The Academy is for 9U and 10U soccer players looking for more from their fall and spring seasons. There are no selections(tryouts), but parents are expected to review the below items to help them decide if the academy is the right fit for their soccer player:
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Demonstrates sound technical skills (ball control, dribbling, shooting)
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Physically stronger, athletically quicker than most players within their age group
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High level of coordination and good agility
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During games is aggressive in their attitude and approach to getting involved and tends to dominate play
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Demonstrates high level of focus and concentration during practices and games
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Started to narrow down the number of extra-curricular activities
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Soccer is a high priority
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Practices with a ball on own time outside scheduled games and practices
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9U player who will tryout for the 11U competitive age group in the following year
For more information see the Academy Manual provided by Iowa Soccer Association HERE.
About Academy
The Academy is a state-initiated program by Iowa Soccer Association which serves as a next-level recreational program for players in the 9U and 10U age groups. Under guidelines established by the Iowa Soccer Association and participating clubs, the Johnston Urbandale Soccer Club staff and Academy Director will directly manage the program and place players onto various teams and with different coaches over the course of the program during the fall and spring outdoor soccer seasons.
Academy Purpose
The purpose behind the academy program is to allow 9U and 10U soccer players to play against others with a similar abilities and desires to play and get better so they can have the right amount of success and challenge and most importantly have the most fun playing soccer! Iowa Soccer Association has created the academy to emphasize the importance of individual PLAYER development at a crucial age in a player's development. Players who are 8-12 years old are considered to be within the "golden years" for learning proper technical habits including: dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting, moving off the ball, goalkeeping techniques, etc.... which are required to play the game at the highest level later in their soccer lives. The Academy places players under experienced and knowledgeable coaches who have played the game and are able to provide the tools for players to build a strong technical foundation in the game.
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Player Development: Building a Foundation
The Academy Program will give 9U and 10U players a solid foundation through the emphasis of technical points dealing with body mechanics, fundamental footwork repetition, and basic decision-making. The purpose of our developmental model will be to give players the tools and tricks to build a repertoire of skills and ideas to play the game effectively and creatively in their teen-age years. By building this foundation we hope to give players more confidence and success implementing the complex skills and team-play which are emphasized within the JUSC Select Program beginning at 11U, Sporting Iowa beginning at 15U, and beyond!
The Academy takes place over the traditional fall and spring seasons.
Each season will consist of:
Practices - Twice per week (M, T, or Th) for 75 minutes - lead by professional and licensed staff member @ Urbandale Soccer Complex
Games - 6 or more metro league games per season (over weekends) and possible JUSC Scrimmages - team rosters and games lead by licensed parent volunteer coaches.
Festival - One weekend will consist of 4 shorter games over a Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Extra Kicks - Four extra practices for all U9/U10 players on Fridays.
Camps - Supplemental Summer and Winter camps built for academy players during the off season
Fall 2018 Season Information
Parent Meeting
August 18th @ Summit Middle School - MAP
Times to be confirmed likely ~Noon-1pm
Practices
Begin the week of August 20th
End the week of October 22nd
9U and 10U Boys
Tuesdays 6:30-7:45pm @ Urbandale
Thursdays 5:00-6:15pm @ Urbandale
U9 and U10 Girls
Mondays 6:30-7:45pm @ Urbandale
Thursdays 6:30-7:45pm @ Urbandale
**No Labor Day, September 3rd**
Practices will need to be adjusted as the season progress due to the lack of daylight.
Games
7v7 including a goalkeeper
25 minute halves
Jerseys - Bring BOTH Sky Blue and Navy to every game
Sky Blue is our HOME jersey
Navy is our AWAY jersey
Weekly Game Schedule
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August 25-26: Sporting Iowa Scrimmages - 2 scrimmages scheduled on the same day with JUSC and West Des Moines teams.
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September 1-3: **Labor Day Weekend - No Games/Practices**
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September 8-9: First League Games
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September 15-16: League Games
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September 22-23: League Games
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September 29-30: League Games
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October 6-7: Academy Festival Held in Bettendorf - This is to be determined as we are looking to host in Des Moines
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October 13-14: League Games
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October 20-21: League Games
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Octoober 27-28: Final League Games
Academy Festival
Ran by Iowa Soccer Association
Consists of 4 games over the weekend. 2 Saturday, 2 Sunday.
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This will be a great experience to play some different competition not found in our typical league game schedule
Sporting Iowa Scrimmages
August 25-26 - Held @ JUSC & WDM Fields - Setup by Club Academy Directors
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Two scrimmages per team played among JUSC and WDM teams
We will again be holding the sporting scrimmages exclusive to our two clubs to jump start the season after our first week of training.
