Strikers Fox Valley Soccer Club offers the pre-eminent Club soccer program in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. This is due in part to our “Development Defined” approach to training and instruction, which is used to develop players for the next level of competition, beginning with age 2 and continuing through 23. Club soccer at Strikers is designed for players who are 8 to 18 years of age. Our Club program is organized into three training levels, based on age and skill: Youth (ages 8-10), Competitive (ages 11-14) and Senior (ages 15-18).
Details About the Program
YOUTH
- For boys and girls ages 7 to 12 years old.
- Program goal is to introduce the player to a competitive level of play, and higher level of competition.
- Foundational emphasis is enhanced, introducing a new structure regarding the technical aspects of the game.
- Practice time is spent on the age-appropriate technical, tactical, and physical parts of the game.
- The combination of technical ability and game tactics, on and off the ball, becomes an increasing focus as the player progresses.
- Emphasis is placed on the combination of technical ability and ball mastery.
- Instruction at this level includes: technical and tactical drills, small-sided games and full team scrimmages.
- Agility, Balance and Coordination training is introduced and is part of every practice.
- Specialized Goalkeeper Training is available throughout the season.
- Training is two or three times a week, culminating in a weekend game. During the season, teams will also compete at various tournaments in-state and around the Midwest.
SENIOR
- For boys and girls ages 13 to 18 years old.
- A key component for success at the senior level is the addition of Physical (strength, agility, speed, etc.) and Psychological (problem solving, decision making, etc.) aspects of the game. As players age, they become stronger and faster, and the game gets faster as well. Continued success in the sport requires this added combination of the physical and psychological.
- Continued refinement of both tactical and technical abilities already acquired through our “Developmental Defined” approach.
- Core, speed, and weight training are an integral part of the Senior-level program, and each player's practice routine.
- Specialized Goalkeeper Training is available throughout the season.
- We work collaboratively with players and parents to develop Player Profiles and strategies to aid in the college recruiting process.
- Our practice schedule includes, on average, practice and games 4 to 5 days per week. This challenging schedule prepares our teams to compete at the highest levels of the Northern Illinois Soccer League’s Premiership, the Illinois Women’s Soccer League Open Division, the Midwest Regional League, as well as showcase tournaments throughout the country.
