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Competitive · Tryout Required

Academy Program

Technical development meets competitive league play. Small-sided games build skills faster while competitive matches build character and game intelligence.

Ages 6–10 Aug – May 4v4 / 7v7
Academy players in small-sided training match
About the Program

Where Young Players Learn to Compete

Academy is the competitive entry point at Aledo Soccer Club. Designed for Ages 6–10 players, this program combines technical skill development with real competitive match play in the Arlington Academy League.

Players train twice a week with professional coaches, developing fundamental skills through age-appropriate exercises and small-sided games (4v4 and 7v7). Weekend matches provide the competitive environment where players learn to apply what they've practiced.

The smaller game formats are intentional — more touches, more decisions, more development. Academy players build the technical foundation that will serve them through Select and beyond.

Quick Facts

Ages
Ages 6–10 · Competitive Program
Schedule
~2 practices/week + weekend games
Season
August through May (10 months)
Competition
Arlington Academy League (4v4/7v7)
Entry
Tryout Required
What's Included

Everything to Compete & Grow

The complete competitive youth soccer experience for young players.

Professional Coaching

Age-appropriate training sessions led by qualified coaches who understand how young players learn and develop.

Small-Sided Games

4v4 and 7v7 formats maximize touches, decisions, and development. The science says smaller games build better players faster.

Private Training Sessions

Included private training sessions give players focused 1-on-1 or small group development time beyond regular team practices.

Technical Foundation

Ball mastery, passing, receiving, dribbling, and shooting — the fundamental skills every player needs to progress to Select.

Weekend League Games

Real competitive matches in the Arlington Academy League every weekend. Where training meets competition and players learn to perform.

Pathway to Select

Academy feeds directly into Select. Players who develop here have a clear next step when they're ready for the highest level.

Typical Week

What Your Week Looks Like

Structured training with real game-day experience every weekend.

Practice #1

Weekday evening · Technical skill development — ball mastery, passing, and individual challenges

Practice #2

Weekday evening · Small-sided games, tactical awareness, and match preparation

Game Day

Weekend · Arlington Academy League match (4v4 or 7v7 depending on age group)

Get Started

Join Academy

Not Ready for Competitive?

Consider Pre-Academy

Same age group. Same professional coaching. No competitive game commitment. Pre-Academy is the perfect stepping stone if your family wants structured training with more flexibility.

View Pre-Academy
Academy FAQ

Common Questions

Academy serves players ages 6–10. This overlaps with Pre-Academy (ages 7–10) — the difference is that Academy includes competitive league games on weekends.
Both programs overlap in the 7–10 age range and feature professional coaching. Academy is Competitive — it includes league games in the Arlington Academy League on weekends and requires a tryout. Pre-Academy is Recreational — training-only with in-house scrimmages, no competitive games, no tryout required.
Yes. Academy feeds directly into Select. When players age out of Academy, they progress to the Select program (ages 11–18) where they compete in 9v9 and 11v11 formats at a higher intensity. The transition is designed to be natural and well-supported by coaching staff.
Research consistently shows that younger players develop faster in smaller game formats. 4v4 and 7v7 games mean more touches on the ball, more decisions to make, and more opportunities to score and defend. It's the best environment for building the technical and tactical foundation young players need.
Registration covers professional coaching, league registration and all game fees, private training sessions, training equipment, and all administrative costs. There are no hidden fees.
Start Competing

Join Academy

The competitive starting point for young players at Aledo Soccer Club. Register for tryouts and begin the journey.