International Soccer Academy in USA - Year-long Program

EduKick USA – GPA Soccer & Education Academy:
Enjoy "the US Education & Culture Soccer Experience of a Lifetime" in Illinois with EduKick USA! EduKick USA is proud to partner with Gateway Preparatory Sports Academy to bring you the unique EduKick USA – GPA Soccer & Education Academy. We provide an academic-year soccer / football program for teenage boys and girls of ages 16-19 from around the world in Glen Carbon, Madison County IL (less than 30 minutes north-east of St. Louis, Missouri). These talented youth soccer players attend high school at Gateway Preparatory School, receive daily soccer training from professional coaches, and live in a student residence or with an American host family.

Academic-Year Soccer School
For High School teens (boys and girls) ages 16-19

- Education in a leading high school (secondary school) 
- Soccer training 5 days per week
- Weekly core fitness training 
- Competitive matches against college and club soccer teams in the area
- Homestay accommodation in a supervised Student Residence or with local American host family

Intensive Soccer Training:
 
Technical Soccer Coaching:
Practice makes perfect with every individual player. Each day, students are coached not only in the complexities of the game, but also the simple elements of the game to ensure individual improvement and performance.

Tactical Soccer Coaching:
As part of the program students will be learning the tactical parts of the game, looking at shape, movement, set plays, defending and attacking as a team and phase of play.

Fitness Training Speed, Agility, Quickness:
Each week, EduKick USA players will be put through their paces in Strength & Conditioning fitness sessions.

All players are expected to use these sessions to improve their fitness for the game. The focus of these sessions will vary - there may be an emphasis on strength, endurance, technical movements associated with the game, or conditioning.

Also included in these sessions are footwork, co-ordination and awareness, anaerobic speed burst movements of the game, as well as general aerobic fitness. To assist in injury prevention, participant also learn the safe practices of training.

Strength & Conditioning Classes:
In soccer, lower body strength is required for striking the ball, jumping, tackling, twisting and turning and also forms the foundation for explosive speed.

Upper body strength is required for shielding the ball, holding off opponents, throw-ins and also contributes to overall power and explosiveness. 

Twice per week participants visit Accelerate Fitness High performance centre to receive guided training sessions from Dr. Eric Dixon and the centre staff. The group are guided through the 4 phases required for a successful season

The group are guided through the 4 phases required for a successful season:
- Early Pre-Season - Build Maximal Strength
- Late Pre-Season - Muscular Power and Strength Endurance
- Late Pre-Season - Muscular Power and Strength Endurance
- Off-Season - Build Functional Strength

Competitive Soccer Matches:
Exposure to college recruiters and coaches is provided on a constant basis throughout the duration of our Soccer Academy programs by playing competitive matches against college teams and other club soccer programs in the regional area.


EduKick Student Testimonial:
“Thank you so much for giving me the chance to experience something that will most likely stay with me for the rest of my life. The trip was more fun than I ever could have imagined! The whole program was superbly organized and the teachers were very good"
- Brett, Canada (Age 16)