Soccer Program Structure
IMG Academy’s soccer program is structured across 10+ months of training and continued development as opposed to one single season. IMG soccer student-athletes are introduced to the highest level of club-like competition and tournament play. As a boarding school with a club-like format, IMG’s soccer program’s structure optimizes the process by combining expert coaching and individualized development opportunities with an annual competition schedule.
IMG Academy’s soccer program has defined age-specific workloads and training programs to ensure that student-athletes have a clear pathway to progress through the program and maximize their potential. Training includes team field sessions with an emphasis on decision making and tactical game management, individual development plan sessions inclusive of video analysis and team building / leadership, and games or scrimmages. The program has a defined attacking and defensive concepts and transitions as well as set plays and systems of play that are executed across every team.
Throughout the program, IMG soccer coaches leverage their professional and collegiate experience and ensure that each student-athlete has the necessary tools to achieve their goals. IMG soccer coaches focus on developing the “competitor” through holistic training that includes positive decision making, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. Each student-athlete within the program is competitive and possesses key skills such as game insight and the ability to read plays, as well as position-specific qualities.
The program’s global environment prepares student-athletes for the cultural experience of competing in college. Student-athletes recognize the importance of a team atmosphere and develop lasting relationships with their teammates, coaches, teachers, and other support staff.
Student-athletes prioritize both academics and athletics as their schedule mirrors that of a collegiate program. Soccer training includes position-specific instruction as well as team strategies and foundational tactics, speed of play, and proactive thinking on the field. Skills such as strength and conditioning, communication skills, and leadership are also emphasized throughout the year to ensure maximized college recruitment opportunities.
IMG soccer follows 6-week cycles inclusive of the following development activities:
- Team training
- Individual training
- Strength training
- Athletic & Personal Development
- Regeneration
- Infusion movement
Student-athletes meet with their coaches to set up an individual development plan with overall long term goals, short term measurable objectives, and mutually agreed upon outcomes over the cycle. Following the 6-week period, coaches and players review their progress and set new objectives when necessary ahead of the upcoming cycle.
Development Process
| Pre-season | Competitive Cycle | Post-Season |
|---|---|---|
| Measure & Evaluate | Prepare & Play | Review & Prepare |
| August - September | September - April | April - June |
| Physical testing Tactical, Technical, & Functional intro Individual development plans (IDP) |
Competition & tactical phase College showcase competition Performance statistics collection & analysis |
IDP formal review Physical testing Season review Post-season preparation |
Club Teams & U.S. Development Academy
IMG Academy’s soccer program is comprised of teams ranging from U14 through U19 as well as post-graduate opportunities at the U18/U19 league level dependent on a student-athlete’s age eligibility. The program offers full participation at all age groups in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The beginning of the season includes trials and a starting point for players to compete and then progresses into an atmosphere where student-athletes have the ability to transition amongst teams for the greatest development opportunities.
National Elite Teams (U15 - U18)
- Participation in US Club and Florida Youth Soccer Leagues
- Events such as Capital Areas Soccer League (CASL), Bethesda, IMG Cup, IMG Showcase, and State Cups
- Showcased to college coaches in a controlled environment
- One at IMG Academy in December and one away in February
- 4 annual college showcases
- Determined by coaching and technical staff for each team
- U17 & U19 Super Group compete in additional college showcases
- US Club Soccer's premier league (FNPL)
- League winners invited to play in the Elite National Premier League (ENPL) playoffs, consisting of clubs from the NPL and ECNL
- Opportunities to scrimmage National Teams during their team training visits to campus as well as being called to compete on teams as needed
- In 2018, student-athletes competed with São Paulo FC, the Canadian Men's National Team, and US Youth National Teams
Development Academy Teams (U14, U15, U16 Pre-DA, U17, U18 Pre-DA, U19)
DA players must be cleared through the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) process and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in order to be able to compete.
- 2 annual showcase events in November and June
- U15, U17, and U19 age groups
- Showcased to college coaches in a controlled environment
- 35-40 games from Labor Day until Memorial Day
- Participation in IMG Cup event
- Players have an opportunity to join international trips, including an optional summer tournament with an academic component
Athletic & Personal Development
APD plays an integral role in the overall development of each soccer student-athlete. APD instructors focus on crucial areas such as mental toughness, strength & conditioning, nutrition, leadership, life skills and character development, and more to ensure that IMG Academy soccer student-athletes not only have an advantage over the competition but understand what it takes to succeed in college, on national and professional teams, and in life.
Learn More about APD
Academics
Grades 6-12
IMG Academy’s collegiate-style schedule provides the ultimate preparation for student-athletes to succeed at the next level. Soccer student-athletes have the ability to select their courses and electives to identify their areas of interest ahead of enrolling into the collegiate program that best aligns with their academic and athletic goals. A dedicated college placement advisor as well as experienced coaches aid in the recruitment process from the beginning of a student-athlete’s career through graduation and even beyond.
View Grades 6-12 CurriculumPost-Graduate
Post-graduate soccer student-athletes benefit from a gap year at IMG without jeopardizing their NCAA eligibility. Post-graduates work with IMG’s soccer coaches to create an individual development plan to improve physically, mentally, technically, and tactically. They also have access to standardized test prep courses for the SAT and ACT as well an opportunity to earn college course credit from IMG’s campus. Post-graduates receive quarterly progress reports, prepare for college soccer ID camps, and may compete in certain U18/U19 leagues and games pending age eligibility and league exceptions.
Learn More about Post-GraduateTechnology & Facilities
- 20+ grass fields for soccer practices and games
- Soccer-specific stadium attached to a dedicated soccer building with locker rooms, meeting rooms for players and teams, and coaches' offices
Performance and Sports Science Center
- Mind Gym for mental conditioning and vision sessions and foot-eye coordination training
- Fit Lights, DynaBoard, and cognitive perceptive technology
- Yoga studio
- Strength and conditioning equipment
- Classrooms for nutrition and leadership training
- Athletic training facility for recovery and regeneration, including hot and cold tubs
Modern Recovery for All
TimTam is the official recovery sponsor of IMG Academy, and student-athletes have access to tools that take their game to the next level. TimTam’s products were developed to provide student-athletes with effective training and fast recovery.
Soccer Academy Photo Gallery
Soccer Coaches & Staff
Notable Soccer Program College Commitments
Student-athletes receive individualized roadmaps for reaching their goal of playing their sport at the collegiate level. This work begins when a student enters upper school at grade 9 and above.
Testimonials
- Michael Cormack IMG Academy AlumnusIf I wasn’t at IMG getting help from the soccer side and coaches, as well as the college counselors, I wouldn’t be here right now… This is like my home now. I’ve been here for 5 years, doing my everyday routine at a different place is going to feel a little weird at first just because it’s not IMG, but it’s definitely exciting.
- Zach Zimmerman IMG Academy AlumnusI’m going to miss my brothers, for sure. And, it’s not only the players that I had on my team, but it was almost every single guy at the Academy… Even though I’m here for myself, we’re all helping each other succeed, so it’s a special thing.
- Indiana Vassilev IMG Academy AlumnusIt gives you more drive – way more drive, to try to be better than the person you’re walking next to at school.
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