5U - 10U
First Skills

What is First Skills?

Echo’s First Skills Program is a co-ed Rec+ soccer program for ages 5-10. First Skills players learn the game of soccer through playing games with an option for professional Coerver instruction, all while having a great time.

New 10U Division

Designed to ease the transition into travel play, our new 10U division allows older players to experience Rec+ play. 10U players may bridge to travel soccer by joining Echo's travel academy teams for games and training.

Program Goals

*Make the game fun to practice and play
*Provide a safe & educational experience
*Teach good sportsmanship and respect
*Value character and performance
*Develop skilled, confident, creative players

First Skills Info

First Skills is a pre-academy Recreational Plus soccer program aimed at introducing the fun of playing soccer to kids ages 5-10.

The program features Coerver skills training with experienced trainers and weekly small-sided games where the kids can apply their skills and creativity simply by playing the game.

And weekday games mean you can keep your entire weekend free for other important things!

First Skills Fall 2024

Ages: 5-10, co-ed

Dates: September 9-October 21

Format: Weekly Coerver training and one game per week with paid coaches and officials.

Times: Coerver training will be on Mondays. Games will be on Friday evenings.

Price: $150 for 6 week program that includes weekly Coerver training and game

Includes: 6 games, a game shirt, paid coaches, paid officials, and a dedicated First Skills Director.

Location: Echo First Skills Fields

Enrollment is limited and players may be wait-listed. Registration deadline August 26 with a $15 late fee after deadline. Have questions? Scroll down to our FAQs or contact us.

Echo Pathway

When your child is ready to graduate from the First Skills program, the next step in his or her progression is to join Echo's academy.

Echo's Academy is the entry into its travel soccer pathway for kids ages 8-10.

Our new First Skills 10U division bridges the gap between Rec+ and travel for those players who are not quite ready for travel. At the 10U age group, players can continue playing in the First Skills program while also getting some game and training experience with our academy teams.

For more information about the Academy program, please visit our Academy page.

Echo Academy

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First Skills FAQs

What age does my child need to be to participate?

When are the First Skills seasons played?

Does my child need to tryout for First Skills?

What is the First Skills playing format?

Why don't you record scores or keep standings?

Are there any costs aside from the registration fee?

What should I talk with my child about after games?

Give them a high five! After that, if you want to talk about the game at all, we suggest telling your child you enjoyed watching them play and finding at least one positive thing to share with them about their performance. Tell them you appreciate that they didn't give up when they were behind or that you noticed their good dribbling or a change of direction or a nice pass they made. Scientific research shows that this is the best post-game approach (as opposed to critiquing the game or their performance) to keep kids interested and engaged in their development over the long-term.

What is Coerver anyway?

Coerver is the world's number 1 soccer skills training method and exclusive to Echo. The Coerver First Skills curriculum is tailored to beginning players. Its aim is to build the essential foundations young players need before they step into competitive team play. Areas of focus in our First Skills program include basic ball mastery, simple 1v1 moves, speed (particularly mental reaction speed), shooting and passing technique, and small-sided games.

To learn more about Coerver, visit our player development page.

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First Skills?

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5U - 10U First Skills