Everything included in the NYW 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 who all work from a common lesson plan. It is our goal that at the conclusion of the program every player is more comfortable and confident with the ball at their feet, and that each player 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 (learn more). Every session will conclude with varied and imaginative exercises/games that are designed to resemble actual match conditions.
The Academy 2024 Training Curriculum
Week 1 – Sunday, September 8, 2024
- Check-in, Staff Introductions and Brief Player/Parent Meeting
- Technical: Dribbling
- Tactical: 1v1 – Attacking Principles, 1v1 – Individual Defending; 1v2 – Individual Defending With Support; 2v2 – Defending Principles
Week 2 – Sunday, September 15, 2024
- Technical: Short Range Passing and Receiving (First Touch)
- Tactical: 2v2 – Defending Principles (Review & Continue); 2v2 – Attacking Principles (Intro to Combination Play); 3v3 – Defending Principles, 3v3 – Attacking Principles
Week 3 – Sunday, September 22, 2024
- Technical: Shooting and Finishing
- Tactical:
- 2v1/ 3v2 – Attacking Principles (Combination Play Continued); 4v4 – Defending Principles (Small Group Defending); 4v4 – Attacking Principles
Week 4 – Sunday, October 13, 2024
- 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 and locking opponent in; Introduction of thirds of the field principles (Safety vs. Risk)
Week 5 – Sunday, October 20, 2024
- Technical: Passing (Accuracy & Efficiency)
- Tactical: Possession Play – Team shape, speed of play, possession vs. penetration
Week 6 – Sunday, October 27, 2024 (Play Day)
- Possession Games
- Small Sided Games
- Situational Games (up a goal, down a goal, etc.)