Recreational · Ages 6–12

We Don’t Run RecWe Run Development

Technical development for six to twelve year olds, on the same philosophy we use with our competitive teams. Four seasons a year, twice a week, led by our senior coaching staff — because the way to make a player is to put them on the ball, repeatedly.

The Details

Fall Session Now Closed

Early Development is full for the fall. Email us and we will see what we can do.

Email Us

The Argument

More Contacts.
More Contacts. More Contacts.

Traditional clubs run “rec” programs. We run development programs. The difference shows up in how often your child touches the ball.

Four times a year we run four to eight week seasons for players aged six to twelve, focused on technical skill development that lines up with what we do for the older age groups at DME.

Many clubs use parent volunteers, train once a week, and play lopsided games at the weekend. We focus on making players. We preach skills, we focus on the ball, and we play 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and variations of the same.

Led by our senior coaching staff, this is not just another rec program.

1v1, 2v2, 3v3 — and variations of the same

The Season

What You Are Signing Up For

$125

Ages 6–12
7 Week Soccer Season

Twice a week. Wednesday 5:30pm at Twin Lakes, Sunday between 5 and 7pm at Tatum Ridge.

3v3 on weekends. Small-sided games, not eleven children chasing one ball.

One rain week made up. Weather happens; you still get the season you paid for.

Four seasons a year. Miss this one and the next intake is not far away.

A DME Academy T-shirt is available if you would like one, at additional cost.

What They Work On

Fundamentals, every session, in a format built for touches.

Dominant foot dribbling
Receiving the ball
Passing
Dribbling with turns
Small-sided play
1v1

The Difference

Why It Is Not
Just Another Rec Program

The format, the coaching and the season structure are all pointed at one thing — time on the ball.

Real Coaches

Led by coaches who train recreational and competitive players across every age and gender. Not parent volunteers doing their best on a Tuesday.

Lesson Plans

Our staff create and manage sessions exactly as they would for a competitive team, with a written plan and a technical focus every week.

Time On The Ball

Dribbling, receiving, passing, turning. We measure a session by how often your child touches the ball, not how long it lasted.

Small-Sided Only

1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and variations. Nobody waits in a line, and nobody hides in a crowd of eleven.

Four Seasons A Year

Four to eight week blocks, four times a year. Short enough to commit to, frequent enough to keep building.

A Way Up

Early Development allows vertical movement into the competitive program as players improve. Same building, same coaches, no starting over.

The Pathway

Where It Goes Next

Early Development is where the technical base gets built — and where players start earning their way up.

3–5

Little Legends

First touch, first sessions.

6–12

Early Development

You are here.

6–12

MLS GO

First team, first season.

DME NEXT

Pre-competitive prep for players with promise.

U9–U19

Competitive

31 teams, league and showcase play.

Trials & Tryouts

Questions

The Ones We Get Asked

What does Early Development cost?

$125 for the seven week soccer season. A DME Academy T-shirt is available if you want one, at additional cost.

How much do we practice and play?

Two days a week — Wednesdays at Twin Lakes and Sundays at Tatum Ridge.

Who will coach my child?

Our club coaches, supported by DME senior players. The same staff who run our competitive program.

Where do you practice and play?

Wednesday at Twin Lakes, 5:30pm. Sunday at Tatum Ridge, between 5 and 7pm.

What do you actually work on?

Technical work and touches. High intensity in terms of how often your child is on the ball — dribbling, turning, receiving and shooting. We put a lot of time into maximizing contact with the ball.

What happens if it rains?

We make up one week of rain or weather related delays.

My child has never played before. Is that OK?

Completely. Sessions are small-sided, so nobody stands around waiting to be picked and nobody gets lost in a crowd. Beginners and returning players work on the same fundamentals at their own level.

Can my child move up to a competitive team?

Yes. Early Development is built to allow vertical movement into the competitive program as players improve — the same coaches see them every week, so nobody has to be discovered from scratch.

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