9U Academy

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ACADEMY SOCCER?

  • To provide players who have aspirations of becoming a more accomplished player an avenue to test and enhance his or her skills.
  • To provide players an opportunity to train with experienced coaches.
  • To provide players an opportunity to investigate a higher level of play than is offered at the recreational level.

HOW IS ACADEMY SOCCER DIFFERENT THAN RECREATIONAL SOCCER?

  • RECREATIONAL SOCCER - formed by grouping all registered players randomly on a team each season. Coached by volunteer parents.
  • ACADEMY TEAMS- formed through a tryout process and selected/invited to join the Academy. The Academy is lead by US Soccer Federation licensed Academy Director & Staff Coaches/Trainers.

WHY ARE ACADEMY PROGRAMS SO SUCCESSFUL?

Academy coaches will focus on development now and winning later. Even when others focus on team winning more than an individual child's development, we stick by the right way and develop the individual. The age to develop the individual and learn is most important in the Academy. The main objective of the Academy is to promote and emphasize the technical abilities of young soccer players; at this age mainly Dribbling Skills or Ball Mastery. Why Dribbling Skills? Dribbling is the foundation for all the other fundamental skills of soccer, such as controlling the ball, passing and shooting. It takes years to become a comfortable and confident dribbler. Players have to learn to combine body control, agility, coordination and balance with the mechanics of dribbling, and the sooner they start the better. Trainers will use a range of age-appropriate training activities and techniques to maximize a player's touches on the ball, including small-sided games that foster skill development, as well as imaginative, creative play. The Ball Mastery program will help foster confidence, creativity and composure during game play.

SKILL PRIORITIES Learning to dribble. Soft first touch on the ball. Passing the ball effectively.

THE ACADEMY PROGRAM PROVIDES

1. Ball Mastery sessions that emphasizes the importance of individual technique

2. Team Training sessions led by Licensed Trainers/Coaches.

3. Small-sided games against other area Academy teams (playdates)

4. More touches on the ball, more passes attempted, more 1v1s attempted

5. A good introduction to 'Select' competitive soccer for players transitioning from recreational to select soccer.