VSA U09/U10 Academy Program Spring 2016 Season Parent Meeting March 22nd, 2016 South Middle School Commons

Introduction & Contact Information Robert Cutchens Academy Director c: 515-240-2117 (call or text) academydirector@visionsocceracademy.com

Program Objectives Create an enjoyable learning environment that will stimulate a love for soccer while developing technical skill, sensory motor ability, and a basic understanding of how to play soccer Develop stronger player base/club

Youth Development Director Staff Structure Technical Director Chris McGill Youth Development Director Ginger Parson-McGill Club program oversight, staffing, philosophy, strategic direction Academy Director Robert Cutchens Program oversight, staffing, philosophy, strategic direction, coaching resource Program oversight, communication, administration, coaching resource

Staff Structure (continued) U09B Head Staff Coach U10B Head Staff Coach U09G Head Staff Coach U10G Head Staff Coach U09B Staff Coaches U10B Staff Coaches U09G Staff Coaches U10G Staff Coaches U09G Team Coach U09B Team Coach U10B Team Coach Lead coaching for training sessions and games as available, mentor other coaches Assist Head Staff Coach with leading training sessions and games as available Assist Staff Coaches with training sessions and assist/lead games as needed

Program Composition & Team Formation 196 Players Registered – Largest Ever There will not be “A” and ”B” teams Our goal is to create balanced teams but not a perfect science May need to “float” players between teams to ensure we have sufficient number of players for games 60 U09 Boys – 6 Teams 50 U10 Boys – 5 Teams 46 U09 Girls – 5 Teams 40 U10 Girls – 4 Teams

Training Sessions (Practices) Minimum of 16, 20 scheduled Tuesdays – U09 5:30 to 6:45 pm / U10 6:45 to 8:00 pm Fridays – U09 & U10 5:30 to 6:45 pm Most important facet of the program Developmental Focus: Foot skills/Ball control Dribbling Passing/Receiving Shooting/Finishing Shape & Positioning Attacking & Defending

Training Sessions (Continued) Typical Format Warm-up - Fast Footwork, Dribbling Moves, Technical Skill Activity 1 Activity 2 Activity 3 (time permitting) Scrimmage Cool-down/fun May run long – take your player if needed

Training Sessions (Continued)

Academy League Games Each team scheduled to play 6 to 8 Games Mostly Saturdays, may be some Sundays Players need to arrive 30 minutes early 6v6 format w/goalkeepers, 25 minute halves Players will receive approximately 50% playing time Players will be rotated through positions – forward, midfield, backfield, goalkeeper

Tournament Events Optional – Additional Fee Eastern Iowa Academy Festival, Cedar Falls, IA U09/U10 Boys – Saturday, 4/30 U10 Girls – Sunday, 5/1 Note: U09 Girls teams will participate in an event on Sunday, 5/1, at the Timberline Complex w/no additional fee Central Iowa Academy Festival, Des Moines, IA James W. Cownie Soccer Complex Saturday, 5/21 & Sunday, 5/22

Communication Good communication is critical Email, website, Twitter, Rained Out Communicate with your player’s coaches as soon as possible Email – include all Staff and Team Coaches and include Robert in CC Cell/Text - Add contact numbers to your cell phone

Parent Conduct – What Not To Do You’re all representing our club – more importantly you’re role models for our kids Do not argue/yell at officials Do not yell negative comments at players Do not coach players! Information you provide may conflict with what coach is providing. Use of profanity is unacceptable

Parent Conduct – What To Do Look for signs of “good soccer” – Movement off the ball Maintaining good shape and position Players executing dribbling moves/attempting to beat an opponent Players attempting/completing passing opportunities Goalkeepers making great saves/distributing the ball well Players communicating with one another Maintaining possession Finishing/scoring Giving great effort Cheer the players on

Season Calendar Sent via email and provide detailed information about important dates/times for the entire season Also available online at VSA website

Questions?