Skills Institute Badge Logo Youth Soccer
Skills Institute Badge Logo Youth Soccer

Skills Institute at Arena Sports SODO

Skills Institute is a soccer program for kids who want to get started with soccer or take their game to the next level. Rooted in child development theory, these kids’ soccer classes teach children ages 5 to 12 years to have a blast learning and improving their 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 each week. Sign up for a free 50-minute soccer class to try it out by selecting a class level below or register for the season today!

Educate. Develop. Inspire.

Try a Class For Free

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!

Schedule a Free Trial
Register Today

We have open enrollment so you can register any time using our convenient, online process.

Weekday class discounts are available. Discounts will be applied at checkout.

Winter Session: December 1st – March 16th

View Schedule & Register

Pay as You Play! 
Arena Sports offers a Payment Plan option for Skills Institute classes. It’s instant gratification knowing that your child is going to have a blast while keeping your budget happy, too.

Private Class Options 
Ask us about a private class for your child and their friends, classmates or soccer team!
Contact us at [email protected].

Make-Up a Class

Missed a class? No problem! We understand life gets a little busy. Make-up classes are available during the current season. They are based on availability and not guaranteed.

Schedule a Make-Up Class

Not just footwork, but lifework!

Class Descriptions

AGES 5/6, 7/8, 9 – 12
10:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

free trial class

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
10:1 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
10:1 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

Try a Free Class

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 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 YEARS
  • 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.

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Skills Institute FAQ’s

Participants should wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes (no outdoor cleats). Shinguards are required and must be worn under soccer socks. 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 class is 50 minutes long – 30 minutes of skill development, followed by 20 minutes of scrimmage.

We offer four sessions a year (fall, winter, spring, summer) that break down into approximately 12-13 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. Payment plans are available for the season with installments*. Simply select the “payment plan” when checking out.

*A small financing fee will be applied.

We understand life can get busy and you might have to miss a class. With our easy make-up class policy, you may schedule a make-up class online. Make-up classes are based on availability and not guaranteed. They must be made within the current session. We will do our very best to accommodate your requests. If you have multiple children, please schedule a make-up class for each child individually.

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 – 10:1.

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.

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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!

Register Today
Register Today

Ages & Time

Boys & Girls, Ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-12
Half-Day, 9am – 12pm

Upcoming Dates

  • December 23rd, 26th, 27th, 30th, & 31st
  • January 2rd & 3rd

Details

  • Wear athletic clothes and indoor shoes (no outdoor cleats)
  • Shinguards are required to be worn under soccer socks
  • Bring a water bottle & a snack
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Lil’ Kickers & Skills Institute Fanwear Store

Looking to supplement your child’s Lil’ Kickers or Skills Institute kit with some additional super cool gear? Check out our Fanwear Store! We have plenty of options to outfit your child and other family members, from infants to adults.

Use discount code ARENASPORTS at checkout to save 10% on your purchase.

Shop Now

Fanwear includes: 

  • Infant onesies
  • Tees
  • Sweatshirts
  • Hats
  • Backpacks
  • Water bottles
  • Soccer balls
  • Cinch bags
  • And more!
Beyond the Pitch | What a Million Kids Have Taught Me
We have always been a great resource for family fun and we love the partnership we have with our families. We want to further that partnership with our new “Beyond the Pitch” blog. This platform gives us a place to provide a wider range of parenting support and resources to our families. So check it out! We hope you find it helpful and enjoy the content.
Read Now

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