Customer Reviews

Littlest Leaguers: Learn to Play Soccer [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I borrowed this from the library a week ago. I almost didn't check it out, as it looked a bit corny . . . not as polished as so many other soccer dvds. I was quite surprised when my 5-year-old son, who has a spring and fall soccer season under his belt, starting watching it over and over again. Then my 9-year-old got hooked. They both were rolling with laughter over the "corny" jokes made by the animated soccer balls.

My youngest was watching for the first time. About 20 minutes into the program he got up, went out into the dark backyard and returned carrying two cones and his soccer ball. He set the cones up in front of the tv and started working on the moves demonstrated in the video. I have a stack of professional coaching dvds. I have tried to show my kids different moves demonstrated on video but they haven't shown much interest. However, they really got hooked by these Littlest Leaguers. I think it because the moves aren't polished. The moves are demonstrated by little kids just like my kids. They are not super stars (or movie stars); they are just normal neighborhood kids.

This review comes from a soccer family. I'm writing it because I'm really impressed on how much impact it had on my kids -- kids who are growing up in a home with professional soccer on the television at least every weekend. This video conveys the basics of the game in terms kids can understand.

This DVD was just okay in my book. A decent introduction into the game, but there were some weakness in the demonstration of the skills. But these aren't things that a child might pick up or emulate. Some of the techniques shown were performed at a slow pace and I think this video could have used 5-10 minutes of an actual game to show techniques being used at speed. Some parts of the DVD were just slow and might lose the attention of a young child. The music in the video is a little repetitive and basic, though enthusiastically performed. The video breaks down skill sets into dribbling, passing, trapping, shooting, and rules, as well as two scenes on sportsmanship. The animation was well done, but seemed a little awkward at times. On the plus side I thought the section showing some of the games and drills used to practice skills, particularly dribbling, were either okay or very good. I got this video for my three year old to help introduce him to the game and depending on how he reacts I'd be willing to rewrite this review.

I purchased this video for my 3 year old daughter and myself as I was volunteering to coach her soccer team. I was amazed at how she was singing all the songs because they were so catchy and implementing what she saw out on the field. Of course it taught her the very basics, and that was fine with me. I even went as far as purchasing a few for the 3 and 4 year olds on my team and their parents had the same response as me. I wouldn't really recommend this for kids over 5/6.

VCI Entertainment presents "THE LITTLEST LEAGUERS: LEARN TO PLAY SOCCER" (2003) (49 mins/Color) (Dolby digitally remastered in Stereo) --- is your up and coming young athlete's introduction to the fundamentals of the World's fastest growing sport, Soccer. Join Stevie, Dribble, Esteball, Wet Willy, Goalie and the rest of The Littlest Leaguers as they prepare your future --- World Cup Champion for the big season --- Chock-full of very cool 3D animation, comedy and songs, your child will have loads of fun as they get ready to take the field with lessons in dribbling, kicking, passing and receiving techniques, plus practice drills and the basic rules of the game --- You'll find everything a beginner or developing young player needs to know in order to perform to the best of their ability and to better enjoy the game while becoming a good sport through teamwork --- With songs, comedy, and animation, LEARN TO PLAY SOCCER makes it fun for kids to learn everything they need to know to play the game --- "The Littlest Leaguers - Learn To Play Soccer" is your up and coming young athletes introduction to the fundamentals of one of the Worlds favorite pastimes --- Recommended for ages 3 - 8, and for the parents and grandparents to join in the fun.

SPECIAL FEATURES: (listed below)
1. LESSON SELECTIONS MENU -
A. Introduction to Soccer
B. Dribbling
C. Passing
D. Trapping
E. Shooting
F. Game Rules
G. Field Positions

2. MUSIC VIDEOS SELECTIONS MENU:
A. I've Been Wanting To Learn Soccer
B. Seven Soccer Players To A Team
C. Gather Round & Learns To Dribble
D. When You really Want To Trap It
E. I'll Be Pointing My Toe Down When I Kick
F. The Game Of Soccer Has These Rules

3. EXTRAS:: TEAMWORK & SPORTSMANSHIP OFF THE FIELD:
A. Car Wash
B. Cleaning Up

This is dedicated to our kids --- wonderful surprise to find a video geared to my young grandchildren (Tommy 8 yrs & Ava 6 yrs) that teaches soccer --- check out all the fundamentals that are covered with zany characters and catchy songs --- can hardly wait for the next titles to be released --- Little Leaguers will certainly be a part of our ever growing video library.

Great job by the people at VCI Entertainment, hats off to Director Steve Fernandez and his staff at Little Stevie Productions, Inc --- order your copy now from Amazon where they have plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out VCI Entertainment where they are experts in releasing this kind of entertainment --- just the way we like 'em!.

Total Time: 49 mins on DVD ~ VCI Home Video ~ (7/29/2003)