Center of Excellence (U5–U10)

 

Where Technique Meets Intelligence. Where Fun Meets Foundation.

Donde la técnica se encuentra con la inteligencia. Donde la diversión se convierte en fundamentos.

 

At Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Club, our Center of Excellence is more than just a program — it’s the heart of our club's identity.

 

Built for players ages U5 to U10, this is where our Professionally Licensed Coaches carefully blend technical mastery, game intelligence, and pure love for soccer. Our aim is to create players who are not only skillful, but also smart, creative, and confident on the ball.

 

The Center of Excellence is divided into two phases:

• : U5, U6, U7 (play 5v5 format games).Pre-Academy
• : U8, U9, U10 (play 7v7 format games).Academy

Our Purpose

 

We are committed to developing what we refer to asl “out-of-the-box, ready-to-go ballers” — players who are technically excellent, tactically intelligent, and absolutely love to play.

 

Jugadores listos para competir, técnicamente fuertes, inteligentes en el juego, y enamorados del fútbol.

 

We believe the earlier a child is exposed to quality coaching, the better. But "quality" doesn't refer to drills and cones, or former players — it means learning through joy, growing through challenge, and playing with purpose.

 

Program Format & Weekly Rhythm

 

In the Pre-Academy players train twice a week with their team at U6 & U7, and once per week at U5. The Pre Academy also competes in weekend games.

 

In addition to this, all players attend a weekly Coerver® technical session, and play a game each weekend. Training focuses on ball mastery, 1v1 moves, confidence, and building physical coordination — all within fun, age-appropriate games.

 

In the Academy (U8–U10), players train twice per week with their team, have one Coerver® session each week, and compete in weekend games.

 

All players, from U5 to U10, benefit from Coerver® training — a globally recognized method focused on developing individual brilliance through repetition, footwork, and game-realistic skill application.

 

To recap, ALL Center of Excellence Players (Pre Academy U5, U6 & U7 and Academy U8, U9 and U10 PLAY GAMES AT THE WEEKEND.

 

Positional Play Concepts / Conceptos del Juego de Posición

 

The Center of Excellence introduces players to the foundational ideas behind Spanish-style positional play (juego de posición), made famous by FC Barcelona, Manchester City, and the Spanish national team. These ideas aren't reserved for professionals — they form the core of how we teach even our youngest players to understand the game.

 

We teach players to scan the field before receiving the ball (escaneo visual or mirar antes de recibir), to understand when and how to play between the lines (jugar entre líneas), and to recognize the value of creating numerical superiority (superioridad numérica) — such as creating a 3v2 or 2v1 situation.

 

They also learn the importance of body orientation (perfil corporal) to play forward efficiently and of attracting pressure to release space (atraer presión para liberar espacio).

 

Players are taught to identify and use space intelligently (crear y usar el espacio), to make third-man runs (movimiento del tercer hombre), and to rotate positions fluidly (rotaciones y permutas). All of this happens gradually, layered into Rondos, Positional Games and Small-Sided Games.

 

We don’t over-coach — we guide. We don’t treat kids like adults — we teach complex ideas in a fun, clear, and age-appropriate way.

 

Positional Play Concepts (non exhaustive list).

• Scanning (mirar antes de recibir)
• Creating and using space (crear y aprovechar espacios)
• The Free Man (el hombre libre)
• Third-man runs (movimiento del tercer hombre)
• Breaking lines (romper líneas defensivas)
• Playing between the lines (jugar entre líneas)
• Dismarking to Support (desmarque de apoyo)
• Dismarking to Rupture (desmarque de ruptura)
• Numerical superiority (superioridad numérica)
• Positional superiority (superioridad posicional)

What Makes It Special

• Your child will touch the ball hundreds of times per session — not just chase it. 
• Every training has a purpose, aligned with our Modelo de Juego. / Game Model
• Our coaching staff follows a unified methodology, ensuring continuity and long-term development.
• Coerver® and Futsal are integrated into the player journey, reinforcing individual creativity and quick decision-making.
• We are culturally aware — many of our players come from Central and South American families, and we honor the football culture they bring, including the importance of street soccer, futsal, and expressive play.

The Outcome

By the time players graduate at U10, they are:

• Technically sound, with excellent control, footwork, and skill.
• Tactically aware, understanding movement, space, and team play

• Confident, creative, and fearless with the bal
  
• Prepared to step into the U11–U19 competitive environment with a real understanding of how to play

In other words, they are not just players who chase the ball — they are intelligent footballers who make things happen.

 

Why Parents Choose Us

 

Parents love the Center of Excellence because it is organized, professional, and driven by care. Our coaches are highly trained, our sessions are fast-paced and effective, and the kids leave every day sweaty, smiling, and proud of their progress.

 

This is the environment where your child will grow as a player and a person — where they’ll be challenged, supported, and inspired.

 

Start the Journey Today

 

Empieza el viaje hoy mismo.

 

Let your child fall in love with the game, build world-class habits, and grow in confidence — on and off the field.
 

The Center of Excellence is where the journey begins.

 

 

​Gulf Coast’s Center of Excellence is run by Director of Coaching Jamahel "Yama" Alfaro.

 

With an extensive background in player development, coaching education, and academy methodology, Yama’s leadership will take our Center of Excellence Program to new heights, ensuring it becomes the premier destination for soccer development in Texas. ​

 

A New Vision for the Center of Excellence:

 

As Director of Academy, Yama Alfaro will:

• Oversee all academy programs, ensuring structured and progressive development at every level.​
• Implement cutting-edge training methodologies that align with the modern game.​
• Elevate coaching education, equipping Gulf Coast Soccer coaches with the tools to develop top-level players.
• Foster a positive, high-performance culture to create a pathway for players to succeed at competitive and elite levels.​

"Gulf Coast Soccer is building something special, and I am honored to be part of its vision for player development," said Yama. "The Academy will be a place where players thrive, grow, and have a clear pathway to success, and I can’t wait to get started."

 

Gulf Coast Soccer is the future of Texas youth soccer—and we want you to be part of it.​

 

For more information about the Center of Excellence, or to bring your child out for evaluation, email our Center of Excellence Director of Coaching Yama at yama.alfaro@gcysc.com

 

If you have questions or need registration assistance, please email us at questions@gcysc.com.