Let the Players Play

US Soccer has introduced the Academy program for
soccer clubs to provide a developmental playground
to produce a whole new breed of soccer players,
who will have had adequate time and training on the
ball to face any challenge and solve any related
problem put before them in their soccer playing
futures.
The underlying principle of Academy is to keep the
game fun, engaging and challenging without results
being paramount. Player participation and
development is paramount.
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• Young children are being introduced to formal competition long
before they are technically, tactically, physically or emotionally ready.
• Organized sports lose 70% of their participants by age 14.
• Kids, universally, cite adult-related reasons for quitting sports. They
want to participate for action, involvement, excitement and
friendship. Too often, the adults, parents and coaches create an
atmosphere that kids do not enjoy over a period of time.
“The needs of the child, while playing
soccer, should be placed above the needs,
convenience and self-interest of the
adults. True player development focuses
on the development of the player, not the
development of the team! - Ron Quinn
Ron Quinn is an associate professor and director of the sport studies program at Xavier
University, where he is also head coach of the women's soccer team
Children grow at different rates. Balance,
center of gravity, length of limbs, body mass,
and gross and fine motor control all play a part
in a child’s ability to move effectively. Within
the same age group, some are shorter or taller
than others, some have better balance, and
others fall down quite often. As a result, we
cannot pass false judgement on a child whose
development is a little slower than the rest of
the team.
Mostly technical
repetitions
Simple combinations and
decision making activities
Individual basic skills with
an emphasis on keeping
ball possession
Lots of balance and
coordination exercises
“The kids should not be in stressful
environments at this age. As it is
now, it is way too focused with
parents and coaches dominating.
The game is always about players
first. It should be about them and
not about the parents, coaches and
adults….”
Claudio Reyna, Youth Technical Director – U.S. Soccer
According to US Youth Soccer, Players
who are pushed up often have holes in
their game as they progress in age. It
is appropriate for a player who
develops early to be superior on the
field (in the proper age group) in
order to develop leadership on the
field.
Characteristics for player
assessment
Cognitive
Psychosocial
Psychomotor
Development Development Development
motor skills balance
knowledge –
thinking &
decision making
how they interact
– emotional
stamina
The Fun Is Playing
•Encourage players in skill development and performance. Winning is not the motivation.
Decrease the competitive pressures.
Know the Game and the Laws
•Soccer looks simple, but its complex to play, coach and officiate. It is free-flowing with
ever changing situations and constant problem solving by the players. There are only 17
laws in soccer…take the opportunity to understand the basic laws to help understanding
and increase enjoyment of the game.
Support the Team, Not Just Your Youngster
•Give encouragement to the entire team. Avoid giving directions while they are playing
and constantly yelling at a player. The players have to be able to make decisions on the
field for themselves, some will be successful and some will not, but it is part of the selfdiscovery of the game.
Practice Good Sportsmanship
•Always show sportsmanship and enthusiasm. Encourage and cheer good play by both
teams. Young players learn by the example set by the sidelines.
Let the Players Play
• Soccer is a players’ game. Youngsters participate for their enjoyment, not
ours.
Let the Coaches Coach
• Respect the coaches and their decisions. The concern is the whole team,
not just your player. Avoid undermining comments or criticizing a coach in
public or in front of your child.
Let the Referee Judge the Game
• Support the referees. The calls are final, and no coach, player or parent
has ever changed a ref’s decision.
Be a Supportive Soccer Parent
• Soccer teaches discipline and responsibility, so be on time. Be concerned
with your player’s long-term development of skills and tactics than with
short-term winning and losing. Focus on skill accomplishments and effort.
GIRLS
U8/U9 Girls – Shannon Healey
U9 Girls – Sam Schuller
U10 Girls Sky– Chris Edwards
U10 Girls White – Andrew Kirk
BOYS
U8/U9 Boys – Brian Williams
U9 Boys – Mike Yarussi
U10 Boys – Sarit Catchatoorian
DATE
OPPONENT
OPPONENT
OPPONENT
OPPONENT
7-Sep
SGCSA
GUSA
AWAY
14-Sep
Steele Creek
North Meck
AWAY
21-Sep
BYE
BYE
BYE
BYE
28-Sep
SGCSA
Porter Ridge
NESBIT
5-Oct
FCCA
Steele Creek
CUFC (supplemental
teams)
Weddington
12-Oct
CSA NORTH
GUSA
19-Oct
Lake Norman
26-Oct
FCCA
CUFC
2-Nov
Weddington
Porter Ridge
CSA
GCCSA
AWAY
9-Nov
Lake Norman
CSA
Indian Trail
Porter Ridge
NESBIT / CSA
Indian Trail
LOCATION
NESBIT
AWAY
AWAY
AWAY
A = Navy
B = White
C = Sky
Because individual development
is the focal point of Academy
soccer, the Academy Director has
the flexibility to move players to
the team that allows for the
greatest personal success.
TEAMS
Because individual development
is the focal point of Academy
soccer, the Academy Director has
the flexibility to move players to
the team that allows for the
greatest personal success.
Players will play within their
appropriate age team. This
general rule is 100% about
appropriate long-term
development.
TEAMS
Because individual development
is the focal point of Academy
soccer, the Academy Director has
the flexibility to move players to
the team that allows for the
greatest personal success.
Players will play within their
appropriate age team. This
general rule is 100% about
appropriate long-term
development.
TEAMS
A player who demonstrates
consistent growth in development
may be given the opportunity to
“play up”. A player’s success on
the field is the primary focus,
though.
Because individual development
is the focal point of Academy
soccer, the Academy Director has
the flexibility to move players to
the team that allows for the
greatest personal success.
Players will play within their
appropriate age team. This
general rule is 100% about
appropriate long-term
development.
TEAMS
A player who demonstrates
consistent growth in development
may be given the opportunity to
“play up”. A player’s success on
the field is the primary focus,
though.
A player who shows the need for
additional development may be asked
to join another team in order to
experience greater personal success on
the field and psychologically…hope of
reintroduction to previous team is the
goal.
Players playing with their best friend.
Fast tracking a player for the next
level.
Parents being on the sideline with
their closest friends.
Through August 14:
Monday and Wednesday – Team Training
U8 & U9 teams from 5:45pm – 7:00pm – Field 7
U10 teams from 7:00pm – 8:15pm – Field 7
Beginning August 19:
Mondays – Pool Training with Technical Director – Richie Wall
Wednesdays – Team Training
SAME TIME
***times may be subject to change
Practice:
Game Day:
Gray shirt
Navy Blue soccer shorts
White socks
Shin Guards
Cleats
Soccer Ball
NO JEWELRY
Appropriate Color Jersey
Navy Blue soccer shorts
Game Socks
Shin Guards
Cleats
Soccer Ball
NO JEWELRY
The kids’ safety is our priority. The second goal
is to preserve the fields due to high usage. If it
has rained or there is a threat of a serious
storm, the decision to close the fields will be
made by 1 hour before the first practice begins.
It will be posted on the website as a FIELD
CLOSURE. Additionally, we will try to get the
word via email and text through the team
managers.
In matches, players look for reassurance
because we let them know that we are
there, but they are not developing
individually. We have got to begin letting
them use creativity, make mistakes and
achieve their own personal and team
constructed success.
U.S. Youth Soccer