Atlanta Fire United Academy Program
The Atlanta Fire United SA Academy Program is one of the best academy soccer programs in the state of Georgia. Our Academy Program is a very special program for six (6), seven (7), eight (8), nine (9), ten (10), eleven (11), and twelve (12) year old players. Our Academy Program introduces youth players to a more competitive soccer environment. Our Academy’s philosophy is one of learning how to play the most popular sport in the world with creativity and attacking soccer. Development is paramount while minimizing the pressure to win, and this philosophy transcends every training session and match. The Academy coaching staff is specially selected and trained to provide this introduction to competitive soccer in an environment conducive to learning and having fun! Challenging training sessions conducted by the Academy staff are the key ingredient in the personal development of the players. Training activities are devised to help each player improve technically (skills), tactically (decision-making), physically (fitness) and psychologically (mental toughness). Our Academy Program focuses on the complete development of each player. Through guided discovery teaching methods, the Academy staff challenges each player to creatively solve problems that only the game itself can provide. We look forward to your son and daughter joining our Academy Program at Atlanta Fire United!
Academy Curriculum
The Academy Directors create global training sessions each week that are designed to improve our players’ skill and technique with the ball. The U8-U12 age groups are the golden years of soccer, and it is important for our players to attain mastery of the ball while having fun in challenging sessions. Specifically, each week we focus on technique such as dribbling, receiving, passing, and finishing. Also, we progress throughout each season with topics such as playing out of the back, taking players on 1v1, combination play, switching the point of attack, transition, creating and finishing scoring chances, and penetration in the final third.
Academy Season
Our Academy season starts at the end of July with a 5 day team camp, which is typically held in the evening for 1.5 hours.
During the team camp our players will not only get to know each other but will also receive additional skill training and play scrimmages.
The teams start training the first week of school and will attend one pre-season tournament in August. Games are played against other clubs in metro Atlanta and will start after Labor Day. The fall season ends with the post season tournament which will be either in November or beginning of December.
Teams then have a break until the end of January when they resume training for the spring season. During the Winter break AFU offers Futsal.
IN February the teams will attend another pre-season tournament and start games at the beginning of March. The season will end mid-May and a post season tournament also in May.
Training
Our Academy teams train at least 2 days a week, and each session lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The following teams train 3 days a week: U12 Elite, U12 Gold, U11 Gold, and U10 Gold.
Games
Our Academy teams play approximately 10-12 games per season. Most of the games are within 30-40 minutes of our club. In addition, most teams will play in 2 tournaments per season.
Player Evaluations
Our coaching staff meets with each player & their family once each season to provide feedback on each player’s strengths and weaknesses, and how they are progressing.
Extra Training
Our Academy players have access to extra training to improve their technical skills and get more touches on the ball.
Here are the extra training sessions that our Academy players can participate in:
- Goalkeeper Training
- Friday pick-up games
- Friday shooting clinics