International Touch Soccer

International Touch Soccer Academy

Eddie Lima

Alex Teixeira

Summer Academy

Loudoun Footskills Academy

Vienna Footskills Academy

Vienna U8 Academy

Vienna U9 Academy

Vienna U10 Academy

International Touch Soccer Academy had their first "Loudoun Footskills Academy" in the Fall and Spring of 2009/2010.The program was very sucessful! Here are the comments from the parents and players about the ITS Program.

TESTIMONIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

"The practices have been fun to watch this year and I know my kid (and his teammates) are getting a lot out of it. They all are in desperate need of those extra touches that they don't get in games or training sessions. Plus, the way you guys break down the game tactically and technically in each drill has been great for them because there just aren't enough hours at training to get through everything they need. Anyway, I think you guys did a great job and I will hopefully see you the next go around.

Eddie Pope"
(Former DC United and USA National Team Player)
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"Dave,

I have been wanting to write this note to you for the past few weeks, however it always seems something comes up and my time id diverted. When you sent out the email in the fall letting everyone know that Loudoun Soccer had decided to being in the group from Brazilian Touch to run the foot skills academy, I was interested to see how this change would go. After going to a number of the morning sessions these past two seasons, I have to say I am very impressed with the organization as well as the training Jack (my son) has received.

It is always hard to motivate a 10 year old to get up and go to a soccer field at 8:30 every Saturday morning; however Jack has started to want to go each and every time. Not only has his motivation gone up, I have seen a renewed interest in his desire to go into the backyard and work on special moves that he learned from the various trainers.

I know there were some early issues that came up in the Fall in terms of how things were organized and where the players should go, however that was fixed quickly and everyone started to get into a rhythm. There are a few points on the layout I find especially beneficial to the players:

1: Each week (by in large) they are paired off with a different trainer. For the younger group this is especially great as the players are exposed to many different coaching styles and skills training in a great format. All the trainers I watched are very good at teaching, have a great outward and encouraging personality and have motivated the players to learning what they are trying to teach them.

2: The trainers were really focused on foot skills, and only foot skills especially “moves” and small sided 1v1, 1v2 or small goal work. Jack has really benefitted from this training as he is playing with much more confidence this season.

3: Having either Edie or Alex always walking around looking for ways to improve the overall experience and or jump in with certain groups was fantastic. The kids were always excited to see either one of those guys jump in, their energy and enthusiasm always got the players motivated. These guys were always open with the players there, and engaged them in a very positive fashion! Jack often came home saying “look what (the trainer) showed me today”.

As you know, I have Edie as my trainer for my U15 team. He has really done a great job with this group of players, and I have heard from many parents how much the players have improved and how great he is with the kids.

Overall, Brazilian Touch has done really well these past two seasons in the footskills program.

Jon"

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"Hi Alex,

As I said before I think the program with International touch is
better than the previous Loudoun program. I like the organization of
your program (having the fields set up, weekly updates, focused
topics, and you and Eddie's presence on the field during sessions)...
I think for the number of kids and size of the program you guys are
doing a good job.

Nicole"
Loudoun Youth Soccer - Trainer/Coach
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"Alex,

I've really enjoyed this structure of FS. Of course, selfishly, I'd love to be involved more, but the opportunities that I have been afforded have been great experiences. I feel that the specific weekly feedback helps me to continuously improve my coaching and sessions. It does not make me feel like I'm constantly under evaluation, it helps me look at me and focus on what I can to better to improve.

The look is very professional; from the coaches, to the field set up to the field assignments.

Contracting the FS out has limited the work for the club coaches, but I think it is worth the consistent higher level of coaching and the quality of session for each player.

Great job!

Best of Luck,

Ash"

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"A great improvement over years past! This is the first time in 4 years that my child is not complaining about having to go to footskills, and the first time where I can notice improvements in her game which I would attribute to the training. It appeared to me as though the instructors has a plan, spent time actually teaching, and reinforced the lessons throughout the session. Great Improvement!"

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"My daughter was never a big fan of footskills until this year. After the first session she looked forward to every Saturday morning. The International Touch coaches were great."

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"We have always been very impressed with International Touch and how they train and they did not disappoint. This was our sons first time participating in Loudoun Footskills and found the opportunity very beneficial."

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"Thank you so much for doing this program and I hope you do it next season!!! The trainers did their best to make it a fun learning experience. The positive feedback was great! She never wanted to miss a session."

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"Connor footksills improved tremendously this past Fall due to footskills academy. He enjoyed the trainers and the topics. It was very well organized."

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" Maddy really enjoyed this program. Definitely gave her more confidence & I have the genuine feeling that she learned some great skills."

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"Connor really enjoyed the the footskills training. He really learned a lot of new skills."

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"Overall a big improvement over the past several years. The International Touch organization was a very welcome addition to the Loudoun Travel program."

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"This new version of the training using International Touch was outstanding. My daughter would give feedback (without asking) that she really enjoyed the different sessions."

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"Our son benefited tremedously from the footskills training this past Fall. He enjoyed each session and all the trainers."

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"Footskills with International Touch Soccer was a very good experience. We have done the footskills clinics in the past with Loudoun and did not seem to get any benefit from it."

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"My son enjoyed this much more than previous years footskills."

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"Emily never wanted to miss a session, same as her older sister! She really enjoyed meeting the trainers and learned in a positive atmosphere."

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" Enjoyed this program; repetitive ballwork shows."

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"Daniel loved all of the trainers and although he initially didn't want to go he ended up really enjoying the sessions."

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"The little ball was a great idea. My son is constantly playing with it and working on his footskills."

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"I appreciate the club looking at and finding was to improve in this area. For once, I feel like the money was well spent". I also feel like suggestions that have been made in the past were considered and acted upon, which whether true or not is very good for the club."

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"Taylor just moved to Travel from the Rec. Program. We are very pleased with the skills she has picked up in such a short time."

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"The footskills program this year is a huge improvement from last year -it is organized and the kids are actually getting something out of it."

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"Meghan loved everything about the program."

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"Extremely well organized and thought out."

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"Yes, I was able to see her new and improved skills out the field. Especially, the last few games. That was pretty cool to see it."