Program Overview

The WSA U8 Academy program is open to second grade players who are serious about mastering and developing their soccer skills in a more competitive environment.  The program is designed to inspire young players to learn and develop a passion for the game of soccer.  Players who register for this program should NOT register for the 2nd Grade In-town program.

The main objective of the WSA U8 Academy is to promote and emphasize the technical abilities of young soccer players; at this age mainly dribbling skills. Why dribbling skills?  Dribbling is the foundation for all the other fundamental skills of soccer, such as controlling, passing and shooting.  It takes years to become a comfortable and confident dribbler. Players have to learn to combine body control, agility, coordination and balance with the mechanics of dribbling and the sooner they start the better.

Skill priorities:

• Dribble out of trouble.
• Soft first touch on the ball.
• No kicking allowed except when finishing on the goal.

What is the difference between the Academy and the In Town Recreational programs? The In Town program consists of a 1 hour training session on Saturday and a 1 hour game on Sunday.  In Town training is conducted by a professional trainer.  Participants of the WSA U8 Academy will have training three times a week led by a professional trainer.  You will also have the opportunity to play scrimmages and small-sided games (4v4 and 3x3) with other Academy players.  Some benefits of using small sided games include: more player participation, more touches of the ball, more passes attempted, more 1v1s attempted, and different games mean different problems to solve and skills to use.

The WSA U8 Academy program provides:

1.       Ball Mastery sessions that emphasizes the importance of individual technique.  

2.       Team Training sessions led by a professional trainer

3.       Small sided games against other WSA U8 Academy teams that are observed and mediated by a professional trainer.

The WSA U8 Academy Program Details

The fall season is a 10 week program which includes two Ball Mastery sessions during the week, a 1-hour training session on Saturday, and a 1-hour game on Sunday.  Ball Mastery and training sessions are conducted by a professional trainer.  Games are moderated and observed by a professional trainer. 

Ball Mastery sessions run twice a week for the first 6 weeks of the season.  Sessions are 50 minutes in length.  Location and days/times TBD.

Saturday training runs for the first 8 weeks of the season; the last 2 weeks of the season parent-coaches will conduct Saturday training sessions and will moderate the Sunday games.  Training sessions occur on Saturdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and games are played on Sundays between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All practices and games for this program are played at Westfield Memorial Pool Complex fields.