TOPSoccer

US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with exceptionalities. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive. The purpose is to give every player a chance to experience the joy of soccer.TOPSoccer is designed to improve the overall fitness, self-esteem and social skills of your child. Germantown Legends is offering TOPSoccer in our community and is providing a professional staff to assist with conducting each session along with other area volunteers. It is fully supported by the Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) and US Youth Soccer TOPsoccer.

TOPSoccer sessions are typically once a week. Once your athlete is registered, you will be directed to sign up for PRAXIS, a free app with Germantown Legends, that will allow you to sync the calendar, mark availability, and chat with other parents. PRAXIS will be the calendar for all events.

Typically, Fall season runs September thru early November, while the Spring season runs March (after Spring breaks) thru early May but all days, times, and location will be announced and communicated through PRAXIS.

TOPSoccer Frequently Asked Questions

TOPSoccer
The Outreach Program for Soccer that enables children under 19 with physical and or intellectual disabilities to play the game of soccer.

WHAT IS TOPSoccer ALL ABOUT?

Our goal – provide an opportunity for ALL CHILDREN to play soccer regardless of:
- Physically or social-emotional modifications needed
- Learning differences
- Administrative challenges- unable to place them on conventional teams

KEY TERMS OF TOPSoccer

Buddies: Each participant is assigned a volunteer, trained ‘Buddy’ who is typically a little older and neurotypical. This Buddy works with their player individually and makes sure they are safe, engaged, supported, and having fun. The player-Buddy relationship is maintained throughout the course of a season, resulting in strong interpersonal bonds and an establishment of trust and confidence that allows each player to achieve their full potential.
Coaches: TOPSoccer coaches and administrators have taken formal USYS education and certification training that assists them in successfully delivering the program. In addition to providing coaching strategies and tactics specifically for children with special needs, the training identifies the traits of the most common disabilities and provides guidance on how to modify typical soccer practice activities so everyone can be successful.
Groupings: Players are grouped by ability, not just age, such that they can develop at their own pace and participate amongst others with similar abilities.

HOW IS TOPSoccer SIMILAR TO CONVENTIONAL TEAMS?

Players are:
- Coached by coaches who have completed USYS training
- Taught skills / drills / game
- Taught to play as a team
- Have fun through the game and joy of being on a team
- Players are registered
- Provided with rewards/incentives

HOW IS TOPSoccer UNIQUE?

Placed on teams by ability (not age)
Games may be freely modified, MAKE IT WORK
FIFA “Laws” are only guidelines - THROW INS, MORE THAN ONE CHANCE TO THROW IN & Many other modifications as needed
Non-players may be on the field - COACH, BUDDY
Rules may be adjusted
Administrative procedures may be revised

WHY IS TOPSoccer IMPORTANT?

Develop social skills
Develop better motor coordination
Improve communication skills
Provide opportunity for exercise

WHO CAN PLAY?

Any athlete is allowed to participate unless participation would be considered unsafe for the athlete! Players must have an up to date (within one year) physical from their pediatrician clearing them to play and on file.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A TOPSoccer PLAYER

COST?

FREE!

Need Volunteers?

Yes, we need Volunteers (or 'Buddies'), if interested, please register online.

A TOPSoccer Buddy is an invaluable volunteer who has completed USYS online training module on how to be a Buddy. The TOPSoccer buddy is not a player and does not score goals. A TOPSoccer Buddy can be a caregiver, aide, family member, same-aged peer, teenager or adult as long as they registered as a buddy and completed the online module. Whenever possible and appropriate, given the characteristics and limitations of given circumstances, TOPSoccer will do it's best to provide a buddy to each athlete who needs one. We cannot always guarantee buddy assignment. It is the goal of TOPSoccer to provide the opportunity for participation for each athlete, while ensuring the safety of all athletes, volunteers, parents and spectators. Most buddies will be MS or HS aged kids and will be trained in what they might expect to see and experience in the TOPSoccer program. For more information on becoming a Buddy, please check out the TOPSoccer Buddy page and then click on the REGISTER AS A TOPSoccer BUDDY.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

TOPSoccer

For more info:

Have any recommendations for additional ideas and resources? Please send us your recommendations to info@GermantownLegends.com!

The Germantown Legends are a premier youth soccer club located in Germantown, Tennessee.

Established in 2011, the Legends Soccer Club focuses intensely on creating brave creative leaders for life. Our no guilt, no shame, no blame philosophy gives kids the confidence to get out of their comfort zone and create the big play in any situation!

The Germantown Legends Soccer program is the official 'Soccer Provider' to the City of Germantown.

For Field conditions, Inclement weather, Program updates, Camp information, etc., please visit the following:

Facebook: Germantown Legends Soccer
Instagram: Germantown Legends Soccer
Twitter: @GermantownSoc
INFO@GermantownLegends.com
www.GermantownLegendsSoccer.com