Early Development Program (EDP) Overview

The Merrimack Soccer Club is a participant and a strong believer in the benefits of the GSYSL Early Developmental Program (EDP).  This part of our organization is for younger players (U7-U9) who have a serious interest in playing the game of soccer and want to play in a more competitive setting.  We follow the rules and game recommendations of the GSYSL. Games are played on the weekends (Saturdays and/or Sundays).

We ask that all parents of candidates for the EDP program understand the core principles of the EDP program as defined on the Granite State Soccer website.

http://www.granitestatesoccer.com/uploads/GSYSLEDPProgramOverviewrevision7-15-09.htm

The Merrimack Soccer Club EDP program provides players age appropriate skill training done by advanced level licensed coaches.  The goal of the EDP Program is to assist each player in building soccer skills that align with the EDP ideology.

This program is structured to teach young players the game of soccer in a fun, safe and age appropriate environment.  The EDP program is geared toward technical skills training versus game results or tactics.   Our coaches use skill building drills and small–sided games (2v2, 4v4, 6v6) to optimize ball touches.

We believe that mastery of the ball through skill building allows a player to become a technically sound player.  The goal of the EDP program is to provide a strong platform for our younger players to build upon as they progress into our older competitive Club teams.

EDP Eligibility

The EDP Program will be the mechanism the Merrimack Soccer Club uses to ensure that we are following our mission of creating the most skilled soccer players in the area.  The EDP program has two age groups U8 and U9 that participate in the GSYSL EDP League.  Merrimack Soccer Club accepts U7 aged children into our EDP Program.  Children whose birthday fall under the U7 age range will play on one of the U8 level teams.

Age Groups for Fall 2010/Spring 2011

U8 born  8/1/2002 - 7/31/2004

U9 born  8/1/2001 - 7/31/2002

Team placement is determined by the following criteria:

• Skill of the player, as determined by the Club Director and EDP coaches.
• Age of the player at the time of evaluation.
• Open roster spot on existing teams at the players current skill level.  
• Availability of coaches.

Player evaluations take place in June for play in the Fall Season and January for the Spring Season. Players are given instruction by coaches and asked to perform various soccer related skills.  The focus is to assess what level of skill a player presently has, their willingness to be coached and their potential for future growth as a player.

Once the evaluation period concludes the EDP level coaches assess the players and work with the Club Director on creating the teams at each EDP level.

The overall goal is to place a player on the correct team to allow for maximum development and success of the player.  When creating the teams we use the criteria mention above.  The end result is to create EDP level teams that have the same base level of skill and are about the same age.  (The “a” team usually consists of returning or experienced players who are older.  The “b” and “c” team will be new players with little or no travel experience and will generally be younger in age.)

We strive to keep each team together throughout their time in our program (EDP and Club).  We believe that will enable a team to create a solid core of players that learns and grows together as both a unit and as individual.  However, there may be times where a player may switch teams; this will ONLY be done when it’s in the best interest of the player and his/her development.

Note: The Merrimack Soccer Club Director has the final say on player and team placement. 

EDP Program Continued Participation

The aim of our EDP Program is to give players who show the interest and commitment the opportunity to learn the game of soccer in a fun and safe environment.   While it is not our intent to cut a player in the EDP Program there may be instances where we will try to put the player in the best situation to succeed.  This may include a move from Team A to Team B or vice versa.  In rare cases the best move for the child is to no longer participate.   There is a level of commitment needed by all parties involved in the EDP Program (player, family and coaches) and we will strive to work in a collaborative fashion so we all succeed.
We understand that the kids in the EDP Program are young and we believe Soccer should be fun and the players should enjoy there time on the field.  We expect ALL players, families and coaches to be respectful of others, maintain a safe environment, to show good sportsmanship and to positively represent the Merrimack Soccer Club.

EDP Programs approach to Teaching the Game

The EDP Program is based on ensuring we are teaching our players Age Appropriate Skills.  This will be done in a uniform fashion by our coaches and trainers.  We will ensure that each age group receives skills based training that will ensure total player development.  We believe TECHNICAL SKILL is the most important ingredient a successful player must have.  We will focus on ball mastery, foot work and small sided games.  We believe that the game is the best teacher.

The natural progression of the program will be to introduce the player to sound fundamental skills (decision making and rapid reaction), then to advanced skills and tactics (individual and group based), this will be done at an age appropriate level, that begins in the EDP program and continues at the Club level.

We will work with the player so they can begin to understand all the components of a game. By concentrating on skill development we feel our players will be able to correctly asses the situations, opportunities and problems that will occur during a game.

Our coaches and trainers will assist players in recognizing all the components of the game; however we feel the players will learn best by simply playing.  The more they play the better their comfort level will be as they transition through the various stages of their career.