Youth Academy 2008-2009

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 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 program.  

This year, in response to community input, the Academy will be offering three 6-week programs. The first program will coincide 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 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10.

Winter Program I: Oct 24, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec 5

U8 Tournaments: Dec 6-7

Winter Program II: Jan 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6, 13

Try-outs for U9 Teams: March 2009

Academy Select Team Program: Team Selection will occur during the Winter Programs I and II and continue up to Tryouts and team selection for incoming South Bay Force U9 teams. For more information about the Youth Academy Select Teams, click here.