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TSC Programs

Tuscaloosa Soccer Club offers a soccer program for children of all ability levels and experience:

Tuscaloosa Soccer Club (TSC) is a member of the Alabama Youth Soccer Association (AYSA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

TSC offers a range of developmentally appropriate soccer programs for children aged 3 through 18. The club partners with Tuscaloosa Parks and Recreation (PARA) to offer a developmental league (Junior and Senior Academy) for children aged 3 to 11. An Advanced Academy is offered for children who have the prerequisite technical or fundamental soccer skills who are seeking a more challenging and competitive environment. The club has travel teams (DI, DII, DIII) for boys and girls from U-10 through U-18.

TSC coaches are required to obtain certification appropriate to the division and age level coached. TSC employs a nationally certified Director of Coaching (DOC) to oversee all aspects of curriculum development and training.

Tuscaloosa Soccer Club offers a soccer program for children of all ability levels and experience. The Academy Training Program offers three levels of training: Junior, Senior, and Advanced. The Junior and Senior academies are administered through the PARA Developmental League. The Advanced Academy is administered as a separate program. When they are ready, players can eventually transition onto recreational (DIII) or competitive (DI, DII) teams.

TSC Academy Training Program

The purpose of the TSC Academy Training Program is to develop each child's soccer ability and their appreciation of world's most popular team sport so that they can enjoy the game of soccer. The Academies strive to prepare children to be successful whether they play just for the fun of the game at the recreational level, or have aspirations to play at a more advanced, competitive level of soccer. The games oriented approach is designed to teach children the fundamental skills of soccer in a fun nurturing way. Small-sided games facilitate each child having more touches of the ball, which should enhance their skill development and facilitate a positive experience.

The goals of the TSC Academy Training Program are to:

  • Develop children's basic soccer skills
  • Develop children's understanding of soccer tactics and strategies
  • Develop children's understanding of sporting behavior and fair play
  • Develop children's passion for participating in physical activity in general and soccer in particular
  • Enable children to participate in two weekly sessions of vigorous health promoting physical activity
  • Enable children to participate in practices and competitive game forms that are congruent with their developmental needs
  • Create a positive and welcoming learning environment in which children feel comfortable and grow in confidence
  • Develop a sense of camaraderie and affiliation between and among children, coaches, and parent

There are three levels within the Academy Training Program: Junior Academy; Senior Academy; and Advanced Academy. Following is a description of each level of training. The Junior and Senior Academy are administered through PARA as their Developmental League.

Junior Academy (Girls and Boys Aged 4-8):

The purpose of the Junior Academy, which is contained within the PARA Developmental League, is to provide young girls and boys with a nurturing environment to learn fundamental or prerequisite technical soccer skills such as:

  • Dribbling and stopping the ball
  • Dribbling and turning an changing direction with the ball
  • Passing the ball over short distances
  • Controlling or trapping the ball with different body parts and surfaces
  • Shielding the ball
  • Developing confidence to beat an opponent with a fake or trick

We want each child to have a ball at his/her feet and provide them with plenty of opportunities to become comfortable manipulating it (e.g. dribbling and stopping the ball), in a relaxed and nurturing, non-competitive environment. The curriculum employs a games oriented approach, which emphasizes each child have fun while acquiring new skills. Small-sided games (3v3, 4v4) provide the children with opportunities to get many touches on the ball and build confidence. The main focus of the Junior Academy is to provide the children with a fun experience while they are learning the fundamental techniques of soccer. This should prepare them for future success as they develop.

Senior Academy (Girls and Boys Aged 9-11):

The purpose of the Senior Academy, which is contained within the PARA Developmental League, is to build on the solid foundations of the Junior Academy. The prerequisite fundamental soccer skills developed in the Junior Academy are refined and the players' techniques are challenged by the introduction of limitations on their space, the time they have on the ball, and opponents. The small-sided games provide the children with ample opportunity to test their technical skills and decision-making ability. The curriculum builds on the fundamental skills learned in the Junior Academy and introduces Coerver techniques:

  • A variety of Coerver turns and changes in direction
  • A variety of Coerver fakes and ticks to beat an opponent
  • Passing the ball or a variety of distances using different parts of both feet
  • Shooting and finishing techniques
  • Movement off the ball to create space
  • Decision making

Advanced Academy (Girls and Boys Aged 8-12):

The focus of the Advanced Academy is to refine the technical skills and decision-making ability of each player and to help prepare them to be successful playing for one of TSC's numerous age segmented recreational or competitive soccer teams.  Proficiency in advanced technical skills and sound decision-making ability is emphasized. Informal and formal or competitive scrimmage games are an integral component of this academy.  The curriculum emphasizes Coerver skill acquisition techniques and technical, functional/tactical training to facilitate decision-making:        

  • A variety of  turns and changes in direction.
  • Basic of 1v1 2v2 and 3v3 attacking and defending.  
  • Passing and receiving the ball from a variety of distances.
  • Shooting and finishing techniques.
  • Movement off the ball to create space.
  •  Basic Goalkeeping.

Training in the Advanced Academy is critical in helping players develop their individual ball skills, while introducing them to a more competitive level of play.  The ultimate goal of this academy is to develop pools of players who have the prerequisites to be successful as DI or DII players. 

Travel Teams (DI, DII, DIII)

TSC offers girls and boys aged 10-18 with opportunities to play on age-segmented soccer teams. For Division I and Division II teams, tryouts are held every June.  DI and DII teams play other teams throughout the state.  Division IIII recreational teams are also available, especially for the younger players.  DIII teams generally play against other league teams located in the Birmingham area.   
Following is some information from the Alabama Youth Soccer Association (AYSA).  Please visit their web site at http://www.alabamayouthsoccer.org for additional information.

Division I will provide a highly competitive league environment for players who desire to play at the highest levels within the state of Alabama regardless of match locals. The following age groups may be offered: U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18, & U-19. Prior to the start of each state-league season, the State League Committee shall meet and determine which age groups will be offered for that year. All teams will play home and away matches in a set schedule as determined by the State League Committee. Prior to the start of each state-league season the State League Committee shall determine the number of home and away matches for each age group offered. Participating teams will provide for and pay all field use fees (rental, maintenance fees and field preparation costs) for all “home” games.

Teams are encouraged to participate in State Cup. State Cup is part of the national championship series. Teams that win state cup must participate in regional competition as part of the national championship series. Effective Fall 2008/2009 Year - Standings will be kept for all brackets and used as one devise for determining seeding for the DI State Cup. First and Second seeds are to be determined from the previous years state cup and the remainder of seeds would be determined by the SLC with the final seeding determination made by the state DOC. Effective Fall 2009/2010 – All seeding would be determined by the SLC with final seedings determination made by the state DOC.
The use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting, or any like process to roster players selectively to any team on the basis of talent or ability is permitted. Division I is an Inter-Club AYSA administered program in which no rule restricts the manner in which players may be rostered to participating team.

Teams electing to participate in Region III Premier League will play 4 State League matches during the fall season. Otherwise, teams will play the number of games established by the SLC.

Division II will provide a competitive league environment for players who desire to play at a high level within the state of Alabama and if number of teams permit, within the Northern or Southern part of the state. The following age groups may be offered: U-11, U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18, & U-19. Prior to the start of each state-league season, the SLC shall meet and determine which age groups will be offered for that year. All teams will play home and away matches in a set schedule as determined by the State League Committee. Prior to the start of each state-league season the State League Committee shall determine the number of home and away matches for each age group offered. Participating teams will provide for and pay all field use fees (rental, maintenance fees and field preparation costs) for all “home” games.

Teams are encouraged to participate in Division II State Cup. Teams that win Division II state cup must participate in regional competition. The use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting, or any like process to roster players selectively to any team on the basis of talent or ability is permitted. Division II is an Inter-Club AYSA administered program in which no rule restricts the manner in which players may be rostered to participating team.

Division III (Recreational, Beginning, or Entry Level)
The use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting, or any like process to roster players selectively to any team on the basis of talent or ability is prohibited. Division III Teams may be formed by evaluation of in-house (Intra-Club) players for the purpose of creating teams of comparably skilled players or to include teams where more than fifty percent (50%) of the players have played together in the preceding year. Each player is required to play at least one-half of each game except for reasons of injury, illness, or discipline.