#MissouriRush

Youth development academy

youth development academy

The Youth Development Academy (YDA) is a soccer program for young players between the ages of 2 and 8 years old.

The philosophy behind the program is to teach kids how to love the game while learning necessary skills to develop young soccer players.

The YDA is a pathway to club soccer.

Each season the YDA provides young players experiences they will take with them as they grow as players. Using a training environment that is designed to allow kids to develop at their own pace, it helps provides a sense of confidence for each player.

The YDA fall 2023 season will kickoff in August. We offer a few different programs for players depending on their ages. For players that are between 2-4 years old, we partner with the local Soccer Shots team to help provide development training and prepare them for the next step in their youth soccer pathway.

5-6 YEAR OLDS

These ages will practice on Tuesdays only and will train once a week for 10 weeks. They will also play games on Fridays in the in-house Junior Development League (JDL). Game nights for the JDL will be sent out to all participants. *New players will need to purchase a uniform.

6-7 YEAR OLDS

These ages will practice two nights a week. Families will be able to select Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Wednesdays as their training nights. They will also play games on Fridays in the in-house Junior Development League (JDL). Game nights for the JDL will be sent out to all participants. *New players will need to purchase a uniform.

7-8 YEAR OLDS

These ages will practice two nights a week. Families will be able to select Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Wednesdays as their training nights. Players will compete in either the JDL (in-house league) or the SLYSA league and games will more than likely be on the weekends and be held in Creve Coeur/Maryland Heights. Game schedules will be communicated with teams once the league publishes the upcoming schedule. *New players will need to purchase a uniform.

2018's

DETAILS:

Practices (B&G) once a week beginning August 14th

Tuesdays 5:15-6:00pm Field #4

Friday Games Junior Development League (JDL) Schedule released near start of season. Games will be played on field #4 at Rush fields - game schedules will be released closer to the start of the season.

New players require a uniform ($55.00)

$195

2017's

DETAILS:

Practice days are selected at registration. Options are: (Pick 2) beginning August 14th

Mondays 5:15-6:15pm Field #4

Tuesdays 6:15-7:15pm Field #4

Wednesdays 5:15-6:15pm Field #4

JDL Games on Fridays Field #4 - game schedules will be released closer to the start of the season.

New players require a uniform ($55.00)

$250

2016's

DETAILS:

Practice days are selected at registration. Options are: (Pick 2) beginning August 14th

Mondays (B) 6:15-7:15pm Field #4

Mondays (G) 7:15-8:15pm Field #4

Tuesdays (B&G) 7:15-8:15pm Field #4

Wednesdays (B) 6:15-7:15pm Field #4

Wednesdays (G) 7:15-8:15pm Field #4

SLYSA League Games (Schedule TBD)

*JDL Games on Fridays Field #4 - game schedules will be released closer to the start of the season.

New players require a uniform ($55.00)

$340

Missouri Rush operates the JDL as part of the recreational in-house league games held on Friday nights at the Missouri Rush Sports Park. The JDL is a 4v4 format with no goalie designed to allow players to adapt to formations and shape in small numbers. Missouri Rush staff also have the ability to coach during games to help promote development and understanding of the game. Scores are not kept or posted anywhere. Schedules for these games are sent out near the start of the season and can from time to time change. Any updates will be shared through the teams contact lists.

Additional YDA INFO:

Missouri Rush’s YDA program is a program specifically designed for young athletes. We have spent the last several years developing a curriculum and training method that is in line with the US Soccer Federation player development initiatives and available research from top child psychologists and behavior development experts.

The focus of the YDA is the individual player.

Players will learn to be:

More comfortable and confident with the soccer ball on their feet.
They will learn ways to beat defenders 1v1 and will be introduced to small group attacking ideas and tactics.
They will receive instruction on defending in 1v1 situations as well as an introduction to small group defending.
All the while they will have more fun than ever.

One of our mottos is if they are having fun you can’t teach them fast enough.

We will allow players to express themselves. We encourage risk-taking as a way to develop problem-solving. We use this program to teach players how to think for themselves.
We don’t always give the answers. Sometimes we allow the players to explore the possible solutions to problems and find the one that works for you. This method is commonly called guided discovery and is widely accepted as a top teaching method.

To boil it down to a couple of points, the kids in the YDA will have fun, learn about soccer, and learn how to think and solve problems. We hope that you will join us.

Players should wear soccer shoes and shinguards at all events (games and training)

Bring water bottle clearly labeled with player's name

Bring a soccer ball (size 3 or 4)

Have shoes tied and double knotted so they don't come loose

Wear training shirt, shorts, and socks to practice