Academy In Training

AFC Lightning's Academy in Training (AIT) Program is designed to serve as a bridge between recreational soccer and competitive soccer for young players, 8U-12U. Players will receive training from experienced, professionally licensed staff coaches. The 8-week AIT program is the perfect way to be exposed to AFC Lightning's competitive soccer environment without the commitment of the full-time program.

Our directors and staff coaches are dedicated to creating an environment that challenges players to grow their technical, tactical, psychological, and leadership skills in order to reach their goals both on and off the pitch.



(8U - 12U)

  • Who is eligible to participate for the 2024-25 seasonal year?

    Any player whose birth date falls between 2017 and 2012 are eligible to participate in the AIT Program for the 2024-25 seasonal year.

  • What is the deadline to register for Spring 2025?

    Registration will close when capacity is reached.  Also, in order to guarantee receiving a shirt, players must register by February 17th.

  • How do I register?

    Click the following link to register for AIT.  


    AIT REGISTRATION

  • When does the AIT Program begin and end?

    The first training session is scheduled for Friday, February 28th and the final training session is scheduled for Friday, May 9th. The other 6 sessions will be March 7th, March 21st, March 28th, April 18th, April 25th, and May 2nd. The rainout dates are March 14th and April 4th.

  • When and where are the training sessions?

    AIT Program training sessions will be held each Friday from 6:00-7:30pm at Peachtree City Athletic Complex (PAC).

  • What will the players work on?

    The AIT Program curriculum is organized and instructed by AFC Lightning experienced and professionally licensed coaches with the aim of challenging young players to grow their technical, tactical, psychological, and leadership skills in order for players to reach their goals both on and off the field.


    The 8-week Spring 2025 program will feature topics on ball management & individual moves, dribbling & moves to beat opponents, passing fundamentals & use of passing in possession and attack, pressure & cover defending, 1v1 and 2v2 duels & competitions, and finishing & shooting. Each session will focus on a main topic but will include aspects of all of these technical and tactical skills, especially in small-sided games and competitions.  


  • What is the cost of the program?

    $110/player for the season.  The cost includes all practices  and an AIT Program training shirt (T-shirt only guaranteed if registered by February 17th).

  • What is the difference between Recreation and Select Soccer?

    Deciding whether or not your child should play recreational soccer or competitive (“select”) soccer is often a daunting task for parents not familiar with the world of competitive sports. The primary deciding factor that parents should consider when making the select verses recreation decision is whether or not one wishes to accelerate a child’s soccer development in a professionally guided training environment.


    In recreational soccer, the focus is most often on social interaction, “having fun” with friends, which often comes at the expense of instruction. In select soccer, the focus in on teaching in an enjoyable manner that is appropriate for the child’s age level. Individual skills and team tactics are taught by high-level, professionally licensed coaches in order to more fully develop the child’s level of play. When it comes to playing at a select level, the end result is young athletes that know how to play soccer at a much higher level than corresponding recreational players.

Wayne Gardner - Academy In Training Director