Player Development Program

level up

Sessions will contain thousands of touches in a very short amount of time providing a wonderful training tool for anyone looking to increase their speed of play. 

These sessions have a strong emphasis on technical skills, finishing, goal keeping, ball possession, speed of play and game awareness. 

The main goal is to create a strong competitive environment, but fun to highly increase all players' technical skill level so they will be prepared and ready to meet the standards of playing at the next level.

Why Choose Apex’s PDP?

This player development program (PDP) has a proven track record of developing and fostering collegiate and professional soccer players. For years, Kris Ray's sessions, camps, and events have consistently elevated players' technical skills, game speed, and tactical understanding.

  • The PDP creates a powerful training atmosphere where players thrive, forge lasting friendships, and build respectful relationships.

  • Trained players that have trained in and reached their goals of playing with the National Teams, Regional ODP Teams, and MLS Academies.

  • Trained and coached various college players playing in these DI conferences: ACC, SEC, MVC, Southern Conference, OVC, Big 10.

  • MLS Academy Players: Caleb Salenda (Nashville SC), Cais Lam (Nashville SC), Kevin Ochoa (Portland Timbers), Junior Ochoa (Portland Timbers)

  • National Team Training Pool: Mckenzie Thomas, Summer Lanter, Caitlin Cook, Nikki Bario

  • Regional Team: Summer Lanter, Caitlin Cook, Paige Lanter, Josie Rix, McKenzie Thomas, Julia Kaset, Nikki Bario

Testimonials

Soccer Players & Parents

"Working with Kris has helped me develop as a player and really helped with my confidence on the ball. His sessions are a great place to work on individual skills while playing with great players that care about improving their soccer abilities. The sessions are very physically demanding and competitive, but fun at the same time. Kris isn't in it just for a job, he really cares about us developing as players. He has traveled to many of my games and has been very supportive in all aspects of my soccer career."

— Summer Lanter
(Lee University)

"For the past ten years, I've trained with Kris Ray. Having this opportunity has helped me grow so much as a player. His training sessions have increased my foot skills, first touch, and creativity on and off the ball. Kris is not only an excellent trainer, but he has also helped grow my confidence and he supports me 100%. I recommend Kris to any soccer player who wants to compete at a high level in college."

— Kell pannell
(Western Carolina University)

"Greg and I have four daughters Paige, Clair, Summer, and Anna. When Page was 10 years old she tried out and made a select team and it was a miserable year. She was the player that sat the bench and if we were winning got to enter the game the last five minutes. Moon pie Brannon was kind enough to tell us we needed to get her to Kris Ray and gave us his number. We bought 8 lessons and started taking her regularly. We saw results immediately. Her skills improved, her confidence grew, and she began to love the game. We were thrilled with her progress. The next season she started and played most of the game. She was a different player. Kris has worked with all my girls. He has been a HUGE part of their success on the field. He has been more than the skills trainer to them. He has supported each of them by following their games and working in the areas he saw needed improvement. He has pushed into excel and takes pride in their accomplishments. Kris doesn't get the recognition he deserves. We are always giving other parents this name and number, because we know he has made a difference for us. We are very grateful for his investment in our daughters."

— Jeana Lanter - Mother of 4 players

"Training with Kris definitely helped put me where I am today. Soccer was always a love of mine, but never really a talent. Kris worked hard with me to develop skills I needed to play at a high level in the SEC and I would recommend training with him to anybody looking to improve their game." 

— Teni Butler
(University of Arkansas)

"Our daughter, Lainee, has been a student of the game since she was 4 years old. As Lainee advanced from recreational soccer to select soccer, the one thing we learned early on was that good foot skills were imperative to making a difference on the field. Regardless of the position, players that had great touches on the ball and the ability to maneuver around their opponents were the playmakers of the game. We were referred to Kris Ray with Elite Soccer Training in 2009 and have only positives to say about the time and money invested in the portion of her soccer training. Lainee has attended sessions with Kris for over 4 years, and she personally sees and understands the value of what he offers. Consistent and ongoing training is what produces the best results and Elite Soccer Training is a "must" for those players striving to be the best at their game. Not only has the training improved our daughter's soccer game and fitness over the years, but it has also benefited her in other sports as well. Hats off to Kris Ray for offering invaluable training to area soccer Players"

Greg and Julie Bohannon

Coaches

All sessions directed by Apex Technical Director, Kris Ray. Meet Kris!

Instructors: Collegiate Coaches, Collegiate Players, Pro Players, Apex Club Staff Coaches, and High School Players in some cases.

Curriculum & Goals

• Develop ball-handling skills: Master the art of juggling, dribbling, foot skills, and turns to become a true maestro with the ball.

• Enhance comfort in congested field areas: Learn to navigate and thrive in tight spaces on the field, turning obstacles into opportunities.

• Gain confidence and control with the ball: Elevate your game by boosting your confidence and control, so you can dominate any situation.

• Improve 1st touch using various body parts: Hone your first touch with precision using different body parts, including laces, inside foot, thighs, and chest.

• Develop 1v1 skills through multiple one-on-one scenarios: Master the art of one-on-one play with various drills and scenarios, enhancing your ability to excel in these crucial situations.

• Learn effective defending and attacking against a single opponent: Develop the skills and strategies to excel both in defending against and attacking a single opponent, giving you the edge on the field.

• Master accurate and creative passing techniques: Perfect your passing game with precision using the inside foot, outside foot, chips, and long-range passes.

• Refine distribution and shooting skills: Elevate your distribution and shooting abilities to make crucial plays and score more goals.

• Learn goal-scoring with power, accuracy, and deception: Discover the art of goal-scoring, combining power, pinpoint accuracy, and deceptive techniques to become a scoring sensation.

• Participate in micro-games to apply skills in game-like situations: Engage in micro-games to put your skills to the test in realistic, fast-paced scenarios that mimic actual match situations.

• Enhance tactical awareness without the ball: Develop your tactical understanding and positional awareness when you're off the ball, ensuring you're always in the right place at the right time.

• Focus on specific aspects of the game in a controlled environment: Delve into the nuances of the game by isolating and perfecting specific aspects in a controlled setting, fine-tuning your skills and decision-making.

• Mental Toughness Training: Develop the mental strength to tackle any challenge on the pitch.

• Tactical Awareness Training: Grasp the intricate strategies and tactics that make a winning team.

• Positional Insight: Gain a deep understanding of various playing positions, so you can excel in any role.

• The main goal is to create a strong competitive environment, but fun to highly increase all players' technical skill level so they will be prepared and ready to meet the standards of playing at the next level.

Open to Any Player

The Apex Player Development Program is a neutral training entity and provides programs for individuals, small groups, clubs, and teams looking for additional training.

Members of any club or organization are welcome to attend. 

We encourage players to play for their local recreational and competitive teams. This is advanced supplemental training. Not to be confused with a USYSA , ECNL, MLS Next, NPL, or USL Academy competitive program. 

Players are encouraged to participate in this program either concurrent with their USYSA , ECNL, MLS Next, NPL, or USL Academy team season, afterward, or when their schedule permits. 

Obviously, more dedicated participants will receive the most growth and experience from the training. From this program, let it be known that collegiate, regional and national players are fostered. 

The sessions are for any area player interested. These programs are not a tryout. This is not a recruiting tool for Apex Soccer Academy. This is an educational soccer experience for all area soccer players.