A More Focused Training Environment
As most volunteer coaches will tell
you, it is very difficult for children to learn effectively if
others in the group cannot or do not concentrate on the task at
hand. We make a serious attempt to maintain a focused training
environment for all our participants. Such an
environment does not mean however, that our participants do not have
fun. On the contrary, players who learn effectively and
are given the opportunity to exhibit their talents have more fun
because they develop a stronger sense of self-competence.
In other words, they enjoy the game more because they are better
at it! In our opinion, the vast majority of children
thrive in and enjoy a more structured and effective environment.
We also believe that youngsters eager to learn thrive in a structured
environment.
Quality Coaching
Most players between the
ages of 7 and 10 participate in recreational leagues and are coached
by volunteer parents who often have a limited knowledge of the
techniques and tactics of the game. While youth soccer could not
function without the help of committed parent-coaches, promising young
talent can benefit greatly from access to qualified coaches. Our
Junior Academy staff includes our most accomplished
international and US coaches who understand how to implement a
developmental philosophy, know how to demonstrate techniques
effectively and have the ability to establish a positive rapport with
participants through patience and encouragement. For more
information on our staff please browse to our staff
page.
A
More Extensive Curriculum
Each of our seasonal
(Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) Junior Academy programs contain
number of 1.5 hour sessions. At each session participants are
introduced to one or two new techniques or tactics. With a
significant number of total sessions over the year our coaching staff
have the opportunity to observe individual performance over an extended
period of time allowing them to provide greater attention to
individual improvement.
A Logically
Sequential Curriculum
Junior Academy participants learn quickly because our
curriculum is structured in a logical sequence. In other
words, simpler skills are learned before more complex one's and the learning of one aspect
moves
naturally into the next aspect. This also allows for greater crossover
learning effects and therefore, more accelerated learning.
Progressive Curriculum
Levels
Our Junior Academy curriculum is
divided into 12 Levels. Junior academy participants are required
to progress through the curriculum levels in order. In this
way, participants are assured that they have learned the
pre-requisite skills to allow for continued effective learning at the
next level of difficulty. Click
here to view our JA Curriculum.
After
level 12 Junior Academy participants will be encouraged to attend our
Premier Academy.
Personal
Practice Between Sessions
Accomplished
performance cannot be achieved by practicing the skills learned at
academy sessions only. FCW Junior Academy participants are
strongly encouraged to practice the techniques and skills learned
between sessions and to utilize their skills with their recreational
team.
Academy Training Uniform
The official FCW training uniform is
required at all Junior Academy activities. Wearing a training
uniform, provides our members with a sense of group-belonging
and a responsibility to focus on correct preparation for practice.
For first time members an academy
training uniform is included in the price of tuition fees.
Existing members can purchase training uniform pieces at any time by
downloading the order form from the Apparel
Section of this web site.
