What is The Player Development Academy?
The Player Development Academy is not a soccer club. We are an organization created to provide additional training opportunities for all players, regardless of community or club affiliations. There is no recruiting of players to any particular club regardless of where a PDA staff coach may also be affiliated. We want all players to have the opportunity to pursue their goals in addition to what their club offers.
We provide opportunities for athletes to achieve their goals.
Every soccer player practices..... but true athletes train. And that difference is a big deal! Every week on fields across the nation, hundreds of thousands of players put on their shin guards and cleats to go to weekly practice with their teams. As players get older, their teams may become more skilled...but how many of those players have truly trained?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRAINING AND TEAM PRACTICE?
Team practice is an integral part of developing as a player. As a club coach AND professional trainer, I see the multiple benefits of this aspect of a player's development. At team practice, players learn general knowledge of the game; learning foundational movements, foot skills, passing & receiving with teammates, small sided application, team formations and more. Those ARE all crucial to improving as a player; especially in a sport that requires team oriented knowledge. So why is training still so important when players can "just go to practice"?
The problem is the lack of true individual development. While team practice can help players learn general aspects of training, most players do not gain the individual development needed to truly improve. Here's why:
comfort zones
Many players struggle at practice to step outside their comfort zones; usually due to fear of failure (peer or coach related). Without struggle and mistakes, we can never truly develop.
coaches focus
Coaches must focus on team oriented development, and with 12-18 athletes, they cannot give each individual the instruction and help they need without losing focus on others or the team.
limited practice time
Most teams only practice 2-3 times a week or approximately 4.5 hours. If a teacher asked your child to become proficient in calculus with only 4.5 hours spent a week, that would be unrealistic. Soccer is the same. If you want to become proficient, you must do the homework to pass the test.