DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY

What do we do?

Academy training with 4v4 games on Friday or Thursday nights.

Why do we do it this way?

The 4v4 system accelerates development of technical ability and game intelligence. Small pictures are clearer for children; space and options are more compatible with their abilities. 4v4 is the smallest sided game you can have that has all the elements of a real soccer match without any of the confusions that surround learning to play soccer. In a real soccer match children have the option of passing the ball forwards, square or backwards. Three children cannot do this because one of the directions will be missing. With five children the extra one duplicates one of the elements. She becomes “also wide, also deep or also back.” This “also” position clutters the picture.

What are our objectives?

• Move the focus away from the team and onto the individual player
• Develop improved skills with the ball
• Improve confidence and comfort
• Develop intelligence with and without the ball
  
• Promote faster decisions and better awareness
  
• Develop partnerships within the team
• Provide an age-appropriate environment
• Incorporate players and families into the Auburn Thunder family
• Indoctrinate new coaches into Auburn SC and mentality

Methodology:

• Flexible practice options
• Flexible game options
• Fall season will have 4v4 “Friday Night Lights” (FNL)
• Focus on footwork
• Focus on fun
• Heavy utilization of Play-Practice-Play format
• Challenge players based on developmental level and comfort level, not age or parent’s desires

Uniforms:

Jerseys are provided by the club. Players are required to have black shorts and black socks for all events.

Fall Schedule:

Practice Tuesday & Thursdays at 5pm

Play dates TBD

What is Academy style training?

Academy style training, according to United States Youth Soccer, is training players in an “Education First” environment by following the same curriculum for all players involved. This creates a culture within the club which can be duplicated with each new generation of players. This starts in the Development Academy by creating a professional environment. Steps to create this include:

• Coaching staff creation of a season-long training plan for the skills that are necessary in young players to allow them to have a higher probability of success in the future.
• Coaching staff setting season goals for each player, which get analyzed with them at the completion of the season.
• Coaching staff creating weekly training sessions that adhere to the season long training plan. These training sessions consist of 3-4 training stations, each facilitated by a licensed coach. Players rotate between stations every 20 minutes.
• This rotation helps keep the young players engaged and gives them a new setting every 20 minutes. Training groups are kept smaller by training three different groups concurrently, one at each station. 
• Players are distributed into groups at the beginning of the training session, not based on age but based on ability, physical development, work rate, and potentially the mood of the player on that given day. Groups are not predetermined and can change between training sessions and even during a training session.

What are the Player Development Initiatives?

The Player Development Initiatives (PDIs) are US Soccer's guidance and recommendations to improve the approach and methodology of soccer player development in the United States. They were written in 2016 and amended in 2017. Age divisions and small-sided formats are standardized by the PDIs.

What is Fun Integration Theory?

Fun Integration theory is a scientific study of a common-sense concept, namely that when people enjoy something, they tend to do it more, and when they do it more, they tend to get better at it. As one improves at something, one tends to enjoy it more, completing a self-reinforcing cycle.