Framework

Instepper recommends a course follow the guidelines below. However, the framework can be easily modified to meet the needs of everyone involved.

• 10 lessons spread out over 5 or 10 weeks.
• Each lesson is 30 minutes long.
• The mentor-to-mentee ratio is either 1:1 or 1:2.
• Homework is assigned after each lesson.
• A video is taken at the start and end of each course to document improvement.
• Mentors are typically in high school or college.
• Mentees are typically K-8.

Expectations

Mentees

• Listen and respect your mentor(s).
• Ask questions.
• Do your homework.
  • Ultimately, you will be responsible for how good a player you become.
• Have FUN!

Mentors

• Recognize/understand that you are experts and have all the knowledge/expertise to mentor the FIRST-TOUCH.
• Make sure the mentee and you are having fun.
• Challenge the mentee.
• Encourage and value mentee mistakes as well as your own.
• Mentor the way you would have liked to have been mentored.
• Be adaptable. Not all mentees learn the same way or at the same pace.
• Be creative. Be different. Be unique.
• Take the best aspects of your coaches, mix in your own personality, and make each session your own.
• Communicate effectively with your mentees and their parents.
• Communicate with fellow mentors to improve Mentors services.
• You should be compensated for your services.
  • Mentee parents.
  • Club credits.
  • Community service hours.
  • Fundraising donations.

curriculum

Each mentee should start with this FIRST-TOUCH Introductory course (using the insides-of-the-feet).

• Lesson 1: Intros, assessment, “Before” video
• Lesson 2: Introduce Heart & SOUL
• Lesson 3: Baseball bat vs pool noodle
• Lesson 4: Second-Touch … passing
• Lesson 5: Goldilocks Zone … first-touch ends up with the ball coming to rest in an ideal location (the Goldilocks Zone)
• Lesson 6: Get into the rhythm. Introduce music for more rhythm and fluidity
• Lesson 7: Baseball Glove. Players have 2 “gloves” on their feet to better receiving/catch balls
• Lesson 8: Receiving harder passes
• Lesson 9: Receiving higher passes
• Lesson 10: Putting it all together; “After” video

Homework assigned after each lesson and reviewed at the start of the next lesson.

other courses

• Receiving high balls/passes.
• Receiving fast-paced balls/passes.
• Receiving with other parts of the feet and other body parts.
• Passing.
• Playing heads-up soccer (playing with your head up).
• Soccer speak (verbal and non-verbal communication).
• Increase soccer IQ.
• Goalkeeper FIRST-TOUCHES.
• Improve “Instepper Challenge” performances (times, scores, etc).
• Pee-Wees (2-5 year olds).
• Many, many more.