Summer Academy Description

2020 Summer Academy Info 

SOCA’s Summer Soccer Academy features individual player development within a dynamic small group training environment. The focus is on the developing technical components of the game with high repetition and precise movements. In each Academy players will work toward mastering age appropriate individual skills.  These skills will be applied to learning small group tactics in a game environment. The Academy seeks to help players establish and develop excellent training habits to facilitate continued soccer development.

Field player sessions are 75 minutes long.  Goalkeeping sessions are 45 minutes long.  Each Academy has a low player-to-coach ratio (12 players maximum) allowing focused skill training.

For Ages U7-U19 (players born 2002-2014); Boys, Girls and Co-ed sessions  (see Schedule of available Academies on following tab)

$160 per Field  Player Academy.  $100 per Goalkeeper Academy.

Note!  New Format For GK Academies!  Five consecutive Monday evenings, small groups, 45 minute sessions, lower price.

Summer Academy Schedule

2020 Summer Academy Info 

SOCA-Charlottesville Summer Academy Series

NOTE:  All field player Academies run Monday through Thursday with a reserved rain make-up day on Friday.  Goalkeeping Academy is five consecutive Monday evenings, see below.

All Academies located at South Fork Soccer Park: 1685 Polo Grounds Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

Week 1: August 3-6, 2020 Note New Dates! (Monday – Thursday). Available to all players.

• U8 Skill Builder (players born 2013, 2014) Co-ed, 9:00-10:15 am.

Week 2: June 22-25, 2020 (Monday – Thursday). Available to all players.

• U10 Skills Master (players born 2011, 2012)  Co-ed, 9:00-10:15 am
• U12 Skills Master (players born 2009, 2010) Co-ed,  9:00-10:15 am
• U15 Skills Master (players born 2006-2008) Co-ed, 9:00-10:15 am

Week 4: July 27-30, 2020 (Monday-Thursday). Advanced Academies, Travel Players Only.

Registration Deadline:  July 22, 11:59 pm.

• U11/12 Boys Travel (2009, 2010), 9:00-10:15 am
• U11/12 Girls Travel (2009, 2010), 9:00-10:15 am
• U13/14 Boys Travel (2007, 2008), 5:00-6:15 pm
• U13/14 Girls Travel (2007, 2008), 5:00-6:15 pm
• U15/16 Boys Travel (2005, 2006), 5:00-6:15 pm
• U15/16 Girls Travel (2005, 2006), 5:00-6:15 pm
• U17-19 Boys Travel (2002-2004), 6:30-7:45 pm
• U17-19 Girls Travel (2002-2004), 6:30-7:45 pm

Goalkeeper Summer Academy:  Mondays;  June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27

• U9-U14 Recreation & Challenge (2007-2012), Co-ed, 5:00-5:45 pm
• U11/12 Travel-Only (2009, 2010), Co-ed, 6:00-6:45 pm
• U13-U15 Travel-Only (2006-2008), Co-ed, 5:00-5:45 pm
• U16-U19 Travel-Only (2002-2005), Co-ed, 6:00-6:45 pm

Note!  New Format For GK Academies!  Five consecutive Monday evenings, small groups, 45 minute sessions, lower price.

View your personal SOCA account to see the specific options available in your age group.  All registration is via your personal SOCA account on the SOCA web site.

Summer Soccer Day Camp

2020 Summer Day Camp Info 

2020 Summer Day Camps are  Cancelled  due to COVID-19 Restrictions

SOCA-Charlottesville Day Camp Series

Week 1: July 6-10, 2020 Note New Dates! (Monday-Friday).  South Fork Soccer Park, Charlottesville.

Week 2: June 15-19, 2019 (Monday-Friday).  South Fork Soccer Park, Charlottesville.

• Available to all players, all levels.
• Ages U7-U14, Co-ed.  For players born 2007-2014.
• All camps are Half-Day Camps, 9:00 am-12:00 noon
• Play fun training games, learn soccer skills, make new friends!  Five-day (Monday-Friday) recreational soccer day camp. No playing experience required. Fun learning activities, and lots of games. Players receive a camp t-shirt and soccer ball.
• Snack breaks provided.  Light concessions offered.
• Cost: $155

South Fork Soccer Park: 1685 Polo Grounds Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911

Striker-Keeper Camp

2020 Striker-Keeper Camp Info 

2020 Striker-Keeper Camp is  Cancelled  due to COVID-19 Restrictions

SOCA-Charlottesville Striker-Keeper Camp

July 6-9, 2020 Note New Dates; South Fork Soccer Park, 5:00 pm-7:30 pm

Score great goals and save the day!  Master the finer point of soccer’s most specialized positions.  Strikers spend valuable time learning the finer points of creating attacking moments, shooting, striking and finishing.  Goalkeepers are trained in the essentials of catching/handling, footwork, positioning, shot stopping, diving progressions, cutting out crosses, defending breakaways and more.

• This camp is recommended for all levels of players.
• Ages U10-U16, Co-ed.  Players born 2005-2011.
• Players register either for “Field Player” or “Goalkeeper” portion of the camp.
• Campers will receive a camp t-shirt and soccer ball.
• Players are organized into age/level appropriate training groups.
• Each evening includes league format matches, with the opportunity to apply striking and ‘keeping skills in live action.
• Camp runs Monday-Thursday, with a rain make-up day on Friday.
• Cost: $165

World Cup Camp

2020 World Cup Camp Info 

2020 World Cup Camp is  Cancelled  due to COVID-19 Restrictions

SOCA-Charlottesville World Cup Camp

July 20-24, 2020; South Fork Soccer Park, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm

Fun international soccer environment for all levels of play. The World Cup Camp is a Charlottesville soccer tradition.   The camp creates an exciting and positive learning environment for players to develop their soccer skills and increase their enthusiasm for the world’s game. All sessions include expert instruction and demonstration, small-sided games, and a fun World Cup tournament format. Players receive a camp t-shirt, soccer ball, and Friday night pizza party!

• Ages U6-U15, Coed.  Players born 2006-2015.
• Players are placed on teams (countries) and train together in essential skill areas.
• Players grouped by age (U6, U8, U10, U12-15) for best learning environment.
• Matches each evening in fun World Cup format.
• Trivia contest and prizes nightly.
• Big Fun on Friday!  Pizza, drinks, etc.
• Cost: $155

World Cup Camp Coaching School

2020 World Cup Camp Coaching School Info 

2020 World Cup Coaching School is  Cancelled  due to COVID-19 Restrictions

SOCA-Charlottesville World Cup Camp Coaching School

July ; South Fork Soccer Park, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm

The World Cup Coaching school runs concurrently with the World Cup Camp and trains coaches to prepare an effective, efficient, dynamic, and fun training session for their team.  The Coaching School’s pressure-free, collegial coaching environment allows coaches to better understand the developmental capabilities of youth players.  Coaches receive a coaching shirt, soccer ball, and SOCA coaching certificate.  Instruction provided by senior SOCA staff.  Register for Coaching School directly through the SOCA office.  Contact SOCA@socaspot.org with questions.

• All coaches welcome
• Cost: $
• World Cup Camp Coaching School Registration Form

Summer Soccer Skills Clinics

2020 Summer Soccer Skills Clinic at South Fork Soccer Park

New Offering!  Structured to safely operate under prevailing COVID-19 restrictions.  Players will maintain safe distancing and avoid physical contact, as restricted by state guidelines.  There will be no group gatherings, no central water stations, no shared spaces.  Players will be required to bring their own water.  Group sizes will be limited to comply with restrictions.  But, we’ll have a great time playing soccer outside!  As restrictions change, the clinic structure will allow adaptation to prevailing requirements.

The Summer Soccer Skills Clinics are a skill development program intended for all players.  The program focuses on individual player development within a dynamic small group setting.  The clinic will be formatted in a unique structure, with players rotating through three skill stations each day.  Over the three clinic days players will receive training in nine essential topics.  The emphasis is on learning important skills such as: ball mastery, dribbling, receiving, passing, shooting, defending, and other fundamental skills.

Each session includes rotation through a variety of technical topic stations.  Players will be grouped by age, experience, ability and gender when possible.

Low player-to-coach ratio enables individual attention.  Approximately 12 players maximum per training group. All Summer Soccer Skills Clinics are three days in duration, each daily session is 75 minutes long.

Sessions are active, fun and focused.   Players will enjoy the fast pace and variety of activities.

All instruction will be provided by SOCA staff coaches and other selected, experienced coaches.

Location:  South Fork Soccer Park, 1685 Polo Grounds Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911

Registration Fee:  $50 per player, per clinic.  Great price!  Register for as many as you want!

Includes:  Great instruction, training in small groups, fun format and emphasis on skill development.

Activities will change throughout the summer.  Come to more than one clinic and learn new stuff!

Clinic #1:  June 16-18, 9:00-10:15 am  (U7-U15)
Clinic #2:  June 16-18, 5:00-6:15 pm  (U9-U15)
Clinic #3:  June 23-25, 10:30-11:45 am  (U7-U15)
Clinic #4:  June 23-25, 5:00-6:15 pm  (U9-U15)
Clinic #5:  June 30-July 2, 9:00-10:15 am  (U7-U15)
Clinic #6:  June 30-July 2, 10:30-11:45 am  (U9-U15)
Clinic #7:  July 7-9, 9:00-10:15 am  (U7-U15)
Clinic #8:  July 7-9, 5:00-6:15 pm  (U9-U15)
Clinic #9:  July 14-16, 9:00-10:15 am  (U9-U15)
Clinic #10:  August 4-6, 10:30-11:45 am  (U9-U12)

All Summer Soccer Skills Clinics are strictly limited in size.  Registration will close at the deadline, or when full.

Summer Academy and Skills Clinic COVID-19 Safety Protocols

SOCA Summer Program Safety Protocols: Phase 3
SOCA is pleased to offer summer programming in compliance with Virginia COVID-19 safety guidelines.  In line with the Phase Three Re-Opening of Virginia plan laid out by Governor Northam, safety protocols have been established for players to return to on-field training.  The guides below have been updated on July 6 to correspond with Virginia Phase 3.  State directives may further change over time, and program operation will adjust accordingly.

SOCA’s greatest priority is to establish a training environment that is safe for all players and coaches using these guidelines.  We hope families who feel comfortable will join us for soccer training this summer.   Please see below with how SOCA will conduct these sessions.

• Training will be conducted in small group settings, of approximately 12-14 players maximum, with a total maximum of less than 50 people (including coaches) in the area dedicated to the Academy or Clinic.
• Players will be allowed contact during some play; however, we will have physical distancing mandates in most activities and when not playing.
• Players will have their own designated hydration station that will be 10 feet apart from the nearest player.
• Each coach will have a mask and must wear it whenever within 10 feet of a player; however, may remove it to coach while distanced 10 feet or greater. Players are recommended to arrive and depart the fields with a mask but should remove it during training.
• All players and coaches must have their temperature checked at home prior to coming to training. Players and coaches are not permitted to come to training if they have a temperature of 100 or more, or feel sick.
• All players must have their own water, hand sanitizer, and a soccer ball. Players are not allowed to share water.
• All shared equipment must be sanitized before training. Only coaches should pick up cones.  Players are not allowed to share pinnies/vests during training and these must be washed by the staff prior to the next training.  Players may share soccer balls; however, they will be instructed not to pick them up with their uncovered hands.
• SOCA hand sanitizing stations at South Fork Soccer Park; however, we require players also bring some for their own personal use.

Session Design

• SOCA staff and invited coaches will run each session.
• Sessions will be conducted within a small group setting.
• Limited activities will be conducted allowing contact.
• Most activities and exercises will be conducted using the social distancing protocols. These exercises can include but are not limited to: individual and small group technical work on various topics.
• Sessions will be scheduled with a 15 minute buffer between sessions to minimize overlap of groups interacting at South Fork Soccer Park.

Guidelines for Players

• Cannot be feeling sick or have a temperature of 100 or more. Stay home if either of these apply.
• Cannot come to training if they have a family member in the household who has recently tested positive for COVID-19.
• Must bring their own ball, water and hand sanitizer.
• Cannot share water.
• Cannot touch soccer balls with their uncovered hands.
• Must follow social distancing protocols when not in play.
• Must hand sanitize before sessions.
• High fives, handshakes, hugs, and any other greeting or celebration that involves contact will not be permitted.
• When arriving and departing the field players must maintain their 10 foot distance and not walk shoulder to shoulder.
• Failure to comply with safety protocols will result in a dismissal from training.

Guidelines for Coaches

• Must take their temperature prior to the session. Any coach with a temperature of 100 or more or feels sick cannot come to training.  Any coach who has been exposed to COVID-19 cannot come to practice until cleared by a medical professional.
• Must wear a mask when within 10 feet of a player.
• Must sanitize hands before and after sessions.
• Must sanitize soccer balls prior to every session.
• Must wash all training vest prior to each session.

Guidelines for Parents

• Must take child’s temperature prior to attending training. Must keep child at home if they are feeling sick or have a temperature of 100 or more.
• Must practice social distancing if you get out of your car.
• After drop-off, parents and other family members are not permitted in the playing area, unless in emergency.
• Make sure your child has the above-mentioned items.
• Must notify SOCA staff (Bill.Mueller@SOCAspot.org) if your child has tested positive for COVID-19 and attended a SOCA Academy or Clinic.