LUSC is pleased to announce that we will be launching a new Skills Academy program for 1st- and 2nd-grade players looking for additional training during the week. The program will be held at Diamond Middle School. The LUSC Skills Academy (LSA) is a sign-up-based program. The program is open to all players that have desire to improve their skills and game intelligence.
All players will receive a LUSC Skills Academy T-shirt to wear each week.
Spring 2025 Information
| Dates: | Wednesdays, Apr 9 – Jun 4, 2025 (8 weeks)* |
| Time: | 5:30 – 7:00 |
| Cost: | $180 per child |
| Location: | Diamond Middle School |
*No program April 23rd. Late fee applies after deadline and placement not guaranteed.
Typical Skills Academy Day:
- 10 minutes: Street Soccer arrival (free play)
- 15 minutes: Ball Mastery- one player one ball activity (Introduction of a “move of the day”)
- 15 minutes: Developing Game Intelligence- 1v1, 2v1 type of activity or introduction to passing and receiving
- 10 minutes: Layering- progression from the initial activity
- 25 minutes: Small sided games
Why a Skills Academy?
- To provide LUSC children with a yearlong technical development plan under weekly professional supervision for committed and interested LUSC 1st- and 2nd-grade players.
- The professional staff that oversee the skills academy will make technical training, including demonstration of proper technique, their number one priority.
- These are vital years in terms of developing proper coordination and good habits.
LUSC Skills Academy Goals
- Improve Players Perception
- Decision Making
- Execution
The player on the ball has 3 Phases he/she must process and execute each time he/she is in possession:
- Perception: What is happening? Your eyes need to observe everything.
- Decision Making: What to do? Plan, judge, decide.
- Execution: How to do it? (technical ability becomes important)
Instill a passion and love for the game through a Ball Mastery curriculum.
Develop Game Intelligence through 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, 3v2, 3v3 exercises.
The LUSC Skills Academy is sign-up based, not a tryout-selected academy.
Why?
“All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.”
John F. Kennedy
Skills Academy Staff, Spring 2025
See Pro Coaching Staff for more information on each coach.
- Director: Brendan Donahue
- Director: Tom Heimreid
- Thomas Ballenthin
- Joe Dinecco
- Hagop Kouchakdjian
- Knut Lundstrom Svahnqvist
