WEEK 1: MASTER THE BALL ⚽

Mission 1 complete!

Tonight, our Performance Academy players kicked off Skills Academy with Master the Ball!

Players were challenged to take ball mastery beyond simply performing moves. We focused on scanning early, controlling the ball under pressure, recognizing available space, changing speed, and making purposeful decisions in possession.

Our big Week 1 concept:

Scan → Control → Recognize → Decide → Execute

Now, let’s keep the Mission going at home and on game day!

🏠 HOME MISSION — CONTROL → SCAN → ACCELERATE

Grab a soccer ball and place two objects 8–10 yards apart. Cones are great, but shoes, water bottles, or anything safe will work.

Start at one object:

Close Control → Scan → Explosive Touch into Space → Accelerate → Regain Close Control → Turn → Repeat


⭐ Challenge: Use both feet, vary your turns and changes of direction, and see how often you can get your eyes away from the ball while maintaining control.


The goal isn't just more touches — it's learning to control the ball while gathering information about what's around you.


⚽ WEEKEND GAME MISSION — SCAN. DECIDE. EXECUTE.

This weekend, challenge yourself to scan before you receive the ball and before taking your next action.

Ask yourself:

Where is the space?

Where is the pressure?
Where are my teammates?

Then make your decision and commit to it.

That might mean:

Carry into space • Protect the ball • Turn away from pressure • Connect with a teammate

Mastering the ball does not mean dribbling every time. It means having the control and awareness to execute the right decision.


Parents, share the Mission before the game, then give your player the freedom to read the game and solve problems for themselves.


❤️ PARENT TIP — WATCH BEFORE THE BALL ARRIVES

At this age, some of the best soccer decisions happen before a player ever touches the ball.

This weekend, watch what your player does away from the ball:

Are they scanning before receiving?
Does their first touch take them toward space?
Do they recognize pressure?
Do they change speed when an opportunity opens?


Instead of focusing only on goals, assists, or whether they kept possession, try saying:

“I noticed you checking your surroundings before you got the ball.”


Recognizing those small details reinforces the habits that help players become more confident and intelligent decision-makers.


⭐ DON'T FORGET YOUR MISSION STICKER!

Players who participated tonight received their Mission 1: Master the Ball sticker.

Take it home, add it to your Skills Academy Mission Card, and keep your card somewhere safe until next week's sticker arrives!


1 Mission Down. 6 To Go!

Meet players where they are and help them take their next step.