2013-2014
Winter Training
Program Guide
Never too cold for soccer!
Winter Academy U9-U14
High School Academy U15+
Goalkeeping Academy
GFSC Winter 2014 Academy
Boys Director -Radovan Pletka
Girls Director- Billy Blake
The GFSC Winter Academy is an integral component of the GFSC year-round academy.
Much like our Summer Academy we have designed the fall sessions to be an intense player
development program through our unique “Cyclical Training” format with our elite High
Performance (HP) professional coaches. The Winter Academy is for travel level players
only and geared towards reinforcing the objectives during a travel team season. Players will be
grouped based on technical proficiency to maximize learning and to provide challenge. Our
Academy is also open to external players.
Boys sessions will be led by Boys Director Rado Pletka and the girls will be led by Girls
Director Billy Blake. Both directors have developed a curriculum that will challenge and
progress the skill based on the entire Academy population.
We believe that consistent skills training accelerate a player’s development. Our Academy
program provides skills training to players during both the team off-season and in-season
periods to maximize effectiveness. The in-season academy programs, fall and spring, assist
players to maintain and progress skill set while undergoing team training with their respective
squads. Understanding the importance of players developing year round is the foundation for
the creation of the GF Academy.
WINTER ACADEMY TUTION:
 Academy: $180 per player
 Partial Academy (5 Sessions): $145
 GK Academy : $145 per player
 Combined Academy & GK (5 GK + 5 Field Sessions ): $180
WINTER ACADEMY DATES:
All on Wednesday Evenings
 Week 1: January 8th
 Week 2: January 15th
 Week 3: January 22nd
 Week 4: January 29th
 Week 5: February 5th
 Week 6: February 12th
 Week 7: February 19th
 Week 8: February 26th
 Week 9: March 5th
 Week 10: March 12th
 Weather dates: March 18th & March 25th
Wednesday Evenings
U9/U10
5:00-6:30 PM
Girls Academy on North End of Nike Park Field #4
Boys Academy on South End of Nike Park Field #4
U11/U12/U13 /U14
6:30-8:00 PM
Girls Academy on North End of Nike Park Field #4
Boys Academy on South End of Nike Park Field #4




Wednesday Goalkeeping Sessions
Ages: U9-U10 GK Training: 5:00-6:30 PM
Ages: U11-U14 GK Training: 6:30-8:00 PM
Nike Park Field #4
*See more info below
Winter Academy Training Focus
Ball Mastery- Our Intensive Foot-skills Training
The foundation of our training philosophy is ball mastery. The first half of every training session
will focus on foot-skills training. We will train players to become more confident with the ball at
the feet and encourage them to take defenders on. Our GF Academy staff will work on topics
such as ball control, speed dribbling, 1v1 moves, first touch, settling, turning, and deception.
Players will be encouraged to take risks and try new moves with plenty of repetition in 1v1 and
short-sided game situations. The freedom and fearlessness to be creative with the ball defines
our foot-skills training. We understand it to be necessary for the development and enjoyment of
the beautiful game at the youth level in the United States.
Foot-skills Curriculum: (a) Change of direction moves, (b) Attacking Moves, (c) Turning
Moves, & (d) Coerver Moves
The Creative Player
To reinforce our primary winter Academy goal, that of ball mastery, we implement effective
SoccerIQ training. Our Creative Player portion of the Academy influences the player to develop
an “individualized” skill set with a thorough understanding of “why, what, when and how” to use
the techniques to become a dominant force on the field.
SAQ
Improve speed, agility and endurance. Master movement skills for greater speed, change of
direction and efficiency of movement / energy conservation in game and season. Master
Recovery skills and Improve Range of motion, Balance, and flexibility to retain a body in balance
and minimize injury risks. Match position specific needs with appropriate speed, strength and
energy system development.
GFSC High School Winter Academy
High School Soccer Winter Preparation
& Readiness Academy
December 2013 to February 2014
GFSC is excited to host its High School Pre-Tryout Academy program. This program is aimed
towards high school age boys & girls that desire to improve their game before the respective high
school tryouts. The Academy will highlight both the physical and mental demands of a rigorous
tryout process, preparing the student athletes to showcase themselves as total soccer players.
With the staff's experience with varsity level soccer, GF believes that this will be an extremely
beneficial experience for boys & girls who are new and old to the tryout process. GF hopes to
teach players how to display themselves to get noticed on the field, instilling better habits that
will help them reach their goals. The combination of fitness and technical work will complement
the High School pre-season training.
Academy Lead Instructor: Billy Blake, Varsity Girls
Soccer Coach at Langley HS and over 10 years of varsity
coaching experience.
Curriculum: SAQ, Fitness, Technical Training, Varsity
level Team Tactics, Mental Preparation, and individual
advice from current varsity coaches
Format: Each Player will receive 12 hours of instructional
on field training. Groups will meet twice a week over a 6
week span during the winter off season months.
Langley HS Stadium Field 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
 Week 1: Monday Dec. 2 & Wednesday Dec. 4th
 Week 2: Monday Dec. 9 & Wednesday Dec. 11th
 Week 3: Monday Dec. 16th & Wednesday Dec. 18th
 Week 4: Monday Jan. 6th & Wednesday Jan. 8th
 Week 5: Monday Jan. 13th & Wednesday Jan. 15th
 Week 6: Monday Jan. 27th & Wednesday Jan. 29th
 Weather makeup dates: Monday Feb. 3 & Wednesday Feb. 5
Cost
The cost of program is $199.00. This includes the 12 hours of training as well as the
custom camp jersey.
GFSC Goal Keeping Academy
WINTER ACADEMY TUTION:
 GK Academy : $145 per player
 Combined Academy & GK (5 GK sessions + 5 Field Academy Sessions ): $180
WINTER ACADEMY DATES:
All on Wednesday Evenings
 Week 1: January 8th
 Week 2: January 15th
 Week 3: January 22nd
 Week 4: January 29th
 Week 5: February 5th
 Week 6: February 12th
 Week 7: February 19th
 Week 8: February 26th
 Week 9: March 5th
 Week 10: March 12th
 Weather dates: March 18th & March 25th



Wednesday Goalkeeping Sessions
Ages: U9-U10 GK Training: 5:00-6:30 PM
Ages: U11-U14 GK Training: 6:30-8:00 PM
Nike Park Field #4
GF ACADEMY REGISTRATION


Register online at https://greatfallssoccer.com/programs/
For program questions and comments please contact Academy Director, Billy Blake
greatfallsacademy@gmail.com
How to Dress for Winter Soccer
Tips from Girls Academy Director Billy Blake
Soccer is one of the most difficult games to play in cold weather which is why you need to dress
properly for the cold weather. Some soccer players make the mistake of under dressing which
makes them perform poorly in a game. Learning how to dress for winter soccer is a
must for player and parent. It's always a good idea to wear more layers than you think you
need because you can always take them off. Taking layers off is significantly easier than putting
layers on when you're warming up for activity.
YOUR LEGS are the most important part of your body to keep warm during winter soccer. I
like to think of “two layers” here. Its best to choose an outer layer such as training pants to
protect from wind & moisture while having an inner layer such as shorts (compression or not).
The first piece of apparel that you should wear is some basic Under Armor compression shorts.
These compression shorts should go down a little bit past your knees. If you want to stay extra
warm then you may want to consider purchasing Under Armor leggings. These leggings are
basically tights that go all the way down to your ankles. Some players don't like wearing leggings
because they can get in the way from time to time.
Keeping your UPPER BODY WARM (CORE) is also important during winter soccer. Under
Armor and other like merchants sells some great apparel to keep your upper body warm. The
specific type of clothing that you can purchase is called Winter Under Armor. This type of
apparel has a thin layer of cloth to protect your neck from the cold weather.
EXTREMITIES need to be protect as well, do not forget proper gloves and socks. Wear warm
socks and gloves. Wool is a common material for both socks and gloves, and provides superior
warmth to cotton. There are a variety of sports socks designed for winter training.
WIND BREAKERS work wonders during wind chill factors. Use of a wind breaker as an extra
outer layer works magic to keep the core body temperature up and player comfortable. Wind
breakers are thin and can be easily folded and kept in the players bag.
The last thing to consider is whether or not you want to wear anything to PROTECT YOUR
HEAD from the cold weather. Most players opt not to because it can get in the way of heading
the ball. If you do choose to purchase something to protect your head then Under Armor& Nike
sells some great pieces of apparel to keep your head warm without getting in the way of the
soccer ball.