FAQs

What is SSA?

SSA (Southern Soccer Academy) is one of the largest soccer clubs in the country, with around 9000 players playing at locations in GA, TN, and AR. SSA Central (FKA Cobb FC) is based out of the Mud Creek and Marathon Park Soccer Complexes.

What is the typical annual calendar of activity for an Academy player?

Academy soccer is a year-long commitment split into two seasons (fall and spring), starting with a team camp in early August and continuing with practices and weekly games (Saturday mornings and some Sunday afternoons - early Sept to mid-Nov). The spring season starts with practices in early February and regular season games end in late May. Teams will also attend pre and post-season tournaments.

How much travel is involved?

Since our objective is to accelerate our players’ development by providing them with the best competition available on a weekly basis, we schedule games against competitive clubs from all over metro Atlanta. We may also on occasion attend optional state and regional tournaments that may require a hotel stay.

How can I make sure that this is the right program for my child?

Try-outs are offered on a ‘no-obligation’ basis. We would encourage you to attend our try-outs so that you can walk away with as much information as you need to make the best decision for your child. We appreciate that different players have different needs, and that the needs of the typical recreational program player are often different to those of the average Select player. It is our ultimate goal here at the club to provide your child with the most appropriate environment for him/her, whatever his/her level of interest, ability, and enthusiasm.

Academy Try-Outs

The try-out process itself is designed with the following objectives in mind:

  1. To provide prospective players and parents with the opportunity to observe and experience a typical SSA academy training session and to meet the coaching staff and ask questions about SSA’s program.
  2. To provide SSA with the opportunity to observe players in a variety of technical and tactical situations and assess them for their suitability to the program.
  3. To provide existing recreational program players with a “no-obligation” opportunity to compare and contrast the Academy program with their current practice and playing experience.

In summary, the try-out process is as much about establishing whether there is a ‘good fit’ between the player and the club with regards to commitment and a willingness to learn as it is about recognizing a player’s technical abilities. Therefore, players of all abilities are encouraged to attend our try-outs without obligation.

Selection Process
Places on the academy program are offered based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, a player’s existing skill level, competitiveness, attitude, and enthusiasm for the sport. Academy players are expected to commit for the entire soccer year (July to June) and attend all mandatory training sessions (two per week during the regular season) and scheduled games.

SSA Central

2012/13YouthAcademyProgram

For Soccer Players

U9 – U12

(DOB Aug 2001 – Aug 2005)

40 Whitlock Place, Suite 200

Marietta, GA30064

Office: (678) 594-5041

Fax: (770) 423-4954

Weather Hotline: (404) 818-9221

Web Site:

Try-Outs:

Tues May28th, Wed May 29th, Thurs May 30th

See website for more details about times/location

© 2013

Academy Philosophy

The SSAAcademy is a GYSA-affiliated development program that provides young soccer players with a comprehensive training and playing experience in order to prepare them for the competitive Select soccer environment of the U-13 age group and above. We employ a staff of qualified and experienced coaches under the leadership of our academy directors to deliver a high quality program of activities in a manner that engages our players’ enthusiasm for the sport and appropriately challenges them to reach their highest potential.

Parent Testimonials

“It is great to see our son “up his game” when challenged by others on the field. The level of competition makes him want to play each and every week.”

“The Academy gave him the opportunity to learn to play in various positions, learn different strategies of the game, and learn advanced foot skills that now come naturally to him during a game.”

“The academy provides a high quality development environment. It is well organized and well instructed.”

Academy Fees

U9 & 10 / U11 / U12
Weeks per year (total of spring and fall) / 32 -35 weeks / 32 – 35 weeks / 32 – 35 weeks
Practice Duration (twice weekly) / 90 minutes per session / 90 minutes per session / 90 minutes per session
Extra Skills Sessions (No extra cost) / 4 per week / 4 per week / 4 per week
End-of-Fall-Season Evaluation / Yes / Yes / Yes
Weeklong Summer Camp / Included / Included / Included
2012/13Cost (entire 12-month period) / $675 / $825 / $875

*Academy season is considered to be a yearlong commitment, starting in late July and ending in late May.Please contact the club for 2013/14 fees (TBD at time of printing).Fees listed above include all coaching and training, registration, and regular-season game fees, but do not include uniform or tournament fees.

Note:

Financial aid packages are available based on need. Please contact the club for more details.

Contacts:

Boy’s Academy Director

Gareth Evans

404-819-7295

UEFA ‘B’ License

Former Liverpool FC (England) Academy Staff Coach

Girl’s Academy Director

Sean Chamberlain

404-395-9703

USSF National ‘B’ License

USSF National Youth License

1st Class (Honors) undergraduate degree in Sports Studies

Specialization in Sport Psychology

Graduate degree in Sports Administration

Typical Academy

Training Session

Warm Up – 30 minutes

  • Ball Mastery: Technical exercises where each player works alone, or in small groups, with a ball at repetitions using both feet.
  • Passing and Receiving: Exercises to improve a player’s 1st touch, and to encourage and teach accurate and creative passing.

Main Practice – 60 minutes

The main part of the practice session requires players to apply the technical skills acquired in the warm-up to a competitive environment that requires effective tactical decision-making in order to achieve success. These environments include:

  • 1v1 exercises
  • 2v2
  • 3v3
  • 4v4

Coaches also work with players on the basic elements of effective team shape (at 6v6, 8v8, and 11v11), and appropriate positioning relative to the ball and to the opponents.

Four extra skills sessions (speed and agility, foot skills and finishing, goalkeeper training) are also offered weekly during the regular season to all our academy players at no additional charge.