MISSION: To promote holistic player development over team development through a child-centered environment during the most the key developmental window.
WHY: The purpose is to increase player enjoyment, player retention, and improve the quality of soccer player developing throughout the state
STRATEGY:
- Focus on the holistic development of each player
- Reduce the emphasis on players and coaches to earn results
WHEN: Fall 2019 - Spring of 2020 seasons
WHAT is an Academy - a format that places all players within an age group or similar age groups into a "Pool" instead of teams. Within the pool players train together in a player-centered environment, following a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and form teams for games. Coaches place each player onto the developmentally appropriate team for each play date. Easy movement between teams gives coaches the opportunity to place each player into an optimal development environment in the game setting.
WHO: Clubs/associations must complete the application and be accepted to participate. Clubs/associations are reviewed annually for acceptance into the program. The players will combine two birth years for players to be able to play up and down one year. More importantly, the goal is to provide a wider range developmental abilities thus helping players find developmentally appropriate learning opportunities.
- 2009 Birth Year - 11 and under
- 2010 Birth Year - 10 and under
- 2011 Birth Year - 9 and under
12U AGE GROUP
- Teams will be put in the Alabama State League (so all participants are better prepared for Region competition)
- Rosters will be increased for easy mobility of players from one roster to another based on needs of the team and competition level.
- Game day rosters will be maxed at 16 players to adjust for freedom of movement between games if needed. You can choose any player from your player pool for the game day roster.
