Who We Are
DC Way Academy
DC Way Academy is a Capitol Hill-based travel soccer club that is dedicated to cultivating talent and potential in children through advanced coaching and technical development using high-level gameplay. We aim to grow intelligent, healthy, mentally strong, and creative players! Our club currently offers competitive training for U8/U13 Boys (2016-2011) and U9/U14 Girls (2015-2010). All teams compete in EDP, MCL, MSI, and EDP Futures for their respective leagues.
Creating a positive environment is paramount to fostering growth and well-being. We promote mutual respect, collaboration, loyalty, and fair play, not only developing players' soccer skills but also shaping their character.
At DC Way Academy, players focus on developing technical skills, ABCS (agility, balance, coordination, speed), and game intelligence. Concentrating on these skills are crucial because, at this age, bodies and minds are rapidly growing and developing. "You can't control the game if you can't control the ball, and you can't control the ball if you are not able to control your body!" We also provide players with physical education based on the FIFA 11+ program to promote injury prevention and safe play.
At our soccer academy, we prioritize providing a safe and secure environment for all players. All our coaches have undergone first-aid training to ensure the well-being of our athletes.
Leading the program will be experienced professional coaches that are passionate about the game and youth development. We look forward to providing creative developmental opportunities and continuing our respectable and successful legacy of excellence within DC Way Academy.
Our training curriculum is intentionally diverse and entertaining to engage and excite our young players, fostering an enjoyable and safe environment that has our players looking forward to attending each and every practice and game. At the end of each season, players will receive a personal evaluation from their coach to give them the tools to continue developing their skills for the long term.
Parents are also a key part of the players and our club’s success. DC Way Academy promotes positive parental support through education on the sport and its rules, proper sideline etiquette, and best practices to aid in the growth and continued enjoyment of their developing players.
No matter what sport your child plans to pursue after the age of 12, there is no sport better than soccer for developing essential athletic skills such as coordination, speed, decision-making, and vision. We have no doubt that after the first season with DC Way Academy, you will see a big difference in your young athlete!
Academy Curriculum
Our academy places the player at the heart of our technical project. We strive to develop individual skills and offer opportunities for growth and improvement. We offer a comprehensive program focusing on technical and tactical development. Our players learn fundamental and advanced skills such as passing, dribbling, and shooting, along with game strategies, off-the-ball movement, and game reading.
Physical fitness is a crucial aspect of our training programs. We design exercises tailored to improve endurance, strength, agility, and speed, considering the specific needs and age of our players.
TGfU-Inspired Methodology: Our teaching methodology, inspired by the concept of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), places a strong emphasis on the importance of gameplay. Through practical experiences in realistic game situations, our players develop a deep understanding of the game and enhance their skills.
OUR CURRICULUM FOCUSES ON:
1) Technical: Body positioning, first touch, ball control, dribbling, heading (for appropriate ages), tackling, finishing, goalkeeping, shooting, passing/receiving, 1v1 attacking and defending
2) Tactical: Formations, soccer IQ, styles of play, reading and understanding the game, vision, organization, response time, innovation, creativity, ball trajectories, ball distribution, anticipation, insight, set pieces and their positioning, teamwork, spatial awareness, and communication
3) Mental: Concentration, sportsmanship, composure, determination, growth mindset, total commitment, managing emotions, competitiveness, rigorous work ethic, motivation, and the will to succeed
4) Physical: Strength, agility, body mechanics, speed, endurance, lateral agility, flexibility, coordination, power, footwork, aerobic endurance, reaction time, and balance