U9-U15 Youth Academy

At Chivas USA each of our teams train three nights a week with our training curriculum changing every eight weeks. At the ages of 7-11 we are focused less on winning and more on creating an environment of passion and individual creativity by way of fundamentals of the game. Ball Mastery (technical training) is the most basic building block of the game. Through this technical training we create self confident creative thinking players by way of 1v1, 2v1, 2v2, etc. training exercises vs. positional training.

At the ages of 12-13 our training sessions are geared more towards tactics and playing in larger numbers (5v4, 6v4, 6v6) but still maintaining technical training as a part of our curriculum. Players will develop all different types of techniques at this age group.

The last age group of our youth academy program is the 14-15 groups. While technical training is still a part of our curriculum at this age tactical training and small sided games (7v7, 8v8) are essential parts of our training. Attacking and defending principles (speed of play, counter attacking, quick transition and finishing) must be a part of daily training sessions. Functional training in regards to certain player positioning is also an important part of player development. The final age group of our youth academy program is key in the future of our U16 and U18 USSDA teams.

Along with our technical training, academy players train with CATZ (Competitive Athlete Training Zone) training once a week. CATZ helps develop the maximum athletic potential of each player through a combination of strength, power, coordination, flexibility, balance, agility and reactive ability exercises. Every player in our youth academy program receives player evaluations 3-4 times yearly with the coach. This evaluation is a valuable tool in helping each player maintain their growth by way of important feedback based on everyday training and games.

Chivas USA Youth Academy Program does not have any club fees and is heavily involved in player development from the General Manager, to the first team coaching staff on down to the youngest academy coach. Every staff member’s involvement in the youth academy program is vital to the success of our players and parents not only by way of training but in the guiding of important decision making for the families and players of Chivas USA.

For more information please contact Chivas USA Youth Academy Director, Teddy Chronopoulos - teddy@chiv.as or (626)399-2553