DHD Summer School Courses

Our curriculum offers something for every player, boys
and girls, 7-year-olds through high school. Our coaches are experienced in helping all age groups enrich their skills and their enjoyment of the game. We want every participant to feel their time spent with us was a rewarding way to spend some of their summer time.

DHD 101—Foundation Skills: Proper technique is the quintessential first step in playing soccer. Emphasis is placed on ball control skills, first touch, and maintaining possession of the ball through constant repetition. Players learn to use their bodies as well as their feet in developing the foundation skills of dribbling, passing, collecting, tackling, heading, throw-ins and taking shots on goal. (Geared toward Under-8 and Under-10 novice players.)

DHD 201—Moves under pressure: Soccer basically comes down to an endless series of one-on-one confrontations. Players need the ability to separate themselves from defenders to gain time and space with the ball. This session concentrates on introducing the player to a number of moves for losing the defender through feints, fakes and change-of-direction moves. Each move is taught in a three-tiered progressive series of learning the technique through repetition, going against a passive defender and attacking an active defender. Small-sided games and scrimmages will help further develop moves in a match-like environment. (Geared toward Under-10 players and up, who want to build on their foundation skills.)

DHD 301—Fundamentals of Team Play: It surprises us how many times we hear a young player say, “I have always played defense but would like to try being a forward.” This session allows players to try each position (defense, midfield and forward) and discover how best to use their skills within a game format. Players learn the major concepts through a series of progressive small-sided games that bring constant game scenarios into focus, lots of ball touches, team work, fundamental combination play, team defending, and clever attacking, all blended into a fun atmosphere. (Geared toward Under-12 and Under-14 players.)

DHD 401—Match Preparation: This session gives high school students an opportunity to train for the upcoming school season in a team environment. We focus on 1v1 play to further develop ball control under pressure, tactical decision making to quickly adapt to the game’s constant transitional phases, and a variety of shooting exercises. Each week we feature a scrimmage that combines all three elements into competitive match play. Players are paired with players of comparable ability to build confidence, enhance development, and enjoy the training even more.

DHD GKT—Goalkeeper Training: Goalkeeping is the cornerstone of the defense, yet it is the one position that gets the least amount of attention from most youth coaches. DHD Soccer teaches proper techniques for catching, throwing, rolling, punting and drop-kicking. We also cover how to position yourself and your defenders, ball distribution, how best to make the breakaway save, and how to start the counter attack. (For youth and high school players.)

Fitness and Conditioning:  A comprehensive program focusing on efficient biomechanics to maximize strength and conditioning training for the high school athlete. A progressive program with new challenges each week, geared to help prevent those preseason sprains and strains.  90-minute sessions twice weekly.

Tournament Play: Many of the players that attend our summer programs are looking for a summer league to participate in, and unfortunately, there isn’t any. In an effort to give them the opportunity to get some competitive games in, we may form teams to participate in the URI Goals 4 Rams Tournament in late July, providing there is enough interest.