On this page:
- Overview
- Curriculum
- Format
- Program Schedule
- Uniforms
- Registration Details
- Winter Training

Overview

The 8U Academy is designed to provide the highest quality development program for the area’s most motivated and committed 8-and-Under (8U) soccer players. Players born in the year 2012 (January 1-December 31) are eligible for this program, and must attend an evaluation and be selected to join this program.

It 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.  It serves a “bridge” program to 9U Travel, although participation in 8U Academy does not guarantee or require participation in 9U Travel.

The 8U Academy is its own program, meaning players may participate in the 8U Academy or in the Rec 1 (Grades 1-2) program, but not both.

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 the Herndon All-Star Cup November (optional; additional fee applies);
• Exclusive access to 8U Academy Winter Foot Skills (eight, once-per-week sessions), in conjunction with the club’s Winter training program (optional, additional fee applies);
• The Program includes Professional coaching at all Fall and Spring practices, games, and potential crossover games at no additional fee;
• The cost of the program is $425 per outdoor season.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 21, 2020 at 8 PM. No late registrations accepted.

FEE: $443 total to selected players.

$425 program fee.  $18 Parks & Rec Fee is added.

Contact

For questions regarding 8U Academy, please contact Dan Raben, Director of Player Development.

Curriculum

The curriculum — designed by Dan Raben, Director of Player Development and 8U Academy Director – 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.

Format

Approximately 72 players of each gender are selected to this program. Players will be organized into six groups (approximately 12 players per group), who will train together during the week under the direction of one of our 8U Academy coaches. Each group will be organized into two squads (Red and White) to compete against each other on Saturday morning, with both squads managed by the players’ coach that week. Games in the Fall season will be played 4v4 (no goalkeepers).

Groups are likely to change every week or two, which permits players to play with and against a variety of players while also working with each coach in the program. Families will receive notification each week in regards to their child’s assignment for that week, along with other updates.

Program Schedule

The 8U Academy will train twice per week during the Fall and Spring seasons, and will play Intra-Academy games on Saturdays. All sessions are at Loudoun Soccer Park on lighted, turf fields (19798 Sycolin Rd, Leesburg VA 20175).

Pre-Season Parent Orientation (new parents): Monday March 2

Monday Training: 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11  (no training on 4/6)
5-6 PM – 8U Girls
6-7 PM – 8U Boys

Friday Training: 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15 (no training on 4/10)
6-7 PM – 8U Girls
7-8 PM – 8U Boys

Saturday Match Day: 3/28, 4/4, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16 (no games on 4/11)
9-10 AM – 8U Girls
10-11 AM – 8U Boys

Uniforms

8U Academy uniforms are ordered through Capelli Sport. The kit includes:

• two numbered game jerseys (red and white)
• one numbered practice top
• one pair black shorts
• one pair red socks

Returning 8UA players may continue to wear their uniform from the Fall. Individuals who need to order replacement items should do so by February 23 to ensure receipt by the start of the season.

CLICK HERE to visit the 8UA page on the Loudoun Soccer Capelli Sport webshop.

Spring 2020 Registration Details - Prospective Players

Players who wish to join the 8U Academy for the Spring 2020 season must first complete the following steps:

• Step 1: Register your child in the Rec 1 program; all players must first be registered before attending an evaluation session (see below). All players must be age appropriate (born between 1/1/12 and 12/31/12).  Deadline to register: January 21, 2020.
• Step 2: Complete the brief evaluation registration form - CLICK HERE.
• Step 3: Have your child attend and participate in their selected Evaluation date.

Evaluation Date: Saturday February 1
Location TBA
2:30-3:30 PM girls
3:45-4:45 PM boys
 

• Step 4: Families will be contacted via email as to whether their child is selected on around February 7; if selected, families will receive additional registration and uniform ordering instructions. Those players not selected will be placed on a grade-appropriate Rec 1 (In-House) team.

Players who are not selected are strongly encouraged to continue playing on a Recreation team to further their development, and may enroll in the Junior Development Program for additional training.

Spring 2020 Registration Details - Returning Players

Players who participated in the 8U Academy in Fall 2019 are automatically eligible to re-enroll for the Spring 2020 season.

Choose the 8U Academy option when enrolling.

Registration deadline: January 21, 2020.

Winter Training

WINTER "FOOT SKILLS AND FUTSAL"

Loudoun Soccer is pleased to announce its 8U Academy Winter Training program. The theme of the program is “Foot Skills and Futsal” – players will receive instruction from licensed, professional coaches to improve their technical skills (dribbling moves, passing, receiving, etc) for part of practice, and then will be organized into squads to play small-sided scrimmages using a futsal ball for the remaining practice time.

Futsal is a version of indoor soccer typically played on hard surfaces (like a basketball court) without walls. The game is played with a weighted, low bounce ball; the surface, the ball and the rules place an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and skill, which is great for young, developing players.

Your child’s participation in this program is not required, but it is strongly encouraged; players from previous 8U Academy classes experienced significant development over the Winter by participating.

Schedule:

Sunday January 5, 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23

Times:

Families can register their child for one of the following times:

Boys: 1:30-2:30 PM or 3:30-4:30 PM

Girls: 12:30-1:30 PM or 2:30-3:30 PM

Registration is on a first come-first serve basis; families may only register for one of the sessions, and may not mix-and-match training times.

Location:

Loudoun Country Day School
20600 Red Cedar Dr
Leesburg, VA 20175

The session will be inside their gymnasium, which is a separate building from their school.

What to Wear/Bring:

Participating players will need to bring/wear the following:

• Shoes: indoor soccer shoes, running shoes, or any athletic shoe worn during gym class at school – no cleats or turf shoes permitted
• Shin guards
•  Water (no sports drinks permitted)
•  Loudoun Soccer 8U Academy practice shirt
•  Ball: players can bring and use their regular soccer ball; purchasing a Futsal ball is NOT required.

Cost:

The cost-per-player is $160.

To Register:

Registration is limited to current 8U Academy families (those who participated in the Fall 2019 season).

Families can register online by CLICKING HERE to log into your account. Once logged in, click on the green “X number of programs available” button next to your child’s name, locate the 8U Academy Winter option, choose your time, and complete the registration steps.

Space in each session is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is December 20, 2020. Families are encouraged to enroll sooner rather than later to ensure placement.