Up until this point, your child has only experienced the recreational side of soccer. They have come off the field smiling many times, because they enjoyed the game. They have gone home and played with a ball many times, without needing any encouragement. They have shown some level talent for the game, scoring goals, or winning tackles, or dribbling through players etc.

Travel soccer is the next step on your child's soccer journey. So, the next questions are always: "when should my child start playing travel soccer?"; and, "why?". Below are some benefits, which will help answer questions you may have:

•        Improved coaching - Fort Wayne United boasts some of the most experienced and nationally licensed coaches in Indiana. Our knowledgeable staff will help your child develop skills and techniques, read the game and strategize in ways they never have before.

•        Training Environment - At Fort Wayne United, our focus is on creating an enjoyable, yet competitive atmosphere so that players can improve. The players get to train with and against some of the best local talent, in fun and challenging training sessions.

•        Good, early habit acquisition - Without a strong foundation of individual technical skills, it would be difficult to truly learn and employ the tactics necessary to compete in any sport. With this in mind, our players excel because our training sessions focus on acquiring good habits, such as shaping the foot correctly and controlling the body correctly in different situations.

It is important to understand the areas of concentration a player experiences during different ages:

•        Ages 8-12 - Focus: Improving technique. Knowing how to correctly dribble, strike, pass and receive the ball. It requires many repetitions of these techniques in game related exercises and in game conditions while instructed and educated by a licensed, certified trainer or coach.

•        Ages 13-15 - Focus: Improving tactics. During this period, players become technically more effective. Now, they can concentrate on improving their in- game decisions, their understanding of the language of soccer and enhancing their soccer IQ (reasoning and problem solving). 

•        Ages 16-19 - Focus: Perfecting their craft. Players are now becoming that finished product. They have the technical, tactical, physical and psychological. What separates Fort Wayne United from most, is our player’s soccer IQ and understanding the language of the game.