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VWXY: Sports Skills Program
Grades K to 5th - Multi-sport and Seasonal Sports Programs
Through instruction and specialized games in our Interactive Arena, Players have fun mastering a "toolkit" of 24 essential skills for six sports – soccer, baseball, basketball, football, floor hockey and volleyball.
Program Overview
We work on one skill per week. We start with a brief instruction period using our unique SCORE™ teaching method to learn proper technique for that skill. Then we play a series of games to apply the skill. As Players move up to more advanced classes they will master more complex versions of each skill being taught.
Our objective is to make sure that when they get out on the field, court or playground, children are confident and successful. That will help make playing fun and help lead to a self-reinforcing cycle of physical involvement (see more about our philosophy and our SCORE teaching method).
We offer this program in two versions: a continuous multisport program that focuses on developing a full range of sports skills and overall athletic competence; and a focused seasonal single-sport program that focuses and dives deeper on one sport at a time (details of each program follow).
Multisport Program: For developing a well-rounded athlete
Participants in our multisport "VWXY" classes develop a broad set of sports skills over their time at Great Play. Even more important than the specific skills taught week-to-week, Players will be developing a strong athletic foundation, including a variety of motor skills, fitness, agility, and overall coordination, that translates to athletic success in general (see more about our philosophy).
Experts recommend “cross-training” with a wide range of sports and physical activities at these ages, rather than specialization, to help children reach their full physical potential. Even if they choose to specialize later, a broad foundation will make them more successful in whichever sport(s) they choose.
In the multisport program, we generally alternate between two sports for several weeks and work on complementary skills in consecutive weeks. For instance, floor hockey dribbling follows soccer dribbling. The general skills related to moving around defenders and varying speeds while controlling and protecting a ball/puck is common to many sports, even though the ball itself and the specific motor skill for moving it are very different. By using different sports in complementary ways, players are able to draw from past experiences and continue to refine and expand their overall athleticism each week.
Seasonal Sport Program
This program is designed to help Players quickly build skills and confidence in a specific sport - often to complement their participation in a recreational league.
We focus on one seasonal sport at a time for 6-12 consecutive class-weeks, as a pre-season tune-up and concurrent skill-building opportunity during the season. Many Players find this very helpful because practices in leagues often focus on team play as opposed to individual skill development, or lack the coaching time and/or expertise expertise to develop individual skills.
Currently we offer four seasonal sports programs with the following skills covered:
- Baseball: throwing, fielding, catching, hitting, bunting, base running.
- Basketball: dribbling, passing, lay-ups, shooting, defense, rebounding, team play.
- Soccer: dribbling, passing, trapping, shooting, goalie, defense, team play.
- Flag Football: running, throwing, catching, pass patterns, defensive coverage, flag pulling, fumble recovery, interceptions, team play.
Want to try it? Find a location near you!
Find a location near you for schedule, pricing and free trial class opportunities!* |
*Each site independently owned and operated, offers are determined per site |
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- Six Sports, 24 Skills, a Lot of Fun!
We make it FUN for kids to develop sport skills We create a fun-filled, non-threatening environment for Players to master the essential skills for athletic success.
- Basketball Shot Class
Instruction (L) and Hot Shot Station (R) Each class includes instruction on the skill-of-the-week followed by a series of unique game stations that turn practicing the skill into play!
- Basketball Shot - SCORE™ Steps
SCORE breaks skills into a series of repeatable steps/checkpoints At beginner levels, the Player does the minimum steps necessary to achieve a positive result using proper technique. As they progress, they do an increasingly complete version of the movement.
- Baseball Throwing Class
Breaking bottles beats "practicing"!Left: Coach Frank works on the wrist flick, one of the four steps we teach for throwing. Right: Players break virtual bottles (they really explode when hit!) in one station. Other stations (not pictured) include radar gun and target throwing.
- Hockey Shot Class
1-2-3 of proper shot form Beginners start the SCORE process for this skill with steps 2 and 3, to get the feel for proper follow through. They progress to the full skill as they get success with the initial steps.
- Power-Finesse Stations
Shot then follow for a tip inTeams of four try to keep beating their best score against the clock, taking turns shooting a long shot then a close shot. It teaches them to follow their shots for a rebound. Our approach makes it a game!
- Pass Patterns
Six basic routesAfter learning good catching technique, players learn a series of pass patterns that are used in our football stations. They'll be more than ready when it's time for football at recess!
- Diving Catch Station
Touchdown!Diving out onto a crash mat to catch teaches players to keep their eyes on the ball! (It's also pretty fun!).
- Everybody Clap Your Hands!
Arena MagicThe Interactive Arena adds energy throughout the class and makes the players feel like stars, like they're playing at a professional sports arena!
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Don't Just Take Our Word for It
Parents know bestSee below for more parent feedback on our classes.
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Reviews
"Great Play is a gym like NO OTHER. Where other similar gyms pretty much repeat the same activities week after week and let the kids learn on their own, Great Play's classes are always different and they teach skills so that the kids have a better grasp of how to do the activities correctly. My daughter has gone to Great Play since it's first week open and has loved it from the beginning. The staff is engaging, fun and professional, the facility is impeccably clean, and the birthday parties are a blast! Not to mention my daughter has learned how to throw, kick, catch and run the RIGHT way! I look forward to my younger son joining soon!" -Rebecca Shaw, Stamford, CT
"My twin boys love Great Play and the coaches are wonderful with all the children. They keep them engaged and the activities teach them sports skills all while having a great time." -Joanna Napolitano, New Rochelle, NY
"Our two sons have been with Great Play for 3 years. The facilities are clean and modern, and the instructors are high energy and positive. Most importantly, we see the instructors caring about their work and the kids, not just going through the motions. This friendly environment teaches children sports skills and improves self-confidence." -Sean Sheehan, Riverside, CT
"Great Play is awesome. My kids love to go there and would go every day if they could. The coaches are so enthusiastic and attentive that I know the kids are having a great time, and learning good skills too. Plus with the class and open gym time, it's a lot better value than most other sports activities." - Beth Benincasa, Redmond WA
"Great Play has been an unexpected find for our family. My 5-year-old son loves the whole experience. He moderately enjoyed sports before he started. Now he seems to have gained such an enthusiasm that it is often difficult to get him to leave after being there almost two hours (with his class and open gym). His 8-year-old sister and 9-year-old cousin have also enrolled in the private classes. I have never seen SUCH great big smiles on their faces as after completing their session. Between the wonderful instructors, great technology and upbeat music, it turns into a near magical experience for kids ... making "athletes" out of them to boot!" -J Cadenhead, New York
"We are so thrilled with Great Play! We have done many other activities in the area, and this the first activity my son comes out of class bursting with excitement about the games they played and the things he learned. I have also seen a huge boost in his confidence in his physical abilities. He has always been a cautious kid, but now he tries things at the playground and at Great Play that he never would have before. I used to be teacher and what they are doing in class is right in line with what I know about child development. Kids are really getting the tools and steps they need to grow their kinesthetic and cognitive abilities." -Pamela Shank Kaufman, Sammamish
"My son loves it and the coaches are great. My son's coordination has really improved." -Claudia Gohler, Old Greenwich, CT
"Great Play is a wonderful opportunity for your child to develop athletic skills without being subjected to the frustrations of organized sports." - Martha Daman, Sammamish WA
"Great Play and their amazing staff have been such a positive influence on both my kids development! Their knowledge and love of kids puts Great Play in a league of their own. It is their favorite class (and mine!)....by far!!!" -Jami Goldman, Old Greenwich, CT
"I was surprised by how quickly my children became enthused with Great Play. Within minutes of the first class, their faces were bright with excitement and exercise! Their class introduces them to sport skills involving balls, bats, swings, balance and more - giving them confidence to play with others at school. They frequently ask to go to the Great Play open play sessions and I am happy to take them!" Marie Walter, Redmond WA
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