Currently for U10, U11 and U12, the LSA Academy Program follows the GYSA guidelines as a way of introducing young, talented players to advanced training and more competitive play. With a consistent training methodology in place, all Academy players will receive the same fundamentals and tactics - preparing them for select level competition at U13.
Have a Special U10, U11 or U12 Recreational Player? The LSA Academy Program Needs You!
The LSA Academy Program represents the opportunity to explore slightly more competitive soccer via slightly more vigorous training. It is a bridge program from recreational soccer to the truly competitive play of select soccer. Each spring we offer the Developmental Training program as a way to experience what more formal training is like and a way to prepare for the upcoming try-outs for the LSA Academy program.
If you think you know of a player who is looking for a little more challenge, please read the document on the Developmental sessions and contact the LSA Director of Coaching for more information at
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What is the Academy Program?
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In 2002, the Georgia Youth Soccer Association (GYSA) began looking for a way to more slowly transition players into the highly competitive environment of select soccer. Many clubs were looking for a way to decrease the travel and the competitive intensity for U10 play while still wanting to offer a program of increased technical training and quality games. From that search came U10 “Developmental” programs started by some of the larger associations in metro Atlanta that later became the GYSA sanctioned Academy concept. In 2003 it was extended from U10 to U11 and this fall it will also be available for U12.
Academy soccer provides the opportunity to utilize a club’s best coaches and trainers for the benefit of more players than they can reach by working with a single team. It requires the same commitment by the player and the family to increased practice time and potential expense of training and tournaments. Although there is some travel involved, the club has a voice in how much.
Players register with the Academy program, as opposed to registering with a specific team. They can then be moved from team to team within the program to best meet their development needs in both practice sessions and games.
Right now GYSA officially recognizes both Academy and Select programs for U10, U11 and U12. However it seems quite apparent that at some future date, select play will not start until U13. |
What are the benefits of an Academy Program? How does Academy really differ from Select?
Academy Training Style: Training curriculum taught to all players in that age group. All players in a given age group and gender practice together.
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Academy Game Format: Regular season friendlies, no results posted.
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Academy Player Movement: For purposes of parity, player development, learning needs, tactics, etc. players can be moved between teams for practice sessions or games.
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Academy Team Formation: Teams are formed and reformed each week to meet the needs of the next game’s format. Some associations focus on parity in the fall and true A/B/C teams in the spring. Others roster A/B/C all the time. Each week we will talk to the upcoming club’s program coordinator and plan accordingly.
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Academy Parent Education: Mandatory Parent Education Program. Curriculum to be published in early August.
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Academy Tournaments: U10 limited to 3 per year.
U11 limited to 4 per year. |
PLAYER EXPECTATIONS:
1) Be at practice
2) Be on time to practices and games
3) Arrive with your equipment
4) If not able to attend, contact team manager or coach.
5) Arrive at designated time as determined by coach to games
Consequences of not attending practice are up to the individual coaches, i.e. playing time might be affected this depends on the reason for tardiness or absence. Game day: arrive 30 minutes prior to game time (or earlier if coach requests); failure to do so may affect playing time.
PARENT EXPECTATIONS:
1) Bring player on time to practices and games
2) Bring player with equipment to practices and games
3) Coaching – leave this to the coaches
4) Conversation with coach - schedule a time
Arrive on time (expectation #1) –
The players depend on you to get them to the appropriate location and to be on time.
Arrive with Equipment (expectation #2) –
Sometimes they are responsible… sometimes not, remind them if necessary to be prepared for any piece of equipment that they might need.
Coaching (expectation # 3) -
When the parents yell at the kids, they tend to get confused. Keep encouraging the players, but let the coaches COACH. Right now, it is not all about winning. We must create a good product right now and not always win.
Communication with coaches – Coaches and trainers are encouraged to give out a listing of the days/times that they will be available to make appointments to talk with parents to address questions and concerns. The time to talk is not right after a game, not right before nor right after practice. Emotions run high and things might be said that you really don’t mean! Schedule a time to talk! |
F.A.Q.
Q: Do we have to pay trainer for rain out day?
A: Yes. If the trainer is a NO SHOW, no.
Q: How is the Gold vs. Navy team selections made weekly?
A: No favoritism. This is based on ability. Coaches sometimes ask players to play on the Navy team to observe leadership skills or to watch attitudes, etc.
Q: Can a player play on both teams on the same day?
A: Yes
Q: Are the trainers supposed to come to the games?
A: Yes for HOME games and at least 50% of the AWAY games. Most go to all games anyway.
Q: Who decides on what tournaments the Academy teams will go to?
A: The Director of Coaching and the Coaching staff. This is based on the teams needs. A survey of the parents might be taken into consideration to determine the preferences of the parents for tournament selections.
Q: How are we paying for tournament fees?
A: These fees are paid upfront but separate from trainer fees.
Q: Are tournament rosters changeable?
A: The rosters are locked in during the check-in process for the tournament. Therefore, tournament rosters cannot be changed once the team has been checked in. Thus, when you commit for a tournament, your team is depending on you to be there!
Q: Are tournaments mandatory for the player to attend?
A: Yes, the reason being that we want all the team together and to get the team in shape for the season. The end of the season tournaments are a reward to showcase the team accomplishments during the season. Pre-season tournaments are more important.
Q: When are tryouts for next year’s teams?
A: 1st week of June (information to be available on LSA website).
Q: When will practice begin for season?
A: 2 weeks prior to first tournament. Coaches will advise if different.
Q: Can you give any information on U12 Academy moving to U13 Select?
A: U13 will play 11-v-11 format, with 14 – 16 players on the roster. We want to be able to have 2 teams in each Select age group.
Q: What does LSA look for in trainers?
A: Qualifications to be a LSA trainer: Must hold a D license, must have been players whom can demonstrate the correct technique (played in college).
For further questions or concerns, please contact our Director of Coaching at
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2011-2012 Season
Combined Registration, Camp and Training Fees: $850
Uniform- $132 (will be used more than 1 season)
Tournaments- Approximately $40 - $100 per player depending on the number of players participating, the tournaments chosen, and the number of tournaments played.
Miscellaneous Team Expenses- To be determined by each team and includes things such as extra tournaments or equipment
PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR ACADEMY U9-U12
1. Lump Sum payment at registration
-OR-
2. 1st payment due at signing: $200 for all players
- After initial $200 payment either:
- 3 payments of $216.67 (July, Sept, Nov)
- 6 payments of $108.33 (July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan)
*Scholarships are available for those meeting financial aid requirements and approval by Lanier Soccer Association. |
Practice Guidelines & Policies from Mike Little, ACSC Facilities Manager
Welcome to another Youth Soccer Season! Thanks for your involvement and commitment to the children of Gainesville and Hall County. As I’m sure you will agree, we have the finest soccer facility in the state. Our staff here at Allen Creek is committed to providing your players, as well as future generations of soccer players with the best playing surfaces possible.
Allen Creek Soccer Complex is a very busy place with over 3200 practices and as many as 2200 games annually. With this type of heavy usage, and without proper turf management practices and policies it would be very easy for the quality of our fields to rapidly decline. Please take as much pride in our facility as we do and follow the rules! We need everyone’s cooperation and adherence to the following guidelines.
1. Stay out of the restricted areas highlighted on the field to the left of the office, field 6. Do not set up practices that unnecessarily put wear on the grass in front of the goals or in the center of the field. Limit full field scrimmages.
2. All goals will be placed on the sidelines or out of the restricted areas for practice. If your team needs to move a goal to execute a certain drill please make sure that you stake the goal back down. When your practice is over you are required to move the goal back to its original practice location and stake it back down. The only time a goal is to be placed in the restricted area is to scrimmage full field.
Play small-sided games instead.
3. Rotate to different areas of your practice field for drills. Do not hold multiple drills on the same area time and time again.
4. Use the Corners of the fields. These are good areas for fitness and agility work.
5. Begin and finish your practice on time. Do not permanently change to an unassigned practice field without the approval of the facility manager. Do not schedule an additional practice session without approval.
6. All trash on the field and in the team bench area is to be picked up following both practices and games. Please ask you’re out of town opponents to respect our facility and clean up their bench areas.
Coaches - Thanks for all you do and thanks for helping take care of Allen Creek Soccer Complex!
U-06 and U-08 Coach Positioning During a Match
Coaches are encouraged to be on the field the minimal amount necessary to help instruct players. It has come to my attention that coaches are becoming too involved in the game and not giving the players an opportunity to express themselves.
Coaches are there to encourage and give direction as far as positioning on the field, mainly to keep the players from bunching up and to help them understand the value of spreading out.
If a coach has to be on the field the position he/she should maintain is off to the side, around the halfway line.
We want to give the players as much room as possible to enjoy the game. Coaches should refrain from standing in front of the goal. It can be very intimidating to a young child when they are attempting to dribble down the field, then they look up to see a giant standing in front of them.
If there is a coach on the field, there should only be one coach on the field at a time - acting as referee for basic fouls. That coach should help to instruct and position both teams, not only his own.
We want our young soccer players to learn to think for themselves. Give them a chance to make a mistake and learn from it - you might be surprised at how well a lesson can be learned from first hand game experience as opposed to instruction at practice.
Recreational Program Coaching License Requirements
All LSA Recreational program coaches must meet the minimum coaching license requirement set by GYSA within the time limit allowed.
GYSA Rules state:
2220. All recreation program coaches must meet a minimum coaching license requirement as follows:
2220.1
Age Group - License Level
U-06 to U-08 - G Certificate
U-10 - F Certificate
U-10 to U-19 - Rec E Certificate
2220.2
Coaches have a 6 month grace period to attain initial required license and the same when moving from one level to another.
Select Coaching License Requirements
All LSA select program coaches must meet the minimum coaching license requirements set by GYSA within the time limit allowed.
GYSA Rules state:
220.3. All coaches (head coaches and trainers) must meet a minimum coaching license requirement as follows:
Program Division License Level
Athena Division C, D, E & F State "E"
Classic Division III, IV & V State "E"
Athena Division A & B State "D"
Classic Division I & II State "D"
Academy State "E"
2240. When coaches move from one program division level to another they have a one year grace period to attain the required level license. [Example: Recreational to Classic IV or Athena D, Athena C to Athena B, Classic III to Classic II].
2243. Coaches found to be in violation will be suspended from coaching until such time as they obtain the proper license. Leagues shall not designate an individual with the proper license as the coach simply to circumvent the intent of this rule. It is the responsibility of the league to insure that its coaches are properly licensed. Failure to do so may result in the league not being allowed to participate in the select programs. |
Why Did LSA Adopt Academy?
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Previously, GYSA required a minimum of 3 teams for an age group to be considered for an Academy program – a minimum that LSA could not meet. That requirement has been dropped and GYSA is actively encouraging all associations, regardless of size, to form an Academy program. In addition, the timing is right. Nearly all of the associations within an hour of Gainesville/Hall County have adopted the Academy format. If we did not switch, our U10 and U11 teams would be very limited in the number of other select teams to play this fall – which would result in increased travel and yet less exposure.
Plus, with a great turnout at tryouts we can now form multiple teams at each age group for each gender and can actually take advantage of all the benefits of an Academy program. |
Academy Gameday Lineup Sheets (for team managers)
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Directions to Allen Creek Soccer Complex from your location
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Academy_gameday_lineup_sheets.xls
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