The Augustana College Advanced Soccer Academy is designed for experienced soccer players looking to improve their technical and tactical abilities. All players will receive individual attention in a fun, yet challenging learning environment.

AC First Touch Advanced Soccer Academy training sessions will be designed to focus on all of the major aspects of the game necessary to improve and reach the next level of development. Technical training (skills) and tactical situations will be addressed and taught according to guidelines set forth by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). Individual tactics and small group tactics will also be taught in intense training sessions that culminate in small-sided games every session. This structure will ensure that all participants are involved in the action, thus maximizing contact with the ball and increasing the amount of “problem solving” each player must engage in. This approach has yielded tremendous results globally and is truly the key in developing creative, exciting and sophisticated soccer players.

The camp curriculum includes specialized training that focuses more on technical and tactical functions as it relates to particular positions. Every day players will be introduced to the latest and most advanced soccer tactics and will also be given the technical instruction to be able to execute the tactics at the highest level possible. Each day will end with larger sided games that maximize each player’s understanding of different positions on the field and how they function in relation to other players within particular systems of play and defending and attacking schemes.

While academy director, Scott Mejia, will direct the majority of the training sessions, other highly qualified college coaches, and current Augustana College men’s and women’s soccer team members will be used to help facilitate the learning process. As with all of our academy programs, all coaches will be selected for their ability to work with highly motivated youth players, and their ability to teach the game of soccer, and their ability to be a positive role model for all participants of the academy program.