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

Overview

The U8 Academy is designed to provide the highest quality development program for the area’s most motivated and committed Under-8-Year-Old (U8) soccer players. In the Fall 2020-Spring 2021 soccer calendar, players born in the year 2013 (January 1-December 31) are eligible for this program. Players are typically selected via an evaluation but due to COVID-19, evaluations will not be held, and open enrollment will occur.

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 U9 Travel, although participation in U8 Academy does not guarantee or require participation in U9 Travel.

The U8 Academy is its own program, meaning players may participate in the U8 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 U8 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: July 22, 2020 at 8 PM. No late registrations accepted.

FEE: $443 total

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

Contact

For questions regarding U8 Academy, please contact Dan Raben, Director of Player Development.

Spring 2021 Registration Details

Enrollment in this program is seasonal (separate registration for Fall and Spring), although participation for the full year is strongly encouraged.
Ordinarily, attending a pre-season evaluation (in the Summer prior to the Fall, and in the Winter prior to the Spring) and be selected to the program is a prerequisite for participation.

Given limitations due to COVID-19, enrollment for this program is open. Families interested in enrolling their child in this program should strongly consider whether this is an appropriate program for their child. Children who tend to stand out on their Rec teams, show a passion for the sport of soccer, and are willing to make a larger commitment to the sport are prime candidates for participation.

To enroll: login to your user account, and choose U8 Academy from the available options

Registration deadline:January 26, 2021.

In the event the Spring 2021 season is canceled due to COVID-19 or COVID-19 related causes, registration fees will be prorated based on when the season is canceled (refer to charts below), and refunded within the manner it was submitted (e.g. a prorated refund of both money and credit utilized, or credit if paid with fully with credit, or money if paid fully by money).

A similar process will be used if the season is delayed or suspended, which may occur at the individual, team, division, town, or club level. Large-scale delays or suspensions (30+ days) are only likely to occur at an individual player or team level; larger scale delays or suspensions will likely result in full season cancelation.

If Season is Canceled:

Families who utilize a combination of credits and payments will be refunded proportionally  with credits and refunds.

Examples:

• The season is canceled on March 28. All families will be issued a 67% refund or credit per their method of payment.
• The season is canceled on April 10. All families will be issued a 33% refund or credit per their method of payment.
• The season is canceled on May 1. No credit or refund will be issued.

If Season is Delayed or Suspended: at individual, team, division, town or club-wide level

• COVID-19 related delays or suspensions at the individual, team, division, or town, or club-wide level will be treated on a case-by-case basis
• Any refunds or credits issued will be prorated based on the length of the delay or suspension; delays and suspensions 14 days or shorter are not eligible for refunds or credits.
• Documentation (e.g. note from a medical professional) may be required for the issuing of credits or refunds at the individual player level.

Additional provisions:

• Credits and refunds will be issued automatically by Loudoun Soccer if the season is canceled, delayed or suspended. Specific scenarios may require additional action from families, and will be communicated accordingly.
• Credits and refunds are issued when or if the Spring 2021 season is canceled, delayed, or suspended, which is at the discretion of Loudoun Soccer.
• Refunds or credits issued due to any cancellation, delay, or suspension may take upwards of 21 days to process once that determination has been made. The date of that decision may result in refunds or credits being issued in June, after the seasonal calendar has concluded.
• Individuals who remove themselves from participation after the regular refund deadline and request remediation may need to provide documentation from a medical professional for any credit or refund to be approved.
• Individuals who wish to request a refund before the season begins (before February 26 for early refund requests, or between February 27-March 14 for late refund requests) may do so with a processing fee by contacting [email protected]

Curriculum

The curriculum — designed by Dan Raben, Director of Player Development and U8 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 participate in 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 U8 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.

Adjustments may be made to this structure in Fall 2020 to better ensure the health and safety of participants.

Program Schedule

The U8 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 (Zoom meeting):Monday March 1 at 7 PM

Monday Training: 3/15, 3/22, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10 (no training on 3/29)
5-6 PM – U8 Girls
6-7 PM – U8 Boys

Friday Training: 3/19, 3/26, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14 (no training on 4/2)
6-7 PM – U8 Girls
7-8 PM – U8 Boys

Saturday Match Day: 3/27, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15 (no games on 4/3)
9-10 AM – U8 Girls
10-11 AM – U8 Boys

Uniforms

U8 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 players may wear the same kit from the Fall season for the Spring season.

New players must place their order by February 12, 2021, and will be emailed instructions once numbers have been assigned and the webshop is ready to accept orders.

CLICK HERE to visit the U8 Academy page on the Loudoun Soccer Capelli Sport webshop.

U8 Academy Winter Training Program: "Foot Skills and Futsal"

Loudoun Soccer is pleased to announce its U8 Academy Winter Training program, available for players who participated in the Fall 2020 U8 Academy season and players enrolling in the Spring 2021 U8 Academy season.

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 U8 Academy classes experienced significant development over the Winter by participating.

Schedule:

8 Weeks

Sunday January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21 (Feb 28 is a makeup date)

Times:

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

Boys: 1:30-2:25 PM or 3:30-4:25 PM

Girls: 12:30-1:25 PM or 2:30-3:25 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:

Mask or covering to wear to/from the session
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 U8 Academy practice shirt
Ball: players can bring and use their regular soccer ball; purchasing a Futsal ball is NOT required.

COVID-19 Policies:

Specific COVID-19 related safety policies are being finalized and will be shared as we approach the program start. They will be similar to our current outdoor protocols, with a few modifications. Due to space and safety considerations, spectator attendance may be limited to one person per participant.

Cost:

The cost-per-player is $160.

To Register:

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 U8 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 21, 2020. Families are encouraged to enroll sooner rather than later to ensure placement.

Questions:
Contact Dan Raben at [email protected]