Diablo FC provides a competitive soccer
program for players in Concord, Clayton, and
the surrounding communities. With the
quality coaches, a professional training
program, and dedicated volunteer support,
Diablo FC develops excellence in the
technical, tactical, mental, and physical
aspects of youth soccer in a positive
environment that promotes good
sportsmanship. It is our hope that a large
proportion of these individuals will pursue
the sport through their teenage years and on
into adult life. Diablo FC is dedicated to
offering players and families the best total
soccer experience in the area.
History
Diablo FC was formed in 2008 as the result
of a merger between the Mt. Diablo Soccer
League (MDSL) and Diablo Valley Soccer Club
(DVSC). Diablo FC currently provides
programs for approximately 850 youth soccer
players. Diablo FC is strongly connected
with the local community and has many parent
volunteers working with the club. Diablo FC
is a non-profit organization whose primary
mission is the development for youth soccer
in our community. Diablo FC gives back to
the community by providing playing
opportunities, scholarships, free clinics
and coaching. It also provides support for
the local recreational soccer league -- Mt.
Diablo Soccer Association (MDSA).
Diablo FC is affiliated with the authority
of the California Youth Soccer
Association-North (CYSA-North). CYSA-North
is a state association in Region IV of the
United States Youth Soccer Association
(USYSA). USYSA is a member of the United
States Soccer Federation (USSF). Diablo FC
is also affiliated with US Club Soccer and
the United Soccer Leagues through Super-Y
League.
Diablo FC
Philosophy
Diablo FC is dedicated to player development
above anything else. It is our goal to
develop players, both technically and
tactically, to build a foundation that will
enable them to play at the next level;
whether it is from Recreational to Class 3,
Class 3 to Class 1, High School, ODP,
College, Professional, or for the US
National Team. Through these programs
children are allowed to participate at a
level where they can succeed and develop,
both as individuals and as soccer players in
a team environment. Our training staff is
committed to this development, starting at
the U9 age level. Team success is not the
goal of our teams in the younger age groups.
Team success will ultimately become a
byproduct of the work and attention to
technical and tactical development. We have
a commitment to our players to put them in
an environment that will challenge them
mentally and physically within the demands
of the player, team , and game.
Class 1
Program
The Class 1 Program is the highest level
or competitive soccer that Diablo FC offers.
Our Class 1 program offers playing
opportunities for girls and boys (from the
U9 to U19 age level) that are driven by the
game of soccer. It is the ultimate goal of
the Diablo FC training staff, to develop our
Class 1 players with the intent of preparing
them to play at the collegiate level. Our
commitment to player development at the
younger age groups (U9 to U13) will allow
our players and teams the best opportunity
to have success at the older age levels (U14
to U19). our approach has shown that if
these developmental objectives are achieved,
then success inevitably follows.
Class 3
Program
The Class 3 Program offers players the
opportunity to continue playing this great
game at a competitive level. Our training
staff is committed to developing the Class 3
program to the best of their potential. The
Class 3 program is intended for those
individuals that want to play the game at a
higher level than recreational soccer, but
lower than that of the Class 1 program.
Club
Development
Diablo FC currently has approximately 50
teams ranging from U9 to U21 for boys and
girls in Class 1 and Class 3. Players and
teams develop at different rates depending
on their age, gender and skill level. Teams
in U9 and U10 train differently versus teams
with high school aged players, so there
needs to be a progression of technical,
tactical and mental development established.
The three phases of youth soccer at Diablo
FC are Technical, Tactical and Competitive.
Our coaches and trainers are expected to
develop individual technical abilities and
group tactical capabilities relative to the
phase of each team.
Technical Phase (U9 and U10 girls and
boys)
This introductory phase is the
foundation for player and team
development. Players need to develop
basic technical skills at these age
levels to help prepare them for the
implementation of tactical ideas at the
older age levels. So many good and bad
habits are established at this age
level. Therefore, our coaches and
trainers focus their attention on the
technical development of the player.
Basic tactical ideas are introduced
here, but our priority stays focused on
repetition with the ball! Trainings need
to be fun and exciting. We shape our
team into positions for games, but we
keep the coaching during this phase of
development as simple as possible.
Tactical Phase (U11 to U13 girls and
boys)
The focus for players at the U11 to U13
age levels now includes technical
development with pressure, small group
tactics, and functional training with
the backs, midfielders, and forwards.
Coaches and trainers will still need to
review and maintain the base already
established from the younger age levels
with regards to technique and tactics.
Trainings should still be fun and
exciting, but there should be a greater
demand to quality and success.
Competitive Phase (U14 to U19 girls and
boys)
The focus at the upper age levels is
speed of play and team tactical
development. All previous developments
in technical and tactical exercises
should still be maintained in trainings,
but they are now applied to the team and
the game of “11 v 11.”
