It’s probably not too common to break a sweat in the library.

But during July, Antonio Viscuso’s “Soccer Skills for Little Feet” class of three- to five-year-olds have been putting in the work and occasionally sweating it out as they hone some serious athletic skills.

Viscuso, the assistant coach for the University of New Haven’s mens’ team, cheered on the tots during their warm-up bunny hops and jump-split exercises.

“It started off when I was going to the Mommy & Me programs with my oldest,” Viscuso said, adding he was a “typical dad” bored of these types of sessions.

The desire for something different inspired him to create a different kind of program.

Viscuso said he was met with “shock” when he told C.H. Booth library staff he wanted to play soccer in the meeting room. The concept was an unconventional one, but seven years later, it remains a success.

“It’s wait-listed most of the time,” said Viscuso. “There are players that started in diapers in this class, and now they’re playing for Newtown Travel.”

“Coach Tony” brought along with him two “helpers” who have experienced Viscuso’s instruction before — Coach Soph and Coach Elliot.

Sophie and Elliot Rosecrans are siblings who now play for a premier team and Newtown High School’s team respectively. They help facilitate the lesson and offer encouragement for the young children in the room.

Over and over, Viscuso gently reminded participants not to use their hands. “Trust your feet” became the mantra for the young athletes.

“I know you want to use what’s more comfortable than your feet,” he said, acknowledging the little ones bending down to pick up their soccer balls.

Exercises in the class seemed to help participants become aware of and employ different parts of their body, while addressing skills such as listening and interpreting direction.

An activity that indulged an impulse to use hands was “squash the bug,” where participants picked up the ball, and dropped it, trapping it with their feet.

At first, it was a challenge — but players gradually increased their coordination as they became more familiar with this exercise.

Whenever feet were on top of the ball, Viscuso instructed participants to hold their arms out in an “airplane” stance, improving balance. By the end of the class, there seemed to be a lot less wobbling even among the youngest athletes attempting the “airplane.”

During the half hour, Viscuso maintained a silly and stern attitude throughout the games, which seemed to help students adjust to the timbre of a coach at a level that was developmentally appropriate and fun.

The little athletes hung on to Viscuso’s words, seeming excited to accomplish his challenges and be rewarded with high-fives.

After the games, the class wound down with a change of pace.

“We are in the library, so we have to read a book,” said Viscuso, pulling out a soccer picture book. “It’s one of the rules, but it’s my favorite book.”

Each athlete seemed happy to take a moment’s pause to listen to Viscuso’s narration and lesson about what it means to practice hard as a team.

By the end, everyone got a chance to score as adults were employed as human goalposts, standing with legs apart along the perimeter of the room.

Expressing seemingly endless and joyful energy, each of the little ones shouted “goal!” when they successfully kicked their ball through the adults’ legs.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.