Aside from the effort I put into my relationship with my wife and parenting our children, coaching is probably the most difficult thing I do. Coaching involves the teaching of fundamentals and tactics, sportsmanship, life lessons, and so much more. The bottom line with coaching is relationships though.
This spring my challenge has doubled as I have 36 players on two different teams. I was speaking with a coaching colleague recently who also is coaching two teams and about the same number of players. His philosophy seemed to be "focus on winning games" because with that many players it is too difficult to spend enough quality time with them all. I disagree, at least in part.
It is true, that 36 players is a lot to work with during a soccer season. It is also true that it is important to build a relationship with each one of them. It takes a lot of work so the key is to work smarter rather than harder for there is indeed limited time. Working smarter is also necessary in maintaining relationships that have been established.
I am not sure why, but I continue to be amazed when God stands my well laid plans on their ear. That God's will prevails is a lesson I have learned repeatedly. Even so, I do plan meticulously for each season, each team and each player. There is a certain amount of anticipation involved in the planning for both season and individual players. Just as I implore players to expand their play from "one-decision" soccer to "multi-decision" soccer I must do this in my coaching. In the context of coach / player relationships this involves putting the TEAM first while also being ever mindful of the individual players that comprise a team.
In spring club soccer there are usually limited disciplinary actions required. I am very flexible about players who must miss for a school sport or school activity. The same holds true for players who miss due to work. Church and family always come before soccer. The point being absence is not usually an issue. It was in one instance this spring when a player elected to referee a match a couple of fields over while his teammates played a match at the same time. In this instance I turned to the team leadership to resolve the issue and they did so in an amazingly mature and fair fashion.
Rather, in spring club soccer the bigger issues can be of players buying into a teams philosophy and system of play. Sometimes a lack of time to devote to the team can be an issue in this area. Other times it can be a lack of humbleness in a player that detracts from team play. Being humble does not entail thinking less of yourself so much as it entails thinking less about yourself and more about your team. I suppose President Kennedy would have put it, "Ask not what your team can do for you, but what you can do for your team".
At a recent match involving our "A" team I made both a formational change and personnel changes to address on-going concerns in our play. In short, we were lacking consistent back to goal target play, were clogging the face of the goal in out attacking third and were poor in our transition from attacking to defending especially in the center midfield. So, we switched from a 4-4-2 to a 4-1-4-1. The initial results were mixed. The general comments were largely supportive of the formational change. As might be expected, other areas of concern arose. Somewhat unexpectedly was the fact some of the areas of concern were still personnel based as could be witnessed on the first goal we allowed. In general, the first half of play was different than what we had been experiencing although I would not say it was fundamentally better overall.
I pondered what to address as half time approached. There was just so many things to select from I was feeling overwhelmed in identifying 2 or 3 to really bring focus on. We were down 0 - 1 to a weaker team. The mistakes made on the goal the opponents scored encapsulated the way the entire half had been played by our team. I preach "attention to the details of the process" as a king consideration to success in sports and in life. This was severely lacking in our play on the field by a majority of the team. Missed assignments. Mental errors. Selfish play. One-decision soccer. Multiple touches on the ball when 1 or 2 would have sufficed. Self-inflicted pressure. Basically we were still underachieving and this was largely due to individuals self-inflicting pressure on themselves and by extension the team at large.
To be honest, what I witnessed was an accumulation of factors that had been building over the course of the season. This team has 16 players capable of starting. It is an area all-star team. There are many players who were captains of their high school team, the go-to guy on their high school team, all-league, all-district and all-state players. The key to the season would hinge on their willingness to sacrifice for each other. From a team perspective we had been failing miserably in this regard.
Too many individuals playing for themselves is a recipe for disaster on any team. The truth of the matter is, one player playing for himself on a team is too many. We have had several this spring. So while we have won some games we have also lost some that we should not have. In those tight games when we needed to rely on one another, we had individuals playing outside their roles and generally trying to do too much on their own. We were unable to trust one another because we had yet to sacrifice and embrace one another.
As a coach there is an acknowledgement that sometimes team chemistry just isn't what it should be and however unfortunate this might be there is precious little a coach can do about it. Team chemistry is largely outside the realm of control of the coach. Yes, team bonding can be worked on and enhanced, but the responsibility rests largely with the individual players buying into the teams philosophy and system of play. There are seasons when team chemistry never establishes itself to a satisfactory level. Those seasons tend to long, very long, for everyone involved and are blemished with underachieving play and results. As half time approached during this recent game I felt we were on the precipice of that type of season.
The challenge then was to uncover enough players willing to play for one another. A couple of weeks ago there was a parent who complained I didn't have the best 11 players on the pitch. I would largely agree with that statement. Reality tells us it is not about having the best 11 players on the pitch at the same time but having the 11 who play best together on the pitch at the same time. This is the approach I took for the second half of this recent match.
I selected a starting 11 whom I believed would play for one another. Even more than that, I felt the starting unit I put on the pitch would not want to let one another down. I attempted to select 11 who would raise each others level of play and by doing so would raise the teams level of play.
We went "ironman" which is tantamount to the U.S. military's "broken arrow" call sign in terms of my coaching philosophy. I would not specifically call for substitutions. That responsibility would remain in the provenance of the individuals who started the second half. If they wished a break, they would ask out. I would name a substitute to replace them. When rested and ready to return to action the starter would sub himself back into the game for the player who had replaced him. In the world of free / unlimited substitution soccer this is a drastic, even extreme measure.
I struggled with which eleven to name. Two players in particular were worthy of consideration for the 11 who would start the second half, but were ultimately left off that unit primarily as a function of positions played. The risk involved in this strategy was immense and dependent almost entirely on those 11 who would be taking the field. In them, I put my trust as a coach.
Would these 11 individuals come together to play as a team?
Just as importantly, would be how these 11 individuals would respond to the responsibility of calling for their own substitutions. That is, which of the 11 would trust a teammate to play in their stead.
The results were a bit mixed. We scored in the first few minutes of the second half to even the score at 1- 1 only to allow a second goal against due to poor decision making. Down 1-2 the next few minutes were dicey until we evened the score on a PK. From that point forward we began playing as I had envisioned we would when this team was assembled. On the other hand, to say there had been limited substitutions would be an understatement. This is something that will bear very close scrutiny going forward.
There was one bench player in particular who I felt was slighted in the amount of playing time he received in the second half. The question I have been pondering is why of the five players he could have subbed for positionally only one elected to take a break and that for 5 minutes. Is there a trust issue with his teammates in regards to his play? Is he not viewed as a team player?
None of the bench players played extensively in the second half. Two did come off the bench to score goals for us in limited action which is good. To illustrate where we are I will share a comment made about the proper perspective of scoring goals; "Scoring goals will be used to justify why they should be on the field while the reasons they aren't in the game are completely ignored." An extremely interesting observation and telling commentary from a teammate. It tells me we have a ways to go yet in this process of buying in.
So, a formational change and personnel change failed to initially stimulate play to the degree hoped for. It took an extreme change in game management to generate positive on-field results. Now the question becomes the response of those players who were left on the bench for the majority of the second half. Will they began to take ownership of why they sat or will they blame the coach or their teammates?
For me to think we have everything solved or worked out would be foolish. This team and this season could still go down the tubes in a hurry. Just under four weeks to go in the season and I am left to wonder if they will go painfully slow or exquisitely fast?
As the season hangs in the balance it is ultimately the relationships that will determine which way it falls. Discovering who is willing to put forth the effort to build relationships between players and between coaches and players will be key. It is sometimes said a team is only as strong as its weakest player. In this case, the teams strength will be measured by the quality of relationships. Are we willing to work, to put intelligent effort into establishing better relations? Are we willing to sacrifice the Me for the We?
Sunday
Regarding line up changes
Over the years when I have made personnel changes to line ups invariably players who are displaced want to know what they have done wrong. Many times changes are driven by faulty decision making. What players fail to realize is the decision making being questioned is that of the coach as much or even more so than that of the player.
As I contemplate line up changes for our Grand Lake United BPL team today I can most definitely say they are coming about because I, as their coach, have failed to get it right. I thought my decision making process was sound, but this past Friday's match proved otherwise. Strange thing is, we won the match against a rival club on their home pitch. I should be happy, right?
We won the match in spite of ourselves. Some individuals really struggled to conform with our system of play in their decision making. Collectively we struggled to find a proper rhythm because we were not on the same page in our decision making. It would be easy to single out certain players as the root cause of our problems. It would also be foolish to do so.
Consider for a moment that it is the coach's responsibility to place players in positions and situations in which they have a reasonable expectation for success. This is true with individual players, in combining players in units and in the collective 11 man side.
I put considerable time into deciding line ups. I attempt to find the proper position for individual players and the right combination of players and skills. Sometimes what looks good on paper just doesn't work well on the pitch. Then another round of decisions must take place. Is patience required? Does a player or combination of players simply need more time to sort things out? Was it simply good intentions gone awry? Is there a better position for an individual player or a better combination of players?
These are questions I have been pondering. I have asked a handful of people for input and others have offered unsolicited input. I have concluded the quality of my decision making left something to be desired. Now I need to put it right. Direct and honest communication with the players involved will be vital. Some will be happy with the changes. Others will not and perhaps even become angry. My hope is all involved will embrace the changes in recognition they are being made for the good of the collective. For the good of the TEAM.
As I contemplate line up changes for our Grand Lake United BPL team today I can most definitely say they are coming about because I, as their coach, have failed to get it right. I thought my decision making process was sound, but this past Friday's match proved otherwise. Strange thing is, we won the match against a rival club on their home pitch. I should be happy, right?
We won the match in spite of ourselves. Some individuals really struggled to conform with our system of play in their decision making. Collectively we struggled to find a proper rhythm because we were not on the same page in our decision making. It would be easy to single out certain players as the root cause of our problems. It would also be foolish to do so.
Consider for a moment that it is the coach's responsibility to place players in positions and situations in which they have a reasonable expectation for success. This is true with individual players, in combining players in units and in the collective 11 man side.
I put considerable time into deciding line ups. I attempt to find the proper position for individual players and the right combination of players and skills. Sometimes what looks good on paper just doesn't work well on the pitch. Then another round of decisions must take place. Is patience required? Does a player or combination of players simply need more time to sort things out? Was it simply good intentions gone awry? Is there a better position for an individual player or a better combination of players?
These are questions I have been pondering. I have asked a handful of people for input and others have offered unsolicited input. I have concluded the quality of my decision making left something to be desired. Now I need to put it right. Direct and honest communication with the players involved will be vital. Some will be happy with the changes. Others will not and perhaps even become angry. My hope is all involved will embrace the changes in recognition they are being made for the good of the collective. For the good of the TEAM.
Saturday
Experience has taught me the importance of having "Buy in" in your program
Head Coach, Assistant Coaches, Players, Parents, Administrators
Success requires everyone to buy into The Process.
When commitment and dedication to one another are present
The Process will take care of the outcome.
Tuesday
Grand Lake U19 season begins.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, last season's success has generated a lot of interest in our team, our program. For the first time ever, we will field two teams in the U19 age group. I have refrained from labeling the teams "A" and "B" although it is obvious one team is more talented than the other. I want very much to foster a sense of community within our club and especially amongst our two U19 teams. So far, so good with one small hiccup that I believe has been put to rest.
The BPL Grand Lake United team began play by participating in the Ohio Galaxies College Showcase. Our first match was the second time we were outside all winter. We played against a team who had already played in a couple of tournaments. The results were predictable. We struggled and looked completely out of sync if not out of place on the pitch with them. It just was not a good start.
In the second match we regrouped and played much better overall. We still took the loss, but we competed well. Had we been able to finish on a respectable amount of our chances the result might have been different. In the end, we came away with something to build on. A foundation for success was laid, if you will.
The third match we won against a team that had defeated our previous two opponents. Yes, we made significant improvements throughout the course of the weekend. We played better in every aspect of the game and for the first time played as a team. Not a perfect game by any means but another step forward.
The following weekend we played our first league game. New league. New opponents. A fair amount of trepidation. From the opening whistle we played well. The run of play was fairly equal in the first half although I did believe we were the better team overall. The second half proved me right as we finally found the ability to finish some chances. The resulting victory put us on a early season mini - win streak and evened the season record at 2-2-0.
Next up was the Early Bird Classic and frankly, I wasn't sure what we had gotten ourselves in for. Our scheduled opponents were from Wisconsin , West Virginia and Ohio. A couple of these squads had very impressive resumes. When we took the field Saturday morning it was immediately obvious we were up against a very fine team. Big, strong, athletic and highly skilled. They took it to us early on and went up 0 - 1 on a laser strike from 40 yards out. The ball never got more than 5 feet off the ground and found back netting on the left side of our goalkeeper. A tremendous shot by a high school aged player.
That goal allowed actually seemed to settle us down and as we approached the 5 minutes remaining mark I hoped to get out of the half being down just one. No more had that thought entered my mind then the same opponent struck again... and again from nearly 40 yards out. Again another laser shot that never got above head high. This time to the right of our goalkeeper and into the back netting. Unbelievable. I was speechless. One such shot might have been luck. He proved the first shot by duplicating it with a second. I honestly thought the rout might be on.
Thankfully our players had different ideas. With less than a minute remaining in the half and going into the face of a 20 mph wind with falling rain / sleet we got on the board on a superbly executed bangoo goal from our forwards. That goal put us back into the match and gave us momentum going into half time.
We enjoyed the better run of play in the second half although we did have to weather a couple of serious sustained attacks from our opponents. We got the equalizer about 12 minutes in and this seemed to grow our confidence and shake that of the opponents. I am sure the deteriorating weather conditions played a factor as well. We scored the winning goal with 8 minutes to go, survived one more serious challenge from the opponents then closed out the game in their end of the pitch.
The end result will show a win for us. We certainly showed further improvement. I seek not to diminish our accomplishment but given that match was our opponents first of the spring and their first time outside all spring, well... I wouldn't want to face that team in a month's time. They are going to be an elite side. This was a signature win for our team.
Unfortunately the remainder of the tournament was cancelled a couple hours after we completed our match. I would have greatly enjoyed playing again to see if we could continue our steady improvement or if we might have suffered a let down after a big win.
This week the Grand Lake United Wolves begin league play on Thursday. We scrimmaged our U17 team last night. Like the BPL team, this team struggled early on but made steady progress throughout the scrimmage. The two U19 teams will scrimmage each other this evening for about 40 minutes and that will provide a stiffer challenge and a better indication of where the Wolves stand. The BPL team returns to action with a league game on Friday night.
Good luck to both teams and our program as a whole!
The BPL Grand Lake United team began play by participating in the Ohio Galaxies College Showcase. Our first match was the second time we were outside all winter. We played against a team who had already played in a couple of tournaments. The results were predictable. We struggled and looked completely out of sync if not out of place on the pitch with them. It just was not a good start.
In the second match we regrouped and played much better overall. We still took the loss, but we competed well. Had we been able to finish on a respectable amount of our chances the result might have been different. In the end, we came away with something to build on. A foundation for success was laid, if you will.
The third match we won against a team that had defeated our previous two opponents. Yes, we made significant improvements throughout the course of the weekend. We played better in every aspect of the game and for the first time played as a team. Not a perfect game by any means but another step forward.
The following weekend we played our first league game. New league. New opponents. A fair amount of trepidation. From the opening whistle we played well. The run of play was fairly equal in the first half although I did believe we were the better team overall. The second half proved me right as we finally found the ability to finish some chances. The resulting victory put us on a early season mini - win streak and evened the season record at 2-2-0.
Next up was the Early Bird Classic and frankly, I wasn't sure what we had gotten ourselves in for. Our scheduled opponents were from Wisconsin , West Virginia and Ohio. A couple of these squads had very impressive resumes. When we took the field Saturday morning it was immediately obvious we were up against a very fine team. Big, strong, athletic and highly skilled. They took it to us early on and went up 0 - 1 on a laser strike from 40 yards out. The ball never got more than 5 feet off the ground and found back netting on the left side of our goalkeeper. A tremendous shot by a high school aged player.
That goal allowed actually seemed to settle us down and as we approached the 5 minutes remaining mark I hoped to get out of the half being down just one. No more had that thought entered my mind then the same opponent struck again... and again from nearly 40 yards out. Again another laser shot that never got above head high. This time to the right of our goalkeeper and into the back netting. Unbelievable. I was speechless. One such shot might have been luck. He proved the first shot by duplicating it with a second. I honestly thought the rout might be on.
Thankfully our players had different ideas. With less than a minute remaining in the half and going into the face of a 20 mph wind with falling rain / sleet we got on the board on a superbly executed bangoo goal from our forwards. That goal put us back into the match and gave us momentum going into half time.
We enjoyed the better run of play in the second half although we did have to weather a couple of serious sustained attacks from our opponents. We got the equalizer about 12 minutes in and this seemed to grow our confidence and shake that of the opponents. I am sure the deteriorating weather conditions played a factor as well. We scored the winning goal with 8 minutes to go, survived one more serious challenge from the opponents then closed out the game in their end of the pitch.
The end result will show a win for us. We certainly showed further improvement. I seek not to diminish our accomplishment but given that match was our opponents first of the spring and their first time outside all spring, well... I wouldn't want to face that team in a month's time. They are going to be an elite side. This was a signature win for our team.
Unfortunately the remainder of the tournament was cancelled a couple hours after we completed our match. I would have greatly enjoyed playing again to see if we could continue our steady improvement or if we might have suffered a let down after a big win.
This week the Grand Lake United Wolves begin league play on Thursday. We scrimmaged our U17 team last night. Like the BPL team, this team struggled early on but made steady progress throughout the scrimmage. The two U19 teams will scrimmage each other this evening for about 40 minutes and that will provide a stiffer challenge and a better indication of where the Wolves stand. The BPL team returns to action with a league game on Friday night.
Good luck to both teams and our program as a whole!
Sunday
When Plans Go Awry
Here is west central Ohio it has been a difficult winter to prepare for the spring soccer season. As we approached our first tournament we had been able to get outside exactly one time. Such was the snow and cold weather this winter. I'm not complaining. We played indoors and practiced in gyms as we could. As the weekend of March 15 & 16 approached I made formational, system and lineup plans as best I could. They night before the tournament began I went so far to script the line ups and rotations for each of the three games we would play that weekend knowing full well I would not stick to the script.
Our first opponent had already played a few games so we were playing catch up from the start, so to speak. Although they had a much better run of play early we found ourselves up 1 - 0 on a penalty kick. The opponent quickly asserted itself and won the match 1-3. They were certainly ahead of us at this point in the season so the loss itself was not disappointing. They way we played did concern me though.
To be honest, there were so many issues to address I struggled to find a starting point. Thankfully we did not play again until the next day so there was some time to gather my thoughts. I spoke with various team members and listened to their input, but still struggled with where to begin addressing things. So, I did what I often do in such situations - I said my prayers, went to bed and slept on it.
When I awoke in the morning I did not go off script, no, I tore the script up and started over.
I had had it in my mind that we would play a 4-5-1 formation with a zonal system defensively and a wide open counter attacking style of play. We have the wings to do this both in quality and in quantity. It just didn't click in that first game and the question I ended up struggling with was whether to stick with the script or scrap it in favor of something else.
I had to consider the experience level and soccer IQ of the players we were dealing with. I do not think I over estimated either, but I also did not factor in the rather limited experience playing in different systems. "My" system was far different than what most, especially the new additions, were accustomed to. I allow a huge amount of freedom of movement and play. The exchange is the players must take on a huge amount of responsibility for this freedom. In hindsight, I was too ambitious too early in the process.
So, my solution was to scrap the formation while maintaining the zonal defending system. The freedom of movement remained but the rotations were also simplified by reverting to a 4-4-2 formation. This is a formation predicated more on channels or lanes to align in than is the 4-5-1. It is far easier to understand and requires less thinking in the moment.
We begin clicking in the second game of the tournament. Although we lost 0 - 2 it was light years better than the first game with credit going to the "new" formation and simplified play with in it. I would go so far as to say, we were the better team in many facets of the game. Just not in the one that counts the most - the scoreboard.
The third match of the tournament went our way. We played our best match of the tournament against an opponent that had fared well against our two common opponent. We ended up winning 1-0 and generally controlled the run of play. The opponents generated too many chances for my liking, but our goal keepers were up to the task. Our attack missed too many chances but converted on the one we needed to for the win.
A week later we played our first league game. We were able to practice outside twice and that undoubtedly helped. Still, I was nervous about the match. To make matters worse we would be missing 4 key players for this match. We came out strong and although the match was tied 0 - 0 at half there was little doubt about who the better team was that day. The second half things began to click as we scored 3 while maintaining the shutout.
The point I seek to make to fellow coaches is simply this - when things are not going as expected you face two basic choices: 1) persevere with the belief that what you are doing will work with time or 2) go ahead and admit you might have had it wrong and change things up.
I recall a coaching mentor early in my career who never changed formations or systems of play. He steadfastly believed in "his" way. Any changes he made were to try different combinations of personnel in an effort to find the right combination. It quite literally took almost 4 years of discussions before he decided to finally change formations within his program. It didn't seem to matter that current personnel were better suited to playing something else.
I also witnessed another coaching colleague who changed formations and systems of play on a match by match basis which was no good either. His players were largely inexperienced and his reason for the constant changes was in trying to find a competitive edge against each opponent.
My reason for change was grounded in the recognition that nothing was working as I had envisioned. Even when I narrowed it down to a few specifics to focus on improving I realized the players were likely lacking confidence in what I was asking them to do. The formation and system were fine. They players are sound. The two just were not as good of match to one another as I had thought. No problem. It was easier for me to change than to ask eighteen 17 & 18 year olds to do so.
Our first opponent had already played a few games so we were playing catch up from the start, so to speak. Although they had a much better run of play early we found ourselves up 1 - 0 on a penalty kick. The opponent quickly asserted itself and won the match 1-3. They were certainly ahead of us at this point in the season so the loss itself was not disappointing. They way we played did concern me though.
To be honest, there were so many issues to address I struggled to find a starting point. Thankfully we did not play again until the next day so there was some time to gather my thoughts. I spoke with various team members and listened to their input, but still struggled with where to begin addressing things. So, I did what I often do in such situations - I said my prayers, went to bed and slept on it.
When I awoke in the morning I did not go off script, no, I tore the script up and started over.
I had had it in my mind that we would play a 4-5-1 formation with a zonal system defensively and a wide open counter attacking style of play. We have the wings to do this both in quality and in quantity. It just didn't click in that first game and the question I ended up struggling with was whether to stick with the script or scrap it in favor of something else.
I had to consider the experience level and soccer IQ of the players we were dealing with. I do not think I over estimated either, but I also did not factor in the rather limited experience playing in different systems. "My" system was far different than what most, especially the new additions, were accustomed to. I allow a huge amount of freedom of movement and play. The exchange is the players must take on a huge amount of responsibility for this freedom. In hindsight, I was too ambitious too early in the process.
So, my solution was to scrap the formation while maintaining the zonal defending system. The freedom of movement remained but the rotations were also simplified by reverting to a 4-4-2 formation. This is a formation predicated more on channels or lanes to align in than is the 4-5-1. It is far easier to understand and requires less thinking in the moment.
We begin clicking in the second game of the tournament. Although we lost 0 - 2 it was light years better than the first game with credit going to the "new" formation and simplified play with in it. I would go so far as to say, we were the better team in many facets of the game. Just not in the one that counts the most - the scoreboard.
The third match of the tournament went our way. We played our best match of the tournament against an opponent that had fared well against our two common opponent. We ended up winning 1-0 and generally controlled the run of play. The opponents generated too many chances for my liking, but our goal keepers were up to the task. Our attack missed too many chances but converted on the one we needed to for the win.
A week later we played our first league game. We were able to practice outside twice and that undoubtedly helped. Still, I was nervous about the match. To make matters worse we would be missing 4 key players for this match. We came out strong and although the match was tied 0 - 0 at half there was little doubt about who the better team was that day. The second half things began to click as we scored 3 while maintaining the shutout.
The point I seek to make to fellow coaches is simply this - when things are not going as expected you face two basic choices: 1) persevere with the belief that what you are doing will work with time or 2) go ahead and admit you might have had it wrong and change things up.
I recall a coaching mentor early in my career who never changed formations or systems of play. He steadfastly believed in "his" way. Any changes he made were to try different combinations of personnel in an effort to find the right combination. It quite literally took almost 4 years of discussions before he decided to finally change formations within his program. It didn't seem to matter that current personnel were better suited to playing something else.
I also witnessed another coaching colleague who changed formations and systems of play on a match by match basis which was no good either. His players were largely inexperienced and his reason for the constant changes was in trying to find a competitive edge against each opponent.
My reason for change was grounded in the recognition that nothing was working as I had envisioned. Even when I narrowed it down to a few specifics to focus on improving I realized the players were likely lacking confidence in what I was asking them to do. The formation and system were fine. They players are sound. The two just were not as good of match to one another as I had thought. No problem. It was easier for me to change than to ask eighteen 17 & 18 year olds to do so.
Summer Camps Schedule is beginning to fill up.
Good Sunday Morning!
We are back!
Our Grand Lake United spring seasons are underway and the summer camp schedule is beginning to fill up.
The U19 A team played well at the Ohio Galaxies College Showcase. We went 1-2-0, but considering it was our first time outdoors due to snow and cold, we did well. Our opponents had all played in early tournaments further south of us so we were playing a little catch up early on. By Sunday afternoon it looked like we shook a lot of the rust off.
Yesterday this team played in it's first BPL game and came away with an impressive 3-0 win over the S.P. S.C. at Ohio Northern University. ONU has a new turf field and it is really something. Thanks to the Polar Bears for hosting the game! The team is back in action next weekend in the Early Bird Classic.
The Grand Lake United B team is eleven days out from it's first action of the season, a MVYSA game at home vs the Raiders. This is a newly formed team and a younger group overall. I am interested to see how they come together.
Summer Camps
If you have not already done so, get in touch with Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer now for your summer camp needs. We offer team camps, small group training and specialized goalkeeping camps. Contact us at tbrown@wcoil.com or 567-204-6083
We are back!
Our Grand Lake United spring seasons are underway and the summer camp schedule is beginning to fill up.
The U19 A team played well at the Ohio Galaxies College Showcase. We went 1-2-0, but considering it was our first time outdoors due to snow and cold, we did well. Our opponents had all played in early tournaments further south of us so we were playing a little catch up early on. By Sunday afternoon it looked like we shook a lot of the rust off.
Yesterday this team played in it's first BPL game and came away with an impressive 3-0 win over the S.P. S.C. at Ohio Northern University. ONU has a new turf field and it is really something. Thanks to the Polar Bears for hosting the game! The team is back in action next weekend in the Early Bird Classic.
The Grand Lake United B team is eleven days out from it's first action of the season, a MVYSA game at home vs the Raiders. This is a newly formed team and a younger group overall. I am interested to see how they come together.
Summer Camps
If you have not already done so, get in touch with Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer now for your summer camp needs. We offer team camps, small group training and specialized goalkeeping camps. Contact us at tbrown@wcoil.com or 567-204-6083
Wednesday
R.I.P Mother.
Obviously I have not been making posts on this blog in recent weeks. My mother long suffered from Alzheimer's and in late December was diagnosed with cancer. She fought the good fight hanging in until this past Friday when she finally succumbed to these diseases that so ravaged her. She is at Peace now... and so am I. We miss her terribly, but celebrate her life and the wonderful caring, loving mother and "Mom Mom" she was to us. Held tenderly in our hearts forever.
Ruth M. Brown
June 5, 1925 - February 21, 2014
June 5, 1925 - February 21, 2014
Monday
Doing what is BEST.
On the pitch, we've got to do what is best for the TEAM.
Off the pitch, we've got to do what is best for the individual.
Wednesday
Exciting News for Grand Lake United.
Fielding spring club teams from the West central Ohio area has always been a struggle. More so in some age groups than others. This is why I am extremely pleased to announce we will be fielding two teams in the U18 /19 age group!
Our U17 team last spring had a very successful season going undefeated in the MVYSA league, winning our division at the Pacesetters Tournament and winning the Creek Classic. I have no doubt that the success of this team spurred interest within players looking to become a part of our success. The looming World Cup and the United States successful qualifying for it has generated some excitement as well. There's a bit more going on here though. The young men who comprise the team have been tremendous recruiters for our program and these teams. That only happens when teammates genuinely like and care about one another. This is a tight knit group confident in themselves and in their teammates.
I have seen this type of growth before in high school programs, at the college level and in amateur sports. It is the result of leadership within the player ranks. When the core group of players have "it" the opportunity for special exists. I have considered the best course of action for a coach when this occurs is to simply not get in the way so as to mess it up.
Yes, there will be some issues about assignments to the two teams. That is a good thing in my estimation. Everyone should want to play soccer with their friends and strive to be a member of what they perceive to be the best team. I understand that. Assignments to the teams will be one of the larger roles I play with this... program. I can offer no guarantee of getting it 100% right. I can only avow to do my very best in the context of Program, TEAM, Individual Player and prioritized in that order.
I would like to say I will coach both teams exactly the same but that will not be the case. Our core fundamentals will be the same with each team. Our systems of play will be similar, but we will play to the strengths of each team and the individuals who comprise the teams. Our formations may or may not be the same or similar. We will work to discover what works best for each team.
I'm excited. It looks like we will have 36-40 players to comprise these two teams. That is a tremendous player pool for our semi-rural area. An extraordinary number of players, in fact. I aim is to provide each of them with a quality playing experience in the 2014 spring season. Wish us Good Luck and keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark together on this venture. And of course, I will keep you updated throughout the process!
Our U17 team last spring had a very successful season going undefeated in the MVYSA league, winning our division at the Pacesetters Tournament and winning the Creek Classic. I have no doubt that the success of this team spurred interest within players looking to become a part of our success. The looming World Cup and the United States successful qualifying for it has generated some excitement as well. There's a bit more going on here though. The young men who comprise the team have been tremendous recruiters for our program and these teams. That only happens when teammates genuinely like and care about one another. This is a tight knit group confident in themselves and in their teammates.
I have seen this type of growth before in high school programs, at the college level and in amateur sports. It is the result of leadership within the player ranks. When the core group of players have "it" the opportunity for special exists. I have considered the best course of action for a coach when this occurs is to simply not get in the way so as to mess it up.
Yes, there will be some issues about assignments to the two teams. That is a good thing in my estimation. Everyone should want to play soccer with their friends and strive to be a member of what they perceive to be the best team. I understand that. Assignments to the teams will be one of the larger roles I play with this... program. I can offer no guarantee of getting it 100% right. I can only avow to do my very best in the context of Program, TEAM, Individual Player and prioritized in that order.
I would like to say I will coach both teams exactly the same but that will not be the case. Our core fundamentals will be the same with each team. Our systems of play will be similar, but we will play to the strengths of each team and the individuals who comprise the teams. Our formations may or may not be the same or similar. We will work to discover what works best for each team.
I'm excited. It looks like we will have 36-40 players to comprise these two teams. That is a tremendous player pool for our semi-rural area. An extraordinary number of players, in fact. I aim is to provide each of them with a quality playing experience in the 2014 spring season. Wish us Good Luck and keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark together on this venture. And of course, I will keep you updated throughout the process!
Monday
One of the tougher aspects of coaching.
Coaches in general often think they can "coach up" anyone and make them a contributing member of a team. In most cases the object of their attention is the would be star with a horrible attitude. This is not always the case though. I myself am in the midst of trying to figure out how to coach up a young man who is good kid and loyal to our team. Yet over the last 3 springs he has fallen behind his teammates in his development.
Players all develop at different rates but rarely does the disparity grow to this extent. "Mark" is basically the same player he was three seasons ago. Individual player rankings of our team from years ago would have found Mark middle of the pack. Now, Mark is the last player on a 19 man roster.
I have the power to cut Mark from the team, but have been reluctant to do so for a number of reasons. Family friend, attends the same high school as my son, he's very athletic and in a way he needs soccer and perhaps more specifically, this team. This is one I am loath to give up on and so I continue to try.
One of the tougher aspects of coaching is recognizing when to let go of a favorite player. I know Mark cannot compete with his current teammates. He lacks game vision to an extraordinary degree. This is undoubtedly related to the fact he learns differently than most. I feel I have failed Mark as I have not discovered a way to properly teach him. It is not that Mark is incapable of learning - he is a bright intelligent young man. He's just not catching on as his teammates have and continue to do.
Keeping him with this team would be a disservice to his teammates especially if there is an expectation on Mark's part that he would receive playing time commensurate with that of his teammates. Mark is the weak link on the pitch when he's in the game.
Now, in fairness, Mark is playing up an age group with this team. When that decision was first made 4 years ago, this was appropriate for Mark. As time has passed and his teammates have left him behind, this team is no longer appropriate for Mark to be on. His teammates have been patient, understanding and helpful. Many have tried to mentor him and help him develop his game further with the same frustrating results I have had. Mark's teammates appreciate he does not belong with this team and it's beginning to show as Mark continues to struggle with his play.
As coaches we know there is always that one player who, because their level of play is lacking, breakdown every exercise. They are the one who always loses possession of the ball for their team often by self-inflicting pressure. They are the one that opponents always seek to isolate and take advantage of because they lack self-discipline and will repeatedly stab or dive in effectively eliminating themselves from play. Mark has become that player on this team.
Thankfully, there is another option for Mark. We will field a "B" team this next season. Previous attempts to move Mark down to his own age group have been met with emotional responses. This is not unexpected, but the degree to which it manifested itself was. Mark and his family essentially gave me an ultimatum that he either plays with our team or he won't be playing at all. I am hopeful the idea of still playing up but doing so on the "B" team will be palatable to Mark and his family. He needs to play and will not get that chance with the "A" team. With the "B" team he should play the majority of each match.
If Mark and his family are not agreeable to this, I will have to accept the challenge of their ultimatum and cut him from the team. Even if that means he will not play soccer at all. What it comes down to is the necessity of doing what is best for the team with an understanding that no one person is more important than the collective team.
I am making one last attempt to bring Mark up to speed with this team. If it is unsuccessful, I will move him to the "B" team and continue working with him in that setting. I will need to take a step back from where that group from where the "A" team is now. I am hopeful "re-taking" a season of soccer lessons will be enough to help Mark develop his game further. As a coach, this is my "Hail Mary" attempt to reach Mark. I pray that it works.
Players all develop at different rates but rarely does the disparity grow to this extent. "Mark" is basically the same player he was three seasons ago. Individual player rankings of our team from years ago would have found Mark middle of the pack. Now, Mark is the last player on a 19 man roster.
I have the power to cut Mark from the team, but have been reluctant to do so for a number of reasons. Family friend, attends the same high school as my son, he's very athletic and in a way he needs soccer and perhaps more specifically, this team. This is one I am loath to give up on and so I continue to try.
One of the tougher aspects of coaching is recognizing when to let go of a favorite player. I know Mark cannot compete with his current teammates. He lacks game vision to an extraordinary degree. This is undoubtedly related to the fact he learns differently than most. I feel I have failed Mark as I have not discovered a way to properly teach him. It is not that Mark is incapable of learning - he is a bright intelligent young man. He's just not catching on as his teammates have and continue to do.
Keeping him with this team would be a disservice to his teammates especially if there is an expectation on Mark's part that he would receive playing time commensurate with that of his teammates. Mark is the weak link on the pitch when he's in the game.
Now, in fairness, Mark is playing up an age group with this team. When that decision was first made 4 years ago, this was appropriate for Mark. As time has passed and his teammates have left him behind, this team is no longer appropriate for Mark to be on. His teammates have been patient, understanding and helpful. Many have tried to mentor him and help him develop his game further with the same frustrating results I have had. Mark's teammates appreciate he does not belong with this team and it's beginning to show as Mark continues to struggle with his play.
As coaches we know there is always that one player who, because their level of play is lacking, breakdown every exercise. They are the one who always loses possession of the ball for their team often by self-inflicting pressure. They are the one that opponents always seek to isolate and take advantage of because they lack self-discipline and will repeatedly stab or dive in effectively eliminating themselves from play. Mark has become that player on this team.
Thankfully, there is another option for Mark. We will field a "B" team this next season. Previous attempts to move Mark down to his own age group have been met with emotional responses. This is not unexpected, but the degree to which it manifested itself was. Mark and his family essentially gave me an ultimatum that he either plays with our team or he won't be playing at all. I am hopeful the idea of still playing up but doing so on the "B" team will be palatable to Mark and his family. He needs to play and will not get that chance with the "A" team. With the "B" team he should play the majority of each match.
If Mark and his family are not agreeable to this, I will have to accept the challenge of their ultimatum and cut him from the team. Even if that means he will not play soccer at all. What it comes down to is the necessity of doing what is best for the team with an understanding that no one person is more important than the collective team.
I am making one last attempt to bring Mark up to speed with this team. If it is unsuccessful, I will move him to the "B" team and continue working with him in that setting. I will need to take a step back from where that group from where the "A" team is now. I am hopeful "re-taking" a season of soccer lessons will be enough to help Mark develop his game further. As a coach, this is my "Hail Mary" attempt to reach Mark. I pray that it works.
Thursday
Wednesday
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