ACADEMY
Ages 8-10
The academy provides a fun environment for boys and girls ages 8-10 to develop their skills, both to ignite a passion for soccer and to reach their potential in the sport. This is typically seen as the bridge between Micro Strikers, which is Strikers’ recreational introduction to soccer for 5-12 year-olds, and our Competitive program which begins around age 11.
Who is it for?
The Academy program is specifically designed for kids 8-10 years of age. This age range is often referred to as the “Golden Age of learning”. It is around this period that young children make the biggest strides in their development and understanding, not just of a particular sport, but also becoming fully aware of their own body. The Academy program aims to take full advantage of this period by offering our young players an ideal environment to learn all the necessary soccer and movement techniques required for this sport. Whether a beginner or seasoned player our academy is a good fit to hone in on skill and technique development.
When is it?
We offer our Academy in the spring and fall seasons.
Practices are held on the turf at Fort Missoula, Monday & Wednesday evenings, 4:30-6:00 pm
With our optional freestyle in house Friday tournaments, 4:30-6:00 pm
Mission
The Strikers Academy mission is to provide a learning environment where players are free to explore their passion for the game, learn how to play better as an individual and a team mate, and prepare themselves for the challenges that will face them when they compete for spots on Strikers competitive travel teams, their school teams, or college teams.
The Academy develops fundamental skills such as:
-Dribbling & Directional Movement with and without the ball-
-Passing & Striking-
-Close Control & Juggling-
-Introductory Attacking & Defending Principles-
The Academy aims to help kids develop all of these techniques and skills in a fun and enjoyable environment. Delivering fun coaching sessions with disguised techniques and introductory tactics will be the key behind our young players development and love for the game.
Strikers Academy does not focus on wins and losses. The most important aspect of academy is the development of the individual and group as a whole. We measure our success based on the physical and mental improvements made by each child. A coach’s results are publicly on display at every event and game. We can measure the effects of a coach by a child’s beaming smile, respect, and the sportsmanship shown. Our hope is that everyone involved in this program mirrors this philosophy at all times.
"At a young age winning is not the most important thing ... the important thing is to develop creative and skilled players with good confidence."
-Arsene Wenger-