition to a less active role in the class.

Classes require adult participation. The idea is to gradually wean children (and sometimes parents) from needing to have one-on-one supervision on the field during class. Of course, if a child is having an overly difficult time, adults will be encouraged to participate. The adult participation schedule is as shown in the following table.

• Weeks 1 -4: On, assist in all activities.
• Weeks 5-8: On, assist when needed.
• Weeks 9-12: Off, come on to field to assist rarely.
• Week 13: On, assist in all activities.

Child Development Information

For participants in the Cottontails age group, cognitive skills are increasing in complexity. They are beginning to understand the meaning of numbers, can classify some objects (kinds, shapes, and sizes), and are beginning to understand cause and effect (consequences). Some are a little less impulsive and can show remorse. Dramatic play and vivid fantasy continues to be an important aspect of teaching as it captures their attention and helps put things into a language they understand. It also helps their reasoning abilities.

 

To share and share alike? Not always. These kiddos are raring to go, but need lots of direction to get there.

Class Overview

Hoppers classes build fundamental social, cognitive, and physical skills in three and four-year-olds. As in all Lil’ Kickers classes, Hoppers meets the child where they are developmentally which means this class is fun, fast-paced, and taps into the child’s imagination. We use highly creative games to capture their attention so they can develop overall coordination, balance, and strength and build teamwork, cooperation, listening, and of course, soccer skills.

Each week Hoppers classes will work on a specific area of focus. What parents will see is the development of a budding soccer player. What the children will gain are essential life skills that translate into a high self-esteem, becoming team players, school readiness, and strong physical capabilities.

Children who are ready to be on the field without a parent, thrive in this class. If a child who has recently turned three is uncomfortable being on the field without his or her parent, a Cottontails’ class may better suit their needs. This will allow them to develop a stronger sense of independence. Children who are four and have had other experience in class settings may be further along in their development, so a Jackrabbits or Micro 4/5 class may be more appropriate.

Child Development Information

• An even stronger desire to do things on their own
• A mastery of language, imaginative play
• An understanding of the importance of peer relations
• Mastering running, kicking, throwing, hopping, jumping
• Improved understanding of cause and effect relationships
• Longer attention span

 

Fun and fast-paced classes for kids who are naturally a little more competitive or with previous class experience.

Class Overview

Jackrabbits classes equip children with essential skills for both on and off the soccer field. Children will develop soccer skills and build physical coordination and agility. But more importantly, they will acquire social interaction skills and skills for school readiness.

Designed for children who have already been through the Hoppers curriculum, this class focuses on listening, following directions, and sharing while cultivating a sense of teamwork—what it means to be a part of a team and what it means to work as a team—helping them progress from a “me” view of the world to a “we” view of the world.

As the session progresses children will be given an opportunity to practice these skills through participating in more one-ball oriented activities where players learn to share the ball which will lead up to scrimmaging later in the session. Scrimmages are non-competitive and teach players the value of effort, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. The goal of Jackrabbits is to help put children on the path to becoming confident, well-rounded individuals who are team oriented and have a strong foundation for learning.

Child Development Information

• An even stronger desire to do things on their own
• A mastery of language, imaginative play
• An understanding of the importance of peer relations
• Mastering running, kicking, throwing, hopping jumping
• A more complex understanding of cause and effect relationship
• Can follow 2 unrelated instructions
• A longer attention span
• Strong curiosity

 

For kids who are just getting introduced to organized soccer or who are less competitive by nature but want a great soccer experience.

Class Overview

Big Feet classes introduce five and six-year-olds to the game of soccer helping them to develop the emotional, social, and physical readiness to play soccer and other team sports. This class provides an ideal setting for those players who are new to the game, who are a little less coordinated, who are shy, who have a less competitive nature, or who just aren’t ready to engage in team soccer. Big Feet classes use fun activities to develop basic soccer skills such as dribbling, passing, trapping, and scoring while helping players build confidence and develop a better understanding of teamwork. Some non-competitive scrimmages are played to enhance the learning process.

Child Development Information

• A sense of industry- finding something they’re good at
• A better understanding of relationships
• An increased understanding and flexibility in thinking, better problem solving skills
• Improved attention span
• Improved ability to share
• An interest in performing
• Learning complex body coordination skills(swimming, skating, skipping)
• A preference to make own decisions
• Have a better understanding of right and wrong

 

For kids who are driven to play.

Class Overview

While coaching remains child-centered and fun this curriculum is fundamentals focused and provides game-like situations each week that help solidify learning. Players enjoy 30-35 minutes of age-appropriate instruction and 15-20 minutes of small-sided scrimmaging.

Micro 4/5: Micro classes are for children who are four and five years old, who have had previous soccer experience, and are ready for more of a challenge. Classes are designed to physically, emotionally, and socially prepare children for team soccer. Creative, fun activities are combined with non-competitive scrimmages to teach players fundamental skills as well as help them develop an understanding of the team concept.

Micro 6/7: Micro 6-7 classes use a combination of creative games, skill drills and scrimmages to help prepare players for league play. Classes focus both on building fundamental skills, such as dribbling, passing, trapping and shooting, and on teaching players how and when to use apply these skills in game situations. Coaches will also work to instill a strong work ethic and a strong sense of teamwork and sportsmanship.

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