WHGSL Training Division Fall 2024
2024 Fall Training Division Game Schedule
General Information with Respect to Training Division Philosophy, Schedule, and Set-Up:
Philosophy:
The overall philosophy of the Training Division is to introduce soccer to beginner players in a fun-filled, action-packed environment that promotes enjoyment, team camaraderie, and new friendships while exploring and developing basic soccer skills through practice and small-sided games. As a non-competitive division, the Training Division strives to lay the foundation for a lifelong passion for the game of soccer!
Teams:
Depending on fluctuating registration numbers, there are approximately 14 teams in the Training Division, each composed of approximately 14-16 players.
Team Placement and Buddy Requests:
The league's philosophy is to build team rosters by integrating players from each school and various grade levels (i.e., K through 2nd grade). This approach promotes a fun, friendship-forming environment focused on soccer skill development by including players at various stages of soccer development on each team. Due to the size of the division and the inability to honor requests from over 200 players, buddy requests are not accepted and are not part of roster formation.
The Game:
The Training Division plays small-sided soccer on lined fields with flag goals. Small-sided soccer consists of 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4 players on the field. Generally, a full-size soccer field is divided into four smaller fields with multiple games played simultaneously. Each team is divided into 4 small-sided teams (i.e., 4 players per small-sided team) and assigned to a small field for the weekly game. As a result, all players play continuously without the need for substitutions. The goal of this format is to familiarize players with the game of soccer and team building, optimizing the number of ball 'touches' each player gets. Games are divided into approximately 8-minute quarters with water breaks and an extended halftime break.
Time Commitment:
There is one practice and one game per week. Practices are held on a weeknight selected by the team's coach following roster creation and last for approximately one hour. All games are played on Saturday mornings at either 9:00 am, 10:30 am, or noon, varying each week according to the schedule.
All practices and games in the Training Division are held in the front field area at Bugbee Elementary School.
The Season:
The soccer season lasts 8-10 weeks.
- Fall: Practices and games typically begin when school starts and end the last week of October.
- Spring: Practices and games begin after school recess and end in early June.
Equipment Needed:
Each player will need to come to games and practices with shin guards, soccer cleats, and a full water bottle. Each player is provided a full uniform, including a jersey, shorts, and socks, by the league. Team jerseys should be kept for game use. Although balls are supplied by the league, it is recommended that each player also brings a Size 3 soccer ball to each practice to ensure that everyone has a ball to use at all times.
Volunteer Coaches:
If interested in becoming a volunteer coach, please contact: [email protected]
To become a volunteer coach, please register. Registration can be found on the page on the right-hand side.