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AC Samoa Academy


Background: 

AC Samoa uses exemplary (Standards–Based)* k-12 teaching methodologies at its soccer education core.   This includes pre- and post-assessments of student attainment, benchmarks and technical “exit competencies” at each level (Pre-academy, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and College-Prep).   In cases where students, upon entering Academy classes, are assessed as less than proficient in the standards for that age/level, remediation and independent study (homework) elements may be assigned.

Under-10 (pre-Academy) 

(and/or Drop in Academy)
Program: playing in local leagues, attending AC Samoa Seasonal Mini-clinics
Standards: From (5) to (15) Exit Competencies at end of U-10

Under-11/12: Entry Level Academy:

“Mastering the small game” (Classes meet one or two days per week)
Program: Play in Local Leagues and/or AC Samoa Travel Team events
Standards: (15-20 elements mastered at end of U-11): emphasis U-12 is on mastery of the opponent in 1 vs. 1 (Offense and Defense elements)

Under 13-Under 14:

“High School Prep” and “Learning to live a healthy athletic lifestyle”
Program: Small Sided Tech-tact Mastery in 4 vs. 4 and 6 vs. 6. Travel to several high level Tournaments a year.
Standards: n= 30 elements mastered at end of U-14 year,   “Injury Prevention” (Theory and Practice),   “Sports Nutrition Basics” (Classroom),   “Contemporary Athletic Conditioning” (Theory and Practice)

Under-16:

Program: Training and Traveling as a Club
Standards: n=40-45 elements
Functional (positional) Training Modules
Attacking/defending as a team.
Year-round Conditioning Cycles in athletics (Theory/Practice)
Setting Goals (College/Academics/Soccer/Life)
Planning for success in school, soccer, and life.

Under-18:

Program: “College prep AP Soccer Class”
Exposure to highest level of play in N California
Exposure to mini-clinics from College Staff (HSU etc)
6-Day cycles (3 with team, 3 on independent conditioning program)
College applications
Electronic/DVD Player Resumes

Graduation

AC Samoa Academy Curriculum


LEVEL I Beginner(occasional success)

Mastery of the Ball; basics
  • n=5 Touch-touch drills
  • n=4 Required turns
  • n=2 "Academy turns", stutters-hesitations, changes of speed/direction.
  • Juggling > 4 but < 20
Completes 2 x20 mins 'homework'.Can verbalize/imitate at slow speeds.

Uses correct foot surface.Touches in correct sequence SOMETIMES using dominant foot but frequent losses of control esp on non-dominant foot.

1v1 DF "First Defender"

  • Stance- low/angled.
  • Footwork- slide/balance.
  • Front Foot- DF fakes and steals.
  • Forcing the play (pressure vs contain vs steer).
  • Patience.
  • Recovery after "oops"
  • Reading the opponent.
Understands need to defend.
Steals ball vs unskilled opponents.

Has a concept of"basketball DF" footwork.
Easily beaten by skilled players.
Impatient and often unbalanced.May be trying too hard!

1v1 OF "First Attacker"
  • Poise/confidence.
  • Change of pace.
  • Fakes/deceptions.
  • Purpose: what next?
  • Combination moves(in-in-out etc).
  • Shielding (side on).
  • Turning (opposed).
Tendency to panic.
Few or no recognizable combo moves.

Fails to see DF-"reacts' rather than "confronts".
Easily disposessed by trained DF.
No moves on non-dominant side.
Lack of plan/purpose/intent.
Easily discouraged by rough or hard-line defending.

1vs2 DF "Second Defender"

  • Second DF: "cover"
  • Read 1st DF intent.
  • Predict.
  • Provide back-up.
  • Provide "double team".
  • Switch with DF 1 as needed.
  • Communicate.
  • Work as a unit.
Little concept of "2nd DF" status.Follows ball or inactive unless involved as DF1.
Can verbalize concept of "cover" but does not "read" situation.

Steals ball sometimes when OF makes poor touches.
Fails to "switch" or recognize need to switch.
Can demonstatate understanding in SLOW-MO coaching situation.
Scored on at the 25-30% level in a 1vs 2 drill.

2v1 OF "Second Attacker"

  • Overlap
  • Diagonal
  • Attack Space
  • Check for give-go
  • Creative running without ball
  • Creative combinations with ball
  • Deception/disguise/risk
  • Speed of play
  • Recognizing 2 v1 in game situation.
  • Immediate double-team if ball is lost.

Knows enough to stay "wide" of OF 1 but no more.
Runs straight (no shape).
Runs at same PACE.
Can not conceptualize "space behind the DF" as the primary Red Zone.
Not enough skills to execute basic dribbles/give -gos and combinations.
Little or no "deception or decoy" elements.
Can make a few goals in 2 v1 drills against weaker DF.


LEVEL II Emerging (some success against partial pressure)

Mastery of the Ball; basics
  • n=5 Touch-touch drills
  • n=4 Required turns
  • n=2 "Academy turns", stutters-hesitations, changes of speed/direction.
  • Juggling > 4 but < 20

All Level One PLUS:
Can perform ball mastery drills at high speed with few errors.
Juggling Personal Best is increasing weekly from <4 to (approaching n=10)
Can form smooth, effective combinations from the raw material.
Changes of direction and basic turns are mostly smooth, correct, and 'automatic" on the dominant foot

1v1 DF "First Defender"

  • Stance- low/angled.
  • Footwork- slide/balance.
  • Front Foot- DF fakes and steals.
  • Forcing the play (pressure vs contain vs steer).
  • Patience.
  • Recovery after "oops"
  • Reading the opponent.

Uses correct STANCE and a LOW ANGLED BALANCED approach.
Uses a slide/retreat/shift locomotion.
Is balanced at critical moments (such as shifts and chases).
Can adjust for speedy opponent.
Can force play outside MOST OF TIME.
Can mark MAN-to-MAN (goal side etc) for 10 minutes in limited game situations.

1v1 OF "First Attacker"
  • Poise/confidence.
  • Change of pace.
  • Fakes/deceptions.
  • Purpose: what next?
  • Combination moves(in-in-out etc).
  • Shielding (side on).
  • Turning (opposed).

2 or 3 recognizable combo moves (such as in-in-out).
Clear change of pace, but timing inconsistent.
Can burn DF when they "dive in".
Some evidence of non-dominant OF skills.
Succeeds often against weaker DF in small-game situations.
Can shield(side on) for a few seconds against a strong DF.

1vs2 DF "Second Defender"

  • Second DF: "cover"
  • Read 1st DF intent.
  • Predict.
  • Provide back-up.
  • Provide "double team".
  • Switch with DF 1 as needed.
  • Communicate.
  • Work as a unit.

Can predict body language and outcomes from DF 1.
Timing of "arrival" is patchy- too early/late, sometimes perfect.
Can win ball but does not RETAIN/CONSTRUCT.
Can double-team average OF players, but still open to being burned by GOOD dribblers.
Sees one switch and-cover sequence, but may get lost if required to regroup more than once.
Talks to DF 1 but more in "reaction" than in confident "dictation".
Tendency to miss vital cues such as DF 1 about to be turned-burned.
Can sometimes win the ball cleanly, but tends to be content to clear it or "kick it away".

2v1 OF "Second Attacker"

  • Overlap
  • Diagonal
  • Attack Space
  • Check for give-go
  • Creative running without ball
  • Creative combinations with ball
  • Deception/disguise/risk
  • Speed of play
  • Recognizing 2 v1 in game situation.
  • Immediate double-team if ball is lost.

Will run an overlap or diagonal if CUED (coached).
Somewhat mechanical approach to the 2 vs 1 situation.
Can see give-go as a viable play, but inconsistent execution/speed of play.
Runs made ONLY in expectation of a pass.
Is AWARE of OF 1 and DF 1, so can see a 2 v1 as a golden opp.
20-30 % success rate against a competent DF in 2 v 1 drills.
Can give (and receive) a no-look pass in open play.


LEVEL III Competent (Usually correct tech-tact)(small games)

Mastery of the Ball; basics
  • n=5 Touch-touch drills
  • n=4 Required turns
  • n=2 "Academy turns", stutters-hesitations, changes of speed/direction.
  • Juggling > 4 but < 20

All Level I PLUS:
All Level II criteria are done WITH HEAD UP.
All Level II are done with both feet "SYMMETRY".
All Level II can be performed under PARTIAL pressure from a (passive/semi passive) DF, or under pressure to perform at SPEED or in SMALL SPACES.
Personal repertoire of AT LEAST 3 combination moves (such as in-in-out) is becoming EVIDENT.
Juggling frequently in the teens and low 20s.

1v1 DF "First Defender"

  • Stance- low/angled.
  • Footwork- slide/balance.
  • Front Foot- DF fakes and steals.
  • Forcing the play (pressure vs contain vs steer).
  • Patience.
  • Recovery after "oops"
  • Reading the opponent.

Balanced and PATIENT- waits for "YES MOMENTS".
Can adjust for speedy opponents.
Rarely falls for basic moves.
Can contain an opponent for several seconds.
Can recover and regroup after personal error.

1v1 OF "First Attacker"
  • Poise/confidence.
  • Change of pace.
  • Fakes/deceptions.
  • Purpose: what next?
  • Combination moves(in-in-out etc).
  • Shielding (side on).
  • Turning (opposed).

All Level II PLUS:
3 or 4 or 5 well-established "favourite moves".
Deception/fakes of speed/intent/body/eyes/feet.
Well-timed change of PACE.
"Sees" DF...and sets up the duel with purpose/poise.
Can clearly work SOME non-dominant moves in a small-game situation.
Confident when things go well, but can be "beaten down" by tough DF and/or criticism of "failed moves".

1vs2 DF "Second Defender"

  • Second DF: "cover"
  • Read 1st DF intent.
  • Predict.
  • Provide back-up.
  • Provide "double team".
  • Switch with DF 1 as needed.
  • Communicate.
  • Work as a unit.

Very confident in 1vs2.
Varies distance of support depending on field situation(small or big?)(anticipate pass or shot or dribble).
Can "double down" very quickly with good timing.
Can "sweep" for the DF 1 when app.
Switches roles effortlessly with minimal fuss/confusion.
Rarely if ever gives up a goal-shot in 1 vs 2 drills.
Makes CONSTRUCTIVE use of ball when won-outlet pass/shield etc.
Rarely if ever just "kicks it away".

2v1 OF "Second Attacker"

  • Overlap
  • Diagonal
  • Attack Space
  • Check for give-go
  • Creative running without ball
  • Creative combinations with ball
  • Deception/disguise/risk
  • Speed of play
  • Recognizing 2 v1 in game situation.
  • Immediate double-team if ball is lost.

ALL Level II PLUS:
Makes assertive runs with SHAPE and INTENT including "decoy".
Consisently sees the SPACE to be attacked.
Can execute a quick give-go in game pressure.
Can improvise and "wing it" with good instincts for the "unexpected".
Disguise passes/dribbles/runs/intent.






Academy training videos

Academy Testing

 
  • We will set aside one day each month as an open testing day (this will take place outside of regular academy times-such as Sundays or Tuesdays).
  • It takes 90 minutes to test 4 students at red.
  • It takes 90 minutes to test one student at black.
  • Parent (or PE teacher or track coach) can sign off on some physical fitness scores.
  • Sports-conditioning coach (Andy Salatnay) will determine benchmark scores for SPARQ and  Illinois tests.
  • There is a $5 testing fee for each test. This will be used to improve the future testing and awards at AC Samoa.

White Shirt - Level 1

  • Attend academy once a week for 3 weeks.
  • Show basic improvement on basic tasks (dribble-touch drills and ‘juggling” and locomotion skills /pre-conditioning/warm up exercises/injury prevention exercises).
  • Have parent sign off that at least 3 times a 15-minute soccer homework was completed.

Yellow Shirt - Level 2

  • Physical fitness scores (85 percentile at age 11/12/13 as listed) (for field players)
  • One mile in (B  7:32  B 7:11  B 6:50) ( G: 9:02  G: 8:23  G: 8:13)
  • (Can be signed off by PE teacher or parent as long as done on a reg track)
  • (no substitutions allowed)
  • Curl-Ups in 1 minute   (B; 47   B: 50  B: 53)  (G: 42  G: 45  G:  46 ) (OPTIONAL) TEST
  • PLANK-CORE STABILIZERS: correct form as taught: 30 second to 2-minute range.
  • (PLANKS will replace “Sit-ups” as club test in most cases).
  • Shuttle Run (B 10.0 secs  B 9.8 secs  B: 9.5 sec)   (G 10.5 sec  G: 10.4 s  G 10.2 sec)
    • Shuttle Run may be replaced with a figure-8 style agility run (Illinois Test), TBA.
    • Improved technique and improved times on these agility runs can be substituted for “absolute scores” in certain cases.

    Skill work:

  • N= 4 touch-touch exercises performed at 90% proficiency with BOTH feet.
  • N= 6 juggles (only 2 or less permitted on thigh).
  • N= 3 “Head” juggles.
  • N= 3 Base moves (inside-out, etc. vs. a “marching defender.”
  • N= 1 “ Special Academy move” (Cruyff, Maradona, etc.) (unopposed).
  • 80% success at receiving/preparing/controlling ball on ground (first touch).
  • 80% dominant and 60% non-d on “golf club/push pass” (second touch).
  • Demonstrate a smooth unbroken SEQUENCE of the above (2-touch) either in a “tennis game” or against a wall. Must be able to maintain form/sequences of 6/7/8 exchanges.
  • 80% success on dom-foot showing correct “Monkey foot’ (driven ball) form at Level A.

Homework:

  • Watch 3 pro soccer games on TV (signed off by parent)(okay to use 6 half-games instead)
  • N= at least 6 two-mile runs in 16 minutes or less (parent signature)(ongoing personal fitness task).
  • N= at least 10 times 15 minutes of SOCCER SKILL WORK on ACADEMY tasks (i.e. not just ‘tricks’ like rainbow or “aimless kicking with a friend” (parent signature).
  • Learn to jump and land CORRECTLY both (one-footed) and (two-footed)(as taught by Andy).
  • Learn “track star” basic running/sprinting form (as taught in Academy) (or join the track team!).
Red Shirt - Level 3

Must complete and maintain Level 2 PLUS:

  • Physical/Athletic fitness:
  • Maintain (Yellow Level) Above in mile/curl-ups*/shuttle*/planks/agility run
  • Vertical jump: standard TBD by age/improvement: see "SPARQ" soccer
  • 20m Sprint: Standard TBD by age/improvement: see "SPARQ" soccer tests.

Skill Work:

  • N= 25 juggling.
    N= 6 Head juggle.
    N= 6 "Special Academy moves" (semi-opposed by "50% defender").
  • Thigh Traps (5 out of 10 5/10 from "granny" toss)(ball must be brought under control in one touch).
  • Chest traps (ditto).
  • Headers: ten out of 15 (10/15) with clear direction and power from "granny" toss).
  • Monkey Foot: level 3 (self bounce) (side-aligned): 80% on dominant-foot 60 % on non-dominant (ND).
  • Defensive Footwork (and lateral movement etc): demonstrate in game and non-game scenarios the ability to use retreat/slide/jockey/front foot/ etc (basic first defender footwork).
Black Shirt - Level 4

SKILL - MEISTER LEVEL

Complete/maintain all “Red Level’ achievements in Physical Fitness/Skills, etc.

Additional Requirements for level 4:

  • SPARQ anaerobic recovery “Sprint-repeat” test: Level TBD by age etc. See “SPARQ”
  • Illinois Agility Run: figure 8-style test; Level TBD by age, etc.
  • N= 6 “Academy moves’ as performed in a small-game scenario such as 3 v 3.
  • N= 2 “freestyle’ or ‘street soccer” moves (tricks) performed in front of peers.
  • N= 3 directed JUMP headers (showing either CLEAR defensive heading or clear offensive heading technique). No limit on attempts. Ball is served from a corner kick!
  • N=12 opportunities to demonstrate good defensive techniques in a full 1 vs.1 with peers.
  • N= 100 + juggle.
  • N= 10 + head juggle.
  • Show ability to play successfully in “partner juggle” and /or “Group juggling” games.
  • Wall push (ONE touch Golf club):  Keep ball in play* for 20/30 second sequences using EITHER/Both feet and hitting a target area. * Note - this is now a ONE-TOUCH test item.
  • Receiving/control/first touch: receive 20 randomly tossed aerial balls; show ability to SELECT, CUSHION, and REDIRECT ball (i.e. Chest/thigh, etc) with game-related intent (thigh-volley or down to ground and change direction, etc.)
  • 60-80% success rate.
  • Volleys: “vitamin style”: 10 on each foot 80% success.
  • Volleys: full side volley at goal from RANDOM pitched ball: 80/60 % (score a goal).
  • Chip (with  CLEAR backspin) over the goal/crossbar from PK spot: 1 out of 5
  • Bend-like-Beckham: demo ability to bend ball “in-spin” and “out-spin” ¼ (25% success) around a set up WALL of cones.

Choice of Special Project (choose 2 out of 5 from list below):

  • A 2-page ‘scientific” report (in your own words) on ACL:  anatomy/strength and stability programs/injuries/rehab, etc.
  • An art project that displays some aspect of soccer as the “world game” (looking for cross-cultural inspiration and connections here).
  • Prepare 3 paragraphs in a foreign language where you write to an imaginary pen pal about your love of soccer/football/Fußball/fútbol!
  • Write a letter to your AC Samoa teammates concerning “sports nutrition”- what to eat the week leading to a SINGLE big game. What to eat before and during and after a long (4-games) tournament … and pick ONE vitamin or mineral (such as iron) to briefly highlight.
  • Put in 2 hours of “Community Service” Big Brother/Big Sister work in soccer coaching (such as helping out a AC Samoa events for YOUNGER players)

Off Season Strength & Conditioning

Parents, please look over these guidelines for the off season program. I am giving you a look at what the off season/preseason will consist of for Strength and Conditioning training. Most of these topics we will have covered in the seminar. The guidelines are a little broad due to the number of athletes I am overseeing, so please feel free to get a hold of me directly regarding more specific questions. 


1) Address reoccurring injuries that have happened over the season(s). 

  • Are these injuries due to overload?
  • Are these injuries due to a weak link in the kinetic chain?
  • Are these injuries due to an imbalance in the body. Left versus right side.
  • What feedback have you received from John or from another source regarding injuries?
  • Off season IS the time to correct and strengthen injuries. Not during the season.
  • If there are injuries, the off season mini injury prevention program will help strengthen them. Feel free to email me directly regarding specific injury rehab/strengthening questions.

2) Endurance is the main focus for all activity.

  • At least 3 days a week of 25-40 minutes of cardio/activity. Light intensity to moderate intensity
  • If possible, make one of the cardio days on a bike, elliptical trainer or swimming. A few reasons, I don't want constant hard impact on joints and 
  • Cross training is extremely helpful to prevent over training.
  • If you are doing 4 days of cardio a week make two days running and two days of non impact cardio. 
  • The goal for the off season is to maintain fitness endurance levels while enjoying some time away from the sport.
  • We want to hit the ground running, literally, the first day of practice. Off season endurance is very important!!
  • If you feel the above running program is not challenging your kid please look at the attachment and have them complete that.

3) Off Season mini injury prevention workout. 

To be done before at 1-2 times a week and no more. All movements are done at a slow controlled pace and to complete 1-2 rounds through. Focus on muscle working. What muscle do you feel work? If there is any pain in the joints reduce the speed and range of motion.
  • Leg Swing, Left and Right, Front and Back x 5 side
  • Single leg balance toe touch with both hands x 10/side.  Notes - Look for shoe laces in front of knees
  • Single leg hip bridge x 8 side
  • Plank with leg kick x 10 side
  • Single leg hop with 1 second pause x 8/side.  Notes - soft knees
  • Side to Side Hop/Ice Skaters x 20.  Notes - soft knees

Contact

P.O.BOX 554 
Eureka, California 95502

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