Academy Training Blueprint Building the Foundation Today for Tomorrow s Players Learning to Play
Academy Director Chad Halverson Boys Academy Lead Coach Chad Halverson Boys Academy Staff Coach Jon Grezelo Boys Academy Staff Coach Todd Kelly Boys Academy Staff Coach Harrison Lamm Girls Academy Lead Coach Ricardo Olveria Girls Academy Staff Coach Chelsea Laurens
The focus of the academy is to develop young soccer players through the Golden Years of Learning. Players at this age are like sponges and can learn to love the game and develop positive habits and attitudes which provide the foundations for soccer excellence down the road. The emphasis at this age is fun and enjoyment where everything is positive and creativity is encouraged. If kids enjoy the game at this introductory age then hopefully they will be playing and enjoying the game for years to come. The academy program stresses player development versus results. It is much more important to develop players within the proper framework at this age as opposed to demanding that teams win at all costs. If the goal is just to win there are shortcuts that coaches can take at the expense of developing the player and the team. By focusing on developing the player and putting them in the best training situation that fits the individual, this helps the entire team and success will follow
The curriculum of the program will be geared to this age group based on what we know about how kids learn and what is important at this age in their soccer development. The focus of the program is PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, not team development. There will be time for developing more team centered training as they get older and start to understand the game better. These are 7-10 year old kids who are just starting their soccer journey. It takes a good 10-12 years for us to fully know a players potential so we will not try to overwhelm these players with too much. A lot of the training will involve exercises that have one child with one ball, and then we move to two players with one ball and build from there. Each session has a fair amount of playing as part of the session, the reason for this is very simple, THE GAME IS THE BEST TEACHER!! The coaches who will be working with these players are superb at training and understanding the younger players. Therefore, you can be completely comfortable in the knowledge that your child is receiving the best soccer instruction for their age and ability. Our goal is to help each child develop skills and techniques to play "The Beautiful Game of Soccer:" We want to open the door of creativity for every player with a soccer ball!
The emphasis on winning is a detriment to young players because it prevents us from developing technically proficient players. And we are not giving them the ability to make decisions. US u17 National Team Coach, John Hackworth. Soccer America, Oct. 2006 Too often in this country, youth coaches sacrifice learning skills for winning games - US Women s National Team Member, Mia Hamm. Soccer America, Oct. 2006
Dribbling: to beat an opponent/to keep possession Ball Striking: proper technique Receiving: all surfaces of foot and parts of the body Heading: attacking/defending Shielding Running with ball/turning: 90 degrees/180 degrees Shooting: accuracy/power
Attacking: Exploit Space, Recognize Space, Create Numbers, When to Pass or Dribble Defending: Delay, When to Tackle, How to Tackle, Time and Distance Team Shape: Create Width and Depth, Supporting Players, Compactness in Defending, Pressure and Cover Formations 6v6: 3-2, 2-1-2, 3-1-1 Training Scenarios 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, 3v2, 3v3, 4v3, 4v4
Agility Fast Feet Quickness Speed Flexibility Power Strength
Fun Passion for the game Desire to Improve Learn to Compete Respect of Others: Coach, Teammates, Opponents, Referees Sportsmanship Teamwork
Parents are a vital part of the success or failure of the Academy Program. It is the goal of the program to provide you with as much information as we can as to the ideas and thoughts that help guide the Academy Program, information on what you can do to make this a good experience for your child and the logistical information to help you find answers to your questions or concerns. Over the next few months we will be adding lots for information to the website (currently being re-done) to provide you with additional information. In the mean time here are a few items that need to be addressed. Please refrain from coaching from the sidelines (games and practice); please leave that up to the coaches. Do not try to tell the coaches how to do their job, I promise they will not tell you how to do yours Please do not yell, Kick It, Boot it or cheer loudly when a player just randomly kicks the ball a long way. We are trying to teach the players to receive the ball not just whack it around. Remember kicking is NOT a soccer skill Be positive with all you comments to you player, their teammates, opposing players and to referees. Our players will learn from your example. Get your player to training and games on time Please alert the coach if your player will miss a game or a training session Do not attempt to talk to your coach during a training session, talk before or after practice
Training will be held on Tuesday and Thursday at Barton College from 6:00 to 7:15