Soccer Club Dava Youth Academy Curriculum

Player Development. Character. Passion.

At Soccer Club Dava, our Youth Academy provides a complete player development pathway for children ages 4 to 18.
Our philosophy is built on technical excellence, tactical understanding, and a love for the game — creating confident, creative, and disciplined players ready for the next level of soccer.

Our Philosophy

We believe that development comes before results.
Our mission is to guide every player through an enjoyable and challenging learning process focused on:

Building a strong technical foundation
Developing intelligent decision-making on and off the ball
Promoting teamwork, respect, and a lifelong passion for soccer

We follow the U.S. Soccer Player Development Framework and South Texas Youth Soccer Association (STX) guidelines to ensure that each child receives age-appropriate, high-quality training.

Age Group Structure

Age Group	Format	Focus Areas
U4–U5 (Discovery Phase)	3v3 / 4v4	Fun games, coordination, dribbling, motor skills
U6–U7 (Foundation Phase)	4v4 / 5v5	Ball mastery, passing, teamwork, basic defending
U8–U9 (Development Phase)	7v7	Spatial awareness, attacking and defending principles
U10–U12 (Advanced Foundation)	9v9	Positioning, transition, tactical awareness, communication
U13–U15 (Pre-Competitive Phase)	11v11	Game understanding, positional play, pressing, and build-up play
U16–U18 (Competitive Phase)	11v11	Advanced tactics, physical conditioning, leadership, and performance mindset

Weekly Training Structure

Players train two to three times per week, with each session designed to balance technical repetition, tactical awareness, and decision-based learning.

Session Example (U10–U12):

Warm-Up (15 min) – Dynamic movement and coordination
Technical Development (25 min) – Passing, dribbling, shooting
Small-Sided Game (30 min) – Real-game application and creativity
Cool Down and Reflection (10 min) – Feedback and recovery

Session Example (U13–U18):

Warm-Up and Activation (15 min)
Tactical Development (30 min) – Team shape, build-up, pressing, and transition
Conditioned Game (30 min) – Game scenarios emphasizing decision-making
Cool Down and Review (10 min)

The training curriculum rotates every five weeks to cover all key themes:

Week 1: Ball Mastery and 1v1
Week 2: Passing and Support
Week 3: Shooting and Finishing
Week 4: Defending and Transition
Week 5: Team Play and Game Understanding

Coaching Methodology

Our licensed coaches follow a guided discovery approach, encouraging players to think, make decisions, and express creativity.
We emphasize:

Positive reinforcement and confidence building
Small-sided games for increased touches and learning
Tactical awareness and situational decision-making for older age groups
Equal playing opportunities and rotation at younger ages

Every coach is committed to continuous education under U.S. Soccer and STX standards.

Player Evaluation and Growth

Each player is evaluated throughout the season across the four pillars of development:

Technical: Ball control, passing, and striking
Tactical: Positioning, awareness, and decision-making
Physical: Balance, agility, endurance, and strength
Psychological: Confidence, focus, teamwork, and sportsmanship

Players and parents receive regular feedback to track progress and set measurable goals.

Beyond the Field

Soccer Club Dava emphasizes not only soccer ability but also character, leadership, and community involvement.
We organize:

Seasonal festivals and friendly matches
Competitive league and tournament participation for U13–U18 teams
Camps and technical clinics with professional academies
Parent education sessions and volunteer opportunities

Join the Academy

If your child loves the game and is ready to develop in a professional, nurturing environment, the Soccer Club Dava Youth Academy is the perfect place to grow.
We welcome players of all skill levels — from beginners to advanced — and our goal is to help every athlete reach their full potential while enjoying the journey.