Everything included in the Academy Curriculum meets two objectives concerning soccer: fun and progress. Any athlete finds that the mental concentration and physical effort necessary for success comes easily when the activity provides enjoyment. Keeping this in mind, academy training sessions are designed specifically to help improve each player’s technical ability and also their tactical awareness. At each venue, players will find themselves in a focused learning environment with staff coaches whom all work from a common lesson plan.   It is our goal that at the conclusion of the program every player is better with the ball and that each one has a better understanding of the game.  Below are the technical and tactical topics for each session. Goalkeepers are encouraged to register as they will be incorporated into every training session. Every session will conclude with varied and imaginative exercises/games that are designed to resemble actual match conditions.

Technical:  Dribbling

Tactical: 1v1 - Attacking Principles

                1v1 – Individual Defending, 1v2 – Individual Defending With Support

                2v1 – Attacking Principles (Intro to Combination Play)

Technical:  Short Range Passing and Receiving (1^st Touch)

Tactical: 2v2 - Attacking Principles (Combination Play)

                2v2 - Defending Principles

                3v2 - Attacking Principles (Combination Play)

Technical:  Shooting and Finishing

Tactical: 3v3/4v4 – Attacking Principles

                3v3/4v4 – Defending Principles

Technical:  Long Range Passing and Receiving Air Balls

Tactical:  6v6/8v8 – Attacking with numbers, support play, changing the point of the attack

                 6v6/8v8 – Collective defending, making the field smaller, locking opponent in

                 Introduction of thirds of the field principles (safety vs. risk)

Technical:  Passing (Accuracy/Efficiency)

Tactical: Possession Play – Team shape, speed of play, possession vs. penetration