Group soccer training for kids 5 to 10 at The Lab in East Pasadena. First real touches, real coaching, and no experience required to walk in.
Not sure? That’s the normal case. Come to a session and we’ll tell you where we’d start them, including if that’s Foundation One for now.
“Will my child be lost?”
No. A new five-year-old learns ball control with players at the same stage, at a pace that lets them succeed early. There’s no cut list and nothing to catch up on. Most of our beginners had never kicked a ball with intent before their first session.
“Will my child be challenged?”
Yes. A player with a season behind them trains in a group that stretches them, and moves up the moment they’re dominating it. Comfortable is where development stops.
Sixty minutes: a ball-mastery warm-up, a technical block on one core skill, small-sided games that force that skill into use, and a short review with something to practise at home. Every player has a ball at their feet for most of the hour. Nobody stands in line. Every session is written before anyone arrives, and every coach runs the same one.
Bring: cleats, shin guards under socks, water. We provide the rest. One ball your child can take home goes a long way.
When: Mon–Fri 5:00pm · Sat 10:00am
The Lab, 3100 E Del Mar Blvd
Close control until the ball feels like part of the player, not a problem to solve.
The athletic base under the soccer, built in the window between six and twelve, when it sticks.
The confidence to keep the ball and turn out of trouble instead of kicking it away.
We’d rather teach a seven-year-old to control the ball than to win a scrimmage. Rushing kids into matches before they have the tools is how kick-and-run habits form, and those are hard to un-teach at twelve.
Billed monthly. Foundation One and Two share the same rates.
Once a week. A five-year-old trying it out, or a child balancing another sport. Not a development plan, and we say so.
Twice a week. The plan we recommend. The player comes back before the last session has faded.
Three times a week. Mostly Foundation Two.
Most FTBL players keep their Saturday or club team. We do the individual work during the week. No conflict, no pressure to leave.
A player moves up when the coach’s eye says they’ll be challenged at the next level, not on a birthday.
The base: touches, coordination, confidence.
The same skills, faster, under pressure.
The teams inside the training club, for families who choose that pathway. Placed from the training group.
No. Foundation One is open to any player.
Yes, and for players with a season or two behind them. A new five-year-old trains with players at the same stage; a stronger seven-year-old is placed where they are stretched.
The coaching. Every FTBL coach has been through the FTBL coach course and works on individual technique every session. Your child gets better at the ball, not just busier on Saturdays.
Yes. Our staff is bilingual, and we work with families in both Spanish and English.
