Current Section

We understand some parents are questioning whether the homework we are providing is too much. Please understand - as we coaches do - that we have a mix of players with differing expectations, and we are trying to provide help for the full range of skill level and interest while still having fun. As an example, some girls participated in winter training programs such as Coerver; Prior Lake Academy; Score, Score, Score; and Futsol, while others want to improve but couldn’t due to other commitments. We want to help all the players improve.

We also understand that some players can be told something once and it comes naturally, while others benefit from a picture, video, text, or multiple follow-ups. This homework is intended to support what we do in practice and fill in aspects of the game some players may be struggling with.

In future weeks, the reading portions will get shorter, as after this week the full set of positions has been covered. Please continue to support the team in encouraging your player to use this material. We don’t really quiz girls individually, but we will ask the group about elements of this as a review. We are trying to make this part both fun and educational.

Homework:

Vocabulary:

Friendship – try to build a team with cooperation and respect. We are playing this game together.

Cooperation – have the most concern about doing right rather than being right.

Position of the Week: Defender

We like to refer to this position as defender, but it can also be called right and left back, stopper, sweeper, and even fullback.

Defenders are the back line of the defense, and their job is to keep the other team from scoring. They also can push forward to keep the ball on defense. Unless asked to do otherwise, defenders should push to the center line when we have the ball on offense and should pressure to keep the ball on that end. Defenders need to keep the other team in front of them and learn how to apply pressure as the opposing team brings the ball up the field. Many view the defender as the most important position on the field. We will win games purely due to how well our defenders play. They are important. We will play with one or two defenders throughout the outdoor season.

Rule of the Week: Throw-In

To throw the ball in, the player must have both feet behind the line, both feet on the ground, and throw the ball over the head releasing with both hands at the same time. We want to get the throw-in to our team in open space within 3 seconds. Coaches may say, "One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three!" to remind players that the quicker we throw in the ball, the better we can push the ball upfield.

Video Instructional: The following YouTube video is a good summary of footwork, and something the players can work on while "bored"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blhj2qLPq_0

Video Fun: This YouTube video is from a TV show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llul_N1LPSg

Exercise Logs: It is probably a good idea to keep the logs going. We know there is a lot of activity this week with practice Sunday, a game Monday, practice Wednesday, and the Eagan tournament next weekend. But on off days, try to kick a ball around for 15 minutes or so, and perhaps do juggling and 4x4’s.

The Coaches

YouTube - Videos from this email

Note to Parents (April 29)

04/30/2012, 10:47am (CDT)

By Coaches

Week of April 29^th:

Here is this week’s homework for the players. Last Wednesday we had Terri the club’s U9/U10 trainer work with the girls and made multiple positive comments about the progress the girls are making, the level of effort, and how good they are to work with. It was a little troubling that at the start only 5 of our 10 players were there, however, by the end of her session 8 of 10 made it, thankfully so. Terri did like the homework concept and was particularly impressed with the job that the girls did on what we call the baby step, slide drill between the cones. She could tell that the girls have had a lot of touches in this area. This says a lot coming from a former Division 1 College coach and as experienced as she is. You should be proud of your young players.

Homework:

Vocabulary: Two words this week, these have modified definitions to line up with the concept of team which we are trying to build:

Enthusiasm – Your energy, enjoyment, drive, and dedication will greatly inspire others.

Industriousness – success travels in the company of very hard work. There is no trick, no easy way.

Position of the Week: Goal Keeper

What is a Goal Keeper? Read the following

Goalkeeper or Keepers (Not Goalies, we aren’t playing hockey), are responsible for keeping the ball from crossing the goal line between the two posts. More importantly, the keeper must be able to remain calm in difficult situations, and infect your teammates with your confidence. Personality, is a big part of being a goalkeeper. You need to be able to direct your fellow defenders and be able to reinstate the attack. Good goalkeepers should focus on the balls that are within arm’s reach from each side. It is important to realize that more that 80% of the balls that come to the keeper will be in this box. Don’t get too concerned about the balls that are on the outer edges of the goal, at this age focus on the balls within easy reach, the wider range will come over time.

Reinstate the attack. This is the idea that as soon as the keeper collects the ball they need to very quickly get the ball out through kicking, punting, or throwing to an offensive-minded player and get the ball up on the offensive side of the field.

For this season, everyone will play the keeper position either during matches (games) or scrimmages but during most of the games four to six girls will play the bulk of the games. Please remember to support the keeper and listen to them on the pitch.

Here are a couple of YouTube videos of Ainsley’s cousin playing keeper in a high school match in Southern Wisconsin. With some commentary on it:

This video shows a couple of things, first it shows a shot from way out by one player, and the keeper speaking up that he was going to take it and he stepped up , grabbed it and distributed it quickly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRzlV18ayA0

This video shows a corner kick that was poorly defended by the defensive player and the keeper knocked the ball clear of the goal and to a point where the team could progress to the offensive zone. This is an example of reinstating the attack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFwyOwHldHk

This video shows the keeper following the ball and knocking the ball clear. It is very important that the keeper stay engaged and keeping their eye on the ball:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1SiG4-xEbA

This video shows the keeper stopping a 1 on 1 shot on-goal. This happens due to the defender getting beaten and the keeper stepping up. After something like this it is common for the defender to say ‘Thanks’ to the keeper. This is done because the defender knows the keeper just covered for their mistake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q94d5x0bdlE

Rule of the Week: Kick Off

At the start of both halves and after each score a kick-off will occur. The kick-off for the first half will be executed by one team and at the second half by the other, the team who is scored upon will kick off after each goal.

The defensive team for the kickoff must stay out of the centre circle until the ball is kicked. A kick is considered any touch of the ball. Therefore, if we are on defence as soon as the ball is touched we can enter the circle to steal it.

Remember two important items when kicking off, first the ball must cross the centre line, and second after you kick it, the person kicking it can’t touch it again until it has been touched by another player.

The two biggest mistakes we see at U10 on kicking are not crossing the line, or touching it twice. The biggest mistake we see on defence is not going after the ball after it is touched, being too passive.

Video Instructional: Watch the following YouTube video, it demonstrates striking and trapping, two areas we are working on right now and we will continue to push.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSv1gKM90ZM

Video Fun: Watch the following video on YouTube, it is for a financial product sold in Europe, it shows great scoring skill, remember we can score many different ways.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE-VA8TH8VI

Exercise Logs: Please have your player bring their recent exercise log to practice on Monday Night.

On non-practice/game nights please get your player out with the ball for a minimum of 15 minutes…juggling would be good, or 4x4 (foundations and toe-touches), or if you can simulate a set of cones either with Frisbees, shoes, or other items from the garage, practicing the baby step/slide would be great for their skill development and give them many touches in a short time.

The Coaches

YouTube - Videos from this email

Note to Parents (April 22)

04/22/2012, 6:08pm (CDT)

By Your Coaches

Week of April 21st:

In an effort to have good communication from the coaches to the parents we will be posting a note similar to this each week looking for a few things to grow the players and potentially the families knowledge of the game. This is intended to be homework for the girls to share with the parents. We will talk about this during practice like we did last Wednesday. Now that we are outdoors this will become a regular occurrence.

Homework:

Vocabulary: Each girl should look up the definition of the word pressure

Position of the Week: Forward

What is a forward? Read the following

Forwards, also known as strikers or wing play closest to the opposing teams goal. These players need to be aggressive, opprotunisitc and willing to apply pressure on the ball as soon as it is lost on the offensive side of the field. They are also key to moving the ball quickly up the outside of the field. The term striker fits as the players at this position need to be strong at shooting and finishing. The term wing isn’t used much today, it used to be that the wing was a wide forward or midfielder whose job it was to get the ball up to the striker to score.

For U10 it is important that the forwards apply pressure as soon as the ball is lost, and cheat back to get passes from the defenders and midfielders as we clear the ball. They should not sit on the mid-field line and wait for the ball. Our key to keeping the ball on the offensive side of the ball will be how well we take defensive action on our opponents side of the field.

We will play with one or two (max) forwards throughout the outdoor season.

Rule of the Week: Out of bounds

The ball is considered out of play when it has completely crossed the goal or touch line, regardless of whether it is in the air or the ground.

The ball is considered in play at all other times.

The touch line is the side out of bounds line.

The goal line is the entire line from corner to corner including between the goal posts. To score, the entire ball must cross the line.

Also, if a ball curves over the touchline and comes back in and lands in bounds, that is still out of bounds...the lines on a soccer field is a plane, if the ball cross the plane it is out of bounds.

But remember, the ball is only out of bounds if the official blows their whistle and says it is...play to the whistle.

Video Instructional: Watch the following YouTube video, it is a good summary of one of the drills from a recent practice. One reason this is important is that we tend to have a hard time dribbling the ball up the field in attack mode, when one of the players has the ball alone they often will kick if far ahead and chase it but the other teams goalie or defender will get it first. We want to be fast with the ball but in control:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uu0R1__JO8

Video Fun: Watch the following video on YouTube, it is for a Sport Drink sold in Europe, it shows a very skilled individual juggling. The girls need to continue to work on juggling whilst at home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05TRF3PLO0w

Exercise Logs: Remember to track your physical activity for each day of the week and bring your log to practice on Wendsday night…we expect 15 minutes(minimum)with the soccer ball each day we don’t have practice. Besides juggling, and dribbling the girls could also find a wall and really work at striking the ball. We are striking the ball rather passively right now, we need to improve here. This is important both in shooting at the goal, clearing the ball out of our defensive zone, and moving the ball up the field. Each Wednesday we want the girls to bring their exercise log to practice, this should just be a sheet of paper with the day of the week with what they did and for how long

The Coaches