Online Registration for Assessments is the first step.  This will ensure you are in the RSL-FL system if not already and will provide brief information for the move within Academy. The 2009-2010 Assessments are held BEFORE Competitive Tryouts.  Assessments will be held on Friday, May 29th from 5:45 to 7:15 and Saturday May 30, from 8:45 to 10:15.  RSL Florida’s Academy Program does not “cut” players.  Our focus is what is in the best interest for each individual player and finding the most appropriate place for each player within all of our programs. RSL Florida can build a bigger base (player pool) with this philosophy. This is important, as games will move to 8 vs. 8 and 11 vs. 11 in 2 year cycles. The more players we have developing in the age group, the better balance of the teams and number of participants in the years to follow. 

Shortly after the completion of Assessments, an email will be sent with the appropriate Program to register for if not Academy.  Once allocated to Academy, players will appropriately be organized in “pools,” and not “teams,” for Academy age groups. 

The Academy Program TOTAL cost per player is $675.00 for the regular season.  Financial changes of note from last season are:

• A shorter 7-Month Regular Season
• DOCs and coaches fees are included
• Team equipment and League documentation costs included
• No Required Club Sponsorship or Assessment
• USA Pre and Post-Season Festival application fees as well as any OPTIONAL Post-season play / Tournaments after the 7-month regular season is an additional cost.
• Academy budgets are consistent for U9/U10 Boys and Girls

Click here for Academy Budget

RSL-FL is aware that times are tough and we want every child to enjoy the sport of soccer.

The numbers of potential teams are formed from pools. RSL Florida will make this determination based on the number of players committed to final registration (for example, 8-10 players - 1 team; 16-20 players - 2 teams; 24-30 players - 3 teams, etc.).
Come September, training is the foundation of player development.  The increased repetition of training and “building blocks” will strengthen skills and better prepare players for competition.  Practices are twice a week.  All players in the same age group will cross train together one practice night.  Once the weekend teams are formed from coaches’ coordination, the second training night will focus on that particular week’s teams. Also, training should be FUN!  Players who love soccer train longer and harder and inspire their teammates to do the same.   They play because they want to and remain “winners” regardless.

Players are interchangeable constantly.  Each pool plays in festivals and competes in the USA League against Local/Region Club Academies also in the USA League. Academy Directors and coaches will decide what players play on what team for that game day. At RSL Florida our goal is to rotate players as much as possible but also maintaining the core development of each player and age group as a whole.  Games are player centered, whereas players work from their own mistakes and learn from their teammates.  Players are also encouraged to take risks and become creative.
Additional training or competition (including tournament play) after the 7-Month regular season is optional and at the digression of the DOC’s and coaching staff.  See Table 2.0 for detailed estimates.

RSL Florida Evaluation process for U9 & U10 Academy:
Director with all age appropriate coaches will hold at a minimum of 2 Parent/Player Meetings.
Assessment / Evaluations will be 2 times a year (Beginning and end of regular season).
Topics to be covered in the evaluations will be:

• Technical: the ability with the ball to dribble, pass, or shoot.
• Tactical: the ability to read the game and make decisions.
• Shape: the ability to position and move in response to the game.
• Personality: the individual qualities a player brings to the game, ability, work ethic, leadership, sportsmanship, etc.

Evaluations will be honest with assessment and feedback. Evaluation scale will be on a 1 to 5-scale system; with 1 being the highest, and 5 meaning that development in that area is a priority. There are NO Failing Evaluations – these evaluations are used so players and parents understand the areas in the game that make up each players’ abilities on and off the field. Getting a “5” does not mean you fail or you are a bad soccer player – it just means that development in that area(s) are a priority in what is expected at the next level.

RSL-FL Staff are highly trained and experienced professionals.  As stated, Academy staff will focus to balance competition and diminish pressures of our youth.  All Academy Coaches will work in unison with and have the support of RSL Academy Directors as well as RSL Club Directors.  
Click here for Academy Structure  - TO BE LISTED ONLINE, MAY 2009…                                                                          
Academy Directors will also coach teams on a regular and supplemental basis. They will strive to rotate players as much as possible but also maintaining the core development of each player and age group as a whole by the following ways if applicable:

Directors & Coaches WILL:
•    Run developmentally sound practices
•    Balance teams if an age group/team needs appropriate players.
•    Move any impact player(s) to other position(s) or give limits / restrictions if a game is too lopsided.
•    Be youth-centered and find ways to make each game competitive and fun!
•    Place the ongoing needs of the participants ahead of the outcome of matches. Coaches will not bait, antagonize, or otherwise challenge the decisions of the officials.
•    Provide ALL players with adequate playing time and rest.
•    Communicate to players appropriately.  Directors and Coaches will instruct as needed on the field as well as always encouraging players to take risks, be creative and finally learn from others and their own actions.
•    Communicate to parents appropriately.  Academy Directors are first point of contact and will lead all adult communications.

Directors & Coaches WILL NOT:
•    Deliberately run up scores in Academy games.  
•    Restrict the movement of players or attempt to play their better players in an attempt to display superiority.
•    Rigidly organize and instruct players throughout the matches and therefore over-coach.