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Academy Player Program
The Academy Player Program consists of competitive teams designed for ages 9-19.
Players will learn technical and tactical skills that will help them play at their highest level.
Academy level players are placed on teams according to age.
SDA training is specialized for each age group and is broken down into three stages of play: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced.
Basic Stage Breakdown (U10 – U12)
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• Pre-pubescent players from ages 9 to 12 have a special ability to learn, which makes this the right age to work on specific soccer techniques and skills. Developing good technique is essential at this age.
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• 1v1 and 2v1 attacking and defending situations are important in developing individual skills, while the passing technique is important in developing team skills.
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• Small-sided games are used to develop basic attacking and defensive principles. Other important aspects of tactical training are possession, combination play, transition and finishing in the final third, as well as zonal defending. Players will rotate in two or three different positions to avoid early specialization.
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• Speed, coordination, balance, and agility are the main physical aspects to improve at this stage.
Technical Emphasis
Passing and Receiving
Turning
Running with the ball
Dribbling
Shooting
Ball control
1v1 Attacking
Tactical Emphasis
Attacking Principles
Possession
Combination Play
Playing out of the back
Defending Principles
Intermediate Stage Breakdown (U13 – U14)
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• At this stage, training sessions are oriented more toward tactics and the
player will practice in bigger spaces.
• Strength and endurance should be part of the fitness training.
• Coaching methods have to consider and preserve players’ health since they will be experiencing many changes due to puberty at this stage.
• Warm-ups and cool downs are essential, as is dynamic flexibility.
Technical Emphasis
Heading
Passing and Receiving
Shooting
Receiving to turn
Ball control
1v1 Attacking & Defending
Tactical Emphasis
Attacking Principles
Finishing - Final Third
Transition
Possession
Combination Play
Switching Play
Playing out of the back
Advanced Stage Breakdown (U15 – U19)
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• Tactical training and small-sided games are an essential part of the training at this stage. Attacking and defending principles must be part of all games. Important aspects of the tactical training are speed of play, quick transition, counter attacking and finishing in the final third, as well
as pressing.
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• Technique will focus on speed and accuracy. Passing and finishing are two of the main techniques emphasized at this stage. Part of the technical training will be position specific (e.g. defender: passing, center midfield players: receiving to turn and strikers:
finishing).
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• The physical aspect of the game is key at this stage, so specific skills will be developed in the weekly training routine: endurance, strength, and speed.
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• Players should be expected to show commitment to the team, concentration in training sessions and competitiveness during the game.
Curriculum Objectives
Technical: Focus on speed of passing and receiving technique as well as ball control in small and big spaces.
Tactical: Application of attacking and defending principles at speed.
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Physical: Development of aerobic power, acyclic speed and explosive strength.
Psychosocial: Commitment to teammates in accomplishing specific tasks.