As the game of soccer continues to evolve, the area that requires urgent improvement is our youngest recreational age groups. The Texas Titans Academy is committed to bringing more technical expertise into the U7, U8, U9, and U10 programs, creating a curriculum of instruction specific to developmental needs at each age group level. The quality of development at these age groups becomes a key contributor to player success at the competitive level. The Texas Titans Academy has the focused objective of developing players of all skill levels, and preparing those players for the game at the competitive level.

The Texas Titans Academy program is a bridge to select soccer; as such the program demands that our most qualified, experienced coaches get more involved with running the program for the youngest ages. The future is bright, but it's not guaranteed. As we all know player development is a long journey. We must be patient in our approach, but we must also ensure that we start navigating the long journey in the right direction-the Texas Titans Academy model provides that direction.

The Texas Titans Academy program is a unique and cutting edge program. True player development focuses on the improvement of the individual player, not the development of the team. Although team unity and cohesion is very important, the primary objective should be the growth of each player from the U7-U10 age group level. Knowing the importance of individual player growth at these ages the Texas Titans Academy has implemented a unique pool training system. 

Each age group (U7-U10) will have approximately 35-45 players that will make up the pool for that age group. Two or three licensed and qualified coaches will be in charge of each age group, the number of coaches varying depending on the number of players in the age group.

The innovative Texas Titans Academy pool structure allows for an equitable opportunity for each academy player to develop within the program. Players will be rostered on teams according to ability with an understanding that players develop at different rates. Player identification and rostering will be a collective effort between the coaches in charge of the age group. Just because a player is assigned to a team, does not mean that player will remain on that particular team throughout the season. The pool structure allows for the opportunity for players to move in and out of teams. Academy teams will be designated by Titans/Last name of Academy coach. Teams will not be designated a color until the Spring season of U10, the season before they will go select.

The Texas Titans Academy curriculum follows a progressive model based on key developmental needs that have been identified for each age group. The seasonal academy program is divided into modules made up of a 12 week progressive curriculum that focuses on technical development, applied technique through small sided games, and tactical awareness in game situations. The Academy coaching staff will follow the 12 week progressive coaching curriculum developing the technical, tactical, physical and mental components of the game in an age appropriate manner. The innovative progressive curriculum structure ensures solid player foundations and the development of all four player components in a way specific to each player’s age, skill level and developmental needs.

The Texas Titans Academy addresses key pitfalls in traditional Academy programs with the innovative pool structure and progressive curriculum that focuses on age appropriate, player focused development. The key to preparing players for the competitive level is ensuring that there is every opportunity to develop in a way specific to each player’s developmental needs in an environment that is FUN, challenging, but most importantly rewarding for everyone involved.