Nationals FC 3v3 Soccer Academy Program
The Nationals FC 3v3 soccer academy program is a custom developed training philosophy for ages 5 through 10. Players primarily develop by the repetition and application of specific technical skills and 1v1 moves (Coerver training) in a small sided game. Our program offers a progressive variety of small sided games including 3v3 outdoor games, 3v3 tournaments, 3v3 indoor, 4v4 & 5v5 outdoor and futsal. Although 3v3 soccer is our main tool for learning, the progression to 4v4 and 5v5 is based on the previous experience with 3v3.
3v3 Small Sided Soccer Development
Soccer is a game that requires individual skill to be fun. The more skill young players attain, the more fun the game becomes. Those who don't learn skill at an early age struggle to find the fun in the game and stop playing all together. The full 11 a side game at the adolescent to adult level is difficult for most to understand. It's a simple free flowing game where players struggle to make organization out of chaos. All while trying to disrupt the other team's organization. Limiting the numbers on the field to 3v3 at the youth level helps players to be successful and continue to enjoy the game at a higher level.
Nationals FC was founded on the simple principle that playing small sided games develops a soccer player's skill faster while having more fun. The more opportunities a child has in games and training to make decisions whether to pass, dribble or shoot the better the experience to move to the next level faster. Small sided 3v3 soccer better prepares players to be successful at larger sided games.
Read more about our 3v3 soccer philosophy
Technical Development Goals
The top elite players in the world are defined by their creativity and confidence with the ball. It is our goal to develop highly skilled free-thinking, creative players by allowing them to problem solve during games at the youth level. This goal is long term and requires years of engagement in our program. In result, we ultimately expect to produce highly skilled players, not necessarily winning teams. Often times the two go hand-in-hand but we cannot define success by winning games.
The Nationals FC way is to develop technically sound players who are comfortable and confident when dribbling. They are encouraged to use skill to beat an opponent and score goals. They are expected to keep possession of the ball and not give it away. This takes precedence over ball movement or tactics. Again, it also takes precedence over winning games.
How do we accomplish this?
- Develop a love for the game by creating a fun and positive training atmosphere
- Develop an intrinsic desire to be competitive through challenging training sessions
- Emphasize, value and reward individual skill moves (Coerver training)
- Develop personal relationships with teammates and value each individual on the team
- Foster integrity and good sportsmanship not only through winning but also losing
- Create a love for the ball
"I don't believe skill was, or ever will be, the result of coaches. It is a result of a love affair between the child and the ball"
– Manfred Schellscheidt (National Soccer Hall of Fame coach and player)
Star Patch Recognition Program
The star patch program rewards players for learning and performing skills during training sessions and games. Players who identify 1v1 skills by name and successfully perform them under pressure earn a star patch. Players may also keep track of how many times they can juggle a ball to earn a patch at a specified number of juggles.
Each player receives a personal skills sheet listing 20 core 1v1 skills. These skill moves are taught by name during skills sessions. The coach must observe and approve their skills sheet for each skill. Players must follow the progression of 1 skill at a time, first in practice, then in a game. A patch is rewarded for recognition and may be placed on their jersey.
The purpose of this training is directly related to ball mastery and specificity of training. We teach and look for very specific skills and hold players accountable for learning. It's not easy and requires patience and perseverance, a great life skill beyond soccer. The expected duration of this program is between 2-3 years from U6 to U8.
Tactical Development Goals
Between the ages of U6 to U10 we gradually introduce tactics within the 3v3 game. Tactics never take priority over technical goals but they are intended to work together to develop a complete player. Technical skills allow players to perform tactics. This order of learning cannot be reversed.
Player Role Development
Players will naturally gravitate to more attacking or defensive roles through their individual personality and technical strengths. However it is our goal to expose players to all roles and develop complete players. When our players move to larger sided games than 3v3 it will allow them to adapt quickly and be successful no matter what position they play.
Individual Attacking and Defensive Concepts
The 3v3 game can be further divided into smaller parts. Players will also find themselves in 2v1, 1v2, and even 3v1 situations. Teaching individual tactics for offense and defense will not only serve their understanding of 3v3 but also continues through to larger sided games. Nationals FC players will be exposed to these situations during training sessions.
3v3 Specific Training Sessions
Just as we offer skills sessions for technical training, Nationals FC has a custom developed and inventive program for teaching tactics specifically for 3v3. At the youngest levels we focus on our triangle shape and how it gets bigger and smaller according to defensive and offensive principles. At the later U8-U10 ages we move to more advanced tactics such as team defense, ball movement and player mobility. All of which apply to larger sided games.
Please contact us for further information or questions about our program.