Placer United Grassroots Program Ages 5 to 12

The Placer United Grassroots Program gives children in our community the opportunity to be involved in a sport, provide them with the best possible learning environment, and teach teamwork and sportsmanship. Placer United makes soccer fun and creates a lifelong passion for the game in young players, as well as creates a pathway to U9-U19 competitive club soccer. We believe the Grassroots Program is the best option for young players because it parallels with the U.S. Soccer training program which emphasizes player development over winning.

Our age-appropriate curriculum focuses on individual technical development, building confidence in young soccer players, improving cognitive development, and increasing imagination, by allowing players to learn the game gradually in a fun, exciting, and competitive environment.

• We believe every player benefits from playing in every game
• We are committed to providing a positive, respectful environment
• Our focus is on the continued growth and development of our players and teams to their desired potential
• We believe soccer can help build self-esteem, create lasting relationships, and teach life lessons
• We know we can achieve our goals only through the combined efforts of our parents, players, and volunteers

Coaching

Grassroots Parent-Coaches are volunteers who will be guided and mentored by Placer United’s Grassroots Director, Coach Emre Gencer. Coach Emre holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National “C” License, USSF “D” Course Educator, and a USSF Director of Coaching License.  He will teach how to instruct basic soccer fundamentals for younger players. This will ensure a positive experience for parent-coaches and players alike and helps players learn proper technique at the earliest ages. Coach Emre will introduce disguised learning in a variety of games and activities that will provide players many touches on the ball while maintaining a fun soccer experience.

Program Highlights

• Age appropriate program for boys and girls ages 5-12 (birth years 2020-2013)
• Two or three weekly 90-minute practices with the Coaching Director and Volunteer Parent-Coaches
• Parent-coaches will receive coaching education sessions
• Recreational level players and parent coaches are welcome

Training Curriculum

• Three 90-minute team practice sessions per week with the Grassroots Director and Volunteer Coaches.
• Curriculum specially designed to be consistent with the Placer United technical training guidelines for similar age groups

Season Length

The following split-season format with a summer break makes training convenient for families new to soccer or with multiple soccer player schedules

• Winter Session:  January thru March
• Spring Session:  April thru June
• Fall Session:  August thru October

Focus

• Fun!
• Individual player development
• Increased confidence
• Better ball control with maximum touches
• Ball skills and movement
• Improved balance and coordination
• Running mechanics
• Allow playing the game to be the best teacher

Practices

Each practice will include reality-based, experiential, holistic, and autonomy support with small-sided games harnessing teamwork, introducing basic tactical concepts and developing decision-making.

Refund Policy:  We will refund 100% of your registration for cancellations up to 10 days prior to the first session.  Refunds will not occur for cancellations less than 10 days prior to the first session. A club credit towards another event, such as camps or clinics, or a future Grassroots League, will be issued.

2025 Fall Session

• Mandatory Parent Meeting

  Thursday, August 21
  6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Zoom Meeting (Link will be emailed once registration is complete. We do not record meetings due to privacy of our parents.)

• Coaches Meeting

  Friday, August 22
  5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field

• Team Orientation &. First Practice (jerseys distributed)

  U6 Players:  Tuesday, August 26 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)
  U8-U12 Players:  Wednesday, August 27 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)

• Outdoor Practices

  U6 Players:
  Tuesdays and Fridays, starting August 26 thru October 3
  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)
  U8-U12 Players:
  Wednesdays and Fridays, starting August 27 thru October 3
  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)

2026 Winter Session – REGISTRATION COMING SOON

• Mandatory Parent Meeting

  Thursday, January 8
  6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Zoom Meeting (Link will be emailed once registration is complete)

• Coaches Meeting

  Tuesday, January 13, and Wednesday, January 14
  5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field

• Team Orientation and First Practice (jerseys distributed)

  U6 Players:  Tuesday, January 13 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  U8-U12 Players:  Wednesday, January 14 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)

• Outdoor Practice

  U6 Players:
  Tuesdays and Fridays starting January 13 thru March 6
  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)
  U8-U12 Players:
  Wednesdays and Fridays starting January 14 thru March 6
  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)

2026 Spring Session – REGISTRATION COMING SOON

• Mandatory Parent Meeting

  Thursday, April 9
  6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Zoom Meeting  (Link will be emailed once registration is complete.)

• Coaches Meeting

  Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15
  7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field

• Team Orientation and First Practice (jerseys distributed)

  U6 Players:  Tuesday, April 14 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)
  U8-U12 Players:  Wednesday, April 15 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)
  

• Outdoor Practices

  U6 Players
  Tuesdays and Fridays, starting April 14 thru May 29
  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)
  U8-U12 Players
  Wednesdays and Fridays, starting April 15 thru May 29
  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)

2026 Fall Session – REGISTRATION COMING SOON

• Mandatory Parent Meeting

  Thursday, August 20
  6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Zoom Meeting (Link will be emailed once registration is complete. We do not record meetings due to privacy of our parents.)

• Coaches Meeting

  Tuesday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 26
  5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field

• Team Orientation &. First Practice (jerseys distributed)

  U6 Players:  Tuesday, August 25 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)
  U8-U12 Players:  Wednesday, August 26 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)

• Outdoor Practices

  U6 Players:
  Tuesdays and Fridays, starting August 25 thru October 2
  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)
  U8-U12 Players:
  Wednesdays and Fridays, starting August 26 thru October 2
  5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  Cirby Elementary School Field
  (practice times and places are subject to change according to weather conditions and the Club competitive training program)