XPL

Step into the Avila Exclusive Prep League (XPL), a groundbreaking soccer league where hybrid characters—part monster, part soccer ball—are just the beginning. In place of traditional referees, highly skilled XPL-certified trainers actively participate in matches, playing alongside each athlete. Their role includes providing real-time commentary and continuous encouragement. The XPL provides a unique blend of competitive gameplay and targeted practice, designed to nurture Soccer IQ in young players.

And, now featuring the KPL (Kicker Garden Prep League) for ages 4-5, which is the junior division of the XPL.

At halftime, the trainers switch teams, ensuring a sense of neutrality and a broader perspective. When coaches actively participate in matches alongside athletes, something magical occurs—they gain firsthand appreciation for the majesty of each player. This experience drives the importance of allocating time immediately after each match for coaches to provide player feedback. With XPL, parents can anticipate receiving performance analytics in various graphical formats via the Avila App within just 10 minutes after each game.

Every team participates in seven of these unique matches, which culminate in a playoff. These games take place on climate-controlled indoor fields with FIFA-certified turf. Parents are encouraged to review the game day etiquette and expectations to ensure that all participants—regardless of team—experience a sense of accomplishment and joy on the field

4v4 Small-Sided Games History

Nurturing Dutch concepts to maximize player development, the XPL spawns from a Dutch philosophy that has germinated itself in Spanish soccer, and recently seeding continuous success for one of the greatest English clubs in the world, Manchester City. In 1985, the Royal Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) began formal research into the development of creative players, and found that creativity was nurtured by the game itself—as kids were free to try their own solutions to problems presented.

This realization led them to introduce 4v4 training. This new format, they believed, was the smallest way of playing the game without losing the essentials of soccer. There are always possibilities to play deep, wide or backwards, and players are constantly confronted with true match situations.

The XPL uses a 4v4 format too and builds on these proven foundational concepts by using an indoor field—its four walls and perfect playing surface–force quicker reactions and foster creativity. By injecting the rule that “everyone has to touch the ball before the they can score,” quality of play is improved. What results is an opportunity to develop amid competition, something typical leagues aren’t able to offer.

The first XPL league was played at Lakeway, Texas in the summer of 2010, inspired by the idea that a paradigm shift away from conventional youth soccer leagues has been needed for a long time because the core fundamental challenge of playing great soccer is not the mastery of skill or physical fitness, but the awareness and adjustment of ones spacing.

Make player growth the priority. Be part of our 4v4 player development revolution by joining the new breed of soccer league–Exclusive Prep League.