Since the 2021 Philadelphia Unity Cup kicked off on Aug. 27, weekends have been jam-packed with soccer matches. When the World Cup-style tournament began, 52 teams representing 52 countries had the goal of making it to the Championship Match on Oct. 16, but now only two remain.
However, before the final contest kicks off on Saturday, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association and the Unity Cup teamed up and hosted a free youth clinic for kids 8 to 12 on Oct. 13 at Ramp Playground in Philadelphia.
From 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., children with parents or guardians participating in the Unity Cup were able to hone their skills with Technical Director Mike Barr and Grassroots Soccer Manager JT Dorsey.
Dorsey said that the clinic served as an opportunity to connect with the youth of the Unity Cup and to help them be a part of the tournament as well.
The session followed the play-practice-play model, a Grassroots developed philosophy designed around a player-centered approach to coaching. Players participated in small-sided games before they engaged in different forms of targeted learning activities to further guide their opportunities to develop. The final portion of the session offered players the opportunity to play once again, but this time with the possibility of showcasing their new abilities.
