HYR Parent Player Academy for 4 year-old players
HYR’s program for 4 year-old players is called the Parent Player Academy. In this program, a 4 year-old player is given their first exposure to soccer in an age-appropriate manner through the use of exercises, drill, and game simulation led by instructors who have experience working with young children. The parents participate in the exercises and drills with the players allowing the players to experience sports and physical activity in a safe and family friendly atmosphere. The first half of each hour is dedicated to the parent and child working on drills together on the field, and the second half of the hour is dedicated to a scrimmage where the kids play and the parents cheer from the sidelines.
Children participating in the Parent Player Academy do NOT have a weeknight practice. (Bedtimes and overscheduling, etc.) Instead, they have a weekly practice/game on Saturday mornings during the soccer season at either the 10 AM or 11 AM session. There are approximately 30 players per session with adult instructors and high school referees leading each session.
To indicate which Parent Player session you would like to be assigned to for the spring of 2022, please click below:
HYR Parent Player Academy Session Selection
If you would like to see what it looks like, watch a 90 second video if the Parent Player Academy below:
HYR Parent Player Academy Video
2022 Spring Parent Player Acedemy Orientation (For Parents and Children) - March 19th, 2022 at 11 AM
In the spring of 2022, the first Parent Player Academy meeting will be Saturday, March 19th at 11:00 AM at the Highlands Community Campus at 1228 East Breckinridge Street. (You will park off of Barrett Ave, and there is a map linked below.) We will hope for good weather and be able to have the meeting outside. Players and parents will get an introduction to Jess Prestigiacomo and Sabrina Vaught, this year's Parent Player Academy Instructors. If you miss it, no big deal. We find that it is helpful to have the orientation in advance so kids know what to expect, but if your child's first time is at Atherton the following week, that will work just fine.
We also have a couple dozen pairs of gently used cleats to choose from. 4 year old players outgrow cleats much more than they wear them out, so before you plunk down hard-earned cash, please see if we have a pair you can take home. 4 year old players do not need cleats, but some of the kids feel like it makes them cooler (and in some cases, it does.) Each player should have a pair of soccer socks and shin guards for protection.
Below is a map of the Highlands Community Campus
hcc map for hyr.pdf
Below is a link to HYR's Equipment List (What WE provide and what YOU provide)
hyr soccer equipment list.pdf
Below is a link to a set of drills done at the Parent Player Academy
hyr parent player drills 2021.pdf
Opening day is March 26, 2022 at Atherton High School
Since there are 2 entrances to Atherton, please see the linked map below for where to park.
hyr_atherton_map.pdf
HYR is looking for more PPA instructors: If you will have 2 parents at the Saturday sessions and one of you is interested in help leading the group activity while the other parent is one on one with the child during the session, we will compensate you for your time and leadership. Please email Patrick Fitzgerald: [email protected] Thank you.