The Foundation Phase

U8-U12

Try Out

Boys & Girls Phase Leader:

Peter Mulhern

coachmulhern@hotspurs-soccer.com

Foundation Phase Coaching Team:

Matt Ambrose Pittsburgh Hotspurs

Matt Ambrose

Tom Clubley

Marikaye DeTemple

Copy of WPSL Signing Announcement

Hannah McKay

Coach Marissa DeDorzi - Hotspurs

Marissa Salisbury

Boys & Girls Programs Sign Up & Pricing

Foundation Phase 1 - U8, U9, U10

$1,250.00 per year
Lay the Foundation!

Foundation Phase 2 - U11, U12

$1,950.00 per year
Lay the Foundation!

** Sibling discounts available upon request - contact playeraccounts@hotspurs-soccer.com

FP - Harmar - 20222023-page-001

Additional Programming Opportunities

1 on 1 Training

$60 /per session
  • Contact phase leader to book a time
Get Started

Small Group Training

$15 /per session
  • Contact phase leader to book a time
Get Started

This is the entry level phase to the program.  

Both the boys and the girls are under the direction of Coach Peter Mulhern.

We focus on technical excellence in the Foundation Phase. This is achieved through the game itself -- utilizing small-sided games as the cornerstone to training. We create scenarios where players are forced to make decisions founded on their technical skillset. This way practices are fun and the learning is deeper and disguised within the game.

 

Overall, our coaching approach is similar to gardening -- 'we cannot force plants to grow, all we can do is provide the conditions for the growth and they will flourish’. Our soccer practices are the same way and revolve around a simple checklist of must-haves:

Does it look like the game? Is it fun? Does the session inspire players to train outside of practice?

Phase Focus:

At this phase, we highly value technical skill development. It is our goal to make your child a master of the ball and give them the confidence to be calm when challenged with the ball at their feet. The below chart gives you an idea of how this is weighted. At the core of this is the idea that developing a soccer player “is a marathon, not a sprint."

Pillars of the Game:

Technical

  • U8/9/10: (75%) Emphasis on moves, foot skills, & creativity
  • U11/12: (60%) Begin to introduce passing & first touch

Tactical

  • U8/9/10: (5%) Introduce support play/positioning 
  • U11/12: (20%)

Physical

  • U8/9/10: (10%) Agility & Coordination exercises, whole body motor function, connecting the brain and the body
  • U11/12: (10%)

Psychological

  • U8/9/10: (10%) Focus on engaging players through questioning; develop problem-solving & decision making
  • U11/12: (10%)
About Us
Phase Model
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