Tom Goodman, Technical Director for MA Youth Soccer congratulates and applauds FYSA for creating the FYSA Academy program.
No Travel For U9: Consistent with the recommendation of a small task force, consisting of coaches and parents, the Board of Directors has approved to start this 2011 fall season the transition of all of our U9 players to play an in-town academy division...
The Paramount Issue up to U14 is Inclusion – Not Exclusion: Instead of maintaining and developing the numbers of players at age 13 that we have playing at age eight, we are seeking to narrow the focus to find the cream of a very immature crop. We really must have a paradigm shift...
Shouldn't we be seeing many more highly skillful, exciting players?: We're here to develop players to where, hopefully, by the time they're U-14, U-15s, they're playing at a high level, where if we do our job, winning will be a byproduct and we'll compete for state championships...
Goalkeeping... When is the right time?: We, as coaches and teachers in the youth soccer world, are trying to develop confident, creative soccer players. We want them to be savvy in defending and attacking...
The FYSA Academy Needs YouThe FYSA Academy relies solely on volunteers, without whom your child wouldn't have the positive experience you've come to expect. read more
What is the Academy program?Whenever possible, two (possibly three) teams (with coaches) train together as a group under the guidance of a "lead" coach. Training schedules with coach contact information will be published on the FYSA website. All training sessions will be available to anyone who would like to attend them as long as a reasonable team/"lead" ratio of 3:1 is maintained. Visiting players (players not scheduled to train) will be accepted each week on a first come, first serve basis. Read more.
The emphasis is on technical developmentThe one thing that holds players back in the US compared to other countries is their lack of creativity and technical ability. All of the kids enrolled in In-House are between the ages of 9 & 12 and the one thing all of them need to succeed, above all else, is foot skills. Along with finding as many coaches with "mad" skills as possible, In-House has created two programs that involve HS soccer players. First there's the "Mentorship" community service initiative and second there's the "Friendship" community service initiative. Both introduce soccer in an informal and fun way.
Finding a balanceAs you may well imagine, alot of thought has gone into improving an already strong In-House program. Consequently, there should be more individual skill, greater competition and every player should benefit. So, whether your child is one of the many who'd like to play competitvely or one of the many who'd like to play recreationally, he/she should find what they're looking for.
How are teams formed?
Typically, three divisions are created based on age and gender. However to accommodate registration mix, divisions can be further divided. Within each division are leagues. League names are borrowed from some of the premier international soccer leagues in existence today and randomly assigned to a division. Within each league are teams. Team names are borrowed from teams that play in the corresponding international soccer league. Great effort is taken to create balanced teams within the various leagues. The typical three divisions are:
Master Coed - U13 and U14 players combined, playing 8v8 (with an offside rule)
Senior Coed - U11 and U12 players combined, playing 6v6
Junior Boys - BU9 and BU10 players combined, playing 5v5
Junior Girls - GU9 and GU10 players combined, playing 5v5
What is a visiting player and am I one?Quite simply, a visiting player is any player not scheduled to attend a particular training session. Anyone who signs up for In-House automatically becomes one. Whether or not you take advantage of the resources that it affords you is entirely up to you.
Is there required equipment?
Yes, for both game and training plan on bringing:
Soccer uniform (white jersey [HOME], light blue jersey [AWAY], royal blue shorts and royal blue socks)
Size 4 soccer ball
Soccer cleats
Soccer shin guards (worn under the socks)
Plenty of water
Mouthguard (optional, but recommended)
Is there a game day cancellation policy?Yes. Take a look at the Cancellations page.
Is there a training day cancellation policy?Yes. Take a look at the Cancellations page.
Player Development Life Cycle: How many age groups are there in FYSA? If my child starts playing at U12, where can he/she play? What competitive offers are available to FYSA players? So may questions. So few answers. Not any more. Now you can see how all three programs (Instructional, the Academy & Travel) tie together and what competitive offers are available at what age.
Register for FYSA Academy GK TrainingThe FYSA Academy is offering goal keeper training to both FYSA Academy and Travel players. Maximum 30 players per session. Register now or view the schedule.
The Thunder Rolls After an impressive 7-1-2 season, the GU12-1A Thunder make it to the semi-finals of MTOC read more
The Thunder Rolls (vol. II)The 2010 Fall GU13-1A Thunder once again won their division and finished with an impressive 7-1-2 record.
Where are they now?See what teams this seasons GU13 players from the GU12-1A Thunder play for.
Will There Be A Three-peat?Will the 2011 Spring GU14-1A Cheetahs (formerly known as the Thunder) win their division and make it to MTOC? Since all 8 of the GU13 players on this GU13/14 team have already been to MTOC, not only is there a good chance they make it, there's as good a chance they walk away MTOC Champions. Not bad for a bunch of kids who played In-House until their GU12 season.
Sadly for coach Scafati, the answer is no.With 10 8th graders and 8 7th graders on the team, they finished 2nd with a record of 4-2-3. After handily beating Newton 4-0 in the last week of the regular season, Newton beats them 1-0 during the 1st round of BAYS play offs, thus ending the dream of MTOC supremacy. Better luck next spring under the leadership of coach Smith.
Where are they now that they're GU14?11 of the 16 players on the GU14-1A Breakers were on the GU12 Thunder roster. Not surprisingly, their record after 7 weeks of play is 6-0-1 (19 out of a possible 21 points, 30 GF and only 1 GA). Now that's impressive! Once again, it looks like this group has a realistic shot at MTOC domination in the spring.
What is the Training Ground?The "Training Ground" is an area designated in the middle of the field on Saturdays. Managed by Franklin High student/athletes, players will be engaged in fun, soccer activities from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Central to the "Training Ground" is the MYSA Skills Patch Award Program where players work on simple basic soccer skills in a fun environment. Each level asks for something a little different and gives players a goal to strive for.
Are there advantages to open practices?In addition to attending your own team's training sessions, you may also attend the training sessions of any other In-House coach. An advantage is that it gives you more touches on the ball and more touches on the ball means more time spent developing your technical skills. Another advantage is that it allows you to meet players who are your own age that you may not otherwise get to know. And last but not least, you get to play more soccer! However, before attending any other coach's training session, you must first contact the coach to ensure a reasonable team/"lead" ratio of 3:1. Visting players are accepted each week on a first come, first serve basis.
Nothing's more important than safety
The safety of the players is the number one priority. Players wearing equipment which is dangerous to other players or to themselves shall not be eligible to participate in any game. The Referee at the field has the final say on what may be dangerous equipment. If a player wants to get their ears pierced, please have them do so in the off-season at least 6 weeks before the next season starts. Players must be able to remove their earrings for games and practices; if they cannot be removed, then the child will not be allowed to play. The following is a summary of prohibited items, per rules from the Massachusetts State Referee:
Any rigid or semi-rigid cast or splint, regardless of padding. Note that joint braces or supports are generally acceptable; however if they have exposed hinges, buckles, buttons, zippers, etc. they may be considered dangerous and unacceptable by the referee
Hair control devices of any material other than soft pliable plastic or rubber
Earrings of any kind, including post earrings, regardless of coverings
Jewelry of any sort
Hats or other headgear
We have a Zero Tolerance Policy and we enforce itNot only is In-House a place to develop young players, it's also a place to train young Referees. For many of them it will be their first experience running a game and they will make mistakes. However, it is important that the players learn to abide by the Referee’s decisions and it is our job as adults to demonstrate good sportsmanship for our children.
The In-House Division has a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding interaction between coaches/spectators and the Referees. Any violations of this policy will result in immediate ejection from the playing fields, and may result in further disciplinary action pending review by the FYSA Board of Directors. The terms of the Zero Tolerance Policy are as follows:
No one, except the players, is to speak to the Referee during or after the game. Exceptions: Coaches may ask questions before the game, call for substitutions and point out emergencies during the game, or respond to the Referee if addressed
Absolutely no disputing calls during or after the game, and no remarks to the Referee to watch certain players or attend to rough play. No yelling at the Referee ever, and no criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, or feedback of any kind during or after the game
If Coaches or spectators have questions regarding particular calls, rules, or a Referee, or wish to give feedback regarding a Referee, they should do so through the Referee Coordinator or Division Director
The FYSA Academy relies solely on volunteers, without whom your child wouldn't have the positive experience you've come to expect. 
coaches) train together as a group under the guidance of a "lead" coach. 
compared to other countries is their lack of creativity and technical ability. All of the kids enrolled in In-House are between the ages of 9 & 12 and the one thing all of them need to succeed, above all else, is foot skills. Along with finding as many coaches with "mad" skills as possible, In-House has created two programs that involve HS soccer players. First there's the "
strong In-House program. Consequently, there should be more individual skill, greater competition and every player should benefit. So, whether your child is one of the many who'd like to play competitvely or one of the many who'd like to play recreationally, he/she should find what they're looking for.
accommodate registration mix, divisions can be further divided. Within each division are leagues. League names are borrowed from some of the premier international soccer leagues in existence today and randomly assigned to a division. Within each league are teams. Team names are borrowed from teams that play in the corresponding international soccer league. Great effort is taken to create balanced teams within the various leagues. The typical three divisions are:
The FYSA Academy is offering goal keeper training to both FYSA Academy and Travel players. Maximum 30 players per session. 
After an impressive 7-1-2 season, the GU12-1A Thunder make it to the semi-finals of MTOC 
may also attend the training sessions of any other In-House coach. An advantage is that it gives you more touches on the ball and more touches on the ball means more time spent developing your technical skills. Another advantage is that it allows you to meet players who are your own age that you may not otherwise get to know. And last but not least, you get to play more soccer! However, before attending any other coach's training session, you must first