Compromising on Standards is a Losing Play.
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Wednesday
Friday
Sports teach life. Life teaches sports
Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and the social unrest this summer I am getting back into coaching after my health problems of nearly a year ago. I found myself wondering this afternoon just what can we learn from recent events and how can they be applied to athletics?
There has been so much raw emotion on display as people takes sides on these issues that this seems the logical place to start.
There is nothing wrong with an adult of 21 years or older enjoying an alcoholic beverage. Problems can arise when the partaker consumes too much alcohol and becomes drunk. Their thinking becomes clouded and mistakes, sometimes life altering mistakes, can be made.
Emotions are somewhat like alcohol. Emotion can certainly be good. "He played with such emotion!" can be high praise in depicting a quality performance. Being emotionally drunk can be self-destructive and detrimental to the team effort.
Using emotion to drive a calm concerted effort can produce the desired results, tremendous results even.
Allowing emotion to boil over into blind rage distracts from solving the problem at hand and can lead to disastrous results.
I believe we have seen this play out explosively in the riotous protests of the last few days. I fear we may yet see this play out in a second wave of Covid-19 infections as some champ at the bit for a return to normalcy.
So, learning to control emotions, to channel emotions in a positive direction, is certainly a lesson we can learn from life and apply to sports. A positive use of emotion can lead to progression while emotions that boil over out of control result in regression.
As coaches we love coaching phrases. Short, concise sayings that deliver the message. Two such come to mind as I type this message to you; Facts over Feelings and Power Never Flinched to Emotion Alone.
Both infer the need to remain calm and combine emotion with rationale thought.
We have all seen an athlete become angered and turn in an amazing performance. The athlete used his anger, his emotion, to drive his performance to a higher level.
We have also all seen an athlete become angry, lose his composure and be thrown completely off his game or even thrown out of a game.
So, there is a choice, a decision to be made and training provided on how to make the correct decision in emotional situations. I think that is something we can take away from this Spring of discontent and social unrest.
As coaches a part of this equation would seem to be keeping in mind that facts are not hard and absolute in many cases. Another coaching phrase, if you will; Same Facts / Different Interpretations. Of course, this is based on personal experiences and perceptions.
Think of the well known example of 10 different people all witnessing the same traffic accident. There are 10 varying accounts of what occurred. Agreement exists on some basics, but not necessarily on the details. There was an accident can probably be agreed upon although someone might state "it seemed he intentionally rammed the other car." Who had right of way? Was one or both of the drivers distracted? All these details, these facts, could be open to interpretation.
I think that is most definitely happening in our society as it concerns both Covid-19 and protests / riots.
And I believe differing interpretations of the same set of facts is perfectly okay ... IF everyone can work towards common ground and understanding that there is more than one interpretation to the same set of facts. If we take the "win at all costs" mentality, the adversarial nature that turns events into a personal Me vs Him or We vs They attitude focused on details rather than desired outcome, and turn it into an attitude of shared responsibility for the good of the game or the good for society, then good things can happen.
Never allow what you feel to lead you to forget what is real. The balance between Heart and Mind can be a delicate one. When thrown out of balance by alcohol or emotion things can get sideways in a hurry. Maintaining a proper balance between Mind and Heart seems both prudent and a key to maximizing effort. We cannot allow our emotions to overpower our intelligence. That seems to be a king consideration or key educational objective we can take from the chaos surrounding the pandemic and rioting.
There has been so much raw emotion on display as people takes sides on these issues that this seems the logical place to start.
There is nothing wrong with an adult of 21 years or older enjoying an alcoholic beverage. Problems can arise when the partaker consumes too much alcohol and becomes drunk. Their thinking becomes clouded and mistakes, sometimes life altering mistakes, can be made.
Emotions are somewhat like alcohol. Emotion can certainly be good. "He played with such emotion!" can be high praise in depicting a quality performance. Being emotionally drunk can be self-destructive and detrimental to the team effort.
Using emotion to drive a calm concerted effort can produce the desired results, tremendous results even.
Allowing emotion to boil over into blind rage distracts from solving the problem at hand and can lead to disastrous results.
I believe we have seen this play out explosively in the riotous protests of the last few days. I fear we may yet see this play out in a second wave of Covid-19 infections as some champ at the bit for a return to normalcy.
So, learning to control emotions, to channel emotions in a positive direction, is certainly a lesson we can learn from life and apply to sports. A positive use of emotion can lead to progression while emotions that boil over out of control result in regression.
As coaches we love coaching phrases. Short, concise sayings that deliver the message. Two such come to mind as I type this message to you; Facts over Feelings and Power Never Flinched to Emotion Alone.
Both infer the need to remain calm and combine emotion with rationale thought.
We have all seen an athlete become angered and turn in an amazing performance. The athlete used his anger, his emotion, to drive his performance to a higher level.
We have also all seen an athlete become angry, lose his composure and be thrown completely off his game or even thrown out of a game.
So, there is a choice, a decision to be made and training provided on how to make the correct decision in emotional situations. I think that is something we can take away from this Spring of discontent and social unrest.
As coaches a part of this equation would seem to be keeping in mind that facts are not hard and absolute in many cases. Another coaching phrase, if you will; Same Facts / Different Interpretations. Of course, this is based on personal experiences and perceptions.
Think of the well known example of 10 different people all witnessing the same traffic accident. There are 10 varying accounts of what occurred. Agreement exists on some basics, but not necessarily on the details. There was an accident can probably be agreed upon although someone might state "it seemed he intentionally rammed the other car." Who had right of way? Was one or both of the drivers distracted? All these details, these facts, could be open to interpretation.
I think that is most definitely happening in our society as it concerns both Covid-19 and protests / riots.
And I believe differing interpretations of the same set of facts is perfectly okay ... IF everyone can work towards common ground and understanding that there is more than one interpretation to the same set of facts. If we take the "win at all costs" mentality, the adversarial nature that turns events into a personal Me vs Him or We vs They attitude focused on details rather than desired outcome, and turn it into an attitude of shared responsibility for the good of the game or the good for society, then good things can happen.
Never allow what you feel to lead you to forget what is real. The balance between Heart and Mind can be a delicate one. When thrown out of balance by alcohol or emotion things can get sideways in a hurry. Maintaining a proper balance between Mind and Heart seems both prudent and a key to maximizing effort. We cannot allow our emotions to overpower our intelligence. That seems to be a king consideration or key educational objective we can take from the chaos surrounding the pandemic and rioting.
Thursday
Work Smart. Play Fast.
A coached recently lamented he didn't have enough athletes on his roster to compete with the teams in their league. Opponents were bigger, stronger and faster than his players.
Pele is 5'8"
Messi is 5'7"
Neymar is 5'9"
Romario is 5'6"
The point being made is simply this, pace of play is about how fast we can think this game we call soccer. One thing each of the greats listed above have in common with the other greats of the game is an economy and efficiency of touches on the ball.
In order to play faster we need to be dedicated to and disciplined in doing the following:
* Prioritize Playing Fast
* Think ahead in the game by becoming GAME watchers instead of ball watchers
* Know your next play before your first touch
* Hone and refine your technical ability
Prepare to Play the Ball
* If you wish to receive the ball from a teammate be in his vision early, before his first touch on the ball
* Ask yourself, if my teammate about to receive the ball wants to play one touch, where and how do I need to be positioned to receive that one touch play? Then get into that position.
* If I am expecting my teammate to play with two touches, which sequence is he likely to use and where and how do I need to be positioned to receive his pass? Then get into that position.
* If at all possible, position yourself to receive the ball across your body keeping your hips open to as much of the field as possible
* Know your next play before your first touch. Which of your teammates is moving to be in position to receive your pass?
** If your teammate about to receive will be under pressure you will need to move closer to him as his vision will be restricted.
** If your teammate about to receive will not be under pressure stay out of his space and open the pitch up to as many possibilities as you can for him.
Shared Responsibility
Pass the Ball to the Proper Foot.
* The proper foot is the foot furthest from defensive pressure
* A ball to which foot will help your teammate avoid defensive pressure?
* The foot the pass is played to is a cue for how the receiver should prepare to play the ball.
* If the ball is passed to the front foot (the foot nearest the passer) this is a cue that the receiver will be under pressure when receiving. A self-pass or one-two combination pass is indicated.
* If the pass is to the back foot (across the body) this is an indication the receiver has time to play the ball away or turn and advance the ball himself.
* Pass the ball with proper weight or pace. A good rule of thumb for teh push pass is the pass should travel at a pace that would carry it 10 yards beyond the intended target.
The idea is to set teammates up so they too can play fast soccer.
Attacks lose pace or completely break down when passes are made to the wrong foot,
* Give a pass you yourself would like to receive.
* If a proper angle is not available to make a good pass, don't make that pass. Find another option.
* If you must make that pass, pass the ball to where your teammate should be.
* When you pass the ball, pass information.
* Non-verbal information is passing the ball to the foot of your teammate furthest from defensive pressure.
* Verbal communication might be a call to "Turn! or "Man on!" if your pass has missed its targeted foot or making a call for a combination pass.
Receive the Ball with the Proper Foot
* Position yourself as you wish to play the ball
* Read the pass and adjust your positioning according to the information the pass is sharing with you.
* If the ball is passed to your front foot (the foot nearest the passer) this is a cue you will be under pressure when receiving. A self-pass or one-two combination pass is indicated.
* If the ball is passed is to your back foot (across the body) this is an indication you have time to turn and advance the ball yourself or play the ball away
* Play the way you face
* Play the ball with the proper foot if attempting one touch play.
* The back foot if you are going to advance the ball
* The front foot if you are going to utilize a drop pass or one-two combination
* Play the ball with the proper foot for the appropriate two touch sequence of touches. This sequence should be predetermined before your first touch on the ball.
* Right / Right
* Right / Left
* Left / Left
* Left / Right
* Listen for information being shared with you by the passer and other teammates.
Communication
Pass the Ball, Pass Information OR Give the Ball, Give a Call
Both non-verbal and verbal communication must be with the best interests of the ball in mind.
Protect the Ball
* Body positioning of the potential receiver communicates to the passer which foot to pass to.
* The foot the ball is passed to communicates to the receiver where defensive pressure is coming from.
* Verbal communication from the passer communicates where defensive pressure is arriving from and or what play is available to the passer
* Verbal communication might also be used to communicate a particular type of combination pass and the timing involved in executing said passing combination,
All information passed must be useful, concise and convey information that will help teammates solve problems presented by opponents.
Pretend as if both the ball and your teammate about to play it are blind. You must be their eyes. Do not lead either into an opponent, Guide them.
Pele is 5'8"
Messi is 5'7"
Neymar is 5'9"
Romario is 5'6"
The point being made is simply this, pace of play is about how fast we can think this game we call soccer. One thing each of the greats listed above have in common with the other greats of the game is an economy and efficiency of touches on the ball.
In order to play faster we need to be dedicated to and disciplined in doing the following:
* Prioritize Playing Fast
* Think ahead in the game by becoming GAME watchers instead of ball watchers
* Know your next play before your first touch
* Hone and refine your technical ability
Prepare to Play the Ball
* If you wish to receive the ball from a teammate be in his vision early, before his first touch on the ball
* Ask yourself, if my teammate about to receive the ball wants to play one touch, where and how do I need to be positioned to receive that one touch play? Then get into that position.
* If I am expecting my teammate to play with two touches, which sequence is he likely to use and where and how do I need to be positioned to receive his pass? Then get into that position.
* If at all possible, position yourself to receive the ball across your body keeping your hips open to as much of the field as possible
* Know your next play before your first touch. Which of your teammates is moving to be in position to receive your pass?
** If your teammate about to receive will be under pressure you will need to move closer to him as his vision will be restricted.
** If your teammate about to receive will not be under pressure stay out of his space and open the pitch up to as many possibilities as you can for him.
Shared Responsibility
Pass the Ball to the Proper Foot.
* The proper foot is the foot furthest from defensive pressure
* A ball to which foot will help your teammate avoid defensive pressure?
* The foot the pass is played to is a cue for how the receiver should prepare to play the ball.
* If the ball is passed to the front foot (the foot nearest the passer) this is a cue that the receiver will be under pressure when receiving. A self-pass or one-two combination pass is indicated.
* If the pass is to the back foot (across the body) this is an indication the receiver has time to play the ball away or turn and advance the ball himself.
* Pass the ball with proper weight or pace. A good rule of thumb for teh push pass is the pass should travel at a pace that would carry it 10 yards beyond the intended target.
The idea is to set teammates up so they too can play fast soccer.
Attacks lose pace or completely break down when passes are made to the wrong foot,
* Give a pass you yourself would like to receive.
* If a proper angle is not available to make a good pass, don't make that pass. Find another option.
* If you must make that pass, pass the ball to where your teammate should be.
* When you pass the ball, pass information.
* Non-verbal information is passing the ball to the foot of your teammate furthest from defensive pressure.
* Verbal communication might be a call to "Turn! or "Man on!" if your pass has missed its targeted foot or making a call for a combination pass.
Receive the Ball with the Proper Foot
* Position yourself as you wish to play the ball
* Read the pass and adjust your positioning according to the information the pass is sharing with you.
* If the ball is passed to your front foot (the foot nearest the passer) this is a cue you will be under pressure when receiving. A self-pass or one-two combination pass is indicated.
* If the ball is passed is to your back foot (across the body) this is an indication you have time to turn and advance the ball yourself or play the ball away
* Play the way you face
* Play the ball with the proper foot if attempting one touch play.
* The back foot if you are going to advance the ball
* The front foot if you are going to utilize a drop pass or one-two combination
* Play the ball with the proper foot for the appropriate two touch sequence of touches. This sequence should be predetermined before your first touch on the ball.
* Right / Right
* Right / Left
* Left / Left
* Left / Right
* Listen for information being shared with you by the passer and other teammates.
Communication
Pass the Ball, Pass Information OR Give the Ball, Give a Call
Both non-verbal and verbal communication must be with the best interests of the ball in mind.
Protect the Ball
* Body positioning of the potential receiver communicates to the passer which foot to pass to.
* The foot the ball is passed to communicates to the receiver where defensive pressure is coming from.
* Verbal communication from the passer communicates where defensive pressure is arriving from and or what play is available to the passer
* Verbal communication might also be used to communicate a particular type of combination pass and the timing involved in executing said passing combination,
All information passed must be useful, concise and convey information that will help teammates solve problems presented by opponents.
Pretend as if both the ball and your teammate about to play it are blind. You must be their eyes. Do not lead either into an opponent, Guide them.
Gimme Three Steps ...
Believe it or not the name of this Lynyrd Skynyrd song is applicable to soccer.
When your team is in possession of the ball you will be filling one of two roles
* Passer
* Potential receiver or passing option
When the ball leaves the passers foot he immediately switches to the role of a potential receiver.
* MOVE!
* Three quick strides to gain separation from the defender who was pressuring you is the minimum distance you should move
* Before the pass you should have looked for a possible combination passing or third man running option. Take advantage of these runs if available.
* Space. Find open space near you and be in the vision of the next potential passer if possible.
Ask Questions of Yourself.
* If the ball comes to me now, what's on? Know your next play before your first touch.
* Where on the pitch do I need to be in the next 5 seconds? Be in your teammates vision early.
* Can the ball see me? Position yourself in an open passing lane not somewhere where a defender is between you and the ball.
* Where is open space and can I get there OR can I communicate to a teammate move there OR can I communicate to the passer to play a ball there for a teammate to run onto?
While this may seem overwhelming as to what must go into each successful pass and reception it is actually just the tip of the iceberg. I will post some additional thoughts on this subject in the coming days. For now, take the time to digest this. Please, print it off and distribute it to your players, Yes, even the very young ones. This is basic information. Attacking Soccer 101 that we must teach and instill in our players.
Better People make Better ...
In James Kerr’s book “Legacy” there is a phrase used repeatedly that has stuck with me: “Better people make better All Blacks”. The original context inferred this was about populating the All Blacks with the right kind of people. Be it administration, coaches or players: better people makes better All Blacks. Common sense, right? Weed out those who don’t buy-in and replace them with those who are all-in. As I finished reading the book I came to realize it’s so much more than that.
I have been working at a high school that has some truly outstanding educators on staff yet the school is not viewed favorably on state report cards. This has been on my mind for much of the last two years. Why doesn’t the school perform better on state tests than it does? I can ask the same about the schools soccer program I have led. A common theme (in my mind) is that the best and brightest students (/athletes) do not make those around them better. In a general sense, they tend to settle for and into the norm.
Why is that?
I do not profess to have all the answers, but that phrase from the book keeps rattling around my brain: Better people make better ...
A public school system pretty much takes any student and it can be very difficult to cull the student population. I’m walking a slippery slope here and so I want to be clear that there are truly quality people in this school - adults and students alike. But could they be better? And should a stronger focus be on improving the people? Not exchanging them for others, just improving on what is here. Invest in and take care of the people in your organization for better people make better ...
This, then, is what I believe James Kerr’s message is. At least in part. Invest in the people for better people make better ... students, better athletes, et al. If students lack social graces and are rude, inconsiderate towards both peers and adults, can we not make an effort to help them improve in these areas. For instance, as players report to practice there is an expectation, a standard, that they will greet each of their teammates and coaches with a handshake and small talk. Could this not be carried over to each classroom each period? It would take but a couple of minutes ... time invested in the people. For better people make better ...
I have proposed starting a Gentlemen’s Club at the school modeled off successful programs at other schools. Basically a club that focuses on social graces, how to tie a tie and other things that can impact self-esteem and confidence ... improving the people. Would this then positively impact state test scores?
Better people make better All Blacks
Better people make better students
Better people make better soccer players.
If we improve the people, raise their self-esteem and confidence they become better people and by extension better students, better soccer players and so on. This seems a simple formula and one easily implemented. Seems likely to be worth the effort, does it not? What say you?
I have been working at a high school that has some truly outstanding educators on staff yet the school is not viewed favorably on state report cards. This has been on my mind for much of the last two years. Why doesn’t the school perform better on state tests than it does? I can ask the same about the schools soccer program I have led. A common theme (in my mind) is that the best and brightest students (/athletes) do not make those around them better. In a general sense, they tend to settle for and into the norm.
Why is that?
I do not profess to have all the answers, but that phrase from the book keeps rattling around my brain: Better people make better ...
A public school system pretty much takes any student and it can be very difficult to cull the student population. I’m walking a slippery slope here and so I want to be clear that there are truly quality people in this school - adults and students alike. But could they be better? And should a stronger focus be on improving the people? Not exchanging them for others, just improving on what is here. Invest in and take care of the people in your organization for better people make better ...
This, then, is what I believe James Kerr’s message is. At least in part. Invest in the people for better people make better ... students, better athletes, et al. If students lack social graces and are rude, inconsiderate towards both peers and adults, can we not make an effort to help them improve in these areas. For instance, as players report to practice there is an expectation, a standard, that they will greet each of their teammates and coaches with a handshake and small talk. Could this not be carried over to each classroom each period? It would take but a couple of minutes ... time invested in the people. For better people make better ...
I have proposed starting a Gentlemen’s Club at the school modeled off successful programs at other schools. Basically a club that focuses on social graces, how to tie a tie and other things that can impact self-esteem and confidence ... improving the people. Would this then positively impact state test scores?
Better people make better All Blacks
Better people make better students
Better people make better soccer players.
If we improve the people, raise their self-esteem and confidence they become better people and by extension better students, better soccer players and so on. This seems a simple formula and one easily implemented. Seems likely to be worth the effort, does it not? What say you?
Saturday
Moving on.
I made the decision to move on from Fairlawn High School with some reluctance. I had accepted the positions there because 1) my wife was changing careers and we needed the extra income and 2) because I wanted to continue coaching soccer. Fairlawn offered me both a position in the school and the head soccer coach position for which I remain extremely grateful. I have come to love the work and many of my co-workers. The coaching has been interesting: perhaps my most disappointing year of coaching followed by the most rewarding year of coaching I have had in a long time.
I'm not going to dwell on the negatives here other than to say there were some: selfish players, helicopter parents - typical obstacles found anywhere and everywhere.
I want to focus on the positives. First the work aspects: Amber, Chris, Cory, Jodi, Jason ... truly outstanding educators. These folks go above and beyond in service to the young people entrusted to them. Each is willing to build teacher / pupil relationships that put students at ease and facilitate learning. I've learned so much from each of them.
The players. I must admit that after the 2017 season I seriously considered hanging up the whistle and clipboard. That season had been so disastrous that the ability of the program to survive was in doubt. The very real threat of the program folding is ultimately what kept me in the coaching game. I prayed on it and felt God had brought me to Fairlawn to navigate a terrible season and persevere through at least the next season to lay a foundation that could be built upon. We have succeeded in doing this. The program has grown from 4 players this time last year to an estimated 22 players for the 2019 season.
The credit is only partially mine. The majority of credit goes to the following players: Lucas and Leeann were our seniors and both did a remarkable job in stabilizing a floundering program. That will be their legacy to Fairlawn soccer. And quite a legacy it is. Grace, Seth, Katie and Payton were the underclassmen who stepped forward to provide leadership to the team. They were positive in the face of almost overwhelming adversity and understood our success was measured through continuous improvement in the process. These six individuals demonstrated maturity, character, dedication and positivity well beyond their years. Their teammates followed their lead. They will each enjoy success in life because of these traits and collectively he four who return can lead the Fairlawn soccer program to the next level.
My wife is enjoying her new work as CFO of a non-profit and I have found new employment with Van Wert City Schools / the Western Buckeye Educational Services Center. I will be coaching men's soccer at Van Wert and am looking forward to the challenge. When I took over the Lima Central Catholic girls program they had never had a winning season in its 11 years of existence. That was preperation for this next adventure as I'm not sure Van Wert has enjoyed a winning season in its 24(?) years of existence. I am really looking forward to the challenge.
I am going to remember the lessons learned from my time at Fairlawn. The successes and the failures alike. So very much learned that can be applied going forward. I am especially going to remember the people. Those mentioned previously and people like Miss Betty, Betsy, Shelly, Deb, Gail, Todd, JT, Yolanda, Erin, Thersa, Darren, Karen and so many more.
I have a stated goal of wanting to learn something new each and every day and they all helped fulfill this goal over the last two years. I am sure I have missed a few, my apologies. This is one of the hazards of trying to name so many.
Most importantly, I wish to thank Caleb Puckett, the young man I was primarily charged to work with at Fairlawn. Caleb has been a daily inspiration to me and in truth was the deciding factor in my returning to Fairlawn this year. He is Developmentally Disabled or so they tell me. What Caleb actually is, is unique. He processes information differently than you or I. He is most definitely not dumb, just slow in doing things conventionally. He is quite smart and has a strong desire to learn. The progress he made these two years has been amazing. Until he ran up against calculus and trigonometry he mastered every academic challenge presented to him. And in fact, he was doing okay in those subjects before the decision was made to focus on more practical math, or math Caleb will need to be able to perform routinely in daily life. Such a rewarding experience for me. I thank God for having had this experience.
And now, I am moving on. Moving on to the next adventure.
I'm not going to dwell on the negatives here other than to say there were some: selfish players, helicopter parents - typical obstacles found anywhere and everywhere.
I want to focus on the positives. First the work aspects: Amber, Chris, Cory, Jodi, Jason ... truly outstanding educators. These folks go above and beyond in service to the young people entrusted to them. Each is willing to build teacher / pupil relationships that put students at ease and facilitate learning. I've learned so much from each of them.
The players. I must admit that after the 2017 season I seriously considered hanging up the whistle and clipboard. That season had been so disastrous that the ability of the program to survive was in doubt. The very real threat of the program folding is ultimately what kept me in the coaching game. I prayed on it and felt God had brought me to Fairlawn to navigate a terrible season and persevere through at least the next season to lay a foundation that could be built upon. We have succeeded in doing this. The program has grown from 4 players this time last year to an estimated 22 players for the 2019 season.
The credit is only partially mine. The majority of credit goes to the following players: Lucas and Leeann were our seniors and both did a remarkable job in stabilizing a floundering program. That will be their legacy to Fairlawn soccer. And quite a legacy it is. Grace, Seth, Katie and Payton were the underclassmen who stepped forward to provide leadership to the team. They were positive in the face of almost overwhelming adversity and understood our success was measured through continuous improvement in the process. These six individuals demonstrated maturity, character, dedication and positivity well beyond their years. Their teammates followed their lead. They will each enjoy success in life because of these traits and collectively he four who return can lead the Fairlawn soccer program to the next level.
My wife is enjoying her new work as CFO of a non-profit and I have found new employment with Van Wert City Schools / the Western Buckeye Educational Services Center. I will be coaching men's soccer at Van Wert and am looking forward to the challenge. When I took over the Lima Central Catholic girls program they had never had a winning season in its 11 years of existence. That was preperation for this next adventure as I'm not sure Van Wert has enjoyed a winning season in its 24(?) years of existence. I am really looking forward to the challenge.
I am going to remember the lessons learned from my time at Fairlawn. The successes and the failures alike. So very much learned that can be applied going forward. I am especially going to remember the people. Those mentioned previously and people like Miss Betty, Betsy, Shelly, Deb, Gail, Todd, JT, Yolanda, Erin, Thersa, Darren, Karen and so many more.
I have a stated goal of wanting to learn something new each and every day and they all helped fulfill this goal over the last two years. I am sure I have missed a few, my apologies. This is one of the hazards of trying to name so many.
Most importantly, I wish to thank Caleb Puckett, the young man I was primarily charged to work with at Fairlawn. Caleb has been a daily inspiration to me and in truth was the deciding factor in my returning to Fairlawn this year. He is Developmentally Disabled or so they tell me. What Caleb actually is, is unique. He processes information differently than you or I. He is most definitely not dumb, just slow in doing things conventionally. He is quite smart and has a strong desire to learn. The progress he made these two years has been amazing. Until he ran up against calculus and trigonometry he mastered every academic challenge presented to him. And in fact, he was doing okay in those subjects before the decision was made to focus on more practical math, or math Caleb will need to be able to perform routinely in daily life. Such a rewarding experience for me. I thank God for having had this experience.
And now, I am moving on. Moving on to the next adventure.
Monday
LEGACY by James Kerr
On the recommendation of a friend the book Legacy by James Kerr was among the books I bought myself for Christmas. I finally got around to reading it and discovered it was as “unputdownable” as Bloomberg reviewed it to be. I think one reason I put off reading it was because I am a soccer coach and this is a book about the All Blacks rugby team. Only, it’s not about rugby at all. It’s about culture and leadership. It’s about life.
A personal strength of mine lies in building soccer programs. Not just a team, but the program. And not a rebuild either. I truly enjoy taking a program that maybe has not had on-the-field success and helping them find that elusive success. Another way to frame this is to say I have a knack for taking a program and team to the next level. This invariably entails improving the programs / teams culture by infusing it with positivity and giving it my confidence. THIS is what Legacy is all about.
The book is not in a bullet pointed step by step format on how to do things the right way, but it is in a coherent format that touches on the basics, or the core, concepts, ideas and philosophies that lead to success. The All Blacks are the vehicle used to relate the values that drive success. And, along this journey I discovered I’ve been doing a lot of things right in accordance with the book. There are also things, many things, I have learned through reading this book. These I will be sharing with the programs and teams I work with going forward. Thank you Mr. James Kerr. Much appreciated.
A personal strength of mine lies in building soccer programs. Not just a team, but the program. And not a rebuild either. I truly enjoy taking a program that maybe has not had on-the-field success and helping them find that elusive success. Another way to frame this is to say I have a knack for taking a program and team to the next level. This invariably entails improving the programs / teams culture by infusing it with positivity and giving it my confidence. THIS is what Legacy is all about.
The book is not in a bullet pointed step by step format on how to do things the right way, but it is in a coherent format that touches on the basics, or the core, concepts, ideas and philosophies that lead to success. The All Blacks are the vehicle used to relate the values that drive success. And, along this journey I discovered I’ve been doing a lot of things right in accordance with the book. There are also things, many things, I have learned through reading this book. These I will be sharing with the programs and teams I work with going forward. Thank you Mr. James Kerr. Much appreciated.
Labels:
All Blacks,
James Kerr,
legacy,
rugby,
Soccer,
success
Sunday
A brief look inside our Pace of Play Camps
Combining the Keys to Pace of Play,
Sequence of Touches and the Four Elements of the Game of Soccer are essential
to playing fast soccer. This is a THINKING man’s game.
Keys to Pace of Play
·
Be
in your teammate’s vision early
·
Know
your next play before your first touch
·
Be
a back footed player
Do not close your hips to the passer
Keep your hips
open to as much of the field as possible.
Heels to touch when playing in wide channels
·
Play
the way you face
Sequence of Touches – Two touch play with the inside of the foot. Toes up heel down
only
·
Right
/ Right
·
Right
/ Left
·
Left
/ Left
·
Left
/ Right
The Four Elements of the Game of Soccer
·
Penetration
·
Depth
·
Width
·
Mobility
There's more, of course. We build activities around these ideas.
Remember these things.
If you don't go after what you want,
you will never get what you want.
If you don't ask,
the answer is always no.
If you don't step forward,
you never advance and improve.
Champion Behavior
The culture precedes positive results.
Champions behave like champions
before they’re champions;
they have a winning standard of performance
before they are winners.
– Bill Walsh
If all your teammates ...
If
all your teammates …
… Communicated as you do
… Communicated as you do
…
Sacrificed as you do
…
Encouraged as you do
…
Cared as you do
…
Worked as you do
…
Had the same attitude as you do
…
Treated others as you do,
Would
your team be better or worse?
Tuesday
Thoughts on TEAM
11 Thoughts About Team
1) Teams rise and fall on culture, leadership, relationships, attitude and effort.
Great teams have a culture driven by great leadership. Relationships are meaningful and teammates are connected. The collective attitude is very positive and everyone on the team works hard to accomplish their mission.
Sometimes you are the star. Sometimes a teammate is the star. Share the spotlight.
3) If you want to be truly great, you must work as hard at being a great teammate as you do at being a great player.
When you work hard at being a great teammate, you make everyone around you better.
4) Your teammates do not care if you are a superstar.
They care if you are a super teammate.
5) You control your ATTITUDE, your EFFORTS and your ACTIONS toward being a great teammate.
Regardless of what is happening around you, everyday you can focus on being positive, working hard and making others around you better. If you do this, great things will happen.
6) One person cannot make a team, but one person can break a team.
Stay positive, always. Do not allow Energy Vampires to sabotage YOUR teams efforts.
7) Great teammates hold one another accountable to the highest standards of excellence their culture demands and expects.
Without enforcement of standards all talk about culture is just that ... Talk.
8) Team beats talent when talent isn't a team.
Culture can win you or lose you games AND it's YOUR CHOICE which it will do.
9) Great teams care more.
Great teams care about each other, their appearance, the quality of their work, their efforts ... everything positive.
10) Firm Belief and Understanding that WE > me.
What is best for the team supersedes what is best for the individual. A willingness to sacrifice for a common goal and the greater good.
11) Quality TEAM Decision Making.
Each and every day your team faces a decision.
Settle for average and choose a path of mediocrity
OR
Take the road less traveled and chase GREATNESS.
Regardless of what is happening around you, everyday you can focus on being positive, working hard and making others around you better. If you do this, great things will happen.
6) One person cannot make a team, but one person can break a team.
Stay positive, always. Do not allow Energy Vampires to sabotage YOUR teams efforts.
7) Great teammates hold one another accountable to the highest standards of excellence their culture demands and expects.
Without enforcement of standards all talk about culture is just that ... Talk.
8) Team beats talent when talent isn't a team.
Culture can win you or lose you games AND it's YOUR CHOICE which it will do.
9) Great teams care more.
Great teams care about each other, their appearance, the quality of their work, their efforts ... everything positive.
10) Firm Belief and Understanding that WE > me.
What is best for the team supersedes what is best for the individual. A willingness to sacrifice for a common goal and the greater good.
11) Quality TEAM Decision Making.
Each and every day your team faces a decision.
Settle for average and choose a path of mediocrity
OR
Take the road less traveled and chase GREATNESS.
I spend several hours of every week involved in soccer at various ability and age levels - club soccer, high school soccer, youth soccer, camps and clinics, As would be expected, even amongst players of similar ages, the technical level of individual players varies quite a bit. I had long been of the opinion that individuals and teams with very good technical ability play attractive soccer. Over time I came to reconsider my thoughts on this.
There can be no doubt individual technical ability is an important prerequisite to playing attractive soccer. However, it became apparent to me many individuals and teams with good technical foundations tend to play at the game of soccer instead of actually playing soccer.
Playing soccer occurs when technical ability is used in the context of helping make sense of the game.There are conscious decisions made by individuals and coordinated with teammates concerning where and how the ball is to be played and also about how players are to move and where players are to move on the pitch.
Players consciously think about what to do with the ball and make plans to execute their ideas about this. Passes are played with some degree of thought, with intent and not just aimlessly struck forward. The ball is played backwards, diagonally or square with a fair degree of frequency as players and teams seek the path of least resistance to goal. Possession is maintained through a combination of technical abilities - receiving the ball, dribbling, running with the ball, passing. Movement of players on the pitch is done with forethought and done with purpose. Although many times these skills are not executed perfectly by young players the important thing is players demonstrating they possess ideas about how to intentionally influence the game through their own decision making.
Playing at soccer occurs when individuals play the ball mainly with the intention of gaining better field positions. The game is often marked by great hustle and energy, but rarely are these executed in a well coordinated manner. The flow of the game is random and rarely influenced by intentional positive actions. Possessions are truncated and what rhythm there is to the game more closely resembles that of a ping pong match than a proper soccer match.
Possession soccer is not defined by any specific number of successful passes having been completed. A team might successfully maintain possession for 20 passes while never advancing the ball into scoring position. Similarly, a forward might win possession in his attacking third and immediately score the ball without ever attempting a pass. Which of these was a successful possession?
Possession with a Purpose does not even adequately grasp the concept. For example, a player races to a 50 / 50 ball and upon arriving first to the ball whacks it mightily up the pitch towards the opponents goal. This player had a purpose behind his play. In fact, he might have had multiple purposes behind his play: Win the ball, Gain field position, "Passing" to a teammate. This, in a snapshot, is how much of the United States views "direct" soccer.
Direct Soccer is a strategy espousing the shortest distance between two points (the ball and the goal is a straight line. Follow the straight line as closely as possible to advance the ball as quickly as possible and when close enough attempt to score the ball. Sounds good ... until the obstacles opponents present are encountered. Then, instead of a direct straight line toward goal, the course alters direction at each new obstacle encountered. Even if possession is successfully maintained the pace of play is slowed dramatically ... Unless ...
Intelligent Play is combining technical ability with tactical forethought in teamwork to possess and advance the ball at pace into scoring position resulting in an increase in the likelihood of a successful strike on goal. This seeks to eliminate or at least minimize the randomness that permeates the basic concept of direct soccer.
Many years ago while taking the National High School Diploma Course through the NSCAA now known as United Soccer Coaches I had the good fortune of learning from a gentleman by the name of Jeff Vennell who had penned a wonderful document titled The Cues for Combination Passing and shared with us various exercises to introduce these to players. When introducing the concept of Intelligent Attacking Play his thoughts on combination passing remain high on the priority list of topics to teach. The Cues for Combination Passing are but one example of a collective philosophy I loosely refer to as Intentionally Manipulating the Opponent and the Game itself through Intelligent Possession. Playing with a well defined and intelligent Purpose.
There can be no doubt individual technical ability is an important prerequisite to playing attractive soccer. However, it became apparent to me many individuals and teams with good technical foundations tend to play at the game of soccer instead of actually playing soccer.
Playing soccer occurs when technical ability is used in the context of helping make sense of the game.There are conscious decisions made by individuals and coordinated with teammates concerning where and how the ball is to be played and also about how players are to move and where players are to move on the pitch.
Players consciously think about what to do with the ball and make plans to execute their ideas about this. Passes are played with some degree of thought, with intent and not just aimlessly struck forward. The ball is played backwards, diagonally or square with a fair degree of frequency as players and teams seek the path of least resistance to goal. Possession is maintained through a combination of technical abilities - receiving the ball, dribbling, running with the ball, passing. Movement of players on the pitch is done with forethought and done with purpose. Although many times these skills are not executed perfectly by young players the important thing is players demonstrating they possess ideas about how to intentionally influence the game through their own decision making.
Playing at soccer occurs when individuals play the ball mainly with the intention of gaining better field positions. The game is often marked by great hustle and energy, but rarely are these executed in a well coordinated manner. The flow of the game is random and rarely influenced by intentional positive actions. Possessions are truncated and what rhythm there is to the game more closely resembles that of a ping pong match than a proper soccer match.
Possession soccer is not defined by any specific number of successful passes having been completed. A team might successfully maintain possession for 20 passes while never advancing the ball into scoring position. Similarly, a forward might win possession in his attacking third and immediately score the ball without ever attempting a pass. Which of these was a successful possession?
Possession with a Purpose does not even adequately grasp the concept. For example, a player races to a 50 / 50 ball and upon arriving first to the ball whacks it mightily up the pitch towards the opponents goal. This player had a purpose behind his play. In fact, he might have had multiple purposes behind his play: Win the ball, Gain field position, "Passing" to a teammate. This, in a snapshot, is how much of the United States views "direct" soccer.
Direct Soccer is a strategy espousing the shortest distance between two points (the ball and the goal is a straight line. Follow the straight line as closely as possible to advance the ball as quickly as possible and when close enough attempt to score the ball. Sounds good ... until the obstacles opponents present are encountered. Then, instead of a direct straight line toward goal, the course alters direction at each new obstacle encountered. Even if possession is successfully maintained the pace of play is slowed dramatically ... Unless ...
Intelligent Play is combining technical ability with tactical forethought in teamwork to possess and advance the ball at pace into scoring position resulting in an increase in the likelihood of a successful strike on goal. This seeks to eliminate or at least minimize the randomness that permeates the basic concept of direct soccer.
Many years ago while taking the National High School Diploma Course through the NSCAA now known as United Soccer Coaches I had the good fortune of learning from a gentleman by the name of Jeff Vennell who had penned a wonderful document titled The Cues for Combination Passing and shared with us various exercises to introduce these to players. When introducing the concept of Intelligent Attacking Play his thoughts on combination passing remain high on the priority list of topics to teach. The Cues for Combination Passing are but one example of a collective philosophy I loosely refer to as Intentionally Manipulating the Opponent and the Game itself through Intelligent Possession. Playing with a well defined and intelligent Purpose.
Coaches Play Favorites
Fact: Coaches play favorites:
They favor those who are accountable
They favor those who are responsible
They favor those who are good teammates
They favor those who work hard
They favor those who accept roles
Signs of Buy-In
Signs of Buy In
EYE CONTACT
GOOD BODY LANGUAGE
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
QUICK TO PRAISE
ENJOYING THE PROCESS
COACH-ABLE
ENGAGED
INQUISITIVE
Saturday
Who was the worst player you have ever coached?
I was recently asked to describe the worst player I have ever coached.
Context told me this had absolutely nothing to do with skill set or ability to play the game, per se. The questioner did not wish for me to divulge a name. This was more a quest for anecdotal identification of what makes a poor teammate. Two players immediately came to mind. One of each gender. I will be using initials to describe these individuals in this writing. They are not the individuals true initials and were indeed selected totally at random. In fact, I might even obfuscate gender or mix and max a bit to protect identies.
GM was an average talent on the pitch who had an alpha personality. Not being”the” star was a problem resolved by attaching himself to the star player. The star player was not a leader, but as is often the case with a star player was looked upon as a leader. So GM led through the star player. It was a selfish, self-promoting style of leadership that ultimately cost the team a chance to play for a championship. GM didn’t care about that or much of anything else that did not benefit or promote himself directly. Not only was GM selfish, he was also a bully and capable of being quite mean to any who dared challenge his self-perceived authority or place on the team.
GD was the most narcissistic person, let alone player, I have ever encountered. No sense of team except in the sense of what the team could provide her. Did not care about winning as long as she got her stats. GD’s damage was not limited to a season or even seasons. No, GD almost completely destroyed an entire program. There was real question as to whether the program would survive to field future teams. Her selfishness rose to a level of running off potential players who could have served the team well, but conflicted with her personnel mission. I’ve never had a player more disliked by he own teammates than GD was. And GD was completely and totally oblivious to this ... or just didn’t care.
Why is this important?
Why rehash bad memories?
I tried to cut both GM and GD from their respect teams and programs, but was not allowed to do so for different reasons. One cost their team a chance to compete for a championship and the other almost destroyed a program. Both of these individuals were leaders on their teams. NEGATIVE leaders who proved destructive to their teams missions and goals.
That’s part of the reason I am sharing his with you. Rarely does a team rise above the level of its leaders. If, on a scale of 1 to 10, ten being the best leader possible and one being the worst leader imaginable, your leader is a 6, then your team will never be anything more than slightly above average. If your leader is below average, say, a four, then that is also the ceiling, the cap, the lid for your team.
Another reason I am sharing this with you is my observations regarding GM and GD’s teammates. Most curiously from my perspective is how so many good players and potentially solid leaders on both teams allowed GM and GD to assume control of their teams culture and programs destiny. Good, truly good, people allowed something really awful to happen to themselves without putting up a strong enough fight to win the day. I shouldn’t be surprised since history is littered with examples of good people led astray by dubious leadership. I suppose I am more disappointed than surprised.
Both teams underachieved for the simple reason their culture was dominated by negative leadership.
I am eternally grateful to both GM and GD for from failure we learn. They were such colossal
failures as leaders that they provided magnificent learning opportunities. For one, I used to loathe cutting players, but now when I identify another potential GM or GD I do not hesitate in purging
them from the team and program. I have also learned to be far more aware and selective of the environment I coach in: if I cannot rid a team and or program of poor leaders and poor teammates, then I now fully realize the limits this places on the team being competitive to the full measure of potential ... and the frustration that will inevitably be present in such an environment.
Context told me this had absolutely nothing to do with skill set or ability to play the game, per se. The questioner did not wish for me to divulge a name. This was more a quest for anecdotal identification of what makes a poor teammate. Two players immediately came to mind. One of each gender. I will be using initials to describe these individuals in this writing. They are not the individuals true initials and were indeed selected totally at random. In fact, I might even obfuscate gender or mix and max a bit to protect identies.
GM was an average talent on the pitch who had an alpha personality. Not being”the” star was a problem resolved by attaching himself to the star player. The star player was not a leader, but as is often the case with a star player was looked upon as a leader. So GM led through the star player. It was a selfish, self-promoting style of leadership that ultimately cost the team a chance to play for a championship. GM didn’t care about that or much of anything else that did not benefit or promote himself directly. Not only was GM selfish, he was also a bully and capable of being quite mean to any who dared challenge his self-perceived authority or place on the team.
GD was the most narcissistic person, let alone player, I have ever encountered. No sense of team except in the sense of what the team could provide her. Did not care about winning as long as she got her stats. GD’s damage was not limited to a season or even seasons. No, GD almost completely destroyed an entire program. There was real question as to whether the program would survive to field future teams. Her selfishness rose to a level of running off potential players who could have served the team well, but conflicted with her personnel mission. I’ve never had a player more disliked by he own teammates than GD was. And GD was completely and totally oblivious to this ... or just didn’t care.
Why is this important?
Why rehash bad memories?
I tried to cut both GM and GD from their respect teams and programs, but was not allowed to do so for different reasons. One cost their team a chance to compete for a championship and the other almost destroyed a program. Both of these individuals were leaders on their teams. NEGATIVE leaders who proved destructive to their teams missions and goals.
That’s part of the reason I am sharing his with you. Rarely does a team rise above the level of its leaders. If, on a scale of 1 to 10, ten being the best leader possible and one being the worst leader imaginable, your leader is a 6, then your team will never be anything more than slightly above average. If your leader is below average, say, a four, then that is also the ceiling, the cap, the lid for your team.
Another reason I am sharing this with you is my observations regarding GM and GD’s teammates. Most curiously from my perspective is how so many good players and potentially solid leaders on both teams allowed GM and GD to assume control of their teams culture and programs destiny. Good, truly good, people allowed something really awful to happen to themselves without putting up a strong enough fight to win the day. I shouldn’t be surprised since history is littered with examples of good people led astray by dubious leadership. I suppose I am more disappointed than surprised.
Both teams underachieved for the simple reason their culture was dominated by negative leadership.
I am eternally grateful to both GM and GD for from failure we learn. They were such colossal
failures as leaders that they provided magnificent learning opportunities. For one, I used to loathe cutting players, but now when I identify another potential GM or GD I do not hesitate in purging
them from the team and program. I have also learned to be far more aware and selective of the environment I coach in: if I cannot rid a team and or program of poor leaders and poor teammates, then I now fully realize the limits this places on the team being competitive to the full measure of potential ... and the frustration that will inevitably be present in such an environment.
The 10 Commandments for Attacking Soccer
1) Thou shall not spectate when thou should be playing. It is impossible to support your teammates on attack or when defending if you are watching play instead of adjusting your positioning each and every time the ball moves. A coaching phrase I use to remind players to do this is “When the ball travels, we travel!” It can be called, ‘When the ball travels” by a coach or player and answered “We travel” by the remaining team members
2) Thou shall check to the ball when winning loose balls and receiving passes.
Waiting for a ball to come to you is inviting an opponent to win the ball.
Perhaps even worse is running away from a ball thinking you are played through
and allowing an opponent to step in behind you to win the ball. Inexcusable. We
should never lose a possession due to not checking to the ball. Never.
3) Thou shall position yourself so your hips are open to as much of the field as is possible. If your hips are closed to the direction the ball is coming from, your play is predictable. Open hips to as much of the field as possible is a secret to successful possession. In this manner thou shall receive the ball across your body whenever possible. We call this being a back footed player. Receiving in this manner allows the player to stay in compliance with Commandment #3. Failure to comply with this commandment makes you a predictable player and one easily defended and dispossessed of the ball.
4) Thou shall make a safe pass upon winning possession of the ball. It is senseless to win the ball and attempt to advance into pressure. Make a safe pass and allow that receiver to establish the rhythm of the attack.
5) Thou shall not stop the ball between thy feet when receiving it. The path of the ball must be changed away from pressure when receiving it. This forces any defender in pursuit of the ball to change course thus buying the receiver space and time to play the ball. Failure to do so changes the pressure to make the play away from the defender and onto the receiver.
6) Thou shall support your teammates at proper angles. It is extremely difficult to make a straight pass, especially if the teammate is running away. This type of “vertical” support can devastate an attack. It is just as critical not to support the 1st defender in a vertical line as you offer virtually no support in doing so. The rule of thumb is 45 degree angles when defending and 45 degree angles or bigger when on the attack.
7) Thou shall not pass square in your defensive third nor in the middle portion of the field. Square passes are the easiest passes to cleanly intercept and immediately transition to attack on. Square passes tend to happen when there is a lack of diagonal support for the passer.
8) Thou shall play the way you face. This is a rule of thumb so there are exceptions. It holds especially true when you are under pressure. Drop or back passes are okay to relieve that pressure. Maintaining possession is what we want to do.
9) Thou shall not shoot from impossible angles. Intelligent defenses seek to deny shots in general and especially those from in front of the goal. Many defenses seek to limit shots against them to coming from a line that extends from the goal post to the corner of the 6 to the corner of the 18 or wider. Shots from those angles leave the goalkeeper with a greatly reduced goal to defend. You must seek to cross the ball when in this deep or take the ball to and along the end line for a cut back cross. Thou shall go to goal each and every time you get your inside shoulder in front of the opponent defending you. When you are breaking free and have the opportunity to eliminate the closest opponent to you, do so. It is not an option. It is mandatory.
10) Thou shall shoot the ball whenever in position to take a quality shot. When in front of the goal and from 25 yards in there should be no hesitation. No extra touch to set the ball up just right. No extra passes. Just put the ball on net. Toe pokes are fine. Knees are fine. Love headers for goals. Strike at the midpoint or higher on the ball to keep it low. Whatever it takes to get the ball on net. Just do it and do it at the first available moment.
3) Thou shall position yourself so your hips are open to as much of the field as is possible. If your hips are closed to the direction the ball is coming from, your play is predictable. Open hips to as much of the field as possible is a secret to successful possession. In this manner thou shall receive the ball across your body whenever possible. We call this being a back footed player. Receiving in this manner allows the player to stay in compliance with Commandment #3. Failure to comply with this commandment makes you a predictable player and one easily defended and dispossessed of the ball.
4) Thou shall make a safe pass upon winning possession of the ball. It is senseless to win the ball and attempt to advance into pressure. Make a safe pass and allow that receiver to establish the rhythm of the attack.
5) Thou shall not stop the ball between thy feet when receiving it. The path of the ball must be changed away from pressure when receiving it. This forces any defender in pursuit of the ball to change course thus buying the receiver space and time to play the ball. Failure to do so changes the pressure to make the play away from the defender and onto the receiver.
6) Thou shall support your teammates at proper angles. It is extremely difficult to make a straight pass, especially if the teammate is running away. This type of “vertical” support can devastate an attack. It is just as critical not to support the 1st defender in a vertical line as you offer virtually no support in doing so. The rule of thumb is 45 degree angles when defending and 45 degree angles or bigger when on the attack.
7) Thou shall not pass square in your defensive third nor in the middle portion of the field. Square passes are the easiest passes to cleanly intercept and immediately transition to attack on. Square passes tend to happen when there is a lack of diagonal support for the passer.
8) Thou shall play the way you face. This is a rule of thumb so there are exceptions. It holds especially true when you are under pressure. Drop or back passes are okay to relieve that pressure. Maintaining possession is what we want to do.
9) Thou shall not shoot from impossible angles. Intelligent defenses seek to deny shots in general and especially those from in front of the goal. Many defenses seek to limit shots against them to coming from a line that extends from the goal post to the corner of the 6 to the corner of the 18 or wider. Shots from those angles leave the goalkeeper with a greatly reduced goal to defend. You must seek to cross the ball when in this deep or take the ball to and along the end line for a cut back cross. Thou shall go to goal each and every time you get your inside shoulder in front of the opponent defending you. When you are breaking free and have the opportunity to eliminate the closest opponent to you, do so. It is not an option. It is mandatory.
10) Thou shall shoot the ball whenever in position to take a quality shot. When in front of the goal and from 25 yards in there should be no hesitation. No extra touch to set the ball up just right. No extra passes. Just put the ball on net. Toe pokes are fine. Knees are fine. Love headers for goals. Strike at the midpoint or higher on the ball to keep it low. Whatever it takes to get the ball on net. Just do it and do it at the first available moment.
Friday
People over Players
A coach’s primary function
should be not to make better players,
but to make better people.
– John Wooden
This is one of the quotes I keep close to heart at all times. As coaches of youth teams we are entrusted with young men and women in their formative years. We are part of the community it takes to raise a child. In nearly 40 years of coaching I believe the majority of time spent with young people has been spent reinforcing solid values set in place in their homes. I've been blessed in that regard.
There have been times when I have taken a more active role in the development of a young person. This usually, but not always, occurs in cooperation with the young person's parent(s). Sometimes a child lacks a good home situation. Sometimes they have not even had a home situation. Thankfully those scenarios have been rare, but alas have been occurring with greater frequency in recent years. But for the most part I work as an enforcer for parents seeking help in teaching life lessons to their children. Sometimes That parent has even been myself.
For example, the most common thing I have done is have a player report to the game in uniform and then inform him or her they will be watching that days match from the sidelines. The reason? Either poor grades or discipline issues. It's an attention getter. I did this with my own child when he began to think video games and soccer were more important than school and homework. I believe he was a 5th grader at the time. In that instance I did not tell his teammates why he wasn't playing that day. His teammates kept asking him why he wasn't playing. He eventually had to tell them himself. Not only did this correct his behavior but it sent a powerful message to his teammates about the prioritizing.
I share that brief story to help illustrate my decision-making philosophy. I prioritize PROGRAM first followed by TEAM second and the INDIVIDUAL third. I have had a parent or two question me about this when I have forced a player to miss games for grade issues. This has usually occurred in the case of a club player and has often not been the parent of the player himself, but a teammates parent. The conversation goes something like this, "How can sitting 'Jonathon' be the best thing for the team? We need Jonathon if we are going to win the game." My response is invariably that we need Jonathon to win life before we can worry about Jonathon helping us to win a game. We do not want to be a program known for "winning at all costs" especially if that cost is sacrificing what is good for an individual to promote the program.
"But what about the team? It's not fair to the other players!"
EXACTLY! Why should Jonathon be granted special privileges? Just because he is a good soccer or basketball player? Does athletic talent earn him a free pass in other areas of life?
We know in some cultures athletic talent will gain you a free pass in many areas of life. It's not right, but it happens. All glory is found in the win ... until that player can no longer contribute to winning. Attrition of one kind or another takes place. What then? That player is discarded in favor of a newer version. IF that former player is lucky and was a truly exceptional athlete (s)he might be remembered 20 years later for accomplishments on the court or field,. But for most, in less than a generations time they are all but forgotten. They become real life Al Bundy's spending their adult life reliving their past glory as a youth athlete.
When a player I work with is being recruited the single most important piece of advice I provide is for them to make a 40-year decision. As a coach, I do my best to do the same. It's easy to choose a school based on what you get from the recruiting process and promises of wins. That is also fools gold. Short term gain. Live in this moment decision making. I counsel to select a school based on what an education from that school can do for you 40 years into the future.
Deciding to not play a young person in a club or high school game is much the same thing. In the grand scheme of things that game sat out will soon be forgotten by almost everyone involved. With the exception of the individual who had to sit out, hopefully. When I take this approach I literally pray that sitting out an in-the-moment significant but in the long-term inconsequential youth sporting contest will be a positive life altering event for that individual with a lasting impact of 40+ years.
My goal as a coach is to help the young people entrusted to me in developing life skills and character that will serve then well for a lifetime. The techniques, tactics, physical condition of the sport ... all that is a means to an end and that end is not necessarily winning games. In fact, if truth be known, wins are a by-product of life skills, character and the type of decision making that when present bring out he best in individuals, teams and life.
Thursday
A different take on warm ups.
This fall finds me once again coaching high school soccer. The team I am working with is young, inexperienced and coed playing against boys teams. The odds are definitely stacked against us. I m having a blast!
I have pretty much a blank canvas to work with.
If focused on results, this could definitely be considered a negative. If we take an approach of this being an opportunity, then the challenges we face are a blessing. I choose to see this season as a blessing of amazing proportions.
My assistant and I have no choice but to teach. What we teach is every single aspect of game and team. Why we teach it is not solely based in pursuit of better on-the-field results. No, both what we teach and why we teach are grounded in helping the young men and women we work with to learn the value of confronting adversity, learning from mistakes and working cooperatively together to solve problems encountered in the process of becoming a better team and through the experience, better people.
A favorite saying of mine is "Failing to prepare properly is preparing to fail." This quote is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin who was by all accounts a pretty accomplished man. When applying this quote to soccer most will think of practicing well and warming up properly in front of playing a game. This, especially the warming up part, is usually equated to physical preparation. In practice players perform repetitions of technique and tactics to develop muscle memory that allows them to play instinctively. Warm ups are often about perfection or striving to be as perfect as possible in preparing for the game. This is where I find fault with standard warm ups that involve stretching followed by performing well rehearsed routines. It reduces warming up to finding a rhythm and getting comfortable before playing the game. The problem here is not in what you do, but is found in what you do not do.
A soccer match is a exercise in problem solving ability - that of individual players and the collective team. If we accept this to be true, then should we not include adversity and problem solving in our preparation to play the game?
A wise old coach once told me he could spot an American soccer player in the first few seconds of watching them step on the field. American players step on the field and immediately begin whacking the ball at the goal. Players from other countries step on the pitch and immediately have a ball at their feet working on individual ball handling skills.
I love watching professional athletes warm up, especially the stars. Invariably they begin small and work their way up to the act required to put points on the scoreboard. Watch Tom Brady warm up. He gets his body warmed up and then begins with simple ball handling tasks like taking snaps from his center. He progresses to handing the ball off to running backs and moves on to throwing the football to receivers. Kyrie Irving comes out early and does ball handling exercises. These include the now famous two ball drill, dribbling and passing with either hand. The last thing he does is practice his shooting. He takes care of all the things that will get him to taking a shot before actually working on taking the shot.
I firmly believe failing to warm up properly is one reason the United States has yet to produce a world class striker. We warm up to get comfortable instead of warming up to problem solve in the game. We need to address our problem solving skills as much or more than establishing our comfort. Game environments are rarely comfortable so I'm a bit mystified by the emphasis on establishing comfort in our warm ups. We need challenges in warm ups to prepare our problem solving skills.
Light intensity and conserving energy for the actual game is another aspect of traditional warm ups that leave me scratching my head. When one is about to play a contest should one not prepare for the intensity of the contest? Rest and restoring energy can take place in the moments before kickoff - during the captains meeting, last minute instructions, playing of the national anthem and player introductions. Pre-creating game-like intensity cannot. This must be done as a gradual build up from the first step onto the pitch until active warm ups conclude prior to the pre-game festivities outlined above. Ramping up intensity should be a designed component of warm ups.
Warm ups, especially the individual components of warming up should be fraught with challenges. Working on simple ball handling to attempting more complex combinations and moves. Failures in warm ups are okay for the simple reason that failures are part of every game. A critical component of every game is learning from in-game failure and overcoming in-game adversity. Should not preparing to do this be a part of our warm up?
By now a new vision of warming up should be emerging. At least it should be if I have written well. Warm ups are an opportunity not just to prepare for playing, but to learn and improve. It's not just about "perfecting" things worked on in practices leading up to the match. No, warm ups should be a continued exploration of your capability's and evolution of your abilities.
I have pretty much a blank canvas to work with.
If focused on results, this could definitely be considered a negative. If we take an approach of this being an opportunity, then the challenges we face are a blessing. I choose to see this season as a blessing of amazing proportions.
My assistant and I have no choice but to teach. What we teach is every single aspect of game and team. Why we teach it is not solely based in pursuit of better on-the-field results. No, both what we teach and why we teach are grounded in helping the young men and women we work with to learn the value of confronting adversity, learning from mistakes and working cooperatively together to solve problems encountered in the process of becoming a better team and through the experience, better people.
A favorite saying of mine is "Failing to prepare properly is preparing to fail." This quote is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin who was by all accounts a pretty accomplished man. When applying this quote to soccer most will think of practicing well and warming up properly in front of playing a game. This, especially the warming up part, is usually equated to physical preparation. In practice players perform repetitions of technique and tactics to develop muscle memory that allows them to play instinctively. Warm ups are often about perfection or striving to be as perfect as possible in preparing for the game. This is where I find fault with standard warm ups that involve stretching followed by performing well rehearsed routines. It reduces warming up to finding a rhythm and getting comfortable before playing the game. The problem here is not in what you do, but is found in what you do not do.
A soccer match is a exercise in problem solving ability - that of individual players and the collective team. If we accept this to be true, then should we not include adversity and problem solving in our preparation to play the game?
A wise old coach once told me he could spot an American soccer player in the first few seconds of watching them step on the field. American players step on the field and immediately begin whacking the ball at the goal. Players from other countries step on the pitch and immediately have a ball at their feet working on individual ball handling skills.
I love watching professional athletes warm up, especially the stars. Invariably they begin small and work their way up to the act required to put points on the scoreboard. Watch Tom Brady warm up. He gets his body warmed up and then begins with simple ball handling tasks like taking snaps from his center. He progresses to handing the ball off to running backs and moves on to throwing the football to receivers. Kyrie Irving comes out early and does ball handling exercises. These include the now famous two ball drill, dribbling and passing with either hand. The last thing he does is practice his shooting. He takes care of all the things that will get him to taking a shot before actually working on taking the shot.
I firmly believe failing to warm up properly is one reason the United States has yet to produce a world class striker. We warm up to get comfortable instead of warming up to problem solve in the game. We need to address our problem solving skills as much or more than establishing our comfort. Game environments are rarely comfortable so I'm a bit mystified by the emphasis on establishing comfort in our warm ups. We need challenges in warm ups to prepare our problem solving skills.
Light intensity and conserving energy for the actual game is another aspect of traditional warm ups that leave me scratching my head. When one is about to play a contest should one not prepare for the intensity of the contest? Rest and restoring energy can take place in the moments before kickoff - during the captains meeting, last minute instructions, playing of the national anthem and player introductions. Pre-creating game-like intensity cannot. This must be done as a gradual build up from the first step onto the pitch until active warm ups conclude prior to the pre-game festivities outlined above. Ramping up intensity should be a designed component of warm ups.
Warm ups, especially the individual components of warming up should be fraught with challenges. Working on simple ball handling to attempting more complex combinations and moves. Failures in warm ups are okay for the simple reason that failures are part of every game. A critical component of every game is learning from in-game failure and overcoming in-game adversity. Should not preparing to do this be a part of our warm up?
By now a new vision of warming up should be emerging. At least it should be if I have written well. Warm ups are an opportunity not just to prepare for playing, but to learn and improve. It's not just about "perfecting" things worked on in practices leading up to the match. No, warm ups should be a continued exploration of your capability's and evolution of your abilities.
Wednesday
Spatial Awareness
High school soccer presents a vast array of problem solving opportunities for coaches. In the best of programs there will exist multiple teams on a developmental scale - Varsity, JV A, JV B, Freshman and Middle School teams. I've been there. At the other end of the spectrum are high school teams with varsity only. Sometimes these varsity only teams are even co-ed. I've been there too.
As a new parent-coach back in the mid 1990's I inquired of the local high school coach what he believed most freshmen were lacking when they came out for the high school teams. His reply was"the ability to execute a push pass". As this man would become a mentor to me, I took him at his word. The youth players I worked with could all successfully execute the push pass when they entered 9th grade. When my son was being recruited to play in college I often asked coaches what they believed was the biggest weakness in most recruits games. The answer was a near unanimous - "spatial awareness". If you have ever worked with a team of wide ranging abilities, you will surely appreciate this response.
My most recent club team and most recent high school team both suffered from a lack of cohesive and uniform understanding of spatial awareness. It's often said a team is only as strong as its weakest player on the field. There is a measure of truth to this especially as it concerns spatial awareness.
I often inform my teams the game is a living breathing thing and they must work on developing a relationship with it through listening and observing how it changes in response to ball and player movement. The boundaries and various lines affect this as well as the distances required on restarts. Even the referee crew impacts responses to spatial awareness. So too do the technical ability, tactical understanding and physical ability of individual players.
In essence, spatial awareness is about the relationship between Space and Pace. In this context spatial awareness becomes about learning to manipulate the game to your and your teams benefit. Using spatial awareness in conjunction with the principles of play is what formations and tactics are all about. When a player is able to consciously recognize how to create space for a teammate and use space created for himself by a teammate, intentionally manipulating the game becomes a real possibility.
In essence, spatial awareness is about the relationship between Space and Pace. In this context spatial awareness becomes about learning to manipulate the game to your and your teams benefit. Using spatial awareness in conjunction with the principles of play is what formations and tactics are all about. When a player is able to consciously recognize how to create space for a teammate and use space created for himself by a teammate, intentionally manipulating the game becomes a real possibility.
These relationships are simple and yet very complex all at once. Bringing someone new to the game up to speed with a player who has several years experience can be a daunting task. The difference in understanding of spatial awareness between a seasoned player of club soccer and a recreational player can also be significant. When players of widely varying abilities are all on a single team it can prove difficult to find common ground. This where ideas about a team only being as strong as its weakest player take root.
This is the problem I am seeking to solve going forward. Spatial awareness in soccer is something that begins developing at the youngest of ages. Simple ideas like boundaries and which half of the field is to be defended and which half has the goal to be scored in are spatial awareness. When a player comes to the game later in their youth the theory of these simply spatial awareness concepts might be known yet the practicality of them never experienced. Extend that train of thought to the differences in understanding of spatial awareness between a recreational player and a club player or even an entry level club player and an elite level club player. This s a recipe for frustration all around for both players and coaches alike.
In past seasons I have relied on older more experienced players to mentor younger or inexperienced players in practical settings. I've come to question this approach as results have been found to be wanting. I have also used a classroom and written homework approach using soccer journals. The two approaches in combination have been effective. The issue has been in players being steadfast in their commitment to recording what they are learning in their journals. I must assume responsibility for this as in the interest of players being able to write down their thoughts honestly about any and all things soccer I have deemed a measure of privacy to be important to the process. I am being forced to make daily writing assignments mandatory and checked by the coaches.
I am also going to include more handouts and more opportunities for visual learning experiences. This will include instructional videos and analysis of videos of practice and games. A multi pronged approach to the situation. This is not an ideal scenario, of course. It is however a necessary one. I would rather spend time on the field than in the classroom but must also face the reality of the situation and adapt what I do accordingly to be as effective as possible in coaching my teams.
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