The Junior Academy is designed for boys & girls, goalkeepers and field players ages U9-14. The program has been designed to build a foundation that will help the participant’s progress to the next level. This will be accomplished in a fun, entertaining and positive environment. Repetitions with the ball will give this group the confidence needed in the over 1,000 Go to Goal situations players are exposed to throughout the week. The Machnik Method, a pediological approach to training, is present in every session.  All topics, exercises and games will be engaging and pertinent for this age group and ability level.  For our goalkeepers and our field players we will stress proper technical development with the ability to use real live situations in match related activities to challenge themselves and to execute those skills at the highest level.

Our focus will be on the current US Soccer player development model, that explores the six Key Qualities of a U.S Soccer Player.

They are:

1)    Game understanding and decision making:  The ability to read and understand the game to be able to make autonomous decisions.
2)    Initiative:  Take initiative and be proactive
3)    Focus:  The ability to focus for the duration of a match in their task.
4)    Optimal Technical:  Execute their task for the duration of their match with optimal technical ability
5)    Optimal Physical:  Execute their task with optimal physical ability.
6)    Responsibility:  Take responsibility and accountability for your own development and performance.

 Competitive tournaments will be played throughout the week, and will be the highlight of our evening sessions. Players will have the opportunity to compete against other teams (World Cup), against other players (Dutch) and against themselves (Pressure Training).

Staff Coaches at the Junior Academy  will share their knowledge and passion for the game on and off the field.  After our evening sessions, players will meet with their Staff Coaches to review the day’s events.  In addition, High Performance discussions led by our staff coaches and guest speakers occur throughout the week.  Topics will be relevant to the development of the modern player and include, “Goalsetting”,” Behaviors for High Level Players”, “Nutrition”, and “Soccer Specific Conditioning.

We offer both Residential and Commuter options at Junior Academy.  Resident campers stay on campus in the dorms at night, whereas commuter campers will leave for home following the Evening Field Session. The resident camper registration fee includes room and all meals.  Meals included in the commuter registration fee are lunch and dinner daily.  Residents and commuters will get the same Junior Academy  on-field training.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are players evaluated?  Our professional staff coaches do a daily evaluation to ensure that the players are in the right groups and receiving the expert coaching that is expected. At the end of the week, every player will review with their staff coach their 75 Point Evaluation.  This detailed evaluation is written with input of their staff coach during the week, and reviewed by the camp director.

Will this program help prepare the player for the next level?  Yes!  This specialized week of training will provide you with the confidence to make the next step in your playing career. Our staff is comprised of College level coaches and players. Whether you are getting ready for your club, travel team or High School, you will gain the confidence needed to compete at the next level.