Program overview:
The Atlanta Fire SCCL program is built on the core principles of player development. Our philosophy centers on a player-focused approach, emphasizing the development of technical skills, tactical understanding, physical growth, and an overall holistic development.
The SCCL is a league made up of major clubs from throughout the Southeast and is governed by US Club Soccer rules. SCCL offers multiple divisions ranging from “Champions to Premier 1-5” and operates on a promotion and relegation system.
Age Group:
Boys: U11-U19
Girls: U11-U19
Objective:
To provide AFU’s teams with an environment of growth and development through competition against the region’s best clubs.
Playing Style:
At Atlanta Fire, we foster an environment that encourages constant learning and development. Coaches work closely with players to help them understand and execute our playing style, which is centered around possession-based play.
Key elements of our playing style include:
High-speed play with quick passing and receiving
Triangulation through positional rotation
Breaking opponent lines or maintaining possession
Pressuring to deny penetration and forcing play away from goal (winning the ball back)
Counter-pressing to regain possession quickly
Keeping the team compact both defensively and offensively
Ensuring coverage, balance, and closing passing lanes with optimal distance relationships
These principles form the foundation of the Atlanta Fire's playing style, guiding both individual and team development on the field.
Methodology:
Atlanta Fire’s style of play is rooted in the principles of possession-based soccer. This approach is developed through a player-centric model, where coaches focus on enhancing individual skills and behaviors while also emphasizing team principles and structure. Through this balanced development, players learn to seamlessly integrate their personal growth with team dynamics, fostering both individual and collective success.
Curriculum & Development:
The Atlanta Fire development pathway is encapsulated in our curriculum, which serves as the blueprint for all functions within our program. This framework provides a structured approach for coaches, ensuring players receive the necessary tools for their development. Our curriculum is organized into 6-week cycles, each focusing on different components and specific topic-based activities. Coaches are provided with weekly sample sessions as a guide to help them prepare for training, ensuring consistency and alignment across all age groups.
Coaching Staff:
Atlanta Fire is dedicated to providing top-quality coaching to its players. The SCCL program is led by a team of highly qualified and experienced coaches, each with diverse coaching backgrounds. All of our coaches are licensed, ensuring a high standard of instruction and development for every player.
Training Frequency:
The SCCL program holds practices three times per week. Our U11 age group will have one training session per week dedicated to futsal training. Our U12 age group will have one training session per week dedicated to TOCA training. This training structure is designed to maximize the holistic development of both the individual player and the team, focusing on all aspects of player growth.
Futsal & TOCA Training:
U11 SCCL Futsal Training
Our U11 SCCL teams will take part in weekly futsal training sessions throughout the season. We believe futsal is a valuable tool in developing players’ overall technical and tactical abilities, especially during this important U11 year.
In addition to the in-season sessions, we also offer optional futsal programs during the winter and summer months for players who want to continue their development year-round.
U12 SCCL TOCA Training
Our U12 SCCL teams will participate in weekly TOCA training sessions, held at the TOCA Johns Creek location. This program is designed to enhance the technical and tactical development of our players during their U12 year.
We believe that this partnership with TOCA provides a valuable and focused training environment that will support our players’ growth both on and off the ball.
Games:
The game schedule for our program includes both home and away matches. For the U15-U19 teams, the season runs from August through December/January. The U11-U14 teams compete in a dual season, covering both fall and spring. Most games are scheduled on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). The program prioritizes both player and team development during games, while striving to maintain a high level of competitiveness. Our goal is to ensure that every match serves as an opportunity for growth, pushing players to reach their full potential while competing at a high standard.
Tournaments:
U11-U14 SCCL teams will participate in two tournaments in the Fall and two tournaments in the Spring.
U15-U19 SCCL teams will participate in two tournaments in the Fall.
Tournaments will be selected by the technical leadership of the club in order to provide each team with the appropriate level of competition relative to the team’s performance.
Tournaments may be located throughout the Southeast, with many tournaments being held in the Atlanta area. Some of our SCCL-level teams will participate in showcase tournaments to enhance the tournament experience as well as increase college recruiting opportunities.
Evaluation & Team Placement:
Players will be evaluated through a combination of training sessions and tryouts. These assessments provide coaches with the necessary insights to make informed decisions before offering team placements.
Ongoing Evaluation Process:
Throughout the season, players will continue to be evaluated based on their training and game performance. Evaluations may be provided face-to-face or in written form, ensuring consistent feedback and development throughout the year.
Skill Level:
Atlanta Fire United offers SCCL opportunities for our top teams beginning at the U11 and U12 age groups. At the U13 through U19 levels, our Elite and Premier teams will compete in the SCCL platform.
This structure provides a consistent pathway for player development and high-level competition as athletes progress through the club.
Networking/College Recruiting Experience:
Atlanta Fire is dedicated to educating players and families about the college recruiting process. We have dedicated College Recruiting Directors for both boys' and girls' programs, ensuring personalized support. As a leader in college recruiting within the Atlanta market, Atlanta Fire strives to enhance the recruiting experience, providing guidance and resources to help players navigate the college selection process in a positive and informed manner.
Diversity and Community Engagement
At Atlanta Fire United, we take great pride in the diversity of our membership. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
Our club believes that embracing diversity not only strengthens our community, but also enriches the experience of every player, coach, and family involved.