Club NJYS and
Young Olympians
Development Process
OVERVIEW: The NJYS Olympic Development Program (ODP) strives to be a 7-year journey for any youngster that aspires
to play at the highest level and one day wear the colors of the United States of America in international competition
and/or their dream club. Every stage in the NJ Youth Soccer player development program will assist with the human
and soccer development. NJYS strives to:
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provide the highest quality staff, facilities, environment and curriculum to give players the tools to succeed
promote a growth mindset ideally leading to the players revealing their true self-image, values, character, and
passion for the game
provide opportunities to play soccer in a supportive and rewarding environment that emphasizes fun,
enjoyment and skill learning at a level that fits a player’s interest and ability
NJYS ODP PLAYING PHILOSOPHY: In line with US Soccer’s National Curriculum, we believe in playing open, creative,
attacking soccer, where players are encouraged to express themselves. Ball possession and circulation is emphasized,
with attacks built up from the back and players interchanging their positions, as dictated by the game. Aimless kicking,
kick-and-chase, and over reliance on physical play are discouraged. Besides competitive, skillful and intelligent problem
solvers, we will constantly seek and encourage players who provide good support play around the ball, patience and
composure on the ball.
GOAL: The goal of our player development model is to ensure that each level is interconnected thus giving the player
the opportunity to continue to develop and advance up the pathway, thereby producing (through our playing
philosophy) the next wave of quality soccer players from New Jersey.
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CLUB NJYS
Club NJYS is an introductory stage for U11 boys and girls who aspire to play at a high level. Club NJYS provides a path to
participate in the Young Olympians Program and ODP. Since partnering with the Red Bulls in 2014, this program has also
identified players who have been signed into the Red Bulls’ Academy.
The mission of Club NJYS is to help foster young players’ physical, mental and social growth so they can reach their
potential in life through their participation in soccer and prepare them for the Young Olympians and ODP programs.
Eligibility: U11 (open to all, no tryouts)
Cost: $100 (players will receive a t-shirt and, to assist with their development, players registered for tryouts will receive
discount tickets to select 2015 New York Red Bulls and Sky Blue FC match.
Format:
 Training Sessions: Four outdoor weekend sessions in regional locations (North, Central, Shore and South)
 Club NJYS Festival: Small sided games at regional locations
 Invitational Training: With Red Bulls Regional Development School (select boys) and TBA event (select girls)
Schedule: See TeamApp or ODP page of www.njyouthsoccer.com
Training Sessions: Sessions are unique opportunities for competitive players to receive supplemental training lead by
the NJYS ODP coaching staff and the New York Red Bulls Training Staff (for the boys). Players’ abilities will be assessed
and the sessions will be segmented so that players are training with others of like ability. Sessions will consist of
technical training (passing, receiving, dribbling) as well as small sided activities and games in a competitive and
educational format. Players will receive feedback both in group and individual form throughout the flow of these
games. Club NJYS strives to:





encourage players to play freely without fear of failing or making mistakes
identify intelligent players and potential “late bloomers”
identify players that demonstrate a passion for the game
encourage players to use technical qualities rather than rely on physical development to solve soccer problems
motivate players to perform to their best of their abilities
Club NJYS Festival: Players are organized into small sided teams and play multiple games. Game results are not the
measuring stick. This event strives to:
 replicate an ODP game environment that closely resembles National ODP philosophy and system of play
 provide players an ideal environment to replicate technical and tactical functions that occur in an 11v11 match
Invitation Training: As an extension of the program select players will be invited to participate in specialize training
with the Red Bulls Regional Development School (boys) and TBA event (girls). These trainings strive to:
 Provide additional training to assess the young players’ strengths and area to improve
 Prepare players for the Young Olympians level and ODP pathway
 Introduce the ODP style and system of play
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YOUNG OLYMPIANS
The Young Olympians program is an introductory stage for U12 boys and girls who aspire to play at a high level. The
Young Olympians program provides a path to participate in the Olympic Development Program. Since partnering with
the Red Bulls in 2014, this program has also identified boys who have been signed to the Red Bulls’ Academy.
The mission of the Young Olympians Program is to help foster young players’ physical, mental and social growth so they
can reach their potential in life through their participation in soccer.
Eligibility: U12 (tryouts open to all)
Cost: $20 (tryout fee) and $100 (program fee for players invited into the program)
Format:
 Two outdoor weekend sessions in regional locations (North, Central, Shore and South)
 One additional event (details to be announced)
 Young Olympians Festival (small sided games at regional locations)
 Invitational training w/ Red Bulls Regional Development School (select boys) and TBA special event (select girls)
 Day Camp (optional event with separate fee)
Schedule: See TeamApp or ODP page of www.njyouthsoccer.com
Tryouts: Players may register to tryout at two training sessions. Players will receive a t-shirt and, to assist with their
development, discount tickets to a select 2016 New York Red Bulls and Sky Blue FC match.
Training Sessions: Sessions are unique opportunities for competitive players to receive supplemental training led by the
NJYS ODP coaching staff and the New York Red Bulls Training Staff (for the boys). Players’ abilities will be assessed and
the sessions will be segmented so that players are training with others of like ability. Sessions will consist of technical
training (passing, receiving, dribbling) as well as small sided activities and games in a competitive and educational
format. Players will receive feedback both in group and individual form throughout the flow of these games. Club NJYS
strives to:





encourage players to play freely without fear of failing or making mistakes
identify intelligent players and potential “late bloomers”
identify players that demonstrate a passion for the game
encourage players to use technical qualities rather than rely on physical development to solve soccer problems
motivate players to perform to their best of their abilities
Young Olympians Festival: Invited players are organized into small sided teams and play multiple games. Game results
are not the measuring stick. This event strives to:
 replicate an ODP game environment that closely resembles National ODP philosophy and system of play
 provide players an ideal environment to replicate technical and tactical functions that occur in an 11v11 match
Young Olympians Team: Following the Young Olympians Festival, a training pool of U12 players will be identified as the
NJYS Young Olympians who also automatically qualify for the next year’s U13 ODP Pool. The Young Olympian Team is
invited to a series of training sessions in May led by NJYS State Coaches (and Red Bulls training staff for the boys). The
highest priority will be placed on further developing an individual’s technical and game intelligence. At this stage we
provide the player a view of the National ODP training methodology and player development curriculum through various
dynamic sessions involving both small attacking and defending themes.
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Day Camp: This two-day event (not an overnight) is designed to mirror the flow and curriculum at a Regional Camp:
 Morning: 75 minute technical training session
 Afternoon: Self-development topics, 45 minute training session and small-sided mini-games
 Fee: This event is not included in the $100 program fee and costs $150 (lunch is included)
Invitation Training: As an extension of the program select players will be invited to participate in specialize training
with the Red Bulls Regional Development School (boys) and TBA event (girls). These trainings strive to:
 Provide additional training to assess the young players’ strengths and area to improve
 Prepare players for the ODP pathway
 Instill the ODP style and system of play
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APPENDIX A: ABILITY GROUPING (U11s)
Club NJYS training sessions for U12s will include portions that are segmented based on player ability. Therefore, players
participating with Club NJYS will be assessed at each session they attend. This exercise serves to:
1. identify players’ level of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development, and ability
2. enables NJYS coaches to place players in groups more “similar” and “tailored” to each other to enhance and
maximize their enjoyment and development
At each session, the potential exists for player groups to change based upon performance. The purpose is to ensure
players are training with others at a comparable developmental level.
Assessment will be broken down into the 4 A’s: Ability, Awareness, Attitude and Agility
Ability: The technical development of the player, the capability to control, move and direct the ball under varied forms
of pressure of time, space and opponent. Is the player able to control the ball or is it the other way around? Ball winning
techniques and the use of the body when defending will also be assessed. Some players may seem to play well in tight
spaces only to see them with all the time in the world on a bigger field finding ways to hide or get themselves into
trouble. Alternatively, all players are able to play in a big area with no pressure on the ball from an opponent. However,
in small areas with an aggressive opponent, suddenly the space closes in on them like quicksand.
Awareness: Decision making and insight – a look into young players’ brain to see if he/she understand what is expected
in a football situation. In tight spaces where players cannot hide and decisions have to be made quickly, we will be able
to identify the ‘clever’ players from the ones who are struggling to see the bigger picture around them. Coaches will
assess their brain by asking the player questions to see what they see in certain situations. Sometimes coaches (to be a
less intimidating and threatening method than ask a child in front of his/her peers) will take the player aside and ask
them.
Attitude: Personality or mentality – communication, cooperation, determination, creativity, perseverance, mind-set and
multi-tasking. The attitude of a youngster, both on and off the field is clearly influenced by their parents and their
environment. As such, we will speak to the parents before the session begins to inform them of the objectives of this
category.
Agility: Athleticism, physicality or speed in terms of quick feet, and recovery speed (not just pure speed).
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