Train at Home (Home Work)

I know our players don’t like to associate our soccer training with homework. However, if players want to excel in our sport, they do need to work at home on the skills and games taught and practiced in our training sessions. Sorry, but training twice a week and playing one game per week will not give you an edge if you are trying to prepare yourself for high school or beyond.

This "homework" can be done alone or with a friend.  Many of our individual ball touching skills can be done in small areas at home, but, for now, let’s focus on those soccer activities that can be done at home with a friend.

Two players and a ball is all that is really necessary. You don’t really need uniforms. Goals can be made with almost any markings; cans, bottles, etc. Fields can be a backyard, street, basketball court, or anywhere else that is convenient.  The ball can be any size; small ones help focus on touch. 

As far as games, let our young players make up their own. You’ll be amazed at what they come up with.  For example: play to two small goals, two goals on the side, one large goal one small, three sided goals, etc.  Instead of goals use target lines that the player has to dribble over.

If a third player comes, play 1v1 while one rests, or play 2v2, 1v2.  Rotate the extra player after a score. If another player shows, well 2v2, etc.

The point is to give the games to the players. Let them change them to their satisfaction. As long as they are doing their homework. We need a soccer culture in this country. Pele, Cruyff,  and Messi didn't  have someone giving them instructions all the time. It seems that in this country players do nothing unless they are given instruction by an adult. Prior to a training session, how many times do we come up to our field and see our players standing around talking or taking shots on goal rather than warming up with ball touches or playing a little possession game to get ready for the session?

Then can get their ideas from training. But, to be truly successful, they need to go home and play freely.

Enjoy the Game,

Charlie

A New Season is Upon Us

 

With league games approaching this weekend, I wanted to go over a few items as well as put out a few reminders:

 I noticed a few teams holding parent meetings over the last couple weeks.  That's great.  Communication is key to avoid any grey areas for your teams.

1. Please make sure all parents have signed the parent code of conduct and you have given a copy to the appropriate Boys and Girls Adm. Directors, Wally and Fred.

 

2. Please communicate to all parents the importance of being a positive fan of their child and of the club.  Positive cheering is encouraged on the sidelines.

3. Please make sure your players are hearing one coach's voice from the sidelines to avoid confusion on the player's part.

 

4. Please make sure you save any lectures or points of interest from the game until the next practice.  The kids just want to go home and be kids after the game.

A quick one-minute wrap and "good effort" is plenty.  If you are agitated about a player or team issue, use the 24-hour rule and re-think it.

5. BE SURE ALL PLAYERS ARE GIVEN ADEQUATE PLAYING TIME.  Minimum half of EACH half.  I realize for some teams this is not going to be an issue due to low roster numbers, but for others with large #s, it would be a good idea to have an assistant keep track of substitutions and playing time.  As suggested at our meeting, the phone app Coach's Clock is very useful for tracking players time during a game.

6. Above all, Enjoy yourself and help your players do the same, because the games are why we all play and train.

Enjoy the Game

A United Effort

For the average American sports fan, the effort given by the US Men’s National Team had to be satisfying.  It was a typical display of good ole American grit; pull together, dig down, and battle to the end.  A great effort!

For me, someone looking with a more discernible eye, I relished at the thought of how this team, built and orchestrated by a foreign-thinking coach and ex-world cup star, would fair against the likes of Portugal, Germany, and Ghana, with their superior talent and athleticism. 

I'd say we did well. We certainly didn't embarrass ourselves.  We gave ourselves a chance to win each game, although we were outplayed tactically and technically in 2 out of 3 matches.   Which begs the question: “How far have we really come as an international soccer playing country since the last world cup?” If I'm not mistaken, we got this far in the last world cup, and prior to that an American coach took us even further!  It makes one wonder.

From a position standpoint, anyone watching the Germany match can easily see we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world.  But remember, we always have.  Keller, Friedel, Meola just to name a few.  So, in terms of quality, that position hasn't changed all that much. 

The back line still leaves something to be desired, for sure.  We had to convert a former midfielder, Beasley to take the left back position, which he did admirably for someone with not very much experience in that role.  I must say, I believe Fabian Johnson is a real find.  He’s very athletic, a good defender, and a real threat going forward.

But, as in years past, it was the strong athletic defenders along with the goalkeepers who kept us in games in similar matches. So, again, this really hasn't been much of a change.

Our central defenders still need to show much more consistency in understanding some basic defensive skills such as 1v1 marking, positioning in the box, and passing choices in starting the attack once we win the ball.  I thought that Yedlin played extremely well.  He is a young, gifted, athletic soccer player with a bright future.  I would be very surprised if by next year, he isn't playing somewhere other than the MLS.  The Premier league or the Bundesliga perhaps? (ed. note: Charlie originally drafted this post on the evening of July 5^th.  The morning of the 6^th it was reported in US media that Yedlin may be headed to Italian powerhouse AS Roma.  How's that for a prediction?)

As far as the midfield positions go, I have to applaud the workhorse performance of Jermaine Jones throughout the cup.  To be honest, I had my doubts about him.  Guess he was saving his best for the big stage.  Other than Jones, I think we were very average along this line, and this is probably where it all fell apart.  We worked back and fought hard defensively, but once again, once we won the ball, there was very little creativity in our buildup and passing choices once we entered the attacking third.  This is where our buildup of attack typically broke down and the result was usually a controlled possessive buildup by our opponents which forced our attacking players to chase all the way back into our defensive third again, thus killing any attacking momentum we may have had and making our next buildup that much more difficult.

So, obviously, we still need the creative midfielder type who is comfortable on the ball, can run forever, distribute well and threaten the goal on occasion.  Think a young Italian named Andrea Pirlo.  We need one! (I have to add that Bradley gave his all in an unnatural position.  He is so much better at the holding midfield role and planning his runs forward into the attacking third.)

As far as strikers go, I'm at a loss to think that after at least 20-30 years of saying we need to produce real finishers, we still don't have one.  We have one who can hold the ball, we have one that can usually finish the poacher-type goal, we may have one that can beat people 1v1 on occasion, but I just don't see a complete attacking forward; One who can hold up play in the attacking 3rd, unbalance defenses with incredible 1v1 skill, and finish on goal both short and long or in the air.

Once again, this makes me question where our focus should be on teaching our youth.  We're all getting pretty good at organizing defenses to stay close in every game (same as our World Cup team did), but maybe we need to continue to encourage the little ones who just want to be the hero and score goals!!  Be the Messi, the Neymars of the world.  Lord knows, we need them at the next level!

World Cup: Opening Match, Opening Controversy

Opening Match: Brazil v Croatia

Only one game into the World Cup and we already have controversy.  Unfortunately for the referee, slow motion technology didn't help his cause on the so-called penalty against a scrappy Croatia.

That decision by the referee had a huge impact on the game result. We all preach that in our games we hope the official has very little to do with the outcome of a game.  In fact, the best referees I have seen over the years are hardly noticeable in a game.  That way, the outcome of the game can rightfully be decided by the players.  Croatia had to feel like they were the sacrificial lambs being dragged to the Lion's Den in this game.  What a shame, because they put on a good show.

I even questioned weather the call against their forward when he challenged Brazil's GK on the cross was a foul.  If he doesn't call it, Croatia scores and we have a new game!

Well, such is the World Cup and it does add to the excitement.

Enjoy today's games!

Charlie

The World Cup: Different Cultures, Different Climates... Different Soccer Styles!

Well, nothing but rave reviews for our Cape Express teams participating in the always fun Cohansey Tournament.  For most teams, it's a great way to end the season on a positive note.  We thank everyone who had anything to do with preparing the teams, travel arrangements, coaches, trainers and club administrators for your part in helping make this event such a great time for everyone!

....and now On To the World Cup in Brazil!!!

Encourage your team/parents and anyone else that may have the slightest interest in our game to watch and enjoy this athletic and cultural event.  Remember, the 32 teams that made it to the finals in Brazil have been qualifying for two years to make it out of their respective regions for the honor of playing in the finals of the World Cup.  This is the best of the best soccer in the World.  Not only will you see the best players in the world, but you will also get to see different styles of play depending on the physical, social, and geographical makeup of the teams.

For instance, take Spain who normally play in mild climates. They play a short, possession game with bursts of short distance sprints into spaces they were able to open up by their clever passing.  Compare this to a team like England where the weather warrants play involving longer passes and harder consistent running off the ball as they battle colder, wetter, weather conditions.

As for the USA, being the melting pot that we are, I think we're still trying to find our style. We have big players, small players, cold weather, mild weather, very warm weather, and sometimes snowstorms to deal with.  But, for the most part, we enjoy very nice fields to play on.  The style we most likely will evolve into would be a mix of short possession and the longer counter attacking passes as well as the long pass to switch the play to the opposite field.  But, we do have good athletes and like to run and compete.  

 

So, if we are organized properly in the back, we should be able to defend well and keep the games close.  Plus, we are very good and very experienced in goal, which is huge for any team. Offensively, we will just have to fight very hard to create chances and score goals. I would think set plays are going to play a major part in our games.

But, on any given day, if everything falls into place, any team is capable of winning any game. 

So, let's root our boys on and see what happens.

Enjoy the Cup!!

Charlie

Summer Break... What to Do?

When you look over the upcoming Cape soccer calendar, once Beach Blast is over, there's about one month for everyone to take a break and enjoy the great resort areas that we are surrounded by.  This is a good opportunity to relax both the body and mind so things are fresh again once we begin youth team training on Aug. 4.  Sometimes we tend to forget it's not only the players who need a break, but also the surrounding support system of coaches, trainers, and parents.

I get a lot of different requests/questions from trainers/parents/coaches regarding what they should be doing in the summer to keep their game sharp for the next season.  My responses are very different because each age group is unique in what direction they should move in preparing themselves for the Fall. 

U8-U10:  The very young want to enjoy being a kid at the shore.  As long as they take a ball out at least once a week to keep somewhat of a touch and want to attend a soccer camp for a few days in the summer, it's probably enough to keep them up to speed as well as  make them anxious to return in the Fall.

U11 & U12:  They are beginning to get into the game a bit and feel they want to do more in terms of the game.  I would encourage this group to have a parent or parent-coach organize one night per week to just play; more of a "street soccer" environment.  Give them an idea where and when to show up, divide the numbers, set up small sided 3v3/4v4 games and let them play pretty much unsupervised other than making sure things are safe for all involved.  Do not try to teach them.  Let them discover.

U13 & U14:  If they haven't already done so, they will be going through other physical and social changes.  Soccer is there, but it may not be the most important thing on their minds.  Good time to get some beach soccer games going and mixing the social and soccer activities.  For the serious player, they should be looking to definitely play some small sided street soccer at least once a week as well as attend a soccer camp to keep sharp for an important upcoming Fall season where they may be training and playing for both school and club.

Varsity Players:  They have probably already begun HS captain practices and are probably going at least twice a week until the official start of HS practices in late summer.  They really don't need much more, otherwise burnout will begin to take it's toll.  We also have to keep in mind that a lot of these players also play other sports and are trying to balance the demands of other coaches who say this is their season.  Keeping things fresh is a very delicate balancing act at this age for sure.

Above all, coaches and parents should resist the urge to attempt to push their players/children to keep working at maximum effort without allowing them to enjoy being a kid at the shore! No one can do this 12 months out of the year without experiencing some form of burnout.  I've always said that even on the professional level, they have about a month off in both winter and  summer to allow for both body and mind to rest and re-energize.

Enjoy the World Cup Games!!

Charlie

America's 23 Best?

Memorial Day.....Patriotism?..Landon Donovan, hmmmmmm.

Well, this is a tough one, so I purposely extended my traditional 24-hour rule to allow my emotional side to relax before commenting because I gotta say, when I first heard the news of Donovan's absence from the final roster of 23,  and then saw some of the inclusions, I was calling for Mr. Klinnsman's head.

Let me be straight here: I never believed Donovan to be the superstar soccer player that some folks think he is and I still don't.  When he decided to take a mental sabbatical from the team during qualifiers last year, from my coaching chair I was calling for Donovan's head.  "Give the slot to someone else," I said.

However, once Klinnsman allowed him back into the squad and said he would base his world cup selections on current form and the final training camp for Donovan as well as all 30 training camp invitees, I was very surprised by his exclusion.

Current form has seen Altidore play an entire season in the EPL and score 1 goal!  The so-called  dedication and commitment that Coach Klinnsman is calling for has seen Tim Chandler waiver back and forth as to his desire to play for the US or Germany, and after Germany didn't show interest, he accepted Klinnsman's offer to join the US Team.

Julien Green is a whole other story.  I have nothing against this young talent, but it almost wreaks of some back-room deal made that if he chose to wear the US jersey he would be rewarded with a World Cup ticket.  Too bad for some of these American raised boys who have gone through all the supposedly correct steps to put themselves in position to get a real shot at playing for their country, only to be transplanted by the dual citizenship players who Klinnsman seems to favor.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that Klinnsman really never got over the snub by Donovan when the player decided that he needed time off to re-energize.  We all know that Donovan has started to move towards the end of his soccer career and at times has hinted as much.  But I'm sorry guys, international World Cup experience has to count for something. I certainly think that even coming off the bench he can provide 25-30 minutes of spark that could save a point in a critical match. 

Where is Mr. Klinnsman's respect for the American player of the last decade?  Why did he choose to add very young, inexperienced foreign players with "potential" who have dual citizenship, rather than choosing a player who has proven himself for the US National team for over a decade and who recently broke the MLS all time scoring record?

I think Bruce Arena, former US National Team coach and current coach of LA Galaxy put it best with his comment, "...if there are 23 players on the current US roster better than Landon Donovan, then the U.S. should win the World Cup this year."

It makes one wonder,  if Coach Klinnsman had not received a contract extension good for the 2018 World Cup, would he have chosen to experiment with these young players in Brazil next month? Has he decided to give these young players with potential the opportunity to get experience this time around, conceding any favorable result this year, and making a true push for it in 2018?  

The World Cup is hardly the arena for giving young players experience.  I would be surprised to see many of these young players get off the bench this time around, unless the team is completely out of it by the second game and he just throws them in "to bloody them," as they say.

Well, I guess time will tell and I hope the US team does well despite this bump in the road.

Let's go USA Soccer!

Charlie