Our directors and I came up with a TIMELINE of what to expect as you move forward at OESA. Now this is geared to the Boys Program, but it will be similar on the Girls, but there are differences. This TIMELINE, by no means, covers everything, however we feel it gives a good understanding of what to expect at each stage with OESA.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY (YDA) |
Director – Scott Wheeler
PHILOSOPHY – PLAYER, CLUB, TEAM, WIN - we play every game to WIN. We will not sacrifice player development for
the sake of winning a single game. We
believe in individual technique and skill.
We will focus on dribbling and passing to teammates to create
opportunities (as opposed to having a superior athlete score all the
goals). This style, sometimes, will
result in a loss or the other team scoring because players at this age make
mistakes.
TEAMS – are chosen based on
athleticism and soccer ability, having stated that, there are times we misplace
a player due to the short nature of tryouts. In those situations, we will
provide that player with appropriate level experiences. Players should play 50%
to 100% of time in games over the course of the season (doesn’t mean each game)
as long as they are attending trainings and are in good standing with the
club.
PLAYERS – kids develop at different
skills at different rates and times. As
a result, players in the YDA may be asked to play with multiple teams over the
course of their time in the YDA. Players
performing well on their assigned team may be asked to play with a level or age
group higher. Players may also be asked
to play with a lower level team to get more playing time, team needs extra
player, or as seen fit by OESA staff.
PRACTICE/TRAINING – teams will have 2
trainings per week. Players will have
the opportunity to make up missed trainings with other teams on different
nights, approved by staff.
POSITIONS – all players will play all
positions to expose them to the skills and pressures associated with the
different positions. Players who show an aptitude for a certain position, may
play a specific position more often, but they will generally play all positions
throughout the season.
GOALKEEPING – all players will play
goalkeeper throughout the season. We
also encourage players at U9-U10 to attend Goalkeeper training as it is an
excellent way to get extra touches and work on coordination.
Age Level Competencies
U6 to U8 |
Introduction to the game of soccer
- Focus on individual skills (dribbling, balance, coordination)
- Introduce the rules of the game through active play
- 2x week training with Ohio Elite staff
- Play in the Elite Players League (EPL) – 7 v 7
- All games at Ohio Elite Complex
- 6-8 games
SKILLS
- Juggle 12+ times with feet (may use hands to start)
- Moves – inside cut, outside cut, scissors, step over
U9 to U10 |
Individual Skills
- Focus on individual skill (dribbling, balance, coordination, passing, receiving)
- Begin concepts of team play with focus on 3v3 to 6v6
- 2x week training with Ohio Elite staff
- Play in the EPL and Cincinnati United Soccer League (CUSL) or Buckeye League (BPYSL)
- EPL – 6-8 games at Ohio Elite Complex – 7v7
- CUSL – about 8 games in Greater
Cincinnati
· 6v6 for U9
· 6v6 and/or 8v8 for U10
- BPYSL – about 8 games in southern
Ohio (Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus)
· 8v8 for U10
- 2-3 tournaments per season in southern Ohio
SKILLS
- Juggle 25+ times with feet (no hands even to start)
- Moves – all 6 surfaces of foot, Master 2-3 favorites
- Receiving a ball out of air or off bounce
JUNIORS ACADEMY | Director – Marc Sabin
PHILOSOPHY – PLAYER, CLUB, TEAM, WIN - we play every game
to WIN. We will not sacrifice player
development for the sake of winning a single game. We believe in individual technique and skill. We will focus on dribbling and passing to
teammates to create opportunities (as opposed to having a superior athlete
score all the goals). We play possession
oriented, attacking soccer, play from the back and play with a lot of numbers
in the attacking half of the field. This
style, sometimes, will result in a loss or the other team scoring because players
at this age make mistakes.
TEAMS – are chosen based on soccer ability and athleticism. Players should play 30% to 100% of time in
games over the course of the season (doesn’t mean each
game) as long as they are attending trainings and are in good standing with the
club.
PLAYERS – kids develop at different rates. As a result, players in the Juniors may be
asked to guest play with different teams over the course of their time in the
Juniors Program. Players performing well
on their assigned team may be asked to play with a level or age group
higher. Players may also be asked to
play with a lower level team to get more playing time, team needs extra player,
develop more confidence or as seen fit by OESA staff.
PRACTICE/TRAINING – teams will have 3 trainings per week. Players may have the opportunity to make up
missed trainings with other teams on different nights in coordinated with the
coaching staff in advance. Players excelling with their teams may be added to
NPL Pool Training sessions.
POSITIONS – Players are introduced to more specific positions
based on players personalities and the characteristics of positional roles.
Playing all positions throughout the season is limited.
GOALKEEPING – U11 teams will use multiple goalkeepers. U12 - U14
we generally have two goalkeepers per team.
Attending goalkeeper training is expected of all players wanting to play
in goal U12 and up.
Jugglers Guild - We expect 100% participation from all players.
Minimum requirement to participate is 25 juggles (feet only)
Player Manual and Curriculum is posted on every Team Page. Coaches
follow the curriculum to develop players to be successful for years to come.
Training sessions are not just randomly selected. Training sessions are posted
on the Team Calendar each training day. Players are expected to know the day’s
activities.
U11 - BPYSL 8v8
Games are usually in greater Cincinnati & Dayton with
occasional game in Columbus.
- Juggles 25+
- Technical Priorities
- Passing & Receiving - Turning - Shooting - Ball Control - 1v1
- Tactical Priorities
- Combination Play - Attacking Principles - Possession - Playing from the Back
- Physical Priorities
- Agility - Acceleration - Acyclic Speed - Coordination & Balance - Perception & Awareness
- Psychological Priorities
- Motivation - Grit - Respect & Discipline - Self Confidence
U12 - BPYSL 8v8 and 11v11
Games are usually in greater Cincinnati & Dayton with
occasional game in Columbus.
- Juggles 50+
- Technical Priorities
- Passing & Receiving - Shooting - Ball Control - 1v1
- Tactical Priorities
- Combination Play - Attacking Principles - Possession - Playing from the Back
- Physical Priorities
- Agility - Acceleration - Acyclic Speed - Coordination & Balance - Perception & Awareness
- Strength Training – Body Weight (3 Days)
- Psychological Priorities
- Motivation - Grit - Respect & Discipline - Self Confidence
U13 NPL - BCC - BPYSL 11v11
Games in the BPYSL in greater Cincinnati & Dayton with occasional game in
Columbus. NPL & BCC games are
regional with travel to surrounding states usually up to 4-6 hours away. OESA does have some bus trips for players
only (all players are required to travel via bus). Players are chaperoned. They stay in hotels with teammates.
- Juggles 75+
- Technical Priorities
- Passing & Receiving - Shooting - Ball Control - 1v1
- Tactical Priorities
- Combination Play - Attacking Principles - Possession - Playing from the Back - Transition - Finishing Final Third - Defending Principles
- Physical Priorities
- Agility - Acceleration - Acyclic Speed - Coordination & Balance - Perception & Awareness - Reaction - Flexibility & Mobility
- Strength Training – Body Weight (3 Days)
- Psychological Priorities
- Motivation - Grit - Respect & Discipline - Self Confidence - Commitment - Communication – Competitiveness
U14 NPL - BCC - BPYSL
Games in the BPYSL in greater Cincinnati & Dayton with occasional game in
Columbus. NPL & BCC games are
regional with travel to surrounding states usually up to 4-6 hours away. OESA does have some bus trips for players
only (all players are required to travel via bus). Players are chaperoned. They stay in hotels with teammates.
- Juggles 100+
- Technical Priorities
- Passing & Receiving - Shooting - Ball Control - 1v1
- Tactical Priorities
- Combination Play - Attacking Principles - Possession - Playing from the Back - Transition - Finishing Final Third - Defending Principles
- Physical Priorities
- Agility - Acceleration - Acyclic Speed - Coordination & Balance - Perception & Awareness - Reaction - Flexibility & Mobility
- Strength Training – Body Weight to light weights (3 to 4 days)
- Psychological Prioities
- Motivation - Grit - Respect & Discipline - Self Confidence - Commitment - Communication - Competitiveness
SENIORS ACADEMY | Director – Dave Schureck
PHILOSOPHY – PLAYER, CLUB, TEAM, WIN - we play every game
to WIN. WINNING is very important. We will do what is necessary tactically to
get the result. Generally, we stick to
our game plan and style, but will make adjustments in tactics and players to get
results on a game by game basis.
TEAMS – are chosen based on soccer ability and athleticism. Players should play 30% to 100% of time in
games over the course of the season (doesn’t mean each
game) as long as they are attending trainings and are in good standing with the
club.
PLAYERS – should have a strong technical base. Technique will continue to improve by adding
quickness and distance. Players are
expected to be in a strength program to improve strength, flexibility, speed,
and quickness.
PRACTICE/TRAINING – teams will have 3 trainings per week. Players may have the opportunity to make up
missed trainings with other teams on different nights if coordinated with the
coaching staff in advance.
POSITIONS – Players may play a few positions, but generally will
play the same position.
GOALKEEPING – GKs are normally goalkeeper only. We try to carry two GKs per team when
possible. GKs should attend goalkeeper
specific training at least once a week.
U15/U16/U17/U18 –NPL & BCC
NPL & BCC games are regional with travel to surrounding states
usually up to 4-6 hours away. OESA does
have some bus trips for players only (all players are required to travel via
bus). Players are chaperoned. They stay in hotels with teammates.
Showcases/Tournaments are national. We frequently attend events in Florida, North
Carolina, Nevada, and other places that will expose our teams and players to
top competition and college recruiting opportunities.
- Juggles 250+
- Technical Priorities
- Passing & Receiving – Under Game Pressure
- Tactical Priorities
- Combination Play – Counter Attack - Possession in Attacking Third- Playing from the Back
- Physical Priorities
- Strength, Flexibility, Agility, Explosion
- Strength Program (on own)
- OESA Program
- Strength Trainer/Coach
- Psychological Priorities
- Consistent Motivation - Grit - Respect & Discipline - Self Belief
- Training and Improving when you don’t want to
- Do what others won’t in order to improve
- College Recruiting
- Building Resumes
- Contacting college coaches
- Getting seen
- Showcases
- ID Camps
