Skills Institute

SKILLS INSTITUTE FALL SEASON IS SEPTEMBER 4th – DECEMBER 3rd!
Join now! Classes are prorated. 

Fall Schedule
Register Today!
New to Skills Institute?

CAN I HAVE A FREE TRIAL? We are currently not offering free trials for the programs.  If you are considering registration, you must register for the entire season (full or prorated) to secure your place in the class.

We are excited to be able to continue to offer these great programs for your children and look forward to seeing you at Bladium.

LEVEL 1

Ages 5/6, 7/8, 9-12 & 13/14
8:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO
Classes focus on the fundamentals of player development: dribbling, passing, shooting, trapping, and how to use them effectively in a game. Level 1 will take players through weekly sessions of fundamental skill building and competitive drills/games to build confidence and competence.

LEVEL 2

Ages 5/6, 7/8, 9-12 & 13/14
BY RECOMMENDATION ONLY
8:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

Players well-suited for this class have level 1 or prior club experience. Classes focus on refining individual technique, positioning, strategy, speed, and agility. Two things come together here; honing personal strengths and understanding how to use them to enhance team play. Coaches guide players towards mastering fundamentals, understanding correct field positioning, and developing “Soccer IQ”.  A strong focus will be placed on the development of technical skills that make the games more fun.

LEVEL 3

Ages 7/8, 9/10, 11/12 & 13/14
SkillsLevel-III
BY RECOMMENDATION ONLY
8:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

In this program, you will find your place on the field. Whether you prefer a single position or want versatility, this challenging 50-minute class focuses on position-specific training. Players learn tactical insight and systems of play while building speed and agility. They will master fundamentals, position responsibilities, tactical approaches, and attacking/defending skills. 

Level 3 is for players who have completed Skills Institute 1 and 2 and/or are current club-level soccer players.  If you have not completed Skills Institute levels 1 and 2, you will be evaluated by a coach and recommended to join level 3.

NEW! LEVEL 4

Ages 8-12
PREVIOUS LEVEL 3 AND/OR TWO+ YEARS OF CLUB SOCCER
8:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO
Level 4 is for players who have spent at least two seasons in level 3 and/or have played club-level soccer for at least two years. This class is designed to help the player get ready for club-level soccer (if you are already playing or plan to try out for a team). If you already play club soccer, a level 4 class is great as an extra weekly training session.

The main focus of our level 4 classes will be the development of the players’ 1 v 1 skills.

SKILLS INSTITUTE SOCCER LEAGUES (SISL)

Girls & Boys U6/U12
SISL - Skills Inst. Soccer Leagues
YOUTH RECREATIONAL OUTDOOR SOCCER SCRIMMAGE
Space for this class is limited to the first 20 who register. With a focus on development, teamwork, and sportsmanship; players have a blast improving their skills while playing the game they love. Weekly games are refereed by Skills Institute Instructors who guide individual and team play and offer coaching tips to help build soccer intelligence. SISL is best used in addition to a regular Skills Institute class. SISL is 50-minutes of game-play where players can use the skills learned in their class in a game-like situation.

AGES: Girls & Boys U6/U12
PRICE: $17.50 per class
DATES & TIMES:
See the current SISL schedule for dates and times.

Lil’ Kickers $21.00 per class
Skills Institute $24 per class

  • Classes are 50 minutes in length
  • $35 Semi-Annual (6 months) Youth Sports Membership required
  • Free Lil’ Kickers or Skills Institute soccer jersey and shorts with purchase of Youth Sports Membership, along with season registration!

Yes! We offer open enrollment so that you can join anytime and have your class fees prorated.  This means that you pay only for the remaining class and not the full session fee.

Participants should wear comfortable clothes and indoor soccer shoes (no cleats) or plain tennis shoes. Shinguards are required for Micro Classes and Skills Institute classes. Please bring a water bottle labeled with your child’s name.

Lil’ Kicker and Skills Institute jerseys are provided with the purchase of the required semi-annual membership fee ($35). Outfitting your child in Lil’ Kickers garb is a fun way to make your child feel part of a team.  Kids naturally appreciate looking like older uniformed kids and role models.  Plus a uniform gives kids a sense of belonging because they look like others on the team.

Classes are co-ed, so the mix of boys and girls is based on who registers. The curriculum has been modified to allow for social distancing and less contact with equipment and coaches. We maintain a child/coach ratio of 15:1 or less for each class.

No, all registrations are first come, first serve basis.

All Lil’ Kickers and Skills Institute Coaches are carefully screened to ensure we provide quality, child-centered, high energy instruction. Each Coach goes through a rigorous training process, which includes on-field and curriculum training.

Yes! You can register online any time of the day or night, just click the “REGISTER TODAY!” button at the top of the page.

No, classes are 50 minutes and require a parent or guardian to be on-site. In the event of bad weather and all outdoor classes are moved indoors, spectators will not be allowed indoors except for child/parent classes, and indoor cafe seating and upstairs seating will be closed.

No, but classes are prorated so you can join at any time. There are no free trials. We do not offer any make-up classes, credits, or refunds for missed classes.

Children with special needs are welcomed in our program as long as we are equipped to assist them accordingly. Please contact our Lil’ Kickers Coordinator or our Skills Institute Manager for more information.

The entire session must be paid in full at the time of registration. However, since we offer open enrollment, we do prorate class fees when joining after the season has started.

Yes, though you will need to register and pay for the additional class sessions separately.

No, in order to maintain class ratios and consistency within the program, we schedule children for specific times and days. When registering, be sure to first determine which day best suits your schedule.

 We do not offer any make-up classes, credits, or refunds for missed classes.

In the event of bad weather, all outdoor classes will be moved indoors. Decisions to move classes indoors are at the discretion of Bladium. There will be no make-up classes, refunds, or credits for missed classes.

New Skills Institute Mobile App

Our revolutionary new app is designed to help kids take their game to the next level through fun, skill-building exercises. Weekly homework exercises are assigned through the app that will help them hone the skills taught in class that week.

If you are already enrolled in classes, make sure to get the promo code from your coach or facility to receive exclusive Skills Institute member-discounted pricing. Or, if you’d like to try the app before you buy, download the Free 2-Week Trial version using promo code BDW1FT.

Learn More & Download the App

CHILD DEVELOPMENT & SPORTS

DID YOU KNOW?

  • 70% of kids drop out of organized sports by age 13 because “it’s not fun anymore.”
  • Kids in group sports do better in school and have healthier relationships.
  • With the right coaching approach, sports can improve self-esteem and confidence.
  • Team sports help kids develop important interpersonal skills like cooperation and respect.
  • Kids need at least 60-minutes of activity each day to grow healthy.
  • Kids who exercise develop good habits and are more likely to exercise as adults.

NEW TO SKILLS INSTITUTE?

Skills Institute is where soccer takes center stage.  Rooted in child development theory, kids have a blast learning and improving technical and tactical soccer skills.  Players will walk away more confident, equipped for their next right step, and ready for life’s challenges on and off the field.

JOHVONNI “JO” MOORE
Lil’ Kickers Coordinator
AlamedaLK@Bladium.com
510.814.4999 x108

ABOUT COACH “JO”

Johvonni has over 15 years of working with youth in the East bay, from running a computer lab in Richmond at the age of 15 for the YMCA to becoming a Recreation specialist, Elementary School Soccer, and Flag Football Coach for the City of San Pablo. To Directing and Coordinating and creating a school and age-appropriate lesson plans for a non-profit Extended Learning Program of up to 100+ kids, for the West Contra Costa Unified School District for multiple schools. He has also run successful Summer School programs at Lake Elementary and Nystrom Elementary. He also has worked as a Lil’ Kickers coach for 8 years, working and has been trained by the owners of the Lil’ Kickers franchise.

He has Volunteered for the YMCA’s Youth and Government Program, that allows high school students to serve in model governments at the local, state, national, and international levels and acting as a chaperone, He has also worked with the group Tech Futures now know as ITA ( Information Technology Academy) working with High School Seniors to integrate core academic classes with the ever-changing technology field. He has also volunteered for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. He has been the participant of the YMCA’s Youth of the Year award in 2004 for the State of California.