Beginning in January 2025, the John Jay Soccer Program, in collaboration with the East Fishkill Soccer Club, will introduce a Youth Soccer Mentorship Program. Immediately following Sunday morning John Jay Winter Training sessions, current JV and Varsity soccer players will have the opportunity to work with local EFSC travel team the East Fishkill Rebels in the John Jay Gymnasium during their training sessions. By serving as role models, our players will guide the youth on and off the field, teaching the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline, while building meaningful connections. The program seeks to bring together different age groups, creating a unified soccer culture where younger players aspire to be like their mentors, and older players learn leadership and responsibility, contributing to a strong, supportive community.

Mentors will help younger players improve their technical and tactical abilities, offering insights into high-level soccer through demonstrations and active participation in training. Players will demonstrate techniques like dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending. They’ll lead drills that emphasize both basic and advanced soccer skills, offering hands-on guidance to the younger athletes. Players will engage with the younger athletes, not just in training, but also in discussions about mindset, game preparation, and handling wins and losses. They’ll share personal experiences and insights, becoming role models for the youth. At the end of each session, our volunteer JV and Varsity players will huddle with the younger teams, providing encouragement, feedback, and advice. This will allow for personal interactions that go beyond the soccer field, helping build trust and respect.

These training sessions will focus on technical ball skills, including dribbling, passing, and receiving. Our young athletes will also gain valuable insights into situational soccer, learning positional play and how to approach both offensive and defensive scenarios. They’ll develop a better understanding of on- and off-the-ball movement, which will help elevate their soccer IQ. Additionally, we’ll work on proper striking techniques, focusing on creating both power and precision. Each session will progressively build toward game-like scenarios through a range of individual and team drills, culminating in small-sided scrimmages.

The unique blend of our high school student-athletes with local elementary-aged players will foster lifelong bonds and relationships. Our young travel athletes will form strong connections with their mentor trainers, creating a support system that extends into our Fall school soccer season, where these young athletes often serve as Ball Runners for our JV and Varsity soccer games, or as fans and supporters in the crowd. This will further motivate them to attend our JV and Varsity games, cheering on their trainer-coaches with pride and excitement.

Our Patriots are generously volunteering their time to work with these young protégés, offering a special opportunity for them to give back to the community and the soccer program where many of them began their own journeys. This initiative will create a bond and brotherhood, showcasing the power of soccer as a global sport that unites people of all ages and backgrounds.

If you have any questions about the winter training sessions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Coach Axelson.