Comprehensive Weekly Training Program

Focus: Understanding the game and developing basic athletic abilities

At this foundational stage, young players are introduced to soccer rules, developing their agility, coordination, and athletic base. Through fun and engaging activities, kids learn how to follow instructions, understand game rules, and build basic motor skills essential for soccer. The focus here is on making soccer enjoyable, ensuring they feel comfortable with the ball and understand its basic movements.

Key Skills: Proper running techniques, basic ball control, and fun activities that integrate soccer concepts.

To complete this level players must demonstrate:

• Good basic body coordination and agility skills
• Good individual foot skills with the ball without pressure (toe taps, shuffle, etc.)
• Ability to closely control the ball (dribbling) and change direction of movement with the ball

Focus: Introduction to key technical skills

At this level, players begin learning soccer techniques in a structured way. They practice fundamental skills like dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting. They already understand the game’s rules and now start focusing on how to execute basic soccer moves correctly. The aim is to build a strong technical foundation for further skill development.

Key Skills: Proper dribbling techniques, passing, receiving the ball with control, and basic shooting.

To complete this level players must demonstrate:

• Excellent basic body coordination and speed and agility skills
• Proficiency in individual foot skills with the ball (toe taps, shuffle, etc.)
• Excellent ability to control the ball (dribbling) while changing directions under pressure
• Familiarity with several different moves (without pressure)
• Familiarity with passing, receiving, and shooting techniques

Focus: Building spatial awareness and basic game strategies

Players at this level can dribble, pass, and shoot but now focus on how to effectively move with and without the ball. They are introduced to small-sided game scenarios (like 2v1 and 3v2) where they learn how to find space, create passing lanes, and make better decisions on the field. This level teaches players how to execute under more pressure, with a growing emphasis on awareness.

Key Skills: Turning, quick touches in tight spaces, big touches in open spaces, creating passing lanes, and playing successfully in small-sided games.

To complete this level players must demonstrate:

• Excellence in advanced body coordination and speed and agility skills
• Sound ball handling activities on speed ladder
• Proficiency in performing turns and moves under pressure
• Ability to solve 2v1 numerical superiority
• Familiarity with small numbers Rondo activities
• Ability to strike the ball without the pressure
• Understanding of main principles in 1v1 defending

Focus: Preparing for professional-level play

Players at this level aim to play at the highest level—either top level teams, D1/D2 colleges or pro clubs. This level focuses on refining game-play scenarios under high pressure. They’re taught advanced tactical concepts like overloading zones, playing between the lines, and defending with a numerical disadvantage. They learn to move as a unit and constantly aim to improve performance with the intention of becoming elite players.

Key Skills: Advanced game scenarios, defending/attacking with numerical disadvantage, zone overloads, and high-intensity game preparation.

To complete this level players must demonstrate:

• Proficiency in understanding position-specific responsibilities on and off the ball
• Ability to recognize and control the tempo of the game

At this stage, players are comfortable with fundamental skills and begin to focus on possessing the ball in game-like situations. They learn to play with their heads up, always scanning the field and understanding when to attack versus when to hold possession. Advanced individual skills and team tactics are emphasized. Players are taught to balance offense and defense effectively. Some mental and tactical concepts are being introduced, such as playing with confidence, not being afraid to do a mistake and not rushing the ball forward.

Key Skills: Playing with eyes up, maintaining possession, decision-making in attack and defense, and learning collective play under pressure.

To complete this level players must demonstrate:

• Ability to solve 1v1 and 2v2 situations either individually or via small combination plays
• Proficiency in recognizing and performing small combination plays in 2v2 and 3v3 situations
• Familiarity with medium size positional games
• Ability to strike the ball in the activities under pressure
• Ability to scan the field and be aware of surroundings
• Familiarity with main defensive principles: pressure, cover, balance

Focus: High IQ decision-making and tactical understanding

This level focuses on developing a soccer IQ through quick decision-making and understanding the tactical side of the game. Players at this level work on spacing, reading the game, and executing complex moves at high speeds. They’re introduced to advanced attacking and defending techniques, such as breaking the lines and counterattacking. Working on breaking down opponents through superior intelligence and skill. The emphasis is on being efficient and effective in all areas of the field.

Key Skills: High-speed decision-making, advanced tactical awareness, efficient use of space, and understanding defensive/attacking transitions.

To complete this level players must demonstrate:

• Ability to solve 3v3 situations either individually or via small combination plays
• Proficiency in understanding of  medium size positional games
• Familiarity with position-specific directional games
• Proficiency to scan the field and be aware of surroundings
• Proficiency with main defensive principles: pressure, cover, balance
• Ability to read the game defensively and intercept  attacking intentions of the opponent

Focus: Refining techniques and introducing advanced ball control

Players at this level have developed solid fundamental skills. The focus now shifts toward improving their first touch, particularly receiving the ball across the body for optimal control, scanning the field before and after receiving the ball enabling better awareness of their surroundings. Communication on the field becomes increasingly important, helping players learn how to orchestrate plays with their teammates.

Key Skills: Advanced ball control, first touch, scanning the field, communication, and teamwork.

To complete this level players must demonstrate:

• Proficient individual skills in 1v1  activities
• Ability to solve 2v1 and 3v2 numerical superiorities
• Proficiency in small sided Rondo activities
• Ability to finish with the proper technique shot under minimal pressure
• Ability to communicate on the field
• Proficiency in 1v1 defending and ability to slide tackle

Focus: Elite-level preparation for academy, college, or professional teams

This level is for top-tier players preparing for significant challenges in MLS Next, professional clubs, or college teams. They fine-tune their skills, analyze game footage, and master the mental, physical, technical, and tactical aspects of the game. The focus is on pushing players to their limits and preparing them for the toughest challenges, both physically and mentally, to help them achieve top-level success.

Key Skills: Refining elite-level skills, game analysis, mental and physical preparation, advanced tactical training, and overall performance enhancement.

At this level:

• The training is tailored towards player’s individual needs and tailored towards his/her performance
• Video analysis of the games is  performed to constantly evaluate the performance