BUSA
ACADEMY
BUSA ACADEMY
Players age 8-11
Presentation Content
•  What is BUSA’s Academy
•  Academy Organization & Logistics
•  Why choose the Academy?
•  Q & A
•  Why the change from the old format
BUSA ACADEMY MISSION:
Provide a developmentally appropriate soccer
environment for kids to make optimal developmental
gains as soccer players, have fun, and return to play
soccer next year.
We strive to develop players with mastery of
fundamental soccer skills who have a solid foundation
of basic soccer decision-making. Accomplishing this
goal creates players with the foundation necessary to
compete at the next level of play.
WHAT IS THE ACADEMY?
The Basics:
q New format for “competitive” program for ages 8-11
§  Governed by Alabama Soccer Association
§  Replaces old State League format
q Focus on individual development over team results
q Utilizes a Pool System instead of Permanently
rostered teams
Outcome in other places using Academy Format:
Retention of players & optimal development
HOW IS IT ORGANIZED?
q  Governed by ASA & managed by BUSA
q  Full-time Youth Academy Director, Eric Ryan
q  3 age groups in both Boys & Girls:
•  11 & under - 07
•  10 & under - 08
•  9 & under – 09 (and younger)
q  2-3 training sessions per week (age)
q  North & South Training Locations – come
together for games
ACADEMY ORGANIZATION
q Pool of players train together
q All training sessions follow a curriculum
§  Age/developmentally appropriate activities
§  Incorporate the Slanty Line Approach – holding
individuals accountable to a performance level
that is slightly above their current performance
q Professional coaches
§  Trained and licensed to work with younger
players
ACADEMY GAMES!!
q  Pool of players divided into rosters for games
§  Tiered into A, B, C, etc. based on training performance
OR
§  Parity – strategic mixture of players
q Games are Play dates organized with other
Academy Clubs
§  We invite other large clubs of similar size to create
appropriate competition
q  ASA Showcases – 2 games, event-like atmosphere
q  Tournaments – 1-2 per season including BUSA
events
Why choose the Academy?
WHY… BECAUSE OF THE POOL FORMAT
q Group of players who train together
q All players do similar activities and games –
developmentally appropriate with slanty line
approach
q Performance-based sub groups for activities &
games
q “Teams” formed for play dates, showcases,
tournaments.
q Allows improving players opportunity to move up
a roster!
BECAUSE OF THE FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT:
We teach the following:
q Technical skills – dribbling, receiving, passing, shooting,
1v1 defending & tackling
q Tactical skills – basic decision making (when to pass,
when to dribble)
q Physical skills – balance and coordination, speed and
agility (movement education)
q Psychosocial skills – Respect, discipline, and grit (Core
Values taught)
BECAUSE OF THE PROFESSIONAL COACHES
LEAD COACHES
LICENSES
Eric Ryan (YAD)
USSF “C” & USYS Youth License
Kevin Laux
USSF “A” & USYS Youth License
Colby Childress
USSF “B” & USYS Youth License
Nathan Archard
NSCAA Premier
Mike Bissell
USSF “C” & USYS Youth License
Dillon O’Hare
USSF “D” & USYS Youth License
BECAUSE OF THE CURRICULUM BASED APPROACH
q Academy = School, schools follow curricula
(lesson plans)
q Age & developmentally appropriate
progression of learning with Slanty Line
Approach
q Starts with 1v1 and progresses to groups of
4
q Always re-evaluating progress and making
adaptations based on needs
BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE MEASURE SUCCESS:
q Skillful execution of trained skills and soccer decisions in
game settings including how kids work as a team!
q Each player makes progress on their own path
§  Slanty Line approach
q WHERE DOES THE SCORE FIT IN?
§  Provides a measure for appropriate competition
§  Standard of measure – MUST be kept in perspective!
§  Coaches encourage players to compete to win
BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL ROLE OF ACADEMY PARENT
q Part of the Leadership Team – Coaches & Parents
q We provide an Educational platform to help you help your
child!
§  WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK
q Be the Role Model – be who you want them to be
q Manage expectations – these are just kids
q Manage child’s mentality and attitude – effort and grit!
Academy Fee Structure
Each BUSA Academy member pays Club fees and Team fees to participate. These two fees
cover different things:
•  Club Fees – Training fee, coaches salaries, administrative items, director salaries, field
maintenance, etc.
•  Team Fees – Tournament & Showcase entry fees, coaches per diem & mileage, etc.
2017 Academy Club Fees
Age
Training
Months
Total
Fee*
Due on
6/15/17
Due on
8/1/17
Due on
9/1/17
Due on
10/1/17
Due on
11/1/17
09 (& 10)
8
$850
$450
$100
$100
$100
$100
08
8
$1000
$500
$125
$125
$125
$125
07
9
$1400
$500
$225
$225
$225
$225
* Total fee includes the full year
Scholarships available and based on need
TEAM FEES are determined at the start of each season
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…
“My son played competitive last year before the move to Academy. He only played one
position all year. This year, he’s played every position and is a much better player
because of it…
With a variety of different players, kids learn how to effectively communicate with one
another, practice patience, acceptance and offer encouragement to others…
Great quality coaching, with a solid focus on building great well rounded soccer players
well beyond just technical skills development or game play.”
Haley Jovanovich, mother of Luke Jovanovich - 2007
“The Academy focuses on individual development and skills with the expectation that no
matter who they are teamed with for a game (now or in the future) they will be successful
because they are individually prepared and strong… The training is really all about
preparing them to make quick, instinctual, independe and strategic decision on the field
without a coach or parent telling them every move to make. Any child can be a puppet.”
Lauren Ervin, mother of Caedon Ervin - 2007
Have Questions??
Want more info???
Contact:
Eric Ryan
BUSA Youth Academy Director
[email protected]