The College of the Canyons football program and Fitness Edge Performance Training have partnered to present the 2016 COC Football Academy, with local athletes ages 10 and up invited to take part in this football-specific training program.

As one of the most comprehensive training programs available to local youth athletes, the COC Football Academy will provide participants with position-specific training in the areas of strength, speed and agility.

Participants will receive three days of training per week with sessions taking place at both Cougar Stadium and the Fitness Edge Sports Performance facility located at 28325 Constellation Road in Valencia.

Weekday training sessions will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. (athletes ages 10 to junior high) and 6 to 7 p.m. (high school athletes) on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Fitness Edge Performance Training, with training regimens designed specifically to maximize football specific athletic potential.

At these sessions, athletes will work to increase their max speed, acceleration, and multi-direction skill sets. In addition, the strength and power portion of these training sessions will help athletes decrease the risk of injuries, while greatly improving individual performance on the field.

On Saturday mornings, the training will move to Cougar Stadium where coaches from the COC football program will lead a weekly, one hour practice focusing on the development and application on-field football skills. Those sessions are scheduled to take place from 8 to 9 a.m. for athletes ages 10 to junior high school, and 9 to 10 a.m. for high school athletes.

“Those attending the COC Football Academy will not only become better football players, but they will develop as athletes,” said Ted Iacenda, COC head football coach. “Our staff stresses the fundamentals that make any young athlete a better football player. Proper techniques for tackling as well as blocking, great ball skills both offensively and defensively and of course the proper body control that will allow these athletes to play at higher and faster levels.

“We want our athletes to improve and excel on the gridiron,” added Iacenda, “and the only way to ensure that, is to begin training smarter, and combining the state-of-the-art training at Fitness Edge with the exceptional football staff at College of the Canyons.”

The cost of the 2016 COC Football Academy is $250 per player, per month. Training sessions began Monday, Feb. 13, and will run through June 25, 2016.

For more information or to sign your athlete up for the 2016 COC Football Academy visit Fitness Edge Performance Training at 28325 Constellation Road in Valencia, or call (661) 294-5055.