Welcome to Play Smart Soccer Training Academy in Cottonwood AZ

About Us

Play Smart Soccer Training Academy provides paid soccer training in Cottonwood, AZ where we train boys and girls aged 7-14 in small groups of 10 or less (NOW 6 year olds may try a class for free too!). Our experienced coach, with nearly 30 years of youth coaching experience and high school certifications, uses positive philosophies and encourages players to make mistakes and learn from them. The coach is very communicative and enjoys having fun and keeping it light while training players to play the beautiful game.

IMPORTANT: Our training sessions are held on Saturday mornings at the Cottonwood Kids' Park at the Fairgrounds. Times vary and I will communicate those to you upon contacting me. ALSO - our program will be halted for AYSO regular season from the last week of August through the last week of November.

Our owner and coach, Dave Glick, began coaching soccer in 1995 when his oldest boy was just 5 years old. As his 3 other children became old enough to play, he enrolled and coached them as well. Dave began coaching high school soccer in 2005 when his younger son was a freshman. Over the decades, he has coached hundreds of children including over 10 boys and girls travel teams from 10U through 19U. Dave has also coached the high school JV and Varsity Boys programs as well as providing help and support for the girls' high school soccer programs.

Dave enjoys coaching soccer immensely because he sees the improvement in players and he knows his soccer training in Cottonwood contributes not only to their skills on the field but also to their overall well-being and development. Kids that are steadily enrolled in team sports and other group activities feel more accepted and supported. Therefore they are more likely to keep out of trouble and stay off the streets because they are busy and immersed in a super-fun activity they love to participate in.

About Our Programs

We now have two training programs for two separate age groups! These programs are designed to cater to all children ages 7-9 and 10-14. We focus on skill development, teamwork, and game strategies in a fun and supportive environment.

Our purpose is to provide training and instruction to kids that are in the void of wanting to play but don't have a program available to them. Therefore, the Play Smart Soccer Training Academy is open to all children currently 7-14 years old with the following qualifications:

• For ages 10 and older, they must love soccer
• For ages 10 and older, this must be kid-driven, not parent-driven. Chlldren 6-9 may try our program at parent's suggestion for our younger player class.
• Players may not be enrolled in any other soccer program including Arsenal, YSC, etc
• Players must be well-behaved and respectful at all times

For more information on our programs, please contact us.