We are pleased to announce the continuation of the Chatham United U8 Academy for the Fall 2012/Spring 2013 Season
There will be an Academy “Open Day” for registered players at the SDA Gillette on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 2-4 pm.
Program Objective - Together, Chatham United & Sports Domain Academy (Gillette) have developed a program that is intended to appropriately introduce our youngest players to the game. This comprehensive Academy level training curriculum is designed to maximize skill development at the U8 level, focusing on all aspects of movement, technique and execution, as well as educating our children on the technical and physical aspects of the soccer match. These objectives will be achieved by adopting a small sided training approach (beginning with 4v4) that will progress throughout the year culminating with 8v8 in late Spring in preparation for the following U9 Fall season.
Program Overview – The Academy will have many of the same characteristics of our other Chatham United programs including:
- There will be a Fall and Spring season (10 weeks each). Winter play will be optional.
- We expect to field several U8 Academy teams (comprised of approx. 10 players each).
- Weekdays – Practices run by an SDA trainer will be 75 minutes and held twice per week in the Fall (once per week in the Spring).
- Weekend – Hour long small sided games on weekends against other Chatham Academy teams.
- Tournament – We expect to participate in an SDA sponsored tournament against other local U8 Academies at the conclusion of both the Fall and Spring Seasons. In addition, we expect to form teams from the U8 Academy to participate in the 2012 Chatham United Memorial Day Tournament.
- Each team will need two parent managers who will be responsible for basic team operations, such as information on practice and game times as well as team set up and substitutions during game days (as the SDA trainer will be on the field managing play).
- All practices and games will be held at the SDA’s Gillette complex.
- Cost – approximately $500 for the year (includes Spring / Fall training, uniforms, etc).
Please note that there will be no tryouts for the U8 Academy.
U7 players that are interested in the Academy must be evaluated on April 28th Open Day. Therefore, no U7 player registrations will be accepted after April 27th.
Registration will be March 10th – May 11th, a $40 late fee will be assessed for registrations between May 12th and May 31st.
We believe that this Academy approach will develop a more complete player that will ultimately be better positioned for success at the U9 level and beyond.
The advantages of small sided training, especially at the U8 Level, are numerous. The benefits include:
- Fewer players per team = More touches/involvement
- Repetition = Improved player development
- More dribbling, passing, shooting, receiving
- Player involvement and quality improved by avg. 206%
- Physically appropriate
- Players remain more focused – No Hiding
- Principles of game are easier to see for coaches
- More player involvement = MORE FUN!!!
- Improved player development = MORE FUN!!!
Small Sided Facts
- Player possession in a 40 minute game
- 11 v 11 = 1 min. 58 seconds per player avg.
- 3 v 3 = 6 min. 40 seconds per player avg.
- Passes increased = 135%
- Goals scored = 500%
- 1 vs 1 encounters = 225%
- Dribbling skills used = 280%
