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Academy
What is it?

The Academy program provides the developmental bridge between recreational soccer and competitive (Select) soccer.  In this program we will form teams in the U9 – U12 age groups. Our Academy teams will participate in SCYSA Coastal league in various divisions and ultimately become part of our Select program.

 

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT is the core focus of our Academy program.  The program provides professional instruction for players who have a strong desire to increase technical skills & learn more about tactical aspects of the game.

Academy

TRAINING
  • Professional SSC coaches train each team
  • Players are expected to work at home on technical skills
  • Technical and some tactical training provided 2-3 times per week in 75 - 90 minute sessions
  • Players must be committed to training
GAMES, TOURNAMENTS AND TRAVEL
  • U9 - U10 matches consist of 6 players per team competing in two 25 minute halves on a 60x40 yard field
  • U11 - U12 matches consist of eight players per team competing in two 30 minute halves on an 80x50 yard field 
  • Matches are usually on Saturdays & Sundays locally or in other cities, such as Columbia and Charleston  
  • Teams typically participate in one fall and two spring tournaments
FEES
  • The Academy Program Club fee for the 2011/2012 is $450 per year, of which $150 is due with online registration once the teams are selected.  This fee reserves your player a spot on the Academy team.  Team Fees are in addition to Club fees and are typically $200-$300 per year, and cover tournament application fees, coach’s travel expenses, and other team expenses
  • Uniforms must be purchased, with estimated costs approx. $80
  • Players and their families are responsible for their own travel costs

Players interested in participating within the Academy Program must be evaluated every year before a decision will be made regarding player placement on a team.

Winning vs Development

Here is a great comparison of the different characteristics between coaches/programs that choose a “win at all costs” methodology at the younger ages and those who look to develop players with an understanding of what it takes to play soccer correctly at the highest level.
Objective: to Win Matches Objective: to Promote Player Development
Program is selective, with preference given to players who are physically advanced. Program is more inclusive, with preference given to players who show signs of intelligent soccer behavior.
Playing time is clearly unequal, with preference given to players with an advanced asset (speed, strength, powerful kick, etc.) Playing time is more or less equal.
Technical development is underemphasized. Technical development is given high priority.
Team tactics are overemphasized at an early age. Tactics are slowly introduced over time beginning with individual tactics (e.g., 1v1 attacking/defending).
Players rely mainly on long passes and play faster than their skill level allows. Players tend to dribble and make many short passes.
A few players take the majority of touches on the ball. All players are involved in the game and get many touches on the ball.
The goalkeeper kicks the ball as far as possible. The goalkeeper usually plays the ball to a nearby teammate to build the next attack.
Little thought is given to building the attack.  Usually the ball goes directly to the forwards via long passes instead of going through the midfield. The ball generally advances from defenders to midfielders, with the game based on communication and cooperation.
When attacking there are few changes of directions. The point of attack is changed frequently with an eye toward creating spaces for penetration.
The ball is rarely played backwards.  Instead, players play almost exclusively forward regardless of the situation. The ball is frequently played backwards to maintain possession, to find a way around pressure, or to draw the opposition out of a defensive posture.
The style of play relies on the mistakes and weaknesses of the opposition to be successful. The style of play demands self-reliance and reliance on one’s teammates to be successful.
Attacking play tends to separate forwards from the rest of the team, with longer passes over the top and forwards always turning toward goal. Attacking play tends to connect the team with passes to feet and back passes from forwards that bring the rest of the team forward.
The match is the main focus.  The result is important. The match is a chance for the players and the coaches to test what has been learned.
Training focuses on what needs to be fixed for the next match in order to get a result.  The match result controls the training content. Training follows a curriculum. The match helps to determine if the players are ready to move on.  The program controls the training content.
Player future value is judged on current performance levels and contribution to winning. Player value is judged based on uptake of the current curriculum content.
Players are cut from the team and new players recruited to take their place. Players are allowed time to develop. Players are developed from within the program.