The Combination Series Curriculum & Promotions

Skills You’ll Learn in Combination Series

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Combining Footskills

• Linking Foundation Footskills with Combination techniques to create scoring chances

Wide Angle Driven Ball

• Mastery of the Wide Angle Driven Ball and clear differentiation between the Low Instep Drive, High Lofted Ball, and Wide Angle Driven Ball in game play

Redirection & Multiple Juggling Surfaces

• Changing direction with the ball in the air and ability to use at least eight different surfaces of the body
  
  

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Promotion to Creative Series

Aside from mastering all the skills coached in Combination Series, students must also display the following traits in order to be considered for promotion to Creative Series.

• Dominate Every Session with Skills

Any player wishing to be considered must dominate all their series' sessions. The ability to take over and control a game shows mastery of the skills and a desire to win. Although physically faster and stronger than participating players doesn't demonstrate skills mastery. 

• Be a Shining Example for Others

Creative Series students serve as examples to other students in the Academy and are potential Interns in the near future. Their work ethic and style of play is beyond the average player's and should be replicated.

• Train as Passionately as you Play

In order to train in Creative Series sessions, all students must demonstrate a consistent dedication to training and improvement. Work hard, rest well.

 

 

Tips for Combination Players...

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Master the Skills

• The Combination Series techniques listed above are required to be promoted to Creative Series. Students must demonstrate a mastery of the entire skill set. Some players that skipped through Foundation Series struggle with the range of skills that are applied in Combination Series because 90% of the skills in Combo are iterations of finely tuned Foundation Series techniques. 

Be Patient

• There is no such thing as a soccer emergency. There is no race to Creative Series. Students in the Combination Series remain in the series for a minimum of 12 weeks. This ensures they complete every phase of learning.

How and When Do I get promoted?

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 Assessment

• During Phases 3 & 4, coaches watch for players dominating their series. Once identified, the student may be nominated for promotion to the next series. Players are encouraged to demonstrate proficiency in skills games of all Combination Series techniques in each session. 

Evaluation

• Players nominated by a coach may be asked to perform an assessment. The player will be quizzed on the skills being coached in their series. The coach may record video and write an evaluation, and the materials are brought to a coaches meeting.

Coaches Meeting

• At the end of Phase 4, coaches meet to discuss students nominated for promotion. The coaches vote on each player, and if the player gets enough votes, they will be promoted to the next series. Each coach can only nominate a certain amount of players. Coaches are also required to vote "no" for a certain amount of players to maintain quality in each progression of skills.