Youth Academy 2008-2009

The South Bay Force is currently accepting registrations for the Youth Soccer Academy Winter Program II, which begins January 9. The Youth Academy is a developmental soccer program designed to provide youngsters ages 5-9 with an opportunity to improve fundamental soccer skills in a fun and safe environment. Our program is unique in a number of ways, a few of those include:

• Our staff - Each session is conducted by experienced, trained, and nationally licensed coaches
• Our curriculum - Our curriculum was created by nationally licensed coaches, educators, developmental experts and, most importantly, coaches who have their own children in the program
• We educate the parents - After sessions we talk about what we did, why we did it, and provide ideas for parents to help their kids at home

Overview

In 2007, the South Bay Force formed its first Youth Academy program, aimed at teaching youngsters between the ages of 5-9 the skills needed to allow them to fulfill their soccer potential. The initial program in 2007 was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, with over 100 registrants completing the introductory 5-week program.  Thereafter, the Academy Staff conducted a series of 10-week programs concluding with its Spring Academy.  

This year, in response to community input, the Youth Academy is offering three 6-week programs. The first program coincided with the commencement of the Fall AYSO season. The second program will take us up through the end of AYSO play. The last 6-week program will begin after the Christmas/New Year Holidays and finish before Spring League begins, and will include the formation of Youth Academy Select Teams (see below) for U8 boys and girls. The Select Teams will stay together until U9 team tryouts for the next season in March.

One Hour Per Week to Supplement AYSO

Most of the youngsters in our community begin their soccer careers in AYSO, starting at age U5. What we have seen is that despite the best intentions of volunteer coaches and parents, children often develop bad habits and improper techniques that hinder their development as they progress and mature. By the time these players reach the Club level at U9, they must first unlearn their bad habits before progressing to more advanced concepts. The Youth Academy was created with the goal of teaching proper fundamentals and techniques to enthusiastic and athletic young soccer players before they ingrain bad habits.  Our Nationally Licensed club coaches and their highly qualified coaching staff spend approximately ½ of each 1-hour session on instruction and drills, leaving the second ½ for small-sided games in which the kids are encouraged to implement what they have been taught. The players are then given “homework” to hone the skills taught each week to maximize their development.

2008-09 Schedule

For 2008-09, the Academy’s 6-week programs and Select Team Program will again take place at Manhattan Village in Manhattan Beach on Fridays 4 – 5PM on the following (tentative) schedule (dates are intended to allow for rain/make-up sessions):

Fall Program: Sept 12*, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17