Rec Developmental League (RDL) (U6-U10)
RDL OVERVIEW
The Judah Lions RDL Program is designed to provide high quality training and development opportunities for motivated and committed 6,7,8,9,10,11 year old soccer players.
Judah Lions RDL is the beginning stages of elite training for U8/U10/U12 players. The objective of this program is to provide every player with a structured, comprehensive training experience. Our curriculum is both age and skill appropriate. Pre-Academy is the stepping stone to the Judah Lions RDL program (U9-U12). After graduating from pre-academy all players will have the necessary tools to play academy soccer if they desire.
The Judah Lions RDL focuses predominantly on individual technical skill development. We de-emphasize short term wins and losses and focus on playing the Judah way and long-term player development. The program focuses on developing players who understand the technical and tactical topics that prepare them for club soccer in their later years.
Cost / Season Length?
The cost of this program is $175 per season for Under 8 & $250 for Under 10 / Under 12 / Under 14 / Under 16 / Under 18 .
Uniforms is not included in the price.
This cost includes 16 weeks of practice twice a week in addition to random optional practices. (Parents will be notified about optional practices via text or email)
All referee fees are included/coaches fees & coaches training fees.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When are tryouts?
Tryout dates are mandated by Georgia Soccer. Academy tryouts are usually held in late May and several dates throughout the summer. Tryout information and online registration will be available on the Judah Lions website prior to the published tryout dates.
Supplemental tryouts or evaluations can be scheduled throughout the year for any player who is not registered in another club’s Academy program, all registered recreational players, or any unregistered players.
Who is eligible?
RDL players boys & girls are selected by invitation only. Occasionally, we'll have mini camps to determine new RDL players.
When and where are the training sessions?
RDL teams train 2 times a week on weekdays for 75 minutes per training session at Green Acres Baptist Church or Unity Baptist Church.
Training days, times, and locations may vary from time to time depending on the schedules of the coaches and field availability.
When and where are the games?
Our RDL Boys and Girls teams will play both 4v4 / 7v7 / 9v9 format. All teams will play a mixture of games against Dublin, Macon Soccer or CGSA recreational program teams, in-house scrimmages, and other pre-academy programs in the Middle Georgia area.
Games are typically held on Saturdays and Sundays during the Fall season from early September through mid-November and the Spring season from early March to mid-May. Generally teams play one game per week, although occasionally players may be asked to play twice at the same location.
In addition to regular season games, RDL teams will participate in house tournament (If possible).
Tournament- Preseason and Postseason (not included in registration costs)
• All players are expected to go (If we cannot get a majority to go, we will pass on the tournament to the next upcoming season)
• Tournament Fees are tallied up through a set formula that all teams use
What is the difference between Recreation and Academy Soccer?
Deciding whether or not your child should play recreational soccer or competitive (“academy/select”) soccer is often a daunting task for parents not familiar with the world of competitive sports. The primary deciding factor that parents should consider when making the academy verses recreation decision is whether or not one wishes to accelerate a child’s soccer development in a professionally guided training environment.
In recreational soccer, the focus is most often on social interaction, “having fun” with friends, which often comes at the expense of instruction. In academy soccer, the focus in on teaching in an enjoyable manner that is appropriate for the child’s age level. Individual skills and team tactics are taught by high-level, professional coaches in order to more fully develop the child’s level of play. When it comes to playing at an RDL level, the end result is young athletes that know how to play soccer at a much higher level than their corresponding recreational players.
What are the differences between Rec Developmental coaches (RDL) and Recreational coaches?
RDL soccer differs from recreational soccer in several ways, but the primary difference is in the level of coaching provided. Coaching is like teaching – it requires extensive knowledge of the subject and the ability to communicate that knowledge to young athletes. In recreational soccer, the coach is typically a noble parent with little or no competitive or high level soccer experience. Unlike recreation soccer, RDL coaches are experts in their field, skilled communicators and teachers, and are paid for their soccer knowledge and coaches training.
RDL coaches are expected to create a community of players that supports the alignment of individual and team improvement by implementing club standards of play that are developmentally appropriate by age. This requires continuous evaluation as well as a clear structure that is communicated effectively to the players and parents.