Ages 2–3
Academy
First steps with a ball, all about fun and feeling safe.
- Running, stopping and balance
- Getting comfortable with the ball
- Listening and joining in with a group
- Confidence away from mom and dad
Play · Learn · Practice
Soccer that grows
with your child
PlaySoccer is fun, structured soccer coaching for children from age 2 right through primary school. Each age has its own programme, so your child is always learning skills that suit where they are now, and building towards what comes next.
Five stages, one pathway, from first kicks to match day
15 Yearsof Honeydew Playball coaching
5 Streamsmatched to your child’s age
Age 2+through to primary school
7 Core Skillsbuilt step by step
The PlaySoccer pathway
Ages 2–3
Age 4
Age 5
Age 6
Primary school
Five age streams. One clear journey.
Young children change enormously from one year to the next, so we don’t lump them together. Every stream has its own goals, games and coaching style, and each one builds on the last.
Ages 2–3
Age 4
Nations
Learning to control the ball with their feet.
- Good stance and foot position
- Keeping eyes up while moving
- Following simple instructions
- Taking turns and sharing
Age 5
Premier
Story-led adventures that turn skills into play.
- Dribbling with control
- Stopping and trapping the ball
- First passes and shots
- Focus for a whole session
Age 6
Champions
Individual soccer inside a group environment.
- Mastering their own ball
- Turns and moves to beat a player
- Shooting with technique
- Playing alongside others
Primary school
All Stars
Putting it all together in real games.
- Passing and receiving under pressure
- Small-sided matches
- Teamwork and positions
- Sportsmanship, winning and losing well
How your child develops
More than kicking a ball
Soccer is our tool, but what we’re really growing is a confident, coordinated, kind little person. Every session works on four areas at once.
Physical
Balance, coordination, agility and fitness: the building blocks for every sport, not only soccer.
Technical
Real soccer skills, taught one simple step at a time so children understand how to do it, not just copy.
Social
Listening, sharing, taking turns, encouraging friends and working as a team.
Emotional
Confidence to try, resilience when it’s tricky, and learning to handle both winning and losing.
The 7 core ball skills we build
Each skill is broken into simple coaching points so children of every age can succeed at their own level.
Running with the ballDribblingPassingShootingTrappingReceiving on the groundReceiving a high ball
Inside a session
Same rhythm, every week
Little ones thrive on routine. Every PlaySoccer session follows a familiar shape, so children know what’s coming and can relax into learning.
- A warm, safe startWe welcome every child by name and settle the group before we begin.
- Get movingFun movement games that warm up bodies and brains.
- Skill timeA focused ball skill, practised through play rather than drills and lines.
- Game on!Every session ends with a game where children use what they’ve learnt.
Parent tip
“Why does everyone chase the ball in one big bunch?”
Because that’s exactly what young children are meant to do! Bunching around the ball is a normal stage of development: little ones see the ball and want it. It isn’t a sign they’re doing it wrong.
We don’t force positions on young players too early. Instead we build ball skills and confidence first, and spacing and teamwork come naturally as they grow into the older streams.
What you can do: cheer the effort, not just the goals. “I loved how you kept trying!” goes a long way.
A term at PlaySoccer
Ten weeks, one clear plan
Every term follows the same 10-week plan. All five age streams work on the same theme each week, and the coach adjusts it to suit your child’s age. Skills build week by week, from “me and my ball” to playing as part of a team.
Weeks 1–4 · Me and my ballConfidence on the ball, then taking on (and stopping) a player one-on-one.
Weeks 5–7 · Me and my friendPassing, getting into space and working with a partner.
Weeks 8–10 · Me and my teamScoring goals, playing in small teams, and a festival to finish.
Week 1
Ball Mastery
Lots of touches and getting comfortable with the ball using different parts of the foot.
Week 2
Change of Direction
Dribbling with eyes up, stopping, turning and changing speed.
Week 3
Beat a Player
Being brave on the ball and getting past a defender.
Week 4
Defending
Defending is a skill too: patience, good body position and timing.
Week 5
Passing & Receiving
Accurate passes and a soft first touch, the bridge from solo play to teamwork.
Check-inWeek 6
Support Play
Moving into space so a friend can find you.
Week 7
Playing as a Pair
When to pass and when to dribble, and helping each other.
Week 8
Shooting
Striking the ball cleanly and shooting with purpose. Everyone loves a goal!
Week 9
Playing as a Three
Small-team games where children learn to spread out and share the ball.
Week 10
Festival Week
Fun games to celebrate the term, with awards and parents welcome to come and watch.
Reports⚽
Same theme, right level. In Shooting week, for example, our youngest players simply kick into a big goal and celebrate, while our older players practise finishing under pressure. Every child works on the theme in a way that suits their age and stage.
Seeing their progress
You’ll know how they’re doing
Coaches assess each child on the skills for their stream, using friendly language children understand and feel proud of, never a pass or fail.
I’m Still Learning
We’ve introduced the skill and they’re practising it, with help from the coach.
I Can Do This!
They do it confidently on their own.
Player of the Week
Coaches celebrate a special moment, a skill and how a child helped their team, with a personal note from the coach.
Tournaments & festivals
Fun, festival-style match days where children show what they’ve learnt and family come along to cheer.
Players v Parents
Yes, you might get to play too! Our events often include a players-versus-parents match.
Our coaches
Experienced, caring coaches
PlaySoccer is run by Honeydew Playball, which has been coaching children in Johannesburg for 15 years. Our coaches are chosen as much for how they connect with children as for their soccer knowledge.
15 years of Honeydew PlayballCoaches with 10+ years’ experienceUniversity sport coaching backgroundSafeguarding trainedOngoing training in supporting children who learn differently
K
Coach Karl
10 years of experience coaching young players.
P
Coach Patience
14 years as a UJ Sport coach and 6 years with Honeydew Playball. Safeguarding Essentials certified.
J
Coach Jayson
Coach and curriculum reviewer, making sure every activity is right for each age group.
The wider team: Coach Kea, Coach Aubrey, Coach Thabo, Coach Kylie, Coach Kay, Coach Jiggy and Coach Bex, supported by Fred and Roxy Leech, who run Honeydew Playball.
Questions parents ask
FAQ
What age can my child start?
From age 2 in our Academy stream. Children then move up through Nations, Premier and Champions, and on to All Stars in primary school.
My child has never played soccer. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Most children start with no experience at all. Each stream is designed for that age, so everyone can join in and succeed from day one.
What if my child is shy or doesn’t want to join in at first?
That’s very normal, especially with the little ones. Our coaches never force a child to participate. We let them watch, invite them in gently, and most are running with the group within a few weeks.
Where do sessions take place?
We coach at schools, pre-schools and daycares in the Johannesburg area, usually during the school day or as an extra-mural. Ask your school if PlaySoccer is offered, or contact us and we’ll tell you where your nearest session is.
How much does it cost?
Fees vary by school and programme. Send us a WhatsApp or email and we’ll give you the details for your child’s school.
How will I know how my child is progressing?
Coaches check in on each child twice a term (week 5 and week 10) using our “I’m Still Learning / I Can Do This!” scale, and we celebrate highlights through Player of the Week and our match-day events.
Ready to get your child playing?
Chat to us about joining PlaySoccer, finding a session near you, or bringing PlaySoccer to your school.
Schools and daycares: we’d love to bring PlaySoccer to you. Get in touch to arrange a visit.