Our 2012 Winter Program will run for 10 consecutive weeks on Sundays from January 8 through March 11 , and is open to Gryphons and non-Gryphons players. Modeled around the Fiorentina method, the sessions will be 1.5 hours long with the last 1/2 hour or so left for the players to compete in small sided 4x4 games. Last year, this program greatly benefited our players in preparing them for the spring season, and in developing their athletic and coordination abilities as well as psycho-motor skills that are universally beneficial for many sports. Note - Our Crickets, Super 7s and Team Academy programs will have an increased focus on building athletic abilities. Also, by popular demand, we will continue to offer a winter Grasshoppies program for 3 to 5 yr olds.

Note - If you are looking for a winter program for older age groups, please email our Director of Coaching for more information.

Our winter program sessions will be conducted at the Hillsdale High School turf field. We will offer make-up sessions if there is poor weather during any of the planned sessions. Below are the timings for each of the age groups:

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First Day Information

• Things to bring: Water, Shin Guards, Cleats/Athletic shoes. We will be providing you a Gryphons t-shirt on your first day.
• Registration Forms: If you did not attend the last session, please remember to bring your registration forms and release forms to your first session. If you did not print out forms at the time of your registration, you can login to the registration site, and get your forms under 'Players in Account' . You will need to bring in two forms labeled Gryphons Liability Release and Consent to Treatment.
• Location: The Sunday classes will be at the Hillsdale High School Turf Football Field in San Mateo. The field is located on the corner of Alameda de Las Pulgas and 31st.
• Parking: There is a parking lot off of Alameda de Las Pulgas a half block south of 31st. If you park on 31st street, please respect our neighbors and park only on the school side of 31st.

Also, PLEASE try to avoid walking or playing on the track (unless you are using it for the intended purpose). Please note that dogs and bicycles are NOT ALLOWED.

Grasshoppies Winter Program

The Grasshoppies Academy is the entry-level program for the Pre-Academy. Grasshoppies is perfect for young children between the ages of 3 and 4 who have more energy than their parents. Grasshoppies prepares players for easy transitions into older age group programs, and subsequently, into competitive Gryphons teams.
Cost: $100

Pre-Academy and Academy Winter Program

Pre-Academy Eligibility: Open to Gryphons and non-Gryphons players born 8/1/2004 through 7/31/2007. Slightly younger participants are welcome if they are currently in the Crickets program or have discussed with their current Grasshoppies coach.
Cost: $185


U8-U10 Academy Eligibility: Open to Gryphons and non-Gryphons players born 8/1/2001 through 7/31//2004. Players not on a Gryphons Academy team are welcome to participate if they have:

• participated in Super 7s in 2011 and have discussed with their current Super 7s coach as to which Session they should attend
• attended tryouts and will be joining an Academy team
• played in other soccer programs (AYSO, other competitive clubs)

Cost: $185


Curriculum: Each session is 90 minutes long, the first 45 minutes featuring our AC Fiorentina based technical training, and the second 45 minutes with 4v4 small-sided games. Note - 4v4 teams will be formed based on age and skill level.

Our Pre-Academy age participants will begin to learn the technical and physical demands of our first year Academy teams (U8/U9). Our Academy age players will continue their year round curriculum. Development goals will be age-appropriate and may include the following:

• Technical skills: juggling, passing and receiving, dribbling, long balls, shooting, dribbling against an opponent (1v1), heading, moves / fakes, tackling
• Psychomotor Skills: basic motor skills, postural, sensory perception, acrobatic abilities
• Coordination Ability: combined movements, spatial & temporal skills, differentiation, reaction, balance, adaptation & transformation, rhythm, anticipation, motor creativity
• Athletic & Physical Ability: speed (perceptive, anticipative, decisional, reaction, cyclic motor, acyclic motor, action, intervention), proprioception, articular mobility

To learn more about our Pre-Academy program look here, and for our Team Academy program look here. If you have further questions, you can contact our Director of Programs.