My schedule has really slowed down in the last couple of weeks. The end of the fall always brings with it a much more relaxed pace. I'm grateful that we were able to complete our season. That was definitely not guaranteed when we started back in August. This weekend is State Cup for my 2005's. This is the one tournament all year that I focus on winning. If we're successful we have the opportunity to go to regionals and that will put the team in front of … [Read more...]
#254 Do You Need a Coaching License?
Last weekend should have been State Cup for my 2005 but it was moved to the November because the facility that was supposed to host it was closed to all non-professional sports. I had blocked out the whole weekend for my other teams so they didn't have any games scheduled. We ended up moving a reschedule game for my 2005's into the empty weekend. That gave me just one game last weekend and that one wasn't until Sunday afternoon. It gave me lots of extra time to … [Read more...]
#252 Training the #6
Two weeks ago three of my teams participated in a tournament. That meant that I had 10 games from Friday to Sunday. It's not a huge physical challenge to coach 10 games in a weekend. But it is a mental challenge because you're focused and intense for each of those games. It can be an emotional challenge to if you get too carried away. Last weekend one of my teams traveled to Omaha for NPL (National Premier League) games. They only play one game a day so I … [Read more...]
#247 The Solution to Recording Soccer Games without a Camera Operator
As I write this post it's Thursday evening which marks the end of another week of training for me and my teams. I feel very fortunate to be able to train with my teams on the field because I know where are some places in the U.S. that haven't been able to start their fall seasons yet. I was reading an article about how the clubs in New York can't get permits to use the soccer fields despite the fact that the parks are open to the general public. Other places … [Read more...]
#246 Interview with Exact Sports
I've been focusing my teams on a few key areas at the beginning of this season. Our attacking focus has been on finding 1v1's, 2v1's and through balls. I think you can break down just about every attacking situation into one of these. I want the players to have a plan BEFORE they have the ball. This is becomes more important the more challenging the game is. You just don't have time to think about what you want to do when you're on the ball; you have to have … [Read more...]
#244 Creating Confident Female Players
Last weekend my teams were finally able to get back on the field and play games. My youngest two teams played three games each as a way to get a jump start on the season. There was definitely a lot of rust but they both played better and better throughout the weekend so it was a good start. In our second week of outdoor practices I'm finding it more and more uncomfortable to coach in a mask. It's so difficult to connect with players. I know it's something … [Read more...]
#242 Club and Team Culture
This was my last week of 'Summer Training'. It's been great to get the players back out on the field. I thought it was important to do something this summer to get them started. These sessions have also turned into a bit of a Pre Season for my teams. They gave the players a chance to train once a week after not training together at all for months. This was great for them in all areas of the game. It was also good for me. I missed being on the field with my … [Read more...]
#241 Debating the 4-3-3 vs 4-2-3-1
I've just finished my third week of 'Social Distancing Practice'. To be honest, I'm really missing high fives and pats on the shoulder. I didn't realize how much those simple acts helped me connect with players. Nothing can really replace those. We tried, 'foot fives' but those seem awkward and forced. It may not happen for a while but I can't wait until I can high-five my players again. That time seems to be moving further away now that schools in Kansas … [Read more...]
#240 Sun Tzu Soccer: The Art of War in Soccer
I'm sorry there wasn't a podcast last week. I'd forgotten that it was the Fourth of July holiday. With family in town I didn't have time to put the episode together. With everyday seeming like the day before I'd really lost track of where we are on the calendar.It was great to have a bit of time off and enjoy some golf, bar-b-que and family time. This is the end of the second week of, 'Summer Training' for my teams. After the long quarantine period my … [Read more...]
#234 Using Play – Practice – Play vs. Progressive Training Method
The discussion I’ll share this week is pretty long, like last week, so I’ll give you a quick update and then get right into the conversation. I feel that my players are experiencing a lot of, 'At Home' training fatigue. It's only natural since they've been stuck at home for two month without a chance to play. Training without playing would get old pretty fast for anyone let alone youth players. The trick shot videos that I asked the girls to create last … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 8
- ...Next Page