There are two styles of training utilized by the SYSC in the fall and spring- Academy training and individual team training. The club is implementing Academy training initially for the U9, U10 and U11 age groups. As outlined in the Commitment Letter, all players are required to participate in the training program.

Fall 2009 SYSC Training Curriculum

Academy Training

Players will rotate between stations every 15 minutes to work on individual ball skills and partner ball drills. This type of training is utilized by most Elite clubs.  SYSC is offering 2-3 different time slots by age weekly for Academy Training to meet player schedules.

Academy Objectives.

• To develop a more unified approach to training, which will include ability based  and progressive skills training.
• To make the experience of youth soccer more enjoyable and fun.
• To allow the participant options in their weekly schedule to attend.

Academy Training Advantages for the Player

• More touches on the ball.
• 3 - 4 professional coaches during a session.
• Players are regularly seen by the Head Trainer/Coach in their Grade.
• Scrimmaging in small sided games at every practice.
• Grouping kids with similar abilities in each age group.
• Juggling, Passing, Dribbling, Shooting and playing at every session.
• Enhances more game like play by using sprint/speed training to get in better soccer shape.

SYSC requires all players in the club to attend at least one session during the week. Each player must choose a session by season (fall, winter and spring) as part of registration. The club may add/cancel sessions due to demand or lack of.

Mark Silvester is the club’s Head Trainer. Mark and his staff will instruct players in individual, partner ball skills and physical conditioning training, including progressive dribbling, passing and shooting. The club’s goal is to effect a player-to-trainer ratio of 12-16 players to 1 trainer, depending upon age and circumstances.

The program is designed to build a strong foundation of basic skills and progress in intensity in the latter parts of the season. Each player will be challenged at the highest levels based upon ability within their age group and session that they signup for.

The trainer(s) assigned to a typical session will not be team specific in Academy Training. The trainer is assigned to the group for the season.

A typical session would include up to 4 stations at 15 minute intervals plus time for physical conditioning. The session allows for rotation and water breaks as needed depending upon conditions and players.

All age based sessions for a typical week will cover the same drills.

The older age groups training will feature the same drills but additional expectations and intensity will be integrated. This will allow all players in SYSC to build strong foundation of skills and a better understanding of fundamentals needed for their team on the weekend.

Sample Academy Training Session-3:30PM

From 3:25 to 3:35PM the players would sign-in, warm-up and be grouped by ability.

Each group would then pass through the stations to be set up that week. In this example, the stations would be 1-Passing, 2-Shooting, 3-Shooting#2, 4-Dribbling. Group 1’s training would be:

·            3:35-3:50PM       Station 1-Passing

·            3:50-3:55PM       Water Break/Rotate

·            3:55-4:10PM       Station 2-Shooting

·             4:10-4:15PM       Water Break/Rotate

·             4:15-4:30PM       Station 3-Shooting #2

·             4:30-4:35PM       Water Break/Rotate

·             4:35-4:50PM       Station 4-Dribbling

·             4:50-5:00PM       Speed, Conditioning, Physical Fitness Training & Cool Down

Group 2 would start with Station 2 at 3:35 and pass through Stations 2, 3, 4, and 1, in that order.

Concepts to be covered over a season include:

Individual Ball Skills

• Dribbling in tight spaces, ball & body control
• Turning with the ball
• Shielding under pressure
• Receiving ground/air balls
• Kicking & passing styles
• Shooting technique
• Beating opponents 1v1
• 1v1 defending
• Technical pressure training

Physical Dimension

• Footwork coordination

• Flexibility
• Strength & power
• Warming up/cooldowns
• Speed training

Coaches Training Practice

The team’s Coach Training Practice is run on Friday or Saturday by the parent or professional coach of a team. The Coach Training Practice will focus on the Tactical and Team Skills that are required for Sunday games. This includes all team aspects of throw-ins, kicks (corner, free, direct and goal), transition play, positioning in a game situation. 

Tactical Training

• Attacking principles
• Defensive Principles
• Creating finishing situations
• Changing point of attack
• Transition play
• Possession play
• High pressure/low pressure
• Creating space/vision
• Counterattacking

If you have questions regarding training, please feel free to email Mark Sylvester or Lou Mancini at training@scarsdalesoccer.org .