Soccer Universities Philosophy is based on a Japanese business concept called Kaizen. Kaizen is all about constant and never ending Improvement achieved through a gradual and methodical progress.
Originally designed for manufacturing, engineering and business management; we have adopted the
philosophy and designed it to suit the needs of elite soccer players. This program is not for everyone,it's
designed for players committed to improving and getting to the next level.
Each player will have their very own Soccer Universities Player Performance Portal (SUPPP) which will assist the player in monitoring their progress in real time. When fully utilized SUPPP becomes a communication portal between players and coaches to ensure each player knows where they are at in their Kaizen journey.
Each player is reviewed on a weekly basis and their parents have access to seeing their progress. In addition to keeping parents informed on their kid's performance, Soccer Universities use this information for other coaches as each player is coached over their time with Soccer Universities. This transfer of knowledge ensures effective communications and consistency in their development to keep each player focused on achieving their dreams.
SU will give a view of where each player needs to focus his or her attention week to week focused on developing their strengths rather than their weaknesses.In general, all players on and off the field are learning to develop all their skills. But it’s important to know that a player is recruited for their strengths and as such is developed toward them.
Weaknesses improve through training and through their studies. SU is focused on developing each person to become the best version of themselves. Knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses and developing toward their best opportunities on and off the field requires the Kaizen approach.
Ultimately, this approach improves their chance of being recruited.
SU will base its program on tactical periodization and break down its curriculum into 4 x 10 week training cycles which will run simultaneously along side the players 3 year Bachelor degree..
Our focused pathway will be on the following stages of development:
The first 10-week term will begin with baseline testing in several tangible areas of players' physical conditioning, speed, endurance and recovery. This process measures the skill of the player and the data is shared using our skills index within the SUPPP system. This easy to read visual graphic will become part of each players development process. In addition,an assessment of each players tactical thinking process is measured as each player performs in high pressure/high speed play and in practicing transition activities.
The second 10-week term training cycle will focus on the students tactical development and begin with small group tactical training leading to full team tactics. This to ensure that each person understands what their role is in the various formations, tactics and how their specific skill sets compliment that style of play.This is where soccer IQ has to increase and increase every time a player steps onto the field. The competition will be against strong opposition. When playing in foreign locations, students will learn from a different style and level of play. Building experience develops insights into how soccer IQ impacts performance. Our motto is to play the game first and win the game second.
The third 10-week term begins with a quick recap of everything that has been learned in term two. The third term is about implementing the lessons playing against fourth tier soccer clubs in the USA (if the player is in rotation outside of the U.S., similar level of competition with the same learning). The key lesson is not what you know (Soccer IQ); rather, how you use your Soccer IQ. Now playing to win is first and coming to play is second. Experience both approaches,learning to play and playing to win prepares players for the professional experience. Professional players are measured by results, not just performances.
The fourth 10-week term training cycle will begin with revisiting each player's vision statement. After 30 weeks of preparation, some players are ready for the exposure to Scouts and other interested parties in the world of soccer. This is a time of challenging each player to rise to their highest level of performance using their strengths and knowing their “brand” (what makes them unique). Each stage of this program is designed through the Kaizen model to continuously be improving through daily targeted practice that is both a gradual process and moves relatively fast. By term four every player will have been stretched to play toward their full potential. This is meant to give each player a shot at being seen in each term by domestic and international agents, coaches, and scouts that culminates in this final term of each players first year. Each player will have a portfolio in the SUPPP system to share with scouts, agents, and coaches showing strengths through film and various assessments. In year two and three, assuming the player doesn’t get a professional contract, the goal is to continue developing the same set of skills in pursuit of their peak performance and shot at professional play.
It is a common misconception that you have to train hard all the time to optimally perform in competition.
Wrong! You have to train smart!
Players who are serious about planning their training must also be serious about planning their active
recovery sessions. This is even more important to the pre-professional athletes who are training every
day and playing matches. However, lying in bed and relaxing at home will not give the body ample rest
that it is craving in order to fully recover
Incorporating this type of active recovery training allows us to decrease the risk of injury and improve
performances. Active Recovery training is often complimented by mental relaxation exercises. These
training regiments are the best way to build confidence each player can play throughout the year.
Here are some of the areas where we will be concentrating on our active recovery sessions:
Mastering these skills leading to artistry, all at speed under match conditions - Demanding excellence. Individual skill covered during warm-up.
VISIONING:Seeing your ultimate goal and goal setting to achieve it
GOAL SETTING:daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal