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Lil' Kickers at Salmon Creek Indoor
Lil’ Kickers soccer classes for kids are led by high-energy coaches and packed with creative games structured to help kids tackle age-appropriate developmental milestones. Our innovative curriculum provides kids ages 18 months to 7 years the skills they need to learn soccer and grow as individuals, all while having fun. Come see why more than two million kids nationwide love our kids' soccer program! Book a free 50-minute class by selecting a class level below or register for the season today!
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Fall Schedule
Aug. 28 - Nov. 26 |
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Not your typical classroom, not your typical results!
Class Descriptions
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BUNNIES
ADULT INTERACTIVE 18 - 24 MONTHS 15:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO 
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Often a child’s first experience with group learning, this class is designed to give them a perfect start.
Managing a class full of toddlers can be like herding kittens. They’re playful, sometimes skittish and easily distracted. But with the right structure and interactions, a lot can happen. Activities with bubbles, parachutes, cones and other sensory toys build skills for balance, coordination, running, tracking, kicking and changing directions—all building blocks needed for playing soccer. With parents by their side, our youngest Lil’ Kickers feel safe to explore new experiences and create new relationships while learning in a fun and dynamic environment.
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THUMPERS
ADULT INTERACTIVE 2 YEARS 12:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO 
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In this class, kids begin to learn to actively engage with the coach and other players.
“Why?” Hang around enough with this age group of curious, older toddlers and you will hear that word a lot. Working with Thumpers and their parents, we welcome their inquisitive nature and sense of wonderment in learning. We use those traits to shape confidence and self-esteem to further build core movements like balance, coordination and timing–all necessary for mastering a soccer ball. While parent involvement continues here, this class bridges the gap between parallel play and directly interacting with the coach and other players. So “why” take a Thumpers class? Because it is a blast.
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COTTONTAILS
ADULT INTERACTIVE 2.5 - 3.5 YEARS 7:1 OR 14:2 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO 
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Here, preschoolers who are not quite ready to be on the field alone discover some independence.
Terrible twos? Not in our opinion! Though toddler behavior can be puzzling, these little ones are just trying to put the pieces together to grow into the person they are meant to be. Sometimes they get frustrated and their feelings come out sideways, especially when they are shy and a little tentative. We embrace the complexities of this time of life and help them transition into being more interactive, confident, self-reliant and relational. We do so with fun and engaging games that help them begin to master basic movement and ball control skills. The goal is to get them to be more interactive with the coach, to play with (rather than alongside) their peers and to engage in the game. Parents are there to provide just the right support.
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HOPPERS
3 & 4 YEARS BEGINNER 7:1 OR 14:2 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO 
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To share and share alike? Not always. These kiddos are raring to go, but need lots of direction to get there.
Preschoolers have a hard time sharing, but we help get them there. After all, soccer (and life!) is all about give-and-take. The goal of these classes is to create teammates who are coachable and eager to learn. Sharing is a big part of that. Creative storylines and animated coaches keep kids engaged and having fun. They won’t even know they’re working hard and learning. They’ll come away with important skills for soccer and beyond.
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JACKRABBITS
3 & 4 YEARS INTERMEDIATE 7:1 OR 14:2 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO 
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Fun and fast-paced classes for kids who are naturally a little more competitive or with previous class experience.
Buckle up! These preschoolers are eager for action and ready to learn. With a curriculum chock full of imaginative games and adventures, these players are going to have a blast and won’t even realize just how much they’re learning. Coaches will guide them towards great soccer skills (specifically passing, trapping, shooting, attacking and defending) and introduce them to scrimmaging. Look a little closer and you’ll also notice improved communication, listening, sharing, perseverance and resilience.
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BIG FEET
5 & 6 YEARS BEGINNER 12:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO 
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For kids who are just getting introduced to organized soccer or who are less competitive by nature but want a great soccer experience.
Some kids are a little shy and perhaps not very competitive by nature, but still want to learn a sport and have a team experience. We get that. Big Feet classes serve these kids well. Full of all the same fun, goofiness and opportunities to learn soccer and life skills, these classes do it just a little differently. After all, lack of experience or temperament shouldn’t keep us from getting in the game.
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MICRO CLASSES
4 - 7 YEARS 12:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO 
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For kids who are driven to play.
Does your child always have a ball at their feet? Constantly talk about soccer? Or are they simply driven to get better? Created for kids who are motivated soccer players, Micro classes kick it up a notch. While coaching remains child-centered and fun this curriculum is fundamentals focused and provides game-like situations each week that help solidify learning. Players enjoy 30 minutes of age-appropriate instruction and 20 minutes of small-sided scrimmaging. Classes are offered by age and include Micro 4/5 and Micro 6/7.
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SKILLS INSTITUTE
5/6, 7/8, 9/12 YEARS 10:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO 
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For kids who are looking to take the next step.
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. Find out more information HERE!
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Lil' Kickers FAQ's
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What should my child wear to class?
Participants should wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes (no outdoor cleats). Shinguards are not needed until Micro Classes and Skills Institute classes. Lil’ Kicker or Skills Institute jerseys are given to first-time customers for free, and can thereafter be purchased at a low cost. 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.
How long are classes?
Each of our classes lasts 50 minutes with a water break halfway through. Between classes, there is a 10-minute break.
How long are your sessions?
We offer four sessions a year (fall, winter, spring, summer) that break down into approximately 10-13 week cycles.
CAn i drop my child off for class?
No, classes are 50 minutes and require a parent or guardian to be on-site at all times.
can i join a class in the middle of a session?
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.
Can we pay as we go during the session?
The session needs to be paid in full at the time of registration to reserve your child’s spot. Please note that we offer open enrollment, we do prorate class fees.
Can I get a Lil' Kickers discount for both of my children?
Yes! We offer a sibling discount of $30.00 for each additional child registered as long as the children are registered at the same time.
What if I can't make it to one of my classes?
We understand life can get busy and you might have to miss a class. With our easy make-up class policy, you may schedule a make-up class online. Make-up classes are based on availability and must be made within the current session. We will do our very best to accommodate your requests. If you have multiple children, please schedule a make-up class for each child individually. Please check-in each time for your make-up at the concession stand (the desk on the right as you walk in) to receive a class assignment card to hand to the coach.
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Can we come on any day?
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. Of course, there may be an occasion when a make-up class is needed. In that situation, you can schedule a make-up class for any day in which class space is available. If your schedule changes during the session and you need to switch days, we will try to accommodate your needs to the best of our ability. However, changes cannot be guaranteed and are based on space availability.
What are the child-to-coach ratios for each class?
Ratios vary depending on several factors including the mobility of the children in the class, whether parents are participating in the class, and the level of technical instruction required. Typically, if a class has more than 8 children, there will be a second coach. Some exceptions may apply.
If my child is struggling in class without parents on the field, such as a hoppers or jackrabbits class, is it okay for me to be on the field to help my child?
In this situation, we normally suggest placing the child in a Cottontails class. Cottontails classes are methodically structured and specifically designed to promote independence. We have found that these classes provide a successful, long-term solution to separation issues.
Why doesn't my child play more soccer in the program?
While many soccer programs are busy using traditional soccer skill drills to drive home the fundamentals of soccer, we approach coaching from a child-centered perspective. Because of this perspective, our main goal is to make learning fun for kids. We do this by putting instruction into a context that children understand, using special techniques designed around how kids naturally learn. Lil’ Kickers teaches your child the fundamentals of soccer but focuses on developing the whole child. Our program helps build social, emotional, and cognitive skills that result in our Lil Kickers becoming well-balanced and conscientious individuals on and off the soccer field.
What is the difference between Lil' Kickers and SKills Institute?
Lil’ Kickers is a child development soccer program that teaches basic skills through fun, creative, and energetic games. Skills Institute also encourages age-appropriate child development and focuses on teaching more technical and tactical skills through various fast-paced, challenging and structured drills.
WHy does the skills institute class cost more?
A higher level of specialized technical instruction is provided in Skills Institute classes, and the value of this instruction is priced accordingly.
what is your policy for allowing children with special needs into your program?
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 for more information.
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How it works...
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TEAMWORK
Kids learn the value and importance of teamwork as they work with each other to play games and accomplish activities. |
BALANCE
Kids practice their gross motor skills in fun activities, increasing their balance and control, as well as their confidence! |
CONFIDENCE
Kids' confidence will soar with each new skill and activity that they master. |
DISCOVERY
When the atmosphere is fun, kids are natural discoverers. |
SHARING
Kids learn and improve their ability to share with new friends in our classes. |
LEARNING
We teach kids in ways that suite their developmental level, building strong physical, intellectual and emotional skills. |