Academy (U11/U12)

Team Selection and Formation

 

Academy Teams are formed at U11 & U12 age levels for boys and girls through a tryout process.  Academy tryouts are open to all players; Junior Academy and non-Junior Academy participants from the previous year at U10, as well as players new to the VHSC programs.

 

Tryout participants are evaluated by the Academy Director and VHSC Academy staff coaches.  Teams are formed based on the number of available players.  The Club always strives to field two Academy teams at each age level for boys and girls.  Additional teams may be formed based on player numbers at tryouts. Where the talent pool of players in these age groups is suitable, the Academy Director may form balanced teams where the talent is equally distributed between the two teams.

 

Academy teams play in the 8v8 format and can have a maximum roster size of 14, although a maximum of 12 is preferred where possible to allow all players adequate playing time.

Academy Goals

 

In the Academy age groups, the Club goal is to develop players and teach them the skills they will need to compete at higher soccer levels. The focus is not on team wins and losses, but upon the development of the individual player.


Academy Training


Players are pool trained in the Academy under the direction of the Academy Director and assisted by the Academy staff coaches who are assigned to each age level and gender.  This means all U11 boys train together and all U11 girls likewise.  The same happens at U12 for boys and girls.  This ensures that all players are receiving instruction and coaching consistent with the Academy philosophy and curriculum model.  With all players receiving the same training and development opportunities the chances of developing a larger pool of proficient players for the full sided game, 11 v 11 at U13, is greater.

 

Academy Teams trains twice a week. Each session is 90 minutes and follows the general format:

 

  • 20 min Warm up, Stretching and speed/agility training (with and without the ball), lead in games.

 

  • 40 min Ball Mastery, individual attacking/defending tactics or small group play development

    •  

  • 20 min scrimmage play (4v4 – 8v8)

 

  • 10 min. Cool down activities

 

Academy Teams practice twice a week with additional opportunities to participate in Advanced Development Player Training such as: Individual or small group Skills Training, Conditioning Agility Speed & Endurance (CASE) training, and 4v4 open play night.

There is an additional cost for Skills and CASE training.  4v4 play is offered at no additional charge.

 

Academy Commitment

 

Academy Teams participate in the AYSA State League against teams from the Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Huntsville areas.

 

There are two seasons within the calendar year, Fall and Spring, and players accepting a place on an Academy team are committing to participation for both.   The Club is committed to working with players who play multiple sports and to try to find feasible solutions to conflicting sport seasons.

 

In addition to the State League games, Academy teams will participate in up to 4 Tournaments or events each season. These can be local (in town), in-state, or in surrounding neighboring states. With the guidance of the Academy Director, U12 Academy teams may combine and participate in an 11v11 tournament in the spring.

 

Academy teams participate in the Div. II State Cup, held at the end of the spring season.  This is a state wide competition and is the highest competitive level at which Academy teams can participate.

 

All Academy players will receive a player evaluation at the completion of each season, one for fall and another for spring.