Broomfield Soccer Club

Junior Academy (Formerly Select)

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Program Information

The U8 - U10 years are transitional years when it comes to soccer. At U9, we begin playing 7v7 on a bigger field, playing games against teams from other clubs, and training for longer periods of time. It is very important that the kids are placed in the proper soccer environment to meet their current soccer needs and ability level.

The Select Program is designed for kids who have displayed the ability to play at a higher level through an assessment process. The program requires a higher commitment level from both the parents and the player. Through our assessment process, 45 to 50 players will be invited to join the age group (separate pool for U9 and U10, U8's in the spring only). There are no requests for this program. The Director of Developmental Soccer will divide the players into training group pools and teams. The entire 2013 age group will practice on Tuesday and Thursday nights from either 5-6:15 or 6:15-7:30 depending on the team. The 2012 age group will train on Monday and Wednesday nights during the same time period. There will be Street Soccer and Tactical Training for the age group pools every other Friday. The training pools will train 2-3 nights a week. In addition, there will be seven weeks of professional training for each team during the season to assist the parent volunteer head coach. The Academy Select teams play in the Intermediate League through Colorado Soccer Association (CSA). This involves travel within Metro Denver, Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and occasionally Vail. There are also additional costs at this level, primarily because of the additional training time with professional trainers.

Age group: U8 - U10
Roster size: 10 to 12
Practices: Two to three practices a week, 75 minutes in length (either Monday and Wednesday with additional Fridays or Tuesday and Thursday with additional Fridays)
Game day: Saturdays
Game structure 7 vs. 7, Two twenty-five minute periods.
Coaches: Parent Volunteers and Trainer
Uniform: Adidas Select uniform kit (separate purchase required)
Equipment needed: Size 4 ball (separate purchase required)
Team formation: By invitation based on assessment, there are no requests in this program.

Are you interested in becoming a Select Coach? Please fill out the application linked below;

Select Coach Application

Mixers

We typically hold mixers during May. The purpose of mixers is to assess players for the Select program. (If a player is not interested in the Select program, they need not attend the mixer. They would simply register in June for the Rec program in the fall or December for the Rec program in the spring.)

How do I learn more?

More information on mixers for the 2021-2022 Select Program will be posted soon.

program information

The Junior Academy Program is designed for kids who have displayed the ability to play at a higher level through an assessment process. The program requires a higher commitment level from both the parents and the player. Through our assessment process, 45 to 50 players will be invited to join the age group (separate pool for U9 and U10, U8's in the spring only). There are no requests for this program. The Director of Developmental Soccer will divide the players into training group pools and teams. The entire 2014 age group will practice on Tuesday and Thursday nights from either 5-6:15 or 6:15-7:30 depending on the team. The 2013 age group will train on Monday and Wednesday nights during the same time period. There will be Street Soccer and Tactical Training for the age group pools every other Friday. The training pools will train 2-3 nights a week. In addition, there will be seven weeks of professional training for each team during the season to assist the parent volunteer head coach. Junior Academy teams play in the Intermediate League through Colorado Soccer Association (CSA). This involves travel within Metro Denver, Ft. Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and occasionally Vail. There are also additional costs at this level, primarily because of the additional training time with professional trainers.

Age group: U8 - U10
Roster size: 10 to 12
Practices: Two to three practices a week, 75 minutes in length (either Monday and Wednesday with additional Fridays or Tuesday and Thursday with additional Fridays)
Game day: Saturdays
Game structure 7 vs. 7, Two twenty-five minute periods.
Coaches: Professional Coaches
Uniform: Adidas uniform kit (separate purchase required)
Equipment needed: Size 4 ball (separate purchase required)
Team formation: By invitation based on assessment, there are no requests in this program.

Are you interested in becoming a Junior Academy Coach? Please fill reach out to Michael Green, Director of Developmental Soccer at michael.green@broomfieldsoccerclub.org.

Mixers

Junior Academy program teams are formed through a process called mixers. We typically hold mixers during May, and form teams for the year long cycle. The purpose of mixers is to assess players for the Junior Academy program. (If a player is not interested in the Junior Academy program, they need not attend the mixer. They would simply register in June for the Rec program in the fall or December for the Rec program in the spring.) Mixers are less formal than a tryout, and a good bridge to the process of team formation at the competitive level.

Is Junior Academy Right For My Child?

At both levels, Junior Academy and Rec, the primary focus is on player development. As players get older and the level of play increases the amount of time and space a child has to play in becomes more limited. The Junior Academy program involves increased training time with like ability players, as well as team placement at the highest developmentally appropriate level for each team, thus preparing players for the Pre-Academy and eventually Academy or Competitive programs.

We strongly encourage you to watch your child play and assess your child’s current ability level to see which program you think is the best fit for your child. Below is an assessment chart to use when watching your child play during a game that might be helpful with your assessment.

How To Assess Players During A Game
- Skill
- Dribbling
- Ball Control
- Passing and Receiving
- Engagement
- Attacking
- Defending
What the Coach Should Look For
- What does the player do when they are presented with a 1v1 situation?
- How confident is the player when in possession of the ball.
- What does the player do when they receive the ball?
- Is the player activity involved in the game?
- How does the player approach attacking?
- How does the player approach defending?
Gold Standard
- Attacks the defender at speed and uses foot skills to beat an opponent.
- Player uses different surface of the foot and body to manipulate the ball.
- Controls the ball and keeps it close to them so they can play the ball with their next touch.
- Influences the pace and tempo of the game. Always looking to be involved in the game.
- Rarely give the ball away. Often tries to attack players trying to get to goal.
- Pressures the ball. Forces attackers away from goal or often separates attacker from ball.
Silver Standard
- Only attempts to try and dribble past an opponent 50% of the time.
- Player moves with the ball only when not under pressure of another player.
- Needs a couple of touches to prepare the pass. Unsure where the pass is going.
- Slow to react to the changing pace of the game. Spends more time chasing the ball.
- Tries to join the attack. First touch is usually to long putting them into tackles.
- Good starting position but has moderate success stopping players going to goal.
Rec Standard
- Prefers to pass or kick the ball away.
- Gets rid of the ball as quickly as possible. Heavy touch – not comfortable with the ball.
- Loses possession of the ball without much pressure.
- Rarely involved in the play.
- Stays in a stationary position waiting for the ball to find them
- Does not chase ball or attacker. Unbalanced starting position. Usually standing waiting to defend.