Football mini-groups: four children per coach and why it works
In a regular group a child shares the coach's attention with a dozen others. In a mini-group the queue is much shorter: just four players per coach. Here is how our mini-groups work, what they give a child, who they suit and what they cost.
How a mini-group works
- Up to 4 children per coach. This is our optimal size: the coach can work with everyone, and the children still have an opponent and a partner for game-based drills. We have two coaches, so two mini-groups can train at the same time.
- Ages 5 to 15. Within one mini-group the age gap is no more than one year, so every child trains with others at their level — nobody struggles to keep up with older kids or gets bored with younger ones.
- Indoor sessions. Weather never cancels training, and the sessions run all year round.
- Coaches — Tony Corrêa and Leandro Soares. Tony is a former professional footballer from Brazil and the academy's head coach.
What a small group gives
Intensity. With four children nobody queues for a drill. The child is active for the whole session and does as much in one session as in several in a big group.
Touches of the ball. More touches mean faster technique. In a mini-group every child is constantly on the ball: dribbling, passing, shooting, beating a player.
Working on weaknesses. The coach sees each player and can work on exactly what holds them back: the weaker foot, first touch, playing under pressure.
Physical conditioning. The high tempo builds stamina, speed and coordination, and flexibility grows together with technique.
Who mini-groups suit
- Children who want to progress faster than a big group allows.
- Those who need to work on specific skills but want to keep playing with partners.
- Children who get lost in a big group and open up in a small one.
- Those preparing for an academy trial who want more intensive work with the ball.
A mini-group is the sweet spot between private training and a regular group: almost one-to-one attention while keeping the team element of the game.
How much it costs
The price depends on the group size: 2,500 roubles per child per session in a group of four and 3,000 roubles per child in a group of three. A full group is what keeps the price down: four children per coach is the format in which a session stays both intensive and affordable.
Why parents do not attend sessions
Parents are always welcome at the academy, but not at mini-group sessions — and that is a deliberate decision by the coaches. When a parent is watching, children get distracted, look towards the stands and try to “show off” instead of training. The coach cannot get the best out of them, and the results fall short of what they could be. So sessions run without spectators, and you can always ask the coach about anything that happens in them.
How to sign up
Leave a request on the mini-groups page or call +7 925 337-55-05. We will find a group for your child's age, with no more than a year's difference from the other players. If you would like to get to know the academy first, start with a free trial session.
Frequently asked questions
How many children are in a mini-group?
Up to four children per coach. We have two coaches, so two mini-groups can train at the same time.
From what age can a child join a mini-group?
Mini-groups are for children aged 5 to 15. Within a group the age gap is no more than one year, so everyone trains at the same level.
How much does a mini-group session cost?
2,500 roubles per child in a group of four and 3,000 roubles per child in a group of three.
Can parents watch the session?
No, mini-group sessions run without parents: adults watching distracts the children and the coach cannot get the best out of them. You can always ask the coach about anything that happens in the session.
Where do the sessions take place?
Indoors in Khimki, at 10B Kudryavtseva Street, so training does not depend on the weather and runs all year round. Timetable: Tuesday and Thursday at 20:00, Saturday at 14:00. Call +7 925 337-55-05 to book.