Arlington Soccer Association Developmental Program Forum
Mission Statement
The purpose and mission of the Arlington Developmental Program (ADP) is to develop, administer, and
promote a program providing Arlington and Falls Church youths with the opportunity to acquire and develop
soccer skills through higher levels of competition and greater coaching expertise in a professional training
environment.
Program Focus
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ADP offers technical and tactical development in a professional training environment with less commitment,
money, travel, and time than travel soccer
ADP offers a higher level of playing and training than the Rec program by grouping players of similar abilities
during the week in training and during the weekend in matches while being observed and trained by professional and
volunteer ASA coaches
Coaches will be focused on the social, physical, and cognitive development of each player, not the match results
Program Goals
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To provide boys & girls with soccer playing opportunities where the focus is skill development and game
understanding in a professional training environment
To group players of similar abilities together for practice sessions and matches
To allow the ASA Recreational Program to focus on the recreational and social aspects of youth sports while
expanding the training opportunities for players who may develop into higher-level players as they grow
Program Overview
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For boys & girls in 3rd and 4th Grade – u9 and u10
u8 3rd graders & u10 5th graders will be allowed to participate - u8 2nd graders will not
ADP Tryouts – June 18 (Wakefield HS) & June 19 (Yorktown HS) - 500-630 pm (u9s) & 630-800 pm (u10s)
Program Fee per player will be approximately $295 per season
Program fee includes all practice sessions and games, player uniform (socks, shorts, jersey), and all in-season program
activities
Financial assistance is available for qualified players
Fall season – late August to early November
Spring season – late March to early June
General Program Details
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Each player is placed into a ‘Practice Pool’ and a ‘Team’
This placement can change at any time and players will be moved as needed
Placement will be based on elementary school attending and/or residency as well as ability - not strictly by age and
grade
For each team of 10-11 players, one volunteer team coach will be assigned
Two teams will be combined to make a ‘Pool’
For each pool of 20-22 players, one Professional Coach will be assigned
The two volunteer team coaches will also work with this pool
Arlington Developmental Program – Jed Bobier, Director – [email protected]
General Program Details continued…
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Practice is scheduled two times per week
The professional coach will lead one practice for the pool under the direction of the ADP Director
Team coaches will lead their team practice based on their pool practice plan
Professional coaches will be required to attend three matches during each season
Each Team will be scheduled one match per weekend during an eight game season
Training Sessions and Expectations
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The 90 minute pool practices, run by the professional coaching staff, will be held once each week with three pools
(20-22 players in each pool) on a full size field
The second 60-90 minute practice of the week, run by the volunteer team coaches, will be held later in the week, at
locations that are arranged in the overall ASA field allocation process
Juggle/Coerver skills warm up (10 minutes)
Two technical sessions (20-30 minutes each)
Small sided play (20-30 minutes)
Cool down (5 minutes)
Be on time and attend all sessions
Wearing training gear (tucked in), shinguards, and appropriate footwear
Bring a properly inflated ball and plenty of water (clean up afterwards)
Listen quietly and attentively to coaches
Matches and Expectations
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All teams will receive eight matches per season
One referee will be assigned for each game - parents for linesmen if needed
Matches will consist of two 25 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime
A size 4 ball will be used for matches which will be 7 v. 7 on the field
Results will not be posted, but kept unofficially
Be on time for warm ups and attend all matches
Wearing match gear (tucked in), shinguards, and appropriate footwear
Bring a properly inflated ball and plenty of water (clean up afterwards)
Listen quietly and attentively to coaches
Cross-Participation
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Players participating in the Developmental Program may participate in the Recreational Program, but not in the Travel
Soccer Program (and vice versa)
Conflicts will not be considered when scheduling
ADP training and matches should take precedence
Future additional programs could include off-season training sessions, all-star games/tournaments, skills clinics, etc.
Arlington Developmental Program – Jed Bobier, Director – [email protected]