Developmental Program

The Developmental program has been created to introduce soccer to children ages 4 to 8 years old (U-5 - U-8). The Club sees the younger soccer player as the foundation to the continued growth and success of soccer in Albuquerque and the United States of America. Our goal is to prepare the children for competitive or recreational league soccer, which will begin when they reach the age of 8 or 9 (U-9).

Training sessions are designed to challenge the players, in a safe, comfortable and fun environment. We believe this will instill a passion and love for the game.

The coaching program aims to develop younger players' flexibility, coordination and mental awareness. We also focus on technical and tactical capabilities that are required to play the game. The program instills the importance of educating the children in a healthy and active lifestyle. The children socialize and interact with players of various gender and age.

We realize that our youngest players develop at their own pace regardless of the abilities they bring with them to our program they will be improved by its end. Our goal is to improve their skills and to encourage their enthusiasm.

Coaching

Our trained club coaches work alongside our professional staff to conduct player training. Rio Vista F.C. is proud to have some of the finest English and American coaches in New Mexico. Our professional staff coaches conduct player training, with assistance from our trained club coaches. All our coaches receive regular training throughout the year so as to update them with new soccer techniques and coaching strategies.

The Fall and Spring Season

The program runs for the duration of 18 weeks, 9 weeks in the fall and 9 weeks in the spring. Players practice one hour twice a week and play games on a Saturday.

Practice

Practice sessions are designed to be developmentally appropriate to the age group (see characteristics of players). We train our coaches to make sessions fun as well as informative.

The children will take part in practices that incorporate fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, hopping, stretching, twisting, throwing and catching. More importantly the players will learn to apply these skills with the soccer ball.

Groups will consist of 8 to 10 players to ensure all players get the attention they deserve. The number of players within the group may increase as the players age and develop.

Games

Saturday games are important because they allow players to incorporate the skills and techniques, which they have learned during practice. Games consist of 4 or 5 players on each team. This ensures that all players get maximum contact with the ball. Competition is always friendly and scores and statistics are not documented.

Players must wear the appropriate equipment for practice and games: soccer cleats or tennis shoes, shin-guards, long soccer socks, shorts, and T-shirt. Sweatpants and long-sleeved shirt are appropriate for colder weather. Under no circumstances should a player wear denim or restrictive clothes.

Rio Vista F.C. will provide a uniform for each player. Additional items may be purchased from the Rio Store.

Weather

Soccer is now a year-round sport played in all weather conditions. Due to the climate there are few fields in Albuquerque. Therefore it is essential that we respect and maintain these spaces. If the fields are heavily rained or snowed on cancellation of practice or games may occur.

The weather hotline or Rio website will announce changes to the schedule. If no announcement is made you can assume that the schedule will not change Coaches may cancel practice on arrival.

Lightning could occasionally affect practice or games. Provided sufficient shelter is available to all players. Coaches or referees may wait out the storm Trees should not be regarded as shelter.

Daylight

Practice sessions are scheduled for one hour, however this will change during daylight savings, when sessions will be reduced to 45 minutes, session 1 will begin at 4:30 pm and session 2 at 5:30 pm (5:15 pm during daylight savings).