Professional Soccer Development Pathway
From a toddler's first kick to competitive club soccer: one clear ladder for Lindale and Smith County kids. Every coaching program is $80/month.
One ladder. Every step coached.
Players start in Soccer Start, build skills in the Academy, move up to the Smith County Knights, and test themselves in the Knights Quest tournament series.
U3–U5 · CoedSoccer Start
Fun first touches, coordination, loving the ball. A parent stays on site.
U6 · U8 · U10Soccer Academy
Technique, 1v1 skills, small-sided games. Each age group trains on its own.
U11 & U13 · ClubSmith County Knights
Our competitive side. Team tactics and competitive training.
Tournament seriesKnights Quest
Six tournaments where every game earns individual points.
Find your player's place
All sessions at the YWAM Lindale fields. One price for coaching: $80/month. We're starting small: one group per program at launch, growing into age groups as they fill.
Launch groups Times proposed
Soccer Start
Coed, U3–U5 (ages about 2–4). A parent stays on site.
Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 AM
Soccer Academy
Coed, U6–U10. Technique, 1v1 skills, small-sided games.
Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30 PM
Smith County Knights (Club)
U11–U14 competitive training.
Monday & Wednesday, 5:30 PM
When a launch group reaches about 12 players, it splits into the age-group schedule below. Start date: TBD. Evening sessions in winter depend on field lighting: TBD.
As we grow: full age-group schedule
Soccer Start
Coed tykes. A parent stays on site.
| Group | Time |
|---|---|
| U3 | 9:00 AM |
| U4 | 10:00 AM |
| U5 | 11:00 AM |
Tuesday & Thursday mornings
Soccer Academy
Coed with one coach to start. Boys and girls split onto separate fields as groups grow.
| Group | Time |
|---|---|
| U6 | 5:00 PM |
| U8 | 6:00 PM |
| U10 | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday & Thursday evenings
Smith County Knights (Club)
Competitive U11 and U13 teams.
| Team | Time |
|---|---|
| U11 | 5:00 PM |
| U13 | 6:00 PM |
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
League/tournament fees and uniform: TBD
In-between ages train with the group below: U7 with U6, U9 with U8, U12 with U11, U14 with U13.
Knights Quest: The Search for the Golden Knight
Six tournaments, six formats, two phases. Every tournament crowns its own winner, and every player keeps their own points total across the whole series.
Points
| Result | Points (every player) |
|---|---|
| Win | 3 |
| Draw | 1 |
| Loss | 0 |
| Tournament winner bonus | Small bonus (amount TBD) |
Phase 2: the throne is defended
The Golden Knight keeps the throne with the highest series points total, or is usurped by the White Knight, the Black Knight, or an unknown challenger. If no Golden Knight rose in Phase 1, the search continues: the player with the most points after the final tournament is crowned.
Phase 1: the knights rise
Golden Knight
Leads the points total after the first four tournaments and wins the 1v1.
White Knight
If a Golden Knight rises: 2nd in points. If not: the points leader who didn't win the 1v1.
Black Knight
If a Golden Knight rises: 1v1 runner-up (or 3rd in the 1v1 if the runner-up is already the White Knight). If not: the 1v1 champion.
Dates, entry fee, age divisions, tiebreakers and team formation: TBD. Open to outside players: TBD.
Camps, Clinics & Pickup
Camps & Clinics
Holiday and summer camps plus specialty clinics (finishing, goalkeeping, 1v1 moves) at YWAM Lindale. Open to current players and new families. As we grow, we hope to bring in guest coaches and special clinics through local college and pro soccer connections.
| Holiday camp | Dates TBD |
| Summer camp | Dates TBD |
| Specialty clinics | Dates TBD |
| Cost | TBD (separate from monthly coaching) |
Pickup Soccer
Open pickup games at YWAM Lindale. A low-pressure way to play, meet us, and see the fields.
| Where | YWAM Lindale fields |
| Day / time | TBD |
| Ages | TBD |
| Cost | TBD |
Coach Erling Johnsen
Erling founded Smith County Soccer to give every kid in Lindale and Smith County a safe, affordable, professionally coached pathway from their first kick to competitive club soccer. He coaches every session himself.
TBD: coaching background, licenses, playing history
Read our story →Our values: Ambition · Effort · Respect · Integrity
What parents say
PLACEHOLDER quotes: replace with real, approved quotes from families
PLACEHOLDER A real parent quote about their child's progress goes here.
PLACEHOLDER A real parent quote about coaching and communication goes here.
PLACEHOLDER A real player or parent quote about Knights Quest goes here.
Our Sponsors
Local businesses that help keep coaching affordable for East Texas families. Your logo could be here.
Sponsorship levels and pricing: TBD
Frequently Asked
How much does it cost?
Coaching is $80/month for every program. Club players may have extra league/tournament and uniform fees (TBD).
Where is training?
At the YWAM Lindale fields in Lindale, TX.
Which group is my child in?
At launch there is one group per program: Soccer Start U3–U5, Academy U6–U10, Knights U11–U14. As groups fill, they split into age groups (U3/U4/U5, U6/U8/U10, U11/U13). Not sure? Ask us below.
Do parents stay during Soccer Start?
Yes, a parent stays on site for Soccer Start.
Are boys and girls together?
Soccer Start is coed. The Academy starts coed and splits boys and girls onto separate fields once groups are big enough.
What should my player bring?
A ball, water, shin guards, and cleats or turf shoes.
What happens if it rains?
Weather policy: TBD.
Is there a free trial session?
TBD
Ready to play?
Register your player online for the 2026-27 season at YWAM Lindale (Nov 2026 – May 2027).