ABOUT US

PLACER UNITED SOCCER ACADEMY is part of the Placer United Soccer Club, one of the leading competitive soccer programs in Northern California.

The purpose of the Academy is to provide soccer players between the age of 5 and 9 years old with experienced professional soccer training to enable them to develop the necessary skills and techniques to be successful in the game of soccer.

The Academy is run by full-time Directors of Coaching James Kavanagh and Lee Callow. James and Lee both came to the U.S. from England in the late 90's and bring with them a wealth of experience working with children of all ages and abilities.

Mission Statement

Our mission through the development of the Placer Academy is to provide a safe, fun and educational environment were players can develop both technical and tactical skills. All players will be continually challenged through the use of specific age appropriate fun games and activities, aimed at nurturing their love for the game and allowing them to become more creative and skillful soccer players.

Academy Success

• Since the introduction of the Academy player numbers have grown from 50 kids to nearly 200, in 3 seasons
• First boys graduates are current State Cup Champions (ranked #1 in California and #6 in the Nation)
• First girls graduates are current Nomads Champions and Norcal Cup Silver division Champions.
• Second season boys graduates are ranked #4 in Northern California.
• Second season girls graduates made it to the last 16 of State Cup.

Academy Soccer Curriculum

It is very important that when designing a curriculum we look at the needs of players at the age and level we are working with. At the U10 age most players will have taken part in some kind of organized team sport, and players are beginning to understand the basic principles of team play. However this is still a very early stage in each players development and therefore a great deal of emphasis must be placed on technical development and gaining a knowledge of basic tactical decisions with games.

Although two players may have the same chronological age, their biological age may be different, with this in mind it is important to develop a curriculum which can be flexible and meet the needs of each individual player as they develop throughout the season.

In designing this curriculum 4 main aims have been taken into consideration

Session Structure

Each session will be structured in three parts A, B & C

Part A (30 minutes)

• Fun Game
• Foot skills & Juggling
• 1 v 1’s

Part B (40 minutes)

• Fundamental
• Match Related
• Match Conditioned

Part C (20 minutes)

• Scrimmage