The Michigan Burn Soccer Club believes in Long-term player development- from the earliest age of the recreational player through the highest level of play. Michigan Burn has created a player pathway that starts with the beginner/grassroots player, introduction programs, and culminates at the College level. Our age-specific curriculum throughout the pathway ensures the players are continually being challenged appropriately, while creating an environment for the players to succeed. As development progresses, we are able to place identified players into a highly-competitive environment via the many programs that the Michigan Burn Soccer Club has to offer.

Little Burners: This is a co-ed development program for kids aged 5 and 6. Each training session is planned to focus on one area of team play or individual skill set. The activities are technical and fun at the same time. Just like our club teams, sessions include teaching of individual skill sets, small sided developmental activities, and games to reinforce all coaching points that were worked on in the session. The emphasis on dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting builds the fundamental building blocks of soccer. It’s fun for all the players as they learn to attack and defend. At this level, the kids play 4v4 to start improving young players’ technique and skills.

Youth & Player Development Program U8-U10: In our Youth and Player Development Program, the goal is to help introduce and progress the technical skills needed to become an Advanced Development team player. This program runs August through June. The team will train 2-3 times per week to prepare for regular season games. Players will work on developing a good first touch, principles of individual attacking and defending while learning to understand the basics of 7v7 positional play.  With this age group, players are placed in the correct skill level for play in the Michigan Youth Soccer League (MYSL.)

Advanced Development Program U11-U12: For U11 and U12 age groups, the goal is to accelerate individual development and add to the player’s technical base. In addition, we also introduce tactical ideas that help our players transition to the 9v9 format and field size. With this in mind, we strive to provide an environment that encourages the growth of the team, while continuing to develop the individual player. As players’ skill and game competence develops, technical and tactical development becomes more of an emphasis. This includes advanced principles of attacking and defending such as movement off the ball, playing wide, and overall team shape. At U11 and U12, the Michigan Burn as access to the MSYSA Director’s Academy for our highest level teams, in addition to the Michigan Youth Soccer League. In the spring season of play, Jr. State Cup is also introduced as the competitive environment within the players and teams increase.

Competitive Team Program U13-U14: During the Competitive Team Program stage, the technical and tactical skills that have been developed thus far help players transition to the final 11v11 format and field size. We teach different 11v11 tactical formations, the understanding of team shape, the concept of correct spacing, and the understanding of why and how to use the whole field. Technically, players start to understand that their first touch, passing, field awareness, 1v1 defending, and ball striking skills are critical to team success at this level. Players will receive more in-depth tactical guidance as they learn different systems of play and begin to specialize in specific positions. Players should continue to have experience at different positions on the field but may begin to settle into a primary position. There are many leagues at this point that we have affiliation with including The National League (NLC), and SCNSL (Select Clubs National Showcase League), for our highest level teams.  The Michigan Youth Soccer League (MYSL,) Michigan State Premier Soccer Program (MSPSP,) and Michigan State Cup. This gives each team the chance to enter a league that best fits and challenges them appropriately.

Premier Team Program U15-U16: The focus for our Premier Team Program is on teaching advanced techniques for attacking and defending. We want to instill possession-based attacking principles that teach the importance of good spacing, player positioning, movement off the ball, decision making and understanding when to take advantage of opportunities that arise during the game.  Positional training is critical, and players should be prepared to learn all the responsibilities and techniques of their primary position. The same leagues we offer for our U13-U14 age group we offer for this age group and place the teams in the league that fits and challenges them best.

College Showcase Program U17-U19: Players will continue to train at a high level while finessing their technical and tactical concepts. Our focus is to provide our players with as many college recruitment opportunities as possible.  We do this by going to and hosting multiple college showcases, creating player profiles, and teaching our players how to showcase themselves and interact with college coaches as the begin their journey into the next level as soccer player and as person.