The PSA Travel Development Academy in 2009-2010 will continue to deliver high-quality technical training in a small-sided game environment for our youngest players. This plan will require a long-term player development philosophy which is player-centered and will consider game results as secondary to individual player development. The program will promote appreciation of the game of soccer and will consider player retention as a primary goal.

Soccer Development

(a)   Small-Sided Games: 

In recent years, a strong case has been made by many leaders of the greater soccer community, including the United States Youth Soccer Association, that small-sided soccer is the best developmental environment for our youngest players. Benefits for small-sided soccer include:

• More touches on the ball and more involvement for players off the ball
• Greater skill development
• Fun & enjoyable  
• Games include many more goal-scoring opportunities 
• Constant transitional play 
• Opportunites for players to express themselves
• Develops problem-solving and decision-making through repeated exposure 

 (b)   Technical Development

PSA incorporates a Movement, Touch and Vision (MTV) technical development training program for younger players based on repetition of technical skills. This is commonly achieved through:

• Professional group training sessions structured around technical development
• 4v4 (plus GK) small-sided training environment

Repetition does not equate to boring activities. Repetition is centered around the repeated practice and gradual mastering of specific technical skill sets through creative challenges that are delivered at every practice session. Each session will look and feel different but the skill sets being mastered will be the same.

(c)   Age-Appropriate Games

Research has been completed and discussed on the ability of 6-, 7- and 8-year olds to effectively learn and play an 8v8 game. With social and physical skills still raw and developing rapidly, and still developing the concepts of spacing and shape PSA has adopted a 5 v 5 approach. Providing these players with focused development can have a highly positive impact on their long-term development and enjoyment of soccer.

We at PSA believe that offering Travel Development Academy will have long-term benefits not only for our players but also for our Club as well as we develop an entire generation of better players who will stick with the game through a higher level of enjoyment and long-term success.