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?
Showing posts with label Conceive Believe Achieve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conceive Believe Achieve. Show all posts
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.
Friday
Lessons from Mentors.
I have a stated goal of learning something new each and every day. My coaching mentors have been great aides in this pursuit. One lasting lesson that resonates with me is to focus on those things you can control and do not waste time on those things you cannot control. Taking this advice to heart has allowed me to exercise great patience which has been of benefit to me personally and also to the teams I coach.
Properly preparing for whatever task is at had is another lasting. I can recall as a young coach preparing meticulously for practices. I chose activities carefully and with purpose. Planned specifically. Truth be told, I do this in almost all facets of my life. For example, I rarely have gone into a meeting unprepared. Preparation is the foundation of confidence and in turn confidence is the key to success.
Sometimes learned lessons can seemingly come into conflict with one another. Usually, this eventually proves not to be the case. As a young coach it drove me crazy to diligently prepare for practice including a specific number of players expected to be in attendance only to have players not show up for one reason or another. All that diligent effort on my part blown all to hell! How dare they just not come to practice?!?
And so I learned the importance of flexibility. My first coaching mentor planned practice sessions with adaptability being a key component. A theme was constant but activities had an element of fluidity to them and could be changed or adapted to fit the number of players available. You see, he could not control whether any given player would attend practice or not. For some, indeed a vast majority of players, missing a practice was simply not an option. Attendance was expected. There always seems to be an exception to the rule though.
It took awhile for me to understand this. While my expectation remains every player will attend every practice, if numbers for practice are not what I expected then to be I simply adjust the activities. Now, experience has made this a much easier task to take on and achieve with acceptable results.
I have wondered on occasion if I knew then what I know now, would I have been so upset as a young coach when players failed to show for practice? The experience factor plays a large role in this process. I'm not sure I would have had the mental catalog of soccer activities I now possess that allows me to easily adapt on the fly.
Dealing with difference of opinions with referees ... Yeah, this is an area I am much improved in. In all the thousands of games I have participated in as a player, coach, referee or even as a fan, I can probably count on my fingers the number of times I have witnessed an official change a call. Just something I cannot control so I don't waste time arguing with officials.
Difficult parents? When a parent believes they are acting in the best interests of their child there is no other opinion that matters. A coach certainly is not going to control a parent. I have had mothers flirt with me in an attempt to gain favor with me for this child. I have had confrontational parents attempt to bully me in order to have their child play a preferred position, start or play more. Helicopter parents who hover over their child in order to protect them from ... well, whatever perceived threat they imagine in the way of their child's athletic success. In any of these instances and countess more not mentioned here, a coach cannot control the parents. I have learned to not waste my time worrying about parents. I cannot control them so why worry about them?
Another lesson learned is a coach really needs to limit social interaction with parents and families. As a young adult league coach I often found myself coaching friends. Not really a good idea. It can be done successfully and I was able to navigate those potentially treacherous waters fairly successfully. And as a parent coach I often found myself coaching sons and daughters of our friends and neighbors. Again, not something I would recommend for inexperienced coaches. Sports have a strange super power that can cause the most sane of individuals to become stark raving mad lunatic parents out of their minds.
I tried to attend team social functions where the player families were present. Disaster. I took my cue from ultra successful coaching mentors who were cordial with parents but never socialized with them. Communications were limited strictly to "business" in the sense of interacting with a single team parent to coordinate travel, pre and post game meals, parents night, senior night and the end of season banquet. And these communications consisted of the parents doing all the work and informing the coach of need to know details only. I take my cue from Dick Hagen, Bob Seggerson, Larry Lewis and others.
As a parent I was often involved in selecting coaches who we would allow our son's to play for, but beyond that I did not intrude on the coaches space. I didn't always agree with a coaches strategies or tactics. I sometimes questioned starting lineups or distribution of minutes, but only to myself. I supported our sons coaches. The only time I recall being upset enough to confront a coach was when one played my son almost an entire game after he had two days before been carried off the field with severe cramps. We had gone to an alternative medical specialist to deal with the cramps and she had performed miracles to relieve the cramping. He could not walk into to the office but two hours later walked out under his own power. Genesen Acutouch, Un-freaking-believable!
I continue to learn on a daily basis. Many times lessons learned long ago are revisited. The world is constantly changing and this affords endless opportunities to continue learning. And even when the status quo seems to remain the same, there still exists opportunities to learn anew. For example, today I learned about Donatello's David and other art and artists of the quattracento era, Who knew?!? Right?
Go forth to gain knowledge, control what you can control and don't sweat the rest.
Properly preparing for whatever task is at had is another lasting. I can recall as a young coach preparing meticulously for practices. I chose activities carefully and with purpose. Planned specifically. Truth be told, I do this in almost all facets of my life. For example, I rarely have gone into a meeting unprepared. Preparation is the foundation of confidence and in turn confidence is the key to success.
Sometimes learned lessons can seemingly come into conflict with one another. Usually, this eventually proves not to be the case. As a young coach it drove me crazy to diligently prepare for practice including a specific number of players expected to be in attendance only to have players not show up for one reason or another. All that diligent effort on my part blown all to hell! How dare they just not come to practice?!?
And so I learned the importance of flexibility. My first coaching mentor planned practice sessions with adaptability being a key component. A theme was constant but activities had an element of fluidity to them and could be changed or adapted to fit the number of players available. You see, he could not control whether any given player would attend practice or not. For some, indeed a vast majority of players, missing a practice was simply not an option. Attendance was expected. There always seems to be an exception to the rule though.
It took awhile for me to understand this. While my expectation remains every player will attend every practice, if numbers for practice are not what I expected then to be I simply adjust the activities. Now, experience has made this a much easier task to take on and achieve with acceptable results.
I have wondered on occasion if I knew then what I know now, would I have been so upset as a young coach when players failed to show for practice? The experience factor plays a large role in this process. I'm not sure I would have had the mental catalog of soccer activities I now possess that allows me to easily adapt on the fly.
Dealing with difference of opinions with referees ... Yeah, this is an area I am much improved in. In all the thousands of games I have participated in as a player, coach, referee or even as a fan, I can probably count on my fingers the number of times I have witnessed an official change a call. Just something I cannot control so I don't waste time arguing with officials.
Difficult parents? When a parent believes they are acting in the best interests of their child there is no other opinion that matters. A coach certainly is not going to control a parent. I have had mothers flirt with me in an attempt to gain favor with me for this child. I have had confrontational parents attempt to bully me in order to have their child play a preferred position, start or play more. Helicopter parents who hover over their child in order to protect them from ... well, whatever perceived threat they imagine in the way of their child's athletic success. In any of these instances and countess more not mentioned here, a coach cannot control the parents. I have learned to not waste my time worrying about parents. I cannot control them so why worry about them?
Another lesson learned is a coach really needs to limit social interaction with parents and families. As a young adult league coach I often found myself coaching friends. Not really a good idea. It can be done successfully and I was able to navigate those potentially treacherous waters fairly successfully. And as a parent coach I often found myself coaching sons and daughters of our friends and neighbors. Again, not something I would recommend for inexperienced coaches. Sports have a strange super power that can cause the most sane of individuals to become stark raving mad lunatic parents out of their minds.
I tried to attend team social functions where the player families were present. Disaster. I took my cue from ultra successful coaching mentors who were cordial with parents but never socialized with them. Communications were limited strictly to "business" in the sense of interacting with a single team parent to coordinate travel, pre and post game meals, parents night, senior night and the end of season banquet. And these communications consisted of the parents doing all the work and informing the coach of need to know details only. I take my cue from Dick Hagen, Bob Seggerson, Larry Lewis and others.
As a parent I was often involved in selecting coaches who we would allow our son's to play for, but beyond that I did not intrude on the coaches space. I didn't always agree with a coaches strategies or tactics. I sometimes questioned starting lineups or distribution of minutes, but only to myself. I supported our sons coaches. The only time I recall being upset enough to confront a coach was when one played my son almost an entire game after he had two days before been carried off the field with severe cramps. We had gone to an alternative medical specialist to deal with the cramps and she had performed miracles to relieve the cramping. He could not walk into to the office but two hours later walked out under his own power. Genesen Acutouch, Un-freaking-believable!
I continue to learn on a daily basis. Many times lessons learned long ago are revisited. The world is constantly changing and this affords endless opportunities to continue learning. And even when the status quo seems to remain the same, there still exists opportunities to learn anew. For example, today I learned about Donatello's David and other art and artists of the quattracento era, Who knew?!? Right?
Go forth to gain knowledge, control what you can control and don't sweat the rest.
Monday
Christmas!
Isaiah 9:6King James Version (KJV)
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Christmas is so much more than just a season. For millions of people people round the globe Christmas is second only to Easter in its importance to the tenets we strive to live our lives by. It is important to keep and nurture Christmas in our hearts every day of our lives that its light will shine through us onto and into others.
When to much emphasis and focus is placed on Christmas Day or the week leading up to Christmas it can become a stressful time indeed. People try to be something they are not for most of the year. Everyone is a little nicer, a bit more tolerant and exert extra effort to be nice and get along with family, friend and foe alike. Invariably, the stress gets to people and tensions can bubble over into open conflict. Thee can exist a feeling of gratefulness that Christmas only comes once a year.
But that's the point I make - Christmas does not come but once a year. Christmas is a state of mind, a way of life. Every day is Christmas day just as every morning is Easter morning. God is constant and so too should we be constant in our remembrance of His gift of a Son to us.
Love.
I've considered this long and hard. In fact, it is an on-going process with me. There are people in this world whom I simply do not like. Can I still love them? That is really the challenge God puts to us and the lesson Jesus teaches.
Jesus was born in a manger, a stable. Why, would the King of Kings be brought into this world in such lowly surroundings? Why should he not have been born in a palace? The answer is self-evident when we consider accessibility. Not everyone would have been permitted access to Jesus had he been born in a palace or perhaps even in his family's house. Would the unclean shepherds been welcomed in a palace? I think not. But would anyone be turned away from a manger, a stable?
And this is how Jesus lived his life. Lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves and more were all welcomed into Jesus' presence. The Son of God associated with anyone and everyone. All of mankind are welcome in God's presence. All that is asked in return is that you believe in God.
As our family Christmas winds down I am reminded of this. I find my mother-in-law to be one of the most difficult people in my life. My father-in-law a close second for different reasons. I do not like them and I have struggled with this over the years. I believe I would be fine if I never saw or spoke with either of these people ever again. They bring stress to my life. I struggle to be myself around them because of the standards they would hold me to. Yet I see them break their own standards time and again. They are not accepting of difference. While they hold themselves up to be good Christian people, I find them to be hypocritical in practicing the Word. Yes, I am as judgmental as I accuse them of being.
As much as I struggle to like the in-laws, I find that I do love them. I wish them no ill will. I pray for their wellness and safe being. I would just rather not associate with them due to the stress associated with being in their presence.
Yes, I have work to do with my own relationship with God. It is an on-going process that needs constant attention, nurturing and guidance.
I cherish the blessing the in-laws are in my life. I have and continue to learn so much about God and myself through their presence in my life. It's not always a negative they bring to light that I learn from for these are good people with positives to learn from as well. The dysfunctional nature of our relationship is a sturdy educational platform I am fortunate to have at my disposal. That doesn't mean I wish to perpetuate the nature of our current relationship forever. No, I do harbor hope of a better relationship with my in-laws but am keenly aware I can only control certain aspects. There must be a willingness from all parties. It is not compromise that would bring us closer together but an understanding of God purposefully manifesting himself differently in each of us. I am not here to conform to their expectations, but to God's expectations for me. I have as much to teach them about God and his Love as they believe they have to teach me.
You see, that's a message of the Savior's birth in the manger we overlook. Our KING was born in a manger. Shepherds and Wise Men both and together came to honor Him. All were and are welcomed in God's presence. No one man or woman better than any other in God's eyes. We are not here to compete for God's favor, but to relish in the pure delight and Peace of God's favor that He has made available to us all.
Have a Merry Christmas each and every day of your life everyone!
As much as I struggle to like the in-laws, I find that I do love them. I wish them no ill will. I pray for their wellness and safe being. I would just rather not associate with them due to the stress associated with being in their presence.
Yes, I have work to do with my own relationship with God. It is an on-going process that needs constant attention, nurturing and guidance.
I cherish the blessing the in-laws are in my life. I have and continue to learn so much about God and myself through their presence in my life. It's not always a negative they bring to light that I learn from for these are good people with positives to learn from as well. The dysfunctional nature of our relationship is a sturdy educational platform I am fortunate to have at my disposal. That doesn't mean I wish to perpetuate the nature of our current relationship forever. No, I do harbor hope of a better relationship with my in-laws but am keenly aware I can only control certain aspects. There must be a willingness from all parties. It is not compromise that would bring us closer together but an understanding of God purposefully manifesting himself differently in each of us. I am not here to conform to their expectations, but to God's expectations for me. I have as much to teach them about God and his Love as they believe they have to teach me.
You see, that's a message of the Savior's birth in the manger we overlook. Our KING was born in a manger. Shepherds and Wise Men both and together came to honor Him. All were and are welcomed in God's presence. No one man or woman better than any other in God's eyes. We are not here to compete for God's favor, but to relish in the pure delight and Peace of God's favor that He has made available to us all.
Have a Merry Christmas each and every day of your life everyone!
Saturday
Sunday
Improvise! Adapt! Overcome!
In the 1986 movie Heartbreak Ridge Clint Eastwood demands his Marine recon platoon Improvise! Adapt! Overcome! when encountering obstacles. This has been adopted as an unofficial motto of the United States Marine Corps and fits nicely with their Semper Flexibilis or Semper Gumby motto that implore the Corps to be flexible in addressing obstacles.
Improvise!
Adapt!
Overcome!
I have watched Heartbreak Ridge many times. It's not so much the battle scenes that I find captivating as it is the development of the characters and the process portrayed of a rag tag bunch of wannabes transforming into a kick ass recon platoon. And it is these things I believe apply in life and in soccer.
I have taken charge of a down on its luck high school soccer program. Regular followers of this blog know this is exactly the type of challenge I love. I would go so far as to say I have developed a formula for turning around such programs. Only this time, that tried and true formula has not worked. Thus, I am left to consider other approaches. I am attempting to Improvise! Adapt! Overcome! in a new and different manner. Flexibility was a key throughout our first season. To be honest, I was too accommodating in an effort to keep enough members in the program to finish our schedule. And as we all know, compromising standards is not an answer to anything.
As I look forward to next season I am both looking back to core values we got away from last season and to adapting our approach. There was a lot of improvising last season as I sought to navigate the season. It was born of panic and took place haphazardly. This coming season I am looking to focused improvisation to be a forceful building tool.
I don't know how much is left to be invented in soccer, especially in terms of team tactics, but I intend to go back to the future with some of the concepts and ideas we employ to boost tactics to our advantage. There was a time when the 4-4-2 zonal system I employed was cutting edge and a decided advantage. I understand now that I thought it always would be and I was wrong for thinking that way. The game changed while I was comfortable in what we were doing. I must now Improvise! and Adapt! in order to Overcome! and regain an advantage. I am stepping outside my coaching comfort zone to get back into and hopefully once more ahead of the game.
Stay tuned for updates.
Improvise!
Adapt!
Overcome!
I have watched Heartbreak Ridge many times. It's not so much the battle scenes that I find captivating as it is the development of the characters and the process portrayed of a rag tag bunch of wannabes transforming into a kick ass recon platoon. And it is these things I believe apply in life and in soccer.
I have taken charge of a down on its luck high school soccer program. Regular followers of this blog know this is exactly the type of challenge I love. I would go so far as to say I have developed a formula for turning around such programs. Only this time, that tried and true formula has not worked. Thus, I am left to consider other approaches. I am attempting to Improvise! Adapt! Overcome! in a new and different manner. Flexibility was a key throughout our first season. To be honest, I was too accommodating in an effort to keep enough members in the program to finish our schedule. And as we all know, compromising standards is not an answer to anything.
As I look forward to next season I am both looking back to core values we got away from last season and to adapting our approach. There was a lot of improvising last season as I sought to navigate the season. It was born of panic and took place haphazardly. This coming season I am looking to focused improvisation to be a forceful building tool.
I don't know how much is left to be invented in soccer, especially in terms of team tactics, but I intend to go back to the future with some of the concepts and ideas we employ to boost tactics to our advantage. There was a time when the 4-4-2 zonal system I employed was cutting edge and a decided advantage. I understand now that I thought it always would be and I was wrong for thinking that way. The game changed while I was comfortable in what we were doing. I must now Improvise! and Adapt! in order to Overcome! and regain an advantage. I am stepping outside my coaching comfort zone to get back into and hopefully once more ahead of the game.
Stay tuned for updates.
Monday
Playing fast soccer is all about vision and brain power.
I often recognize problems in the game of soccer before fully identifying them. I will allow that to sink in for a moment.
Soccer is a game that is all about angles. To play at the highest level possible players need to see as much of the game as possible. This is a fundamental truth of the game.
In watching our local high school team the last couple of fall seasons this has been driven home hard. They tend to play in channels which makes their play extremely direct. Now, I am not against direct play, per se. However, if a team's m.o. is to play in a single channel, they become very predictable. As I watched these teams play my mind began to scream "Change the Channel!" In this day and age of "pressing defense," remaining in the same vertical channel on the pitch plays right into the press.
(Hit the jump for the rest of the article)
Soccer is a game that is all about angles. To play at the highest level possible players need to see as much of the game as possible. This is a fundamental truth of the game.
In watching our local high school team the last couple of fall seasons this has been driven home hard. They tend to play in channels which makes their play extremely direct. Now, I am not against direct play, per se. However, if a team's m.o. is to play in a single channel, they become very predictable. As I watched these teams play my mind began to scream "Change the Channel!" In this day and age of "pressing defense," remaining in the same vertical channel on the pitch plays right into the press.
(Hit the jump for the rest of the article)
The Second Team
In my day they were called second string. Second team, second unit, it doesn't really matter what the designation for these players is. What is important is the vital role these players play on winning teams.
There can be no question starters play a key role in a teams performance, but so too does a team's substitutes. Players on the second unit may not often be directly responsible for winning goals, but they also cannot be responsible for allowing game winning goals.
So what do substitutes need to bring to their teams when their chance to play comes?
Saturday
The Coach's Perspective on Tryouts
The Coach's Perspective on Tryouts
We have looked at some
generalities of the tryout process and then at the parent / player side of the
process. Now, let’s take a look at things from a coach’s point of view.
A coach should enter the tryout
process with both an open mind and a well mapped plan for assembling a
team. The balance between the two is
important. So too is the ability to remained focused throughout the process of
selecting your team. I think the best way to approach this article will be to
share some experiences I have been a part of or a witness to. Cynicism will unfortunately creep in to this
article at times. I apologize beforehand, but it is a necessary ingredient for
making some of the points that need to be made. Through these experiences I
hope the coaches reading this will learn and avoid some of the mistakes others
have made before them.
The guiding principles when
selecting a team should be honesty and fairness.
Tryout Season for Club Soccer is Upon Us.
This will be a 4 part series. In today's posting we will look at tryouts in a general sense. There's something here for player, parent and coach alike. Following installments will look at things from a player / parent perspective followed by a look at the process from a coaches perspective. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.
See also The Coach's Perspective on Tryouts and Tryout Questions for Parents and Players and College Soccer Scholarships: The Facts
When true tryouts are held there exists the possibility of jubilation or heartbreak for players. There can be much agonizing for coaches or the selection committee as well. Such is the struggle to organize competitive youth soccer teams, be they of the club or high school variety.
See also The Coach's Perspective on Tryouts and Tryout Questions for Parents and Players and College Soccer Scholarships: The Facts
What You Need to Know About Tryouts
Analyzing the Game
Contrary to what some people may think I do not have
multiple personality disorder.
Bet that opening statement got your attention, didn’t it?
People do sometimes see very different sides of me at soccer matches. While I
am usually pretty laidback there are times I get a “little”excitable. There is
a rational and simple explanation for this. Watching a soccer match and
analyzing a soccer match are two very different things. Most times when I watch
a match I am analyzing it. I cannot help myself. This is the laidback person
people most often see. However, there are times when the fan inside of me
emerges and I do become a “little”more animated and vociferous. It is the
analytical mode that I wish to write about today.What separates the good from the best?
Conducting team camps throughout the summer months gives me exposure to a great many athletes. Each week a different location with a different team. I love the variety but at the same time each week can be much the same as the last. Each team has a hierarchy within the player ranks. Over the years I have come to appreciate what separates the good players from the best players on any team can be summed up in one word - preparation.
There is, of course, a minimum level of ability within any team that sets a standard. For many teams this standard is remarkably similar. The difference in both individuals and teams is found in the intangibles It is the intangibles that separate good from great and are the difference between a win and a loss.
Every team works on the same sets of fundamentals. Every player knows the basics. Not every team brings the same dedication to preparation. Not every player will exhibit the same level of dedication to preparation. Not every team or individual will define preparation in the same manner. We are talking about STANDARDS.
An individual player may spend countless hours on his own preparing himself as a player but devote very little time towards being a teammate. He might shine on the ball but provide very little to his team off the ball. A talented group of individuals might never achieve to its collective potential because they lack team oriented intangibles. It is the intangibles that make the difference and this is especially true when teams are closely matched or when a coach must decide between which players make varsity or start games.
So it is that coaches should work to develop and accentuate the intangibles of both individual players and the collective team. When talent level is comparable it is the intangibles that make the difference. And it's often not about the quantity of preparation or the quantity of effort given, but rather about the quality of the work being put in.
Every week I see players arrive early to camp sessions. It is always the same individual or small group of players that arrive early for each session. In fact, as a rule of thumb, individuals of a team tend to arrive in a regular and specific order. Early arrival itself does not make a difference. What one does upon arriving early can make a difference.
Some arrive early to put in extra preparatory time before practice. This might be working on their individual game. It might be to work with a teammate or group of teammates on improving a specific facet of the team's game. It might be to help set up for practice so actual practice time is devoted to practicing.
In the end, the players that stand out each week are those who best combine talent and intangibles. These are the players who tend to win starting assignments and play the most. They are the ones who separate themselves from the pack largely through an intelligent dedicated approach to preparation.
There is, of course, a minimum level of ability within any team that sets a standard. For many teams this standard is remarkably similar. The difference in both individuals and teams is found in the intangibles It is the intangibles that separate good from great and are the difference between a win and a loss.
Every team works on the same sets of fundamentals. Every player knows the basics. Not every team brings the same dedication to preparation. Not every player will exhibit the same level of dedication to preparation. Not every team or individual will define preparation in the same manner. We are talking about STANDARDS.
An individual player may spend countless hours on his own preparing himself as a player but devote very little time towards being a teammate. He might shine on the ball but provide very little to his team off the ball. A talented group of individuals might never achieve to its collective potential because they lack team oriented intangibles. It is the intangibles that make the difference and this is especially true when teams are closely matched or when a coach must decide between which players make varsity or start games.
So it is that coaches should work to develop and accentuate the intangibles of both individual players and the collective team. When talent level is comparable it is the intangibles that make the difference. And it's often not about the quantity of preparation or the quantity of effort given, but rather about the quality of the work being put in.
Every week I see players arrive early to camp sessions. It is always the same individual or small group of players that arrive early for each session. In fact, as a rule of thumb, individuals of a team tend to arrive in a regular and specific order. Early arrival itself does not make a difference. What one does upon arriving early can make a difference.
Some arrive early to put in extra preparatory time before practice. This might be working on their individual game. It might be to work with a teammate or group of teammates on improving a specific facet of the team's game. It might be to help set up for practice so actual practice time is devoted to practicing.
In the end, the players that stand out each week are those who best combine talent and intangibles. These are the players who tend to win starting assignments and play the most. They are the ones who separate themselves from the pack largely through an intelligent dedicated approach to preparation.
Wednesday
College Soccer Scholarships: The Facts.
Every so often someone sets a spark off that ignites my frustration and I feel the need to report this article. Tonight was such a time. I met the parents of two little boys ages 7 and 9 who seem to think the boys are USMNT material. They already been have been involved with a local club for 4 years. Have already spent thousdands of dollars. They are now somewhat disenchanted and are looking to move to a more prestigious club in a larger city. The nine year old already has attitude and was damn near uncoachable when we tried to work with him. This is NOT what youth soccer should be about. These parents (and by extension their sons) are more than likely going to severely disappointed. They need desperately to read an article like this. Don't get me wrong, I honestly hope the kid succeeds and makes one of the USMNT teams. I see zero indication this will happen though. The parents are about to spend enough money on soccer to fully fund their children's college educations and will have little to show for it when all is said and done. Such a shame when youth sports are reduced to this.
This is a reposting of an article originally publish in March 2013 concerning available scholarships for playing soccer in college. I have not re-researched NCAA regulations since the original writing. I have received numerous requests to re-post this article. So, here it is... again!
With club tryout season upon us once again I deemed it appropriate to move the article to the front page. Do not be fooled by clubs who advertise they have helped "x" number of athletes obtain college scholarships for playing soccer. Investigate the claims. If talking about the prestigious D I programs, you are more than likely to find no one, not a single solitary individual, listed as a scholarship recipient received a full ride. Most will probably have received a fraction of a fully funded scholarship. A quarter to a third and in rare cases 1/2 of a full ride are the norm. Those who did receive full rides likely did so at NAIA or NJCAA schools.
Bottom line? If you are looking for money to pay for college, study hard and get good grades. All the money being spent on playing club soccer? Invest it in the stock market or even a savings account. The return on investment will be much higher for the overwhelmingly vast majority of you.
NCAA Divison I
At the NCAA Division I level men's soccer is considered to be an equivalency sport. This simply means the number of scholarships that can be offered is determined in part by Title IX. Fewer men's scholarships may be funded due to women's sports not having an equivalency to football. A school is not mandated to fund it's full allotment of scholarships.
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 199 (this number is in decline in part due to equivalency standards)
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 320 (this number continues to grow in response to equivalency standards)
Mens Soccer Scholarships: 9.9
Women's Soccer Scholarships: 14
Scholarships can be full or partial rides at the Division I level. With rosters often approaching 30 players the money is distributed very carefully.
NCAA Divison II
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 179
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 227
Men's scholarships: 9
Women's scholarships: 9.9
Many NCAA Division II schools do not offer football and so there is less discrepancy in scholarship numbers between the sports. Partial scholarships are the norm as coaches can distribute the money to as many players as they wish.
NCAA Division III
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 401
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 424
Scholarships are not offered at NCAA Division III schools. Student / athletes often rely on academic scholarships and financial aid to assist with costs for school.
NAIA
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 218
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 223
Men's scholarships: 12
Women's scholarships: 12
Partial scholarships are common. Coaches often reserve monies for student / athletes that do not meet requirements for academic aid.
NJCAA I
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 136
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 118
Men's scholarships: 18
Women's scholarships: 18
Many scholarships awarded at the Junior College level are full rides although partial rides are common as well.
This is a reposting of an article originally publish in March 2013 concerning available scholarships for playing soccer in college. I have not re-researched NCAA regulations since the original writing. I have received numerous requests to re-post this article. So, here it is... again!
With club tryout season upon us once again I deemed it appropriate to move the article to the front page. Do not be fooled by clubs who advertise they have helped "x" number of athletes obtain college scholarships for playing soccer. Investigate the claims. If talking about the prestigious D I programs, you are more than likely to find no one, not a single solitary individual, listed as a scholarship recipient received a full ride. Most will probably have received a fraction of a fully funded scholarship. A quarter to a third and in rare cases 1/2 of a full ride are the norm. Those who did receive full rides likely did so at NAIA or NJCAA schools.
Bottom line? If you are looking for money to pay for college, study hard and get good grades. All the money being spent on playing club soccer? Invest it in the stock market or even a savings account. The return on investment will be much higher for the overwhelmingly vast majority of you.
NCAA Divison I
At the NCAA Division I level men's soccer is considered to be an equivalency sport. This simply means the number of scholarships that can be offered is determined in part by Title IX. Fewer men's scholarships may be funded due to women's sports not having an equivalency to football. A school is not mandated to fund it's full allotment of scholarships.
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 199 (this number is in decline in part due to equivalency standards)
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 320 (this number continues to grow in response to equivalency standards)
Mens Soccer Scholarships: 9.9
Women's Soccer Scholarships: 14
Scholarships can be full or partial rides at the Division I level. With rosters often approaching 30 players the money is distributed very carefully.
NCAA Divison II
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 179
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 227
Men's scholarships: 9
Women's scholarships: 9.9
Many NCAA Division II schools do not offer football and so there is less discrepancy in scholarship numbers between the sports. Partial scholarships are the norm as coaches can distribute the money to as many players as they wish.
NCAA Division III
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 401
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 424
Scholarships are not offered at NCAA Division III schools. Student / athletes often rely on academic scholarships and financial aid to assist with costs for school.
NAIA
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 218
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 223
Men's scholarships: 12
Women's scholarships: 12
Partial scholarships are common. Coaches often reserve monies for student / athletes that do not meet requirements for academic aid.
NJCAA I
Schools offering Men's Soccer: 136
Schools offering Women's Soccer: 118
Men's scholarships: 18
Women's scholarships: 18
Many scholarships awarded at the Junior College level are full rides although partial rides are common as well.
Thursday
The 2016 Summer Camp Season is Fast Approaching!
We always offer first chance to returning teams we conducted camps for the previous year. Several of you have been in contact already. We are in the process of contacting the rest of you now. Also, we have had a couple of new programs express interest in our camps. We are working them into the schedule as well. As of today, it looks like we will have room for 2-3 more teams dependent on specific needs and fitting teams into available dates.
Contact us now!
coachtjbrown@gmail,com
567-204-6083
Contact us now!
coachtjbrown@gmail,com
567-204-6083
Monday
Jingles Bells, Soccer Balls... GLU (Grand Lake United) Style
A few years ago I re-wrote Jingle Bells as a soccer song for the players on one of my son's team. It's all in good fun. Hope you enjoy!
Dashing down the field
On one v one breakaway
Into the box I go
Dribbling all the way
Strike the ball on goal
To the fans delight
What fun it is to score and win
Our soccer game tonight
Oh, soccer balls, soccer balls
Dribble all the way
Oh what fun it is to play
In a soccer game today, Hey!
Soccer balls, soccer balls
Dribble all the way
Oh what fun it is to play
In a soccer game today
A game or two ago
I thought I’d take a slide
And soon the other guy
Was laying on his side
The referee pulled his card
Misfortune was my lot
I gave up a direct free kick
The save the Keeper got!
Oh, soccer balls, soccer balls
Dribble all the way
Oh what fun it is to play
In a soccer game today, Hey!
Soccer balls, soccer balls
Dribble all the way
Oh what fun it is to play
In a soccer game today
There’s nothing left to do
For now the game is won
The victory belongs to Glu
So with your girls have fun
We start training in the morn
For champions never rest
Winners are not born
They work to be the best!
Oh, soccer balls, soccer balls
Dribble all the way
Oh what fun it is to play
In a soccer game today, Hey!
Soccer balls, soccer balls
Dribble all the way
Oh what fun it is to play
In a soccer game today
When excellence becomes tradition greatness has no limits.
Aristotle: We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
In 1954 legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant was in his first year as coach at Texas A & M when he decided the team needed to get away from every day distractions on campus in order to concentrate on football. Off they went to what we would today refer to as a branch campus located in Junction, Texas. The area was in the midst of the worst draught in recorded history. On each of the 10 days of camp temperatures climbed to over 100 degrees. The conditions were brutal. Each day Coach Bryant demanded perfection and continued practicing those young men until it was achieved to his satisfaction. A group of over 75 young men began the camp. Only half of them completed the entire 10 days.
In 1954 legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant was in his first year as coach at Texas A & M when he decided the team needed to get away from every day distractions on campus in order to concentrate on football. Off they went to what we would today refer to as a branch campus located in Junction, Texas. The area was in the midst of the worst draught in recorded history. On each of the 10 days of camp temperatures climbed to over 100 degrees. The conditions were brutal. Each day Coach Bryant demanded perfection and continued practicing those young men until it was achieved to his satisfaction. A group of over 75 young men began the camp. Only half of them completed the entire 10 days.
Sunday
Yelling Parents
I saw this on Facebook recently. Overt the years I have tried to make this point in numerous ways to numerous people with varying degrees of success. This is short and sweet while driving the point home with precision and power.
Friday
No Brain?
No Pain
No Gain
I think we are all familiar with this motivational slogan. And I will not argue against the measure of truth it holds. However, I don't think those four words are enough to complete the thought process they begin. I believe four more words are needed.
No Brain
No Gain
The first set of words addresses the need to train the physical body for competition. The second set of words identifies the importance to train and play with as much intelligence as possible.
Saturday
Fear has two Meanings
FEAR has two meanings
1) Forget Everything And Run
or
2) Face Everything And Rise
The choice is yours!
Friday
Little Things Make a Big Difference
If you have been around sports for any length of time at all you have undoubtedly heard a coach state that it is the little things that make the difference between winning and losing, between being good and being great. I mention The Details of the Process on a regular basis. That coaches constantly speak about the "little things" is testimony to their importance, but how often do you find the "little things" identified?
Toes up / Heel down / Strike with the ankle bone ... these are little technical things that make a difference.
Here is a small tactical detail to remember that can make a significant difference in a teams ability to defend.
Toes up / Heel down / Strike with the ankle bone ... these are little technical things that make a difference.
Here is a small tactical detail to remember that can make a significant difference in a teams ability to defend.
Great defensive teams move on the movement of the ball.
Poor defensive teams move on the completed pass.
Think of the times you have seen a team chasing the ball around the field as the opposing team strings pass after pass together. Perhaps you have even been on a team that has chased the ball around the field? Not much fun is it? And it is physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. In a word, it can be demoralizing. To prevent this from happening TEAMS must defend as if they have one heartbeat shared by 11 players. Great defensive teams know everytime the ball moves they must collectively move with it.
What about great offensive teams?
Great offensive teams move before the ball moves.
Poor offensive teams move when or after the ball moves.
Small but subtle differences between defending and attacking. "Little things" that make profound differences in the quality of play. Good teams pay attention to the details of the process. Great teams never allow themselves to become bored with the details of the process. It's a matter of choice. Choose wisely for the quality of your game depends upon it.
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