SSA 6U & 8U Player Development Academy                

Available for 6U & 8U year old boys and girls (birthyears between 2009 and 2011) 
To view an age group chart to determine your child's age group, please click HERE 

SSA Douglasville Spring 2017 Season Assessment Day (Updated as of Jan 2nd):

Monday, Jan 9th, 6:30 - 7:30pm at Rountree Indoor 172 Shipp Cir, Hiram, GA 30141 (outdoor cleats permitted)

Please click here for Assessment Day information

To pre-register for assessments days, please click below*

Missed assessments? Just contact the PDA Director to see if an individual assessment can be scheduled.

Fall Season Schedule:
Assessment Days: Mid to Late July

Practices Begin: Late August 

Games Begin: 1st or 2nd Weekend in Sept

Season Ends:  Early to Mid November

Spring Season Schedule:
Assessment Days: Mid to Late January
Practices Begin: Late February
Games Begin: 1st or 2nd Weekend in March
Season Ends: Early to Mid May

* SSA PDA is an invite program only. Therefore, players wishing to participate are required to register and attend PDA Assessment Days to provide an opportunity for the club to determine a player’s suitability for the program.

Overview

SSA Player Development Academy is a unique soccer development program for Under 6 and Under 8 soccer players, which aims to accelerate the technical and tactical development of players preparing to participate in the 9U academy program. We have recognized that there are many talented 6U/8U players within our club, and in GA, who would benefit from a dedicated soccer environment to continue to nurture player ability and prepare them for higher-level soccer.

SSA PDA is a seasonal academy program designed for the passionate, motivated, and advanced 6U/8U player who fosters the desire to be challenged in every aspect of their game. This program gives those players the opportunity to become even better soccer players by training in a professional environment with professional coaches and alongside like-minded players. Through an exclusive SSA curriculum, players are provided the tools to help accelerate their technical and tactical development to continue to take their game to the next level. In an effort to maximize player development, players are maintained in training groups and play non-results oriented games. Players may also have the chance to represent their club when playing neighboring clubs.

SSA PDA allows players to participate on a season-to-season basis, permitting players to register for one season without committing to a full year. This provides a chance for those players who turn 5 during a season to enter the program the following season, and those that turn 8 a chance to move up and join the Academy program should this be in the best interests of the player.

Purpose

To bridge the gap between Recreational soccer and 9U Academy soccer. A more soccer focused environment is created for players who love the game where individual player development is paramount to master key soccer techniques and concepts that are required at a higher level of play. This program allows players to experience an academy soccer environment while preparing players and parents for the next step of the soccer process. This program does not replace 6U and 8U Recreational soccer but offers another avenue of continued growth in the beautiful game.

For Whom

SSA PDA is available to all Recreational boys and girls who are in the 6U and 8U age brackets by August 1st. It is strongly recommended that players participate in a minimum of one season of SSA Recreational soccer, and have at least one full year of organized soccer experience on a team before considering this program. Interested players that are committed to the goal of development will be considered for this program and placed with the best interests of the player in mind. This program will have limited spaces to ensure a superior soccer environment is maintained.

Objectives

• Provide a seamless transition from Recreational soccer to Academy soccer

• Train in an academy-like environment with the priority being placed on player development

• Expose players to an exclusive SSA curriculum to enhance player development and better prepare players for the next level

• Provide the opportunity for players to become more technically and tactically competent

• Continue to nurture each player’s soccer talent and passion for the game

• Ease the learning curve for 1st year Academy players

• Help parents become aware as to the progression through the club

Staff

Coaching staff consists of SSA PDA Director with assistance given by professional coaches who have a vast experience at developing young soccer players.

Curriculum

Through Southern Soccer Academy's partnership with Chelsea, coaching staff will be able to set a unique and exclusive curriculum for the PDA.  All sessions will have realistic goals set forth by the staff and will be enhanced by a nurturing environment for accelerated development. Coaching staff will not only educate the players about the game, but give players and parents a view of the skills and techniques necessary for long term soccer success. Training topics will focus on dribbling, receiving, passing, ball striking, and principles of attacking and defending in a 1 v 1 up to a 5 v 5 situation, as well as a continued effort to expand each players own coordination, balance, body movement and confidence.

Format

Program:

• SSA PDA will consist of a 10-12 week season

• There will be 2 training sessions per week

• 1-2 games per team at the weekend

Training Session Structure:

• Session 1 conducted by SSA PDA Coaching Staff

• Session 2 conducted by SSA PDA Coaching Staff

• Sessions are between 1 hour and 1 hour and 15 minutes in duration

• Players all train as a group (boy and/or girls)

Game Format (vs. In-House):

• Players are split into teams and play multiple games against each other

• Each week players will be placed on different teams

• 5 v 5 (GK and four players)

• 4 x 12 minute quarters per game

Game Format (vs. Out of House):

• 2-6 times in the season, SSA PDA may travel or host a neighboring club

• Players will be split into teams as determined by coaching staff

• Playing format may change (e.g. GK and five players)