8U/9U/10U Academy

2023-24 eligibility: The 8U/9U Academy program is for children born in 2015 and 2016; and the 10U Academy program is for children born in 2014.

Spring 2024 cost: $420. Registration opened Nov. 27 and closed March 1.

2023-24 OVERVIEW

  • Spring 2024 practice schedule:
    • Mondays and Wednesdays at PVE-1 and NKE-14/15
    • 8U/9U Boys and Girls — 5:15-5:45 p.m. (skills session), 5:45-6:30 p.m. (small-sided games or 7v7 scrimmages).
    • 10U Boys and Girls — 6-6:30 p.m. (skills session), 6:30-7:15 p.m. (small-sided games or 7v7 scrimmages).
  • Spring 2024 goalkeeper training:
    • 8U/9U Boys — 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at NKE-15 with Duncan Morgan (Starting April 9)
    • 10U Boys — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at NKE-15 with Duncan Morgan (Starting April 9)
    • Girls — 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays at NKE-15 with Payton Lang (Starting April 18)
    • Please see the Goalkeeper Training page for more details.
  • This is a Recreational program and there are no tryouts. However, the Academy program is intended for children who are excited about soccer and want to spend the time and energy to improve their skills with a professional trainer. If your child prefers to play soccer just for fun or has a busy schedule full of other activities, they might find our 8U In-House or 9U/10U Recreational program to be a better fit.
  • Two 75-minute weeknight practices each week led by professional trainers.
  • Parent volunteer coaches work closely with the trainer during practices and coach all games.
  • The emphasis in practices will be on learning and developing foot skills, individual playing skills and technique.
  • Eight games in appropriate MAYSA leagues, in both Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. Half of the games will be in Oregon, with the other half in Madison-area communities. Most games on weekends, but some could be on weeknights.
  • Registration fee includes entry for four tournaments, most likely two in Fall 2023 and two in Spring 2024.
  • All players must purchase a uniform (two jerseys, black shorts and black socks; estimated cost $110) and a white Oregon SC practice jersey (estimated cost $10).
  • Parent volunteer coaches are needed — soccer and/or coaching experience preferred. Preference will be given to coaches with a USSF "E" license or better. All Academy coaches must have completed the USSF Grassroots 7v7 course at a minimum. Learn more
  • Girls can choose to play in all-girls Academy or in the boys/coed Academy.
  • Depending on the number of players registered, training sessions or age groups might be combined differently.
  • The club reserves the right to move players or teams to different leagues or age groups to ensure the appropriate competition level.

TEAM FORMATION

  • 8U/9U Academy teams will be tiered. These teams will contain players that are either 2015 or 2016 birth years. Players will be placed on the appropriate team based on development, technical ability, physical attributes, athleticism, aggressiveness, speed and social/emotional level.
  • 10U Academy teams will be tiered. These teams will contain players who were born in 2014. Players will be placed on the appropriate team based on development, technical ability, physical attributes, athleticism, aggressiveness, speed and social/emotional level. The club reserves the right to invite players born in 2015 to be part of these teams, either temporarily or permanently.
  • Parents and players should expect that team rosters/groups could be adjusted frequently for practices, events, matches and/or tournaments. The Oregon SC Technical Director and Academy Trainer will make such decisions, not parent volunteer coaches, and discussions about roster changes will occur two to four weeks before any changes would take place.

GAME RULES

  • Games will be 7v7 (six field players plus a goalkeeper).
  • Per U.S. Soccer guidelines, a "buildout line" will be used for 9U and 10U games. The buildout line is used to promote playing the ball out of the back in an unpressured setting. When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the buildout line. Once the opposing team is behind the buildout line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate. After the ball is put into play, the opposing team can then cross the buildout line and play resumes.
  • Punting the ball is not allowed, as this would defeat the purpose of the buildout line and reduce the opportunity to play out of the back in an unpressured setting.
  • Offside will be used in MAYSA league games, only inside the buildout line.
  • No intentional headers allowed. As part of the U.S. Soccer Player Safety Initiative, heading the ball is not allowed in leagues with players 10 and under. Rule: "When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue."