The U8 Academy is designed to provide the highest quality development program for the area’s most motivated and committed U8 soccer players.

The program offers several unique benefits:
• A developmentally-appropriate curriculum with a heavy emphasis on individual technique, created and taught by licensed, professional coaches;
• Twice-per-week outdoor training in the fall and spring seasons;
• Intra-Academy games on Saturday morning with Professional Coaches;
• Potential cross-over matches with fellow Club Champions League (CCL) member clubs;
• Participation in 3rd Annual U8 Fall Friendlies in November, hosted by Loudoun Soccer (additional fee applies);
• Winter training in conjunction with the club’s travel program (additional fee applies);
• The Program includes Professional coaching at all practices, games, and potential CCL crossover games at no additional fee;
• The cost of the program is included in your recreation registration of $150 per outdoor season.

The U8 Academy is intended for those children more seriously focused on soccer, and for players (and parents) who are willing to make a stronger commitment to prioritizing development above the social aspects of youth soccer.  

CURRICULUM:

The curriculum -- designed by Dan Raben, our Director of Player Development – features a heavy emphasis on individual ball mastery, allowing each player to become more comfortable, confident and creative with their foot skills, while nurturing their passion and enjoyment for soccer. Activities and games will follow the best practices of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer.  Each week of training will feature a theme, which will build off the themes from previous weeks, including:

• Dribbling for possession (changes of direction, shielding)
• Dribbling for penetration (attacking moves such as scissors, Matthews,step-overs, etc.
• First touch
• Passing
• Finishing and ball-striking

The theme of each week will be encouraged and emphasized in the Intra-Academy matches on Saturdays, to allow players to practice their skills in a game environment.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE (tentative):
The U8 Academy will train twice per week during the Fall and Spring seasons, and will play Intra-Academy games on Saturdays.

Tuesdays:
5-6 PM – U8 Girls
6-7 PM – U8 Boys

Fridays:
6:30-7:30 PM – U8 Girls
7:30-8:30 PM – U8 Boys

Saturdays:

9-10 AM – U8 Girls

10-11 AM – U8 Boys

 

 

FALL 2013 TRYOUT INFORMATION:
Players who wish to join the U8 Academy for the Fall 2013 season must first complete the following steps:

 

Step 1: register your child in the U8 Academy program; all players must first be registered before attending a tryout (see below).  Choose the U8 Academy option when registering.  All players must be age appropriate (born between 8/1/05 and 7/31/06).  Deadline to register: June 30.

Step 2: when registering, select one of three Evaluation dates for your child to attend (information on Evaluation dates are below).

Step 3: have your child attend and participate in their selected Evaluation date.

 

Evaluation Date #1: Wednesday, June 19 at Loudoun Soccer Park at Loudoun Soccer Park (19798 Sycolin Road, Leesburg Virginia 20175)
5:45-6:45 PM Girls
7-8 PM Boys

Evaluation Date #2: Wednesday, June 26 in South Riding (exact location to be announced)
5:45-6:45 PM Girls
7-8 PM Boys

Evaluation Date #3: Wednesday, July 17 at Loudoun Soccer Park at Loudoun Soccer Park (19798 Sycolin Road, Leesburg Virginia 20175)
5:45-6:45 PM Girls
7-8 PM Boys

Step 4: families will be contacted via email as to whether their child is selected on around July 20; if selected, families will receive additional registration and uniform ordering instructions.  Those players not selected will be placed on a U8 Recreation (House) team.

Online registration for the Fall 2013 season is now open.  Registration deadline for the U8 Academy is June 30.

U8 Academy Contact Information:

Dan Raben: dan.raben@loudounsoccer.com

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2013 Spring U8 Academy Program Boys and Girls Group Pictures