Red Raider Soccer Academy

The goal of the Red Raider Soccer Academy is to provide U-6, U-7, U-8, U-9, and U-10 soccer player a developmental bridge between recreational soccer and select soccer. At the Red Raider Soccer Academy players will adhere to a curriculum that will provide all the tools necessary to develop as a soccer player.

At the Red Raider Soccer Academy players will enjoy a curriculum designed by our Texas Tech coaching staff, who boast 30+ years of youth soccer experience, which will challenge our Academy player to grow technically and help set a new standard for training and development as they move towards select soccer and beyond. Texas Tech soccer players will be on hand to demonstrate various aspects of our re-designed Academy Training Program.

All players will receive an Academy T-shirt (to be worn to all training sessions). Academy members need to bring their own ball, or purchase one from the Academy store.

***ACADEMY LOCATION: JOHN WALKER SOCCER COMPLEX***

**LEAGUE Will Return for FALL 2025**

U6, U7, U8 Boys & Girls Academy
Arrive on-field @ 5:50pm
Session begins @ 6:00pm
Session ends @ 7:00pm

All sessions:
Mondays:
September: 13th, 20th, 27th
October: 4th, 11th,18th, 25th

Tuesday:
October 26th

U9, U10 Boys & Girls Academy
Arrive on-field @ 7:10pm
Session begins @ 7:15pm
Session ends @ 8:15pm

All other sessions
Mondays:
September: 13th, 20th, 27th
October: 4th, 11th,18th, 25th

Tuesday:
October 26th

POTENTIAL LEAGUE DATES: TBD ( likely 2 weekends) October: 3rd, 17th, & 24th

We will be falling in line with our governing youth body US Youth soccer and will be following their guidelines for players on field and field size for our U7-U10 league. Our U6 age group will play in house games every other Monday. While our U7 and U8 groups play in a 4v4 division on Sundays. U9 and U10 groups will play 7v7. Please follow the link below to find field sizes and player requirements.

ACADEMY TRAINING ONLY & ALL U6

Red Raider Soccer Academy sessions will be every Monday per dates listed above. Sessions will be held at the state-of-the-art, John Walker Soccer Complex located on the campus of Texas Tech University.

The Red Raider Academy staff will run all sessions. Sessions will last for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Throughout the 8-week process, players will work on all technical aspects of their game. By the end of the 8 weeks, our goal is that every player will have improved in passing, receiving, shooting, and dribbling. In addition, academy players will learn vital tactical knowledge that will improve their 1v1, 2v1, and 2v2 attacking and defending.

Registration:

Academy Training & League: U7, U8, U9 & U10

For a young athlete, success is measured by the ability to take what was learned from the practice field and apply it in a game situation. By competing in an academy league the Red Raider Soccer Academy will achieve this process. Matches will be held over 4 Sundays at the John B. Walker Soccer Complex. Academy members will compete against other members of the Red Raider Academy League from Amarillo and Midland.

We will be falling in line with our governing youth body US Youth soccer and will be following their guidelines for players on field and field size for U7-U8. Our U9 and U10 groups will play 7v7. Please follow the link to find field sizes and player requirements.

You can register as part of an existing FCD WTX Lubbock Academy team (team option) or you may also register as a pool player. Pool players will be assigned to a team or an additional team will be created for pool players in your age group.

Academy LEAGUE or TOURNAMENT TBD: Academy tournament will be our Lubbock RRSA membership only. Games will be held between 9 am – 4:00 pm please reserve the full day for league games. Schedules will be available online the week of the tournament and makeup dates are TBD. Cancellations for weather do not have to be re-scheduled.

The fee includes: Minimum 4 Red Raider Soccer Academy trainings and Red Raider Soccer Academy tournament.

It must be understood that the Red Raider Soccer Academy Program is competitive. It is important that our coaches as well as the parent(s) understand the continuous support each player requires. For the soccer players, we pledge to provide the necessary environment to improve their game.

Teams or players that drop out of league play without 30 days notice will forfeit the league fee ($50). RRSA reserves the right to select academy coaches that share similar developmental philosophies, and will not tolerate parent, player, or referee abuse. All participants that register for RRSA will also register for US Club soccer for league play liability and insurance. RRSA is not responsible for US Club soccer access outside of the RRSA league, as our RRSA league membership and trainings are separate. RRSA coaches will need to attend a mandatory coach meeting prior to league play. Outside teams may register to play in the Red Raider Soccer Academy based upon a team by team acceptance format. Red Raider Soccer Academy membership is comprised of the following local clubs that share in our developmental philosophy FC Dallas WTX and High Plains Drifters. Please contact coach Gibbs for individual team pricing and details.