Academy Overview | Soccer Club of Ridgefield

My my My my

For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser.

What is Academy?

SCOR Academy is a developmental program for players in first grade through fifth grade trained by Team Excel professional coaches. Academy provides an environment in which skill development, individual initiative, creativity, risk-taking, experimentation, and individual tactical understanding are emphasized over learning positions, systems of play, and league results.

SCOR Academy has five levels:

1. Academy 7 (1st graders)

2. Academy 8 (2nd graders)

3. Academy 9 (2nd and 3rd graders)

4. Academy 10 (4th graders)

5. Academy 11 (5th graders)

Academy Progression

Academy 7 and Academy 8 programs are integrated with SCOR’s House program. Each player enrolled in a SCOR Academy 7 or 8 program will be automatically registered as a player on a 1st or 2nd Grade Division House team, respectively. 7 year-olds will train with Academy 7 professional coaches and their peers on Mondays and then play matches with their 1st Grade House team on Saturdays. 8 year-olds will train with Academy 8 professional coaches and their peers on Mondays, train with their 2nd Grade House team once per week (typically on a Wednesday or Friday), and then play matches with their 2nd Grade House team on Saturdays.

Academy 9 is a full immersion program open to 8- and 9-year-old players. Academy 9 players train with Academy 9 professional coaches and their peers twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays and then play on Saturdays on an Academy team in a SCOR-only Academy League, all under the supervision and direction of the SCOR Coaching Director and the Academy professional coaching staff. Academy 9 provides a highly competitive environment designed to prepare players for Travel, Premier and high school soccer.

Academy 10 and Academy 11 programs are integrated with SCOR’s House program. Each player enrolled in a SCOR Academy 10 or 11 program will be automatically registered as a player on the same 3/4th- or 5/6th Grade Division House team, respectively. 10-year-olds will train with Academy 10 professional coaches and their peers on Wednesdays and Fridays and then play games with their 3/4th Grade House team on Saturdays. 11-year-olds will train with Academy 11 professional coaches and their peers on Wednesdays and Fridays and then play games with their 5/6th Grade House team on Saturdays.

Academy 9, 10 and 11 teams have a designated coach at practice sessions to enable coaches to know their players better and provide the greater individual feedback that parents seek.

Academy 7 (1st graders)

Emphasis is on individual skill development and introduction to spatial awareness

Content comprised of weekly training with Academy players, directed by Academy coaches

In addition to the Academy 7 training sessions on Mondays, players play weekly matches members of a 1st Grade Division House team

Academy 8 (2nd graders)

Emphasis is on individual skill development and individual and group tactical development

Content comprised of weekly training with Academy players, directed by Academy coaches

In addition to the Academy 8 training sessions on Mondays, players participate in:

- Weekly training as members of a 2nd Grade Division House Team

- Weekly matches as members of a 2nd Grade Division House team

Academy 9 (2nd and 3rd graders)

Emphasis is on individual skill development, individual and group tactical understanding, and preparation for Travel or Premier soccer. Content comprised of twice-weekly Academy training, directed by Academy coaches. In addition to the Academy 9 training sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays, players participate in weekly matches in SCOR's own Academy League.

Uniform Kit: Required - If your A9 player does not already have the uniform kit, you must purchase it by March 1,2020, at Soccer & Rugby Imports at 15 Ethan Allen Highway, 203 544-9777, email: gus@soccerandrugby.com or online at: http://www.soccerandrugby.com/scor

Uniform Kit includes orange game jersey, white game jersey, silver practice jersey, black game shorts, black soccer socks.

Academy 10 (4th graders)

Emphasis is on individual ball skill and tactical insight development with intent to prepare players for Travel soccer. Season content comprised of weekly team training sessions under the direction and guidance of a professional coach.

In addition to the Academy 10 training sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays, players participate in weekly games as members of a 3/4th Grade Division House team. Please note that 3/4th Grade Division House teams participate in Rec Plus which requires some game day travel.

Academy 11 (5th graders)

In addition to the Academy 11 training sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays, players participate in weekly games as members of a 5/6th Grade Division House team. Please note that 5/6th Grade Division House teams participate in Rec Plus which requires some game day travel.

Tryouts

There will be NO tryouts for the SCOR Academy Program. All age appropriate players willing to make the commitment are welcome to participate in the program. Experience from prior season and/or preseason practice will assist the professional staff with placing the players on equally balanced teams within their gender league.

Safety

All players must wear proper equipment, including soccer cleats (no football or baseball which have a toe cleat) and properly sized shin guards. No jewelry is permitted; earrings are not allowed to be taped and must be removed for practice and play. The only exceptions are medical bracelets and necklaces which are required for player safety. In these cases, the bracelet or necklace must be secured (taped) to prevent injuries. Please see the SCOR No Jewelry Policy for full details.