Unlock Your Soccer Potential

What sets Stars Academy apart is our commitment to developing the whole player over time — not just as an athlete, but as a person.

We focus on five key areas of long-term development: technical, tactical, physical, mental, and social. At Stars Academy, we don’t just train soccer players — we nurture confident, intelligent, and well-rounded young people prepared for whatever the game — and life — throws at them.

Technical Player Evaluation

One of the Five Pillars of the STARS Academy Development Model

At Stars Academy, technical ability is at the heart of our coaching philosophy. To support each player's growth, we assess and revisit ten core technical attributes consistently across the season. Each is scored on a 1 to 5 scale, providing a clear snapshot of progress and areas for improvement.

Our 10 Technical Evaluation Attributes:

1. First Touch – Can the player control the ball effectively under pressure?

2. Ball Mastery – How comfortable are they with the ball at their feet?

3. Dribbling – Can they beat defenders using technique and body control?

4. Passing Accuracy – Are their passes reliable and well-placed?

5. Passing Speed & Timing – Do they release the ball at the right moment?

6. Receiving Skills – Can they receive the ball with purpose and control?

7. Shooting Technique – Do they strike the ball cleanly and accurately?

8. Weak Foot Usage – Are they confident using both feet?

9. Ball Striking – Can they deliver effective long passes and driven balls?

10. 1v1 Defending (Technical) – Do they use correct footwork and timing when defending?

STARS Academy, Tactical Evaluation (5 Key Attributes)

1. Positioning & Awareness

Understands where to be in different phases of play — both with and without the ball.

2. Decision Making

Chooses the correct action under pressure: when to pass, shoot, dribble, or hold.

3. Movement Off the Ball

Creates space for themselves and others; shows to feet, makes runs, and supports play.

4. Transition Play

Reacts quickly when possession changes — recovers on defense or breaks forward in attack.

5. Tactical Discipline

Follows instructions, understands team shape, and plays within their role and responsibilities.

STARS Academy Physical Evaluation (5 Key Attributes)

1. Speed & Acceleration

Ability to move quickly over short distances — vital for breakaways, recovery runs, and quick reactions.

2. Agility & Balance

How well the player can change direction, stay upright, and maintain control in dynamic movements.

3. Endurance

Stamina and ability to maintain physical performance throughout the entire game or training session.

4. Strength

Body control in contact situations — shielding, tackling, holding off opponents, and general physical presence.

5. Coordination & Motor Skills

Smooth, efficient movement patterns — includes footwork, limb control, and timing during actions like jumping, kicking, or sprinting.

STARS Academy, Mental Evaluation (5 Key Attributes)

1. Focus & Concentration

Ability to stay engaged in training and games, avoid distractions, and remain locked in on tasks.

2. Resilience & Grit

How a player responds to setbacks — whether they bounce back from mistakes and keep pushing.

3. Confidence

Belief in their abilities to try, learn, and perform — especially under pressure.

4. Coachability & Growth Mindset

Willingness to listen, apply feedback, and improve; open to learning.

5. Mental Toughness

Ability to perform under stress, keep composure in tight situations, and push through fatigue or adversity.

STARS Academy, Social Evaluation (5 Key Attributes)

1. Communication

How well a player expresses themselves — verbally and non-verbally — with teammates and coaches.

2. Teamwork

Willingness to collaborate, support others, and contribute to a positive team environment.

3. Respect & Sportsmanship

Consistently shows respect for opponents, referees, coaches, and teammates — win or lose.

4. Leadership & Initiative

Takes responsibility, encourages others, and leads by example when needed.

5. Adaptability & Inclusion

Comfortable working with different people; embraces teammates of all backgrounds and personalities.

Each workshop or player review includes individual feedback based on these metrics. Our aim is not just to rate — but to educate, inspire, and guide players in their personal football journey.

THE 5 PILLARS OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

At Stars Academy, our player evaluation and coaching philosophy are based on 5 key pillars. Together, they shape a complete, balanced athlete and person. However, we intentionally prioritize Technical and Physical development as the foundation upon which the others are built.

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1. Technical (30 Stars - Most Weighted)

Why it’s vital:

Soccer is fundamentally a game of skill. A player’s ability to control, pass, dribble, and shoot the ball consistently and under pressure determines their effectiveness in any position or system. Without strong technical skills, tactical understanding and athleticism have limited impact.

Our priority:

We give the most weight to technical development because mastery of the ball is the great equalizer. A technically gifted player can adapt to any game model and overcome physical or tactical disadvantages.

“The ball is the teacher.” Our sessions and evaluations center around ball contact repetition, precision, and confidence with both feet.

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2. Physical (25 Stars - Second Highest Priority)

Why it’s vital:

Soccer is an intensely physical game. Players need to move explosively, change direction rapidly, endure long minutes, and hold off defenders. Physical development ensures that players can apply their technical skills in real match conditions for the entire game.

Our priority:

We weight physical attributes just behind technical because a strong, athletic foundation allows a player’s skills to shine under pressure. Youth players also develop physically at different rates, so we focus on movement quality, coordination, speed, and injury prevention — not just size and strength.

“Skill + speed + endurance = match impact.”

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3. Tactical (20 Stars)

Why it’s vital:

Understanding the flow of the game—where to be, when to pass, how to support teammates, and how to react to possession changes—is critical at older ages and competitive levels. Tactical awareness transforms players from “individual talents” into team contributors.

Why it’s weighted less:

Tactical understanding grows best once players have strong technical and physical foundations. A player must first be capable of controlling the ball and moving effectively before advanced decision-making can be expected.

“Soccer intelligence thrives on technical security.”

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4. Mental (15 Stars)

Why it’s vital:

A player’s mindset dictates how they respond to mistakes, feedback, competition, and pressure. Focus, confidence, and resilience build long-term success far beyond wins or losses.

Why it’s weighted less:

Mental attributes are essential, but they don’t immediately affect ball control or game fitness. We coach mental toughness alongside technical and physical work, but it’s assessed with slightly less emphasis in the star system.

“We build players who embrace challenge, not avoid it.”

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5. Social (10 Stars - Lowest Weight)

Why it’s vital:

Soccer is the ultimate team sport. Communication, teamwork, leadership, and respect are non-negotiable for success on and off the field. Players who uplift teammates become irreplaceable.

Why it’s weighted less:

While social skills are essential to the team environment, they have minimal direct impact on an individual player’s technical or physical performance in games. Still, we assess and value these qualities heavily in our overall club culture.

“Great players are good teammates first.”

Stars Academy will bring excellence to youth soccer. We integrate the best coaching, processes and culture to maximize the potential of players. Don't waste your talent and time on anything less than the best. Contact us at info@starsacademy.us to register your interest.