West Des Moines Premier Games Day 2

Another fine day in Des Moines. 

We we slated against the Lake Forest United team from Illinois this morning.  They were 1-0-1 thus far, so a win or a tie would see us through to the championship.  CIS Knockouts II (IL) and Toro Choas (NE) were matched up this morning in the deciding game in the other bracket, and I wanted a chance to meet either of them in the final this afternoon.  Having watched both of them play this weekend, I think CIS was the stronger team and was looking forward to that potential test if both teams could make it happen this morning. 

* * * * *

Game #3 vs Lake Forest United (IL)

The game started out tense, with both teams feeling a bit of the need-a-performance-in-order-to-advance pressure.

We broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Babes (CD) stepped up and ripped a powerful freekick past the Lake Forest GK.  We couldn't find the net again in the next 20 minutes, so the half ended 1-0. 

6 minutes into the second half we scored a great goal.  Maddog (CM) found Chels (RM) on the right flank with a nice outlet pass wide.  Chels took a touch and crossed the ball to Bargsy (LM) at the far left side of the penally box.  Bargsy started to take her defender on 1v1, decided to turn back out of trouble, and set a ball back to Maddog at the top of the box.  Maddog hit the ball first time with her left foot to double our lead. 

We put the game out of reach midway through the second half when B-Money sent in a dangerous corner kick in front of goal.  The ball bounced around a bit before Chels (RM) pounced on the loose ball to hammer the ball home.

CIS ended up beating Toro 1-0, setting up the "right" championship game between the two strongest teams in the event. 

* * * * *

Championship Game vs CIS Knockouts II (IL)

I had scouted the Knockouts team twice in this event.  Scouted?!?!?!  Aren't we talking U11 girls here?  Yep, we sure are.  But I feel, like I'm sure many do, that one of my jobs with this group is to give them the best possible chance to succeed in competition.  I didn't say it was my ONLY job, nor did I say it was my PRIMARY job, but it is A job.  Besides, I hate losing. 

The Knockouts played better soccer than we did.   They had more girls with more of a sense of how the game is really played than we did at this point.  They had good team shape, composure on the ball, and a good idea of how to move the ball around on the field.  They also had some very athletic girls.  I was interesting to see how they would respond to us as I'd bet money that they hadn't seen many teams with our pace, power, and skill.  The CIS defenders were solid and fast, but I knew that some of our attackers had speed that I have yet to see matched. 

What the Blues may have been lacking in soccer sense at this age, they more than made up for in determination, heart, effort, and bite.  There are a number of girls on this team who would run through a brick wall to get the ball, and who are also blessed with athletic ability.  Couple this with the overall skill level on this team and we'd be sure to cause any opponent fits.  

As it turned out, I had come across Darren, the CIS coach, before.  When I coached the Woodbury Inferno group, the CIS Knockout were a respected team at our age group.  The "Knockouts II" team name now made more sense as Darren had another daughter at this age group.  We chatted for a bit and he seemed like a good guy.  The CIS team was obviously well coached and it would be a good match this afternoon! 

 

We came out in our 3-3-1 that we'd used all tournament.  We talked pre-game about defending in numbers behind the ball, and dropping back to the middle as the ball was worked across the field in midfield by the CIS girls (which was one of their team strengths).   We also talked about staying positive with each other regardless of the current game score.  We'd win this on as a team, both defending and attacking as a unit rather than a one-man show. 

The CIS GK was a giant, so I also brought up many of our past goals this weekend as we had scored a number off low hard shots.  We'd need this type pf finishing again this afternoon.

We started out on fire again.  Sharp and quick to the ball and dangerous in the attack. 

Maddog (Point) just missed giving us the early lead as she raced past a CIS defender on a breakaway, but missed the goal just wide. 

9 minutes in we conceded our first goal of the weekend as a fast and skilled CIS attacker split Barbie (CM) and Babes (CD) on her way to goal and ripped a low hard shot past the diving Normy in goal.  

Interesting challenge for the Blues to respond to, in unfamiliar territory having to battle back from a deficit.

6 minutes later I got a good idea of the response as Chels (RM) hammered a shot off the crossbar from the top of the box.  Just as I was yelling out to her reminding her that we need low, hard shots, the ball rolled back to Mal (CD) about 30 yards out from goal.  Mal, with a terrific attitude for goal, stuck a high shot that sailed over the CIS GK's fingertip.  Low shots, huh?  I could see the girls looking at me and giggling.  Nice. 

A minute later we were awarded a corner kick to the left of the CIS goal.  B-Money hit a low service to the near post that found Quicksy (LM).  Quicksy did a right foot Arc Turn and dropped the ball to Maddog who found the net with a first time finish.  

Just as I was explaining to the girls on the bench the smart play by Quicksy, I saw out of the corner of my eye the ball roll back to B-Money (RM) near midfield.  In the zone and feeling it, B decided to shoot and cracked another high shot that sailed over the CIS GK.  Funny.

3 goals in 3 minutes to put us 3-1 ahead.  Two good long strikes at goal, though a little lucky to go in on this GK, and one really good goal.  However, lucky or not, the girls had a great attitude and their ball striking was solid.  Not many girls at our age group would even think about striking a ball on goal from those distances. 

The rest of the half was a battle with neither team able to capitalize on their chances.  

8 minutes into the second half we got a great combination play goal as Bargsy (CM) and Chels (RM) played a nifty Give & Go at the top of the CIS box.  Chels used a left foot Inside Arc Turn at the corner of the box to touch the ball inside to goal and hit an absolute bomb into the upper corner.  Again I heard the "low shots, huh?"  giggles from the girls on the bench. 

At the 14 minute mark CIS made it a game again with a good goal off an individual effort.  4-2 with half a half to play.  Next goal would be key.

We got it as Babes (CD) found B-Money (who I moved up to Point forward to try and take advantage of her pace) over the top with a through ball.  B sped past the CIS defender and finished a low far-post shot.  Sometimes things work out just as planned :)  I turned to the bench in an attempt to save some face with the girls - Hey guys, that was a low, hard one, wasn't it?  They reluctantly agreed...

At the 18 minute mark, CIS once again made it a two-goal game off some good flank play down the left side and a cross and far post finish.  Next goal would be key... again.

We got it again 2 minutes later when Meg (RD) found B-Money again with a through ball.  Once again B's pace was too much for the CIS defenders, and once again she finished well.  

We put the game away two minutes later, but I missed Maddog's goal as I was tending to Quicksy who had come off the field with a bruised ankle.  

7-3 in a goal-fest.  

Darren was very complementary after the game.  He mentioned his defenders have never been exposed to the kind of speed the Blues had, and was impressed with the overall skill level.  I told him I was dually impressed with his group (which I had been all weekend) and we knew we'd see each other many times down the road as these teams would battle each other again and again at this age group.  

Good first event this year for the Blues.  Fun times in the hotel and at team meals and bonding activities, good soccer on the pitch. 

 

West Des Moines Premier Games Day 1

I’m excited for the upcoming weekend in Iowa for the West Des Moines Premier Games.   With 9 club teams attending the event, it’s sure to be a soccer-filled weekend for me!  Though focused on the 11s, I’ll be helping Andy a bit with the 12s, and Ben with the 13s.  Our 14 Whites are down there as well on the girls side of things. 

For the 11 Blues, it’s been a long winter.  The passion that these girls show for the game is a great fuel for me to keep me excited and energetic.  I have yet to see an 11 team that I think it better than us, but hopefully we’ll find some competition at our age group this weekend in Des Moines, and more a few weeks down the road in Rockford for the NSR Region II Cup. 

I arrived in Des Moines in the early afternoon and settled into my Iowa home away from home, the West Des Moines Sheraton.  I made my way out to the James Cownie Soccer Complex to check out the fields, only to find the complex all locked up.  I snuck around the back way and lucked out to find the heads groundskeeper hard at work.  We chatted a bit about the poor spring weather and he let me walk around the fields for a few minutes.  They were soggy and he was apologetic, but I didn’t mind the conditions at all.  We just had 6 inches of snow here in MN a few days back, and I was very happy to see greenish brown grass. 

Fields 12A and B were the wettest at the far west end of the complex near where I entered, but 11 (where we’d spend most of our time, was good).  I hoped 12 would dry out a bit prior to the championship game :)

Back to the hotel to do some work in my room, then down to the lobby around 6PM to catch dinner with most of the 11s already on site.  We had a light jog and stretch at 8PM and all the girls were in town for that.

Like I always do, I talked about the weekend, curfews and pool restrictions, hotel and field behavior expectations, hydration, arrival times at the fields for the games, etc.  After some Human Knot competitions and individual talks with the girls about the Game Goals, I sent them on their way to their rooms.

 

This weekend, we'd see the Blue Valley Stars (KS), VSA Green (IA), and Lake Forest United (IL) in group play.  Probable contenders for the championship in the other bracket were the CIS Knockouts II (IL) and Toro Chaos (NE).   

* * * * *

Game #1 vs Blue Valley Stars - Millwall (KS)

As it turns out, this was the second team for the Blue Valley Stars at this age group.  I've been burned by over-confidence many times in the past, but couldn't help thinking we'd be just fine if the girls gave the effort.

We started in our usual 3-3-1 formation, and I gave the girls pre-game instructions in the event we got up by 3 goals:

1. No beating players 1v1 on the dribble
2. 3-touch or less in our defending half
3. 2-touch or less in the attacking half

If a girl broke a restriction AND a bench player recognized it (want to keep the girls on the sidelines tuned in to the game on the field), we'd sub the restriction-breaking girl off the field at the next opportunity.  It didn't matter if that girl had been on the field for 10 minutes or for 30 seconds.

Some may think that this is confusing to the young girls.  However, I want thinking players and always preach to the girls that in order to play at the highest level, players needed to both think and play. 

We got on the board early in the 3rd minute as Barbie (CM) found B-Money (RM) out on the right flank.  B took a touch and crossed to Maddog (Point) who finished well. 

At the 12 minute mark Chels doubled our lead as she won the ball at the top of the BVS box, turned, and hit a hard left-footed shot past the diving BVS GK. 

2 minutes later, Meg (RD) faked a shot about 30 yards from goal, beat her defender, and hit a low shot from about 20 out that whistled into the net. 

Mal (CD) got our fourth 7 minutes into the second half from a free kick near midfield.  She served a good ball into the crowded penalty box that everyone missed.  However, the shot was on goal and the GK was screened and caught by surprise as the ball skipped past her.

At the 16 minute mark we got our final goal.  B$ (RM) received an outlet pass wide and hit a low, hard cross across the face of goal.  Normy (Point) was at the far post to redirect the ball home. 

5-0 in a solid first performance by the girls.

* * * * *

Game #2 vs VSA Green (IA)

 

Another fast start for the girls against VSA.  Babes (Point) won the ball for us at midfield, turned her marking defender and was in on goal on a breakaway.  She picked her spot past the VSA GK with a low hard finish to put us up 1-0.

Though we created a number of good chances, the game stayed 1-0 until 5 minutes before half.  Mal (CD) then found Maddog (Point) at the top of the VSA box with a 20 yard pass to feet.  Maddog used a left foot Inside Arc Turn to spin her marking defender and stuck a low, hard, left-footed shot past the VSA GK to double our lead. 

14 minutes into the second half, we got a memorable goal.  Normy (LM) took a free kick from the wide left flank, about 10 yards from the endline.  She served the ball into the box and Mal (Point) and Maddog (CM) both rushed for the ball at the near post.  With ball blinders on, both girls collided into each other and were sent sprawling.  The VSA defenders were distracted by the comedy they just witnessed and forgot about the ball bouncing in their penalty box.  I think I laughed out loud.  One VSA defender finally decided she better do something about the ball, and took a wild swing at it.  The ball shot off her foot at a weird angle, ricocheted of Barbie's (RM) back and into the net.  I love U11 girls soccer sometimes!

A minute from time we got our fourth as B-Money (RD) won a 50/50 challenge and hit a low hard left-footed shot into the near post corner. 

Another good performance from the girls.  To be honest though, I'm a bit disappointed about the competition level.  I know we'll have tougher games tomorrow, with a stronger Lake Forest United (IL) team and hopefully a match up with a very talented CIS Knockouts II (IL) team who I've seen play twice now in this event, but still.  Guess I'm expecting too much sometimes, but I continue to want to find these girls competition at their own age group as much as possible.   

We'll see what tomorrow brings.   

* * * * *

We finished the day with a great team bonding activity, courtesy of Mama Phi Phi.  I'll explain this one later.  Suffice it to say that it was a challenging activity that the girls got a lot out of. 

 

West Des Moines Premier Games

Tournament Details

Guys, here's the skinny for the weekend.  It's easier to post here so that people have access to it even on the road.

Tournament Website

Tournament Rules 

Game Schedule

All players should be on site at the field 45 minutes prior to kick off

Saturday 4/5/08
9:25AM    vs Blue Valley Stars (KS)  white/blue/white

12:15PM    watch U12s vs Lake Forest (IL) 

1:40PM    vs VSA Green (IA) white/blue/white

Sunday 4/6/08
9:25AM    vs Lake Forest United (IL) blue/white/blue

1:40PM    Championship (if applicable) blue/white/blue

Hotel/Field Info

West Des Moines Sheraton
1800 50th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 223-1800

MAP    Minneapolis to hotel 

MAP    WDM Sheraton to James Cownie Soccer Complex 

MAP    James Cownie Soccer Complex 

Player Info

Probable Playing Positions (pdf) - all players should be ready to play in any position this weekend.  Here is some idea of the positions you will most likely see.

Team Formations (pdf) - as we talked about in training the last few weeks, we may utilize any one of four team formations this weekend, depending on what our team needs are in any given game.  Players should be familiar with all four, as well as review position roles in each system of play.  If you have questions, make sure you talk to me on Friday at the hotel.

What To Bring Checklist (pdf) 

Player Game Goals (pdf) - though we are going to this event to compete (we don't play to lose), your main focus should be "can I get better as a player".  Here are your Game Goals for the weekend.  Read through them, memorize what I'm asking you to do, and ask me to explain anything to you on Friday that you don't understand. 

You can begin to earn your Combination Play skillzys during this event.  All skillzys are listed in bold red type in the Player Game Goals pdf.  Good luck!

 

Friday Night Jog & Stretch

For those players in town, we will meet in the hotel lobby at 8PM for a team meeting and a light jog and stretch.  Wear your training kits and warm-ups and tennis shoes or flat soccer shoes. 

Saturday Team Meeting/Meal

More info coming 

In the Room Curfew

9PM on Friday and Saturday nights

Pool Restrictions

30 minutes each day (no hot tub use and no swimming in between games).  You can swim all you want on Sunday after our last tournament game :) 

Nutmeg Festival

On Sunday, over 80 Academy players took part in the first anual BTFC Academy Nutmeg Festival.  The brain child of my co-Director Andy Kaasa, the Festival featured 8 teams (4 x U9/U10 coed and 4 x U11/U12 coed) playing 6v6.  Scores and standings were kept, with teams getting bonus points for nutmegs (playing the ball through an opponent's legs and retrieving it on the other side of them). 

While the kids were waiting for their games, they could try and earn their Juggling Skill Tags.  More on this later. 

The kids had a great time!  The idea of small sided free play with a skills focus (nutmegs) was fantastic.  We're already looking into the Winter Step Over Festival in December, and the Give and Go Festival in January. 

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.