About the Academy
The CFA Academy is our youth program U8 players. Our objective is to develop individual skills and foster a love of the game.
If you look at the soccer community in the Columbus area, every year, younger age groups are being encouraged to play competitive soccer. When the youth Academy was first introduced to the Columbus area, it was designed for U8 players. The game schedule was intended to allow the players to play in a low pressure, festival atmosphere where they would be able to focus on their skills and less on the pressure of winning. Over the last 2 years, clubs in the area have become more competitive and have reached out to younger age groups to fuel their academies. While there is a demand for that type of offering, we would like to remain grounded and true to the Academy objective. We wish to develop the skills of the players and not coach to the demands of games and tournaments. The pressure of winning and the type of coaching that is used to win games, is not always what is best for development.
Training
Our objective is to use age appropriate training for all players. They will be developed to use the same skills and techniques. Our technical training will be done as a group, so that all of the academy players can receive the same instruction and develop the same techniques. Although all players develop at different paces, we wish to ensure that they have the same foundation with dribbling, striking and receiving. We will also focus on developing both feet, which is critical at these ages.
We also intend to share our ideas and methods with the parents of our players, so that they can understand what we are trying to accomplish and how we plan to build for each players future, not just their success at the ages of 7 and 8.
The CFA Academy will train 2 days per week and play 6-10 games per season, depending on the league schedule. There will also be 2 tournaments. The CFA Academy is open for U8 and some selected U7 players. The boys and girls will be managed as a pool of players for game scheduling.
Each player will receive skills training in these fundamental areas:
Dribbling and turning
1v1 moves
Passing and receiving
Training will be conducted by Pete, CFA Program Director, as well as other members of the CFA Coaching Staff. Please contact pete@cfasoccer.org with questions.