Birth Date Range:
U14 - Boys/Girls - 12 through 13 years old
Age determination is based on birth year, so kids turning 12 or 13 this year will play U14. Only exception are kids whom were born after September 1 and are thurning 14 this year, BUT are still attending Middle School (8th grade) for the 2021/22 school year.
Description:
These two age groups are considered training and "Academy" stage of soccer development. These teens learn how to compete and function within very specific systems and strategies to help their team win. We still apply player-centric development, as this is the most important part of addressing a young soccer player, and put their training needs and needs of the team as a whole over actually winning. Winning is part of the game, but biggest, most important part is playing, competing, learning to recognize weaknesses and working to solve team and player tactical shortcomings - winning comes from this, not from focusing on throwing development. As players improve their technique and increase their passing range, their tactical vision expands accordingly. Players at this age can make 10-30 yard passes comfortably, are beginning to chip the ball and can lift and cross the ball over increasingly longer distances and full contact play is often allowed.
Games:
Games in EASL for these age groups are played in full size/large fields, 8v8 with size #5 ball. Games are 35 minutes/half and are officiated with two referees.
Practices:
