Skills Institute at Arena Sports Mill Creek
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. Players enjoy 30 minutes of age-appropriate instruction and 20 minutes of small-sided scrimmaging. Classes meet weekly for 50-minutes.
Arena Sports Locations
Indoor Satellite Locations
Educate. Develop. Inspire.
Wondering if Skills Institute is the right fit for you? Give us a try! New customers can sign up for a free 50-minute class to experience the program firsthand. We think you’re going to love it!
We have open enrollment so you can register any time using our convenient, online process.
Winter Session: December 4 – March 8
Missed a class? No problem! We understand life gets a little busy. Make-up classes are available during the session. Simply go online, select your class type, preferred location and an available day and time.
Not just footwork, but lifework!
Class Descriptions
AGES 5/6, 7/8, 9 – 12
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.
AGES 5/6, 7/8, 9 – 12
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 a strong Soccer IQ.
AGES 5/6, 7/8, 9 – 12
BY RECOMMENDATION ONLY
8:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO
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.
Class Descriptions
- AGES 5/6, 7/8, 9 – 12 YEARS
- 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.
- AGES 5/6, 7/8, 9 – 12 YEARS
- BY RECOMMEDNATION 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 a strong Soccer IQ.
- AGES 5/6, 7/8, 9 – 12 YEARS
- BY RECOMMEDNATION ONLY
- 8:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO
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.
Skills Institute FAQ’s
Participants should wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes (no outdoor cleats). Shinguards are recommended for Skills Institute classes. A Skills Institute jersey is given to first-time customers for free, and can thereafter be purchased at a low cost. Outfitting your child in Skills Institute 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.
Each of our classes lasts 50 minutes with a water break halfway through. Between classes, there is a 10-minute break.
We offer four sessions a year (fall, winter, spring, summer) that break down into approximately 10-13 week cycles.
No, classes are 50 minutes and require a parent or guardian to be on-site at all times
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.
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.
You are able to make up any missed classes within the session in which you are enrolled. When scheduling your make-up class, select your class type, preferred location, and date/time that is available. Schedule a make-up class here!
Yes! We offer a sibling discount of $15.00 for each additional child registered as long as the children are registered at the same time.
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. 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.
To allow for quality instruction, Skills Institute provides a low player-to-coach ratio – 8:1.
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.
A higher level of specialized technical instruction is provided in Skills Institute classes, and the value of this instruction is priced accordingly.
Skills Institute Soccer League
Coached by parents, enjoyed by all.
Skills Institute Soccer Leagues at Arena Sports are a scream. With a focus on development, teamwork and sportsmanship players have a blast improving in ability 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. Players can join as a team or as an individual on one of our house teams. SISL comes complete with a coaching and spectator guide to further enhance the experience and encourage the next generation of soccer enthusiasts.
Register as a team or an individual.
Skills Institute Camp
Kid focused. Goal driven.
The perfect week-long camp for kids 5-12 who want to up their game. Each morning coaches guide players in building technical and tactical fundamentals. This daily practice increases performance by leaps and bounds. By the end of the week, they will come away with improved skills, a better understanding of the game and a nose for the ball.
Campers will receive a Skills Institute training top and soccer ball!
Ages & Time
Boys & Girls, Ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-12
Half-Day, 9am – 12pm
Dates
- June 22-26
- July 20-24
- August 17-21
Details
- Wear athletic clothes, indoor shoes (no cleats), & shinguards are recommended
- Bring a water bottle
- Snack is provided