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Alabama Elite U14-U18 Boys & Girls
2018 Training/Event Program for High School Age Boys & Girls
Updated 5/31/17
Purpose• To give elite players opportunities to play with and
against the best, while providing them exposure at the regional, national, and international levels
• To give elite players an alternative to playing High School
• To connect with the USYS Olympic Development Program and provide unique training and match opportunities
History• Alabama Elite was initially founded in the spring of
2015 with a group of 25 boys players.• After taking 2016 off so as to not compete with
member clubs, ASA was asked to rekindle the program and came back with a bang as 75 players state-wide participated in 4 different locations (Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Daphne.
• ~25 girls and ~50 boys players participated in 2017.• Players were seen by numerous college coaches,
Region III ODP Staff, and US Soccer Scouts.
The Alabama Elite boys that did not participate on the ODP State team were still able to participate in several events such as the R2/R3 Inter-Regional Event in Memphis, TN in Feb. 2017. Scouts from several colleges were present, as well as US Soccer Scouts.
Highlights• The players were able to take multiple visits to colleges
including Birmingham Southern, Spring Hill, Greensboro College (NC), and Georgia Southern.
• Participated in 1st time events such as VA ODP Friendlies against teams from Region 1 and the Region 2/Region 3 ODP Inter-Regional Showcase in Memphis that included 3 matches in 3 days and guest speakers for player development including college roundtables.
• Featured guest clinicians- Gary Smith (USL Nashville SC), Bret Jacobs (Portland Timbers), Justin Pino (Judson College, David DiPiazza (Birmingham Southern).
Vision• The vision is to mirror the program to be similar to the
US Soccer Developmental Academy standards. Including:• Training to match ratio that best fits player development• Proper rest/recovery times• Coaching Standards including the highest level of US Soccer
Federation Coaching Licensing
• The vision for the program also includes the opportunity to help our players gain exposure to college coaches, ODP Regional Experiences, & USSF National Training Centers
The Alabama Elite girls participated in a training session conducted by Birmingham Southern Head Coach David DiPiazza and then played a match against the BSC women’s team.
SuccessesAlabama Elite alumnBrandon Servania (below right) currently with the FC Dallas U18s Developmental Academy and the U18 US Soccer Youth National Team. His brother Jaden (left) was also a part-time participant of AL Elite and is with the FC Dallas U16s.
SuccessesCurrent 2000 GK, Grace McClellan (center) was invited to participate on the Region III Girls ODP Team that went to England during the spring of 2017.
SuccessesDefender Gunnar Potts, 1999, was offered a roster spot at the University of Alabama Huntsville after his stellar play for AL Elite at the Open Cup in Decatur in April of 2017.
SuccessesDefender Gunnar Potts, 1999, was offered a roster spot at the University of Alabama Huntsville after his stellar play for AL Elite at the Open Cup in Decatur in April of 2017.
Benefits• Learning to play within the US Soccer Federation
System and Style of Play• Possession soccer, building out of the back, quick
transitions• A program that is conducted by the state association
has the ability to bring players from different clubs together for a unique training environment. This also helps reduce perceived political bias.
• Opportunities to be evaluated by different coaches and different programs.
Benefits (cont.)• 2 Player Evaluations (mid-season and post-season).• Match Video Analysis opportunities.• Efforts to schedule indoor opportunities including
classroom reviews, training sessions, and yoga.• Opportunities to attend multiple College ID Camps and
other different events/showcases in the spring that are typically unavailable due to HS rules.
• Life-Skills Training Sessions to help players promote themselves to colleges.
Coaching Staff- BirminghamLead Staff- Zac Crawford, ASA Technical Director• USSF ‘A’ License• USSF National ‘Youth’ License• NSCAA Premier Diploma• NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping• Region 3 ODP 2002 Boys Coach • Masters Degree Cognitive Psychology• Masters Degree Human Performance- Emphasis in Sport Management• Former Birmingham Hammers (National Premier Soccer League) Assistant
Coach• Played collegiately at Bethel College (McKenzie, TN).• US Soccer Coaching Education Instructor• NSCAA Associate Staff Instructor
Coaching Staff (cont.)- BirminghamOleg Sinelkov• USSF ‘B’ License• USSF National ‘Youth’ License• NSCAA Premier Diploma• NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping• Region 3 Boy’s ODP Staff • Former Professional Soccer Player• Coach at Hoover Soccer Club• Professor in Kinesiology Department at University of Alabama
Coaching Staff (cont.)- BirminghamColin Barnes- University of Alabama Volunteer Assistant• USSF ‘A’ License• USSF National ‘Youth’ License• NSCAA Premier Diploma• US Soccer National Goalkeeping License• Region 3 ODP Staff (Boy’s and Girl’s)• Former Semi-Pro Soccer Player- Wilmington Hammer Heads• Played collegiately at UNC Ashville• Masters of Teaching in Physical Education• US Soccer Coaching Education Instructor
Coaching Staff (cont.)- BirminghamHayden Mitchell• USSF ‘D’ License• USYS National ‘Youth’ Course• M.A. Candidate Human Performance Sport Management (in progress)• Advanced Certification Northridge Fitness, Personal Trainer • Alabama ODP Junior Staff
Coaching Staff (cont.)-MontgomeryRozi Osman Opelika Crush• USSF ‘A’ License• USSF National ‘Youth’ License• NSCAA Premier Diploma• Alabama ODP Staff • Alabama Coaching Education Staff
Coaching Staff (cont.)- HuntsvilleChris Kranjc- University of Alabama Huntsville• USSF ‘A’ License• Current Head Coach at UAH• Current Scout for US Soccer Federation
Coaching Staff (cont.)- MobileGerardo Flores • USSF ‘B’ License• USSF National Youth License• NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma• Former player at University of Mobile• Former assistant coach at University of Mobile
Player Pool Opportunities OUTLOOK
• Boys- 16U-19U (~20 players). Players born in 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002
• Boys- 14U-16U (15-20 players). Players born in 2003 & 2004. U13/U14/U15 players currently on a full-year club team must honor that club commitment, but may be allowed to guest play/train with the program)
• Girls- U14-U18 (15-20 players). Players born in 1999-2003.
Register your interest CLICK HERE for more information.
Tryouts/Evaluations-What: Tryouts will consist of playing small sided and 11v11 matches to be evaluated by the coaching staff.Costs: $50 (includes opportunity to attend all events)
WHEN: TBD- Schedule will be released in early November.
Players only need to attend one event but are welcome to attend all events
Training LogisticsWhen: • 2017-December: 2-4 Training Events (Mini-Camp)• 2017-January 3 through April 30
• Training 2x-3x per week; 90-120 minute sessions;• Mondays in Birmingham will be indoor/futsal• Other locations may offer street soccer
Where: • Birmingham, AL-Fields-TBD• Montgomery (once a week)• Huntsville (once a week)• Mobile (1-2 times per week)Selected Saturdays will showcase guest clinicians in classroom and/or field settings that provide extra value to the program. These are also opportunities for out of town players to participate without giving up a weeknight.
Training Expectations- Satellite LocationsSatellite players from Montgomery/Huntsville will train once per week on Tuesdays in their location with their staff. The topic will be on functional technique (meaning specific technical training related to certain roles/positions and areas of the field. Players will be expected to attend once per week in Birmingham on Thursdays where the focus will be on a functional/tactical topic that builds upon the previous Tuesday session. We will seek to add a “street soccer event” on Mondays in satellite areas.
Mobile area will train twice per week, and are not expected to travel to Birmingham for weeknight training. However, there will be weekend events similar to ODP where they can come in train (mostly will be scheduled around ODP events to maximize travel costs, e.g. Alabama Elite on Saturday and ODP on Sunday).
Training ExpectationsBirmingham area players will have opportunities 2-3 training opportunities per week.• Monday or Tuesday evenings- indoor futsal/fast
footwork/chalk-talk/video review/yoga• Tuesday evenings on grass field with a focus on functional
technique (same topic as satellite players)• Thursday evenings- large group functional training with a
tactical focus.• Select Saturday events with special guest coaches, friendlies,
etc. These events may mirror a typical ODP event where training occurs in the morning and a match in the afternoon.
• All players are expected to communicate to the coaching staff if they are to be absent. Missing training events may result in being left off of a game roster/reduced playing time.
Training Leadership and Vision
The coaching staff consists of teachers that want to help players learn how to make soccer decisions and solve soccer problems. We plan to teach from a curriculum that focuses on learning how to play in the 1-4-3-3 system that has a style that builds from the back, maintains a high possession rhythm, and involves quick transitions. Coaching Rotation- the plan is for Zac Crawford to oversee all aspects as Head Coach, however the main coaches of Coach Barnes and Coach Sinelkov will rotate in 2-3 week microcycles. For instance, one microcycle might look like Boys-Zac, Girls-Colin, GKs-Oleg, and the next microcycle would rotate to Boys-Colin, Girls-Oleg, GKs- Zac.
Training Goalkeeper Specific
The coaching staff also consists of highly qualified and experience goalkeeper trainers/coaches. This includes a former professional goalkeepers in Coach Sinelkov
Therefore, goalkeeper training will be specific to each Thursday.
The environment will be challenging and all goalkeepers will be trained to play out of the back with their feet. Therefore, there will be many opportunities for GKs to also develop their foot skills.
Matches/FriendliesSince this is a training program, it will be considered an Academy where players will train in a pool format and certain players will be selected for certain matches. There is no guarantee that each player will be selected for events and will be based on the quality in training and proper fit in matches with our opponent. We will make efforts to find opportunities for all players but there is no guarantee. The focus is on training.
Selected friendly matches v. other programs potentially include Birmingham Southern College, Savannah Storm (GA), Darlington School (Rome GA), Spring Hill College, Gulf Coast Texans, and other state ODP Programs.
The younger pool of boys (01-03) enjoyed success at the Open Cup in Decatur by winning their bracket and going undefeated without allowing a single goal in the tournament. Coach Hayden Mitchell showing the tropy.
Events/Tournaments
(Tentative - more than likely we will choose 2-3 per age group)
NCYS ODP Inter-Regional Advance, NC January 6-7NCYS ODP Inter-Regional Advance, NC January 6-7Pensacola Friendlies Pensacola, FL February TBDR2/R3 ODP Inter-Regional Memphis, TN February 17-19Virginia ODP Friendlies Williamsburg, VA February 24-26Vulcan Cup (Boys) Birmingham, AL March 3-4Vulcan Cup (Girls) Birmingham, AL March 10-11Open Cup (Girls) Decatur, AL April 6-8Open Cup (Boys) Decatur, AL April 13-15
Process/Approximate Costs- TBD
(tentative costs)
$50.00 Try-out Fee
$500.00 Team Fees ($150 non-refundable deposit due December 1, $200 due January 15, $150 due February 15)
Jersey fees of $175-if you are a current ODP player, these fees are only $100. Due December 1
$75.00 per event if you are invited; Plus, your own travel costs.
The AL Elite girls enjoyed their time together at the Vulcan Cup in Birmingham.
What is included in my Team Fees?
• Coaches stipend, travel
• Guest Clinicians
• Field Rental Costs
• Referee Fees for home matches
What is included in my Uniform Fees?
• Two white Nike training jerseys
• One short sleeve black training t-shirt
• One long sleeve black training t-shirt
• 1 pair Nike shorts (white), 1 pair of Nike shorts (blue)
• 1 pair of Nike socks (white), 1 pair of Nike socks (blue)
• 1 Nike Blue jersey (numbered), 1 Nike red jersey (numbered)
What is included in my Uniform Fees if I am a current ODP Player?
• One white Nike training jersey
• One short sleeve black training t-shirt
• One long sleeve black training t-shirt
• 1 pair of Nike shorts (blue)
• 1 pair of Nike socks (blue)
• Players in ODP may wear the 2017-18 ODP kit to help save costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will training rotate around the state?
A: Team Training on Thursdays will be located exclusively in Birmingham, however, satellite training opportunities will exist in Montgomery, Huntsville, and Mobile. The Mobile cohort will have the opportunity to train with the Montgomery group.
Q: Do you have to be associated with the Olympic Development Program (ODP)?
A: Although we encourage our best players to participate in ODP, you do not have to be part of the program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are there financial aid opportunities available?
A: Alabama Elite is in the process of securing sponsorships/partnerships, to minimize the cost for participants. All monies raised from our tryouts, after covering expenses, will help provide scholarship opportunities.
Q: Will this be a long-term program? I’m worried about potential backlash at my child’s HS.A: For both the boys and girls, our goal is to continue to have this program every spring during the AHSAA season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I Register?
A: You can register to show interest by CLICKING HERE NOW.
Tryout Registration COMING SOON
Need More Information?
Please contact Technical Director Zac Crawford with any questions or concerns
Office: 205/991/9779
Thank you!
