Academy Curriculum

The Academy Curriculum guides the player through the transitional stage from parent volunteer coaches and leisure participation toward advanced player development and competitive participation. Instruction focuses on:

 

• Developing Ball Mastery - An important objective is to increase individual technical skills to encourage creativity and initiative from players. Players are taught a series of 1 v 1 moves that are developed through repetition, 1 player/1 ball without pressure.  Focus and instruction are also given to developing the player’s 1st touch, the ability to receive balls on different levels (heights) and quickly get the passes under control.  Proper technique for striking the ball to develop consistent shooters and good passers is also emphasized.  This allows for players to become proficient with their ball handling ability in game like situations

 

• Individual Tactics of Attacking and Defending - After learning the motor mechanics of the 1 v 1 moves, defenders are introduced to develop the decision making element of soccer.  In 1 v 1 situations the attacking player must make decisions about which move to use to best create time and space away from an opponent.  The concepts and techniques of pressure, delay, channeling and tackling for the individual defender are developed and refined.  A strong emphasis is placed on the individual’s decision making.  Improved ability in this area helps them succeed on the field.

 

• Group Tactics and Play – The principles of support, movement, width and penetration in attack; and pressure, cover and balance in defense are developed in small groups using 2v1 to 5v5 game situations.  Players in possession of the ball now face a decision as to whether to take the ball him/herself or pass to a teammate.  Uneven numbers are used in small group play to ensure players can achieve a high degree of success and consistency in making the correct decisions at the appropriate times.  Players off the ball learn how they can assist in creating space for the player on the ball and how to support to receive a pass if required.  Defenders learn how to work together to reduce time and space for the opponent.

 

• Additional Curriculum goals center on developing: an enjoyment of and appreciation for the game of soccer, the importance of teamwork and communication, the development of physical fitness and understanding of the effects of exercise on the body, the fostering of good sportsmanship and healthy competitive spirits.  Players play in an environment where creativity and freedom of expression on the field is encouraged to develop the “total soccer player”.