Couple Cool Pics

Though I haven't had much time to update this journal, I wanted to add a few pics that I've taken in the last few weeks.

The first is at the Thunder home opener against Vancouver.  It is so important for young players to watch high level soccer live.  We had 15 of the 16 girls able to attend which was great.

The second pic here I took with my phone at training this past Wednesday.  Really vibrant double rainbow, so we stopped to snap a pic.  I couldn't make it work to fit in the girls and both rainbows.  The one time I leave my digital camera at home...

Minimizing Game Results

As we prepare for a highly competitive event, it is important to me to do what I can to minimize our game results for the girls and emphasize the experience and the development that will come through the experience. 

I've told the girls all week that we are not going to this event to win it.  We are going to find competition to make us better.  This doesn't mean that we are going to Chicago to lose.  Far from it as I'll do what I can during the game to get the result I want - which is usually a "W" :)  I don't see a problem with this as good coaches can balance the winning with the player development.  However when the final whistle blows after each game, it is my job as a coach to minimize the results and focus on development issues. 

Moreover, there are many aspects of a soccer match that are out of the girls' control - the ref, the field conditions, every bounce of the ball, the weather, our opponents actions, and ultimately the score.  If I allow the girls to focus on any one of these things I set them up for potential failure due to uncontrollable circumstances.  Rather, if I can help the girls focus on things over which the DO have control, they have the chance to be successful regardless of the outcome of any match.  I do this in two ways.

First, I give all the girls 3 Game Goals each tournament.  These are technical/tactical ideas that I challenge the girls to accomplish by the end of the weekend.  Some goals are given to multiple girls, but all are specific for each individual based on what I feel they need for their own individual development.

Second, I award Controlling the SEAS skillzys after each game, rewarding 4 girls for focusing on their Sportsmanship, Effort and Energy, Attitude, and Smiles. 

Both the Game Goals and the skillzys are useful development tools that also help increase the girls' passion for the game.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

No scheduled soccer until November 4th.  Though a year-round training program, even pro players don't go a full year without breaks.  These breaks are important so the girls can rest, revitalize, and rejuvenate.  They come back refreshed and excited about the long winter training.  I've included breaks like this since I began year-round work with my first team in Woodbury in 2001, and the benefits to me are clear. 

As for our winter program, I feel this is where the kids see the most development.  We train a lot compared to most other MN soccer programs, but we offer the variety needed to keep kids interested and motivated.  If we met at Bielenberg's dome 3 days a week, it would be difficult to keep the kids excited after 60 winter sessions - seeing the same environment day in and day out.  This constant environment doesn't seem like a big deal to you and me, but kids are kids and they need flavor.

So, we'll be in gymnasiums at Lake JHS (Woodbury) for our Futbol Sala Training on Sunday afternoons, at Corner Kick (Maplewood) on Tuesday evenings for our Performance Training, at the domes on Saturdays for our Field Training.  We will also be looking to hold an optional Thursday evening themed sessions beginning in January for kids to come in, knowing they will be focusing on one specific skill for that session.  Some of the girls are playing in a boarded indoor league at Corner Kick, and we will also be competing in the Footskills D-League beginning in January at the Irish Dome in Rosemount. 

Should be a very productive and enjoyable next 5 months for the girls.