First I want to thank Robert at the PRF for all his help.
For me this was a great weekend. After a month of training I was real anxious to see our teams play and see first hand where we are as a club. One thing I've learned in youth soccer is that when things are going well they are never as great as they seem and when they aren't going well it usually isn't as bad as it seems. I approached the weekend with that in mind and with the understanding that ODP and Spring Break had a negative effect on our rosters.
We had to scramble a bit with a couple roster to make sure we could have enough players due to so many being out of town. I am proud of the club's ability to support itself and make sure each team that applied would be able to play versus forfeit.
Report Card - For the players
(1) effort/competitiveness - I look at this on three different levels - (1) working hard/smart; (2) willing to work hard, but not understanding how; and (3) lazy. I was generally pleased with the player's effort. Our kids did work hard. Because of our roster sizes for the weekend, fatigue definately was a factor, but it was only because they had worked so hard early in the tournament. That said it is our responsibility to continue to push our players in training and teach/show them what maximum effort is and what it feels like.
(2) technical competence - like any club or team, the results here were mixed. The goups I've been able to work with in training the least are the U9 & U10's. I was very pleased with the skill they exhibited. Now they must learn to perform those skills under pressure of time/space/opponent. Player need both quality training and the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a quality game.
The reason the Buckeye Premier League and then the Midwest Regional League and now the US Soccer Development Academy Leagues were formed is to provide that higher level of soccer. I am really excited about the soon-to-be-launch U9-U10 Academy League because it will allow us to more frequently place our players in competitively appropriate matches. As coaches we will be able to manipulate the environment to ensure kids are challenged more consistently. That combined with the skills they have and are learning in training are critical to player development. The current U9 and U10's won't have the benefit of the league so we will continue to be creative in finding competition to challenge them. I really like the decision made at U10 to forgo playing in a league this spring and simply seek out quality competition for friendlies and play in an extra tournament.
The U11-U14 age groups were a bit more mixed. As a club it is important for us to place an even greater emphasis on technigue for these teams. I was pleased with their effort and desire, now it is our responsibility at OESA to give them the tools.
(3) small group principles - There is a direct correlation with what I saw relative to principles of play and what I saw regarding technique by the players. It's easier to be aggressive with the dribble if you have the skills to be successful more often than not. If a player's first touch is quality, it gives him the opportunity to find support and for his teammates to actually get to in a supporting position. The challenge for any coach is to continue to develop all players on the team relative to their abilities. Most teams have a wide range of skill and understanding within their players. We are no different. What is unique about OESA is that I do not view our program as a collection of teams, rather we are a club of players. Therefore, we must create a training and playing environment that works toward the individual player within the framework of the team.
Now if Mother Nature will finally cooperate with us!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Is It Really Possible...
I've been on the job now for nearly a month and mother nature has not been kind to the Cincinnati soccer community. Is it really possible that we'll play some games this weekend? The month has been filled with reschedules and make up training sessions and finally it looks like I'll have a chance to see some of our teams play.
The PRF Cup is the perfect event to watch our Gold and a couple Academy teams play. It's still March so the results are honestly not that important. Sure, I'd love to see our teams win and we'll coach them to do just that, but a critical component of developing the boy's side of OESA to the level and beyond that of our girl's teams and to the level expected in the US Soccer Development Academy is understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our players as well as our coaching staff and then creating the road map that meets the necessary demands.
This weekend is about evaluation pure and simple. The result of each game only tells part of the story. While the US MNT was beating Poland 3-0 the other night it was about preparing for qualifying not the result of a friendly. The result was a bonus, but the biggest thing we learned is that the Poles are dreadful in defending set pieces. Too many coaches and parents use the results of a given game as their report card for success. Of course, there is a time and place where results are the most important, even in youth soccer. (I don't think UCLA much cares that they have benefited at least three times in the last month from curious decisions by the officials. The PAC 10 and NCAA tournaments are about winning regardless of how.)
So, what will I watch for... For the players, (1) effort/competitiveness - do our players give maximum effort when we have the ball, when we don't and in transition regardless of the scoreline for the entire match; (2) technical competence - primarily 1st touch and dribbling; (3) small group principles - 1v1, 2v2 attacking and defending. For the coaches, (1) the ability to impact the game through information given to the players; (2) a quality 1/2 time; (3) the ability to evaluate the players/team, determine appropriate topics for future sessions and create sessions toward that end.
See you on the pitch!
- Mike
The PRF Cup is the perfect event to watch our Gold and a couple Academy teams play. It's still March so the results are honestly not that important. Sure, I'd love to see our teams win and we'll coach them to do just that, but a critical component of developing the boy's side of OESA to the level and beyond that of our girl's teams and to the level expected in the US Soccer Development Academy is understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our players as well as our coaching staff and then creating the road map that meets the necessary demands.
This weekend is about evaluation pure and simple. The result of each game only tells part of the story. While the US MNT was beating Poland 3-0 the other night it was about preparing for qualifying not the result of a friendly. The result was a bonus, but the biggest thing we learned is that the Poles are dreadful in defending set pieces. Too many coaches and parents use the results of a given game as their report card for success. Of course, there is a time and place where results are the most important, even in youth soccer. (I don't think UCLA much cares that they have benefited at least three times in the last month from curious decisions by the officials. The PAC 10 and NCAA tournaments are about winning regardless of how.)
So, what will I watch for... For the players, (1) effort/competitiveness - do our players give maximum effort when we have the ball, when we don't and in transition regardless of the scoreline for the entire match; (2) technical competence - primarily 1st touch and dribbling; (3) small group principles - 1v1, 2v2 attacking and defending. For the coaches, (1) the ability to impact the game through information given to the players; (2) a quality 1/2 time; (3) the ability to evaluate the players/team, determine appropriate topics for future sessions and create sessions toward that end.
See you on the pitch!
- Mike
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Ohio Elite Girls Furthering Education
The 2008 graduating class was a banner year for Ohio Elite Soccer Academy girls players moving on to play at the college level. In all, 19 players in the 2008 graduating class have committed to play college soccer. Of those, 14 will be attending NCAA Division I schools. Even more impressive, according to the final 2007 NSCAA National Ranking, Ohio Elite players have either committed to or are currently playing at 13 of the top 30 NCAA Division I schools in the country. Included on that list of schools are: Florida State, Notre Dame, North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Virginia, Tennessee, Duke, Florida, Purdue, Wake Forest, Santa Clara, Washington State, Memphis and Georgia.
From a coaching perspective my ultimate goal is to help players get to the level they desire that is realistically within their ability. To start in the process you have to develop each players technical base and begin to evaluate their physical gifts and mind for the game. Only then can we see where each player will fit at the next level. It takes time. It may be the state team or the national team. It may be at a Division I or Division III. No one achievement is greater than the other. I applaud our players going to Ohio Dominican University as loudly as those going to UNC. Good for you. You have aspired to reach a higher level and made an important step in reaching that level. I will always judge the player and our program with one question: Did we get that player to reach their potential provided they have the desire to do so? My greatest joy will always come in the many successes of our players.
Our track record in this area gives me a great sense of pride in the development of our girls program over the last six years. Most importantly it says a great deal about the talent of the players involved at Ohio Elite. Without that talent the many milestones would not be possible.
For those who have and will move on Tim and I are very proud of you. Here's to future Ohio Elite players reaching their goals.
From a coaching perspective my ultimate goal is to help players get to the level they desire that is realistically within their ability. To start in the process you have to develop each players technical base and begin to evaluate their physical gifts and mind for the game. Only then can we see where each player will fit at the next level. It takes time. It may be the state team or the national team. It may be at a Division I or Division III. No one achievement is greater than the other. I applaud our players going to Ohio Dominican University as loudly as those going to UNC. Good for you. You have aspired to reach a higher level and made an important step in reaching that level. I will always judge the player and our program with one question: Did we get that player to reach their potential provided they have the desire to do so? My greatest joy will always come in the many successes of our players.
Our track record in this area gives me a great sense of pride in the development of our girls program over the last six years. Most importantly it says a great deal about the talent of the players involved at Ohio Elite. Without that talent the many milestones would not be possible.
For those who have and will move on Tim and I are very proud of you. Here's to future Ohio Elite players reaching their goals.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
USSDA Winter Showcase Video
The US Soccer Federation website has become one of my favorite sites. In addition to getting the latest information on the MNT and WNT as well as USSDA results and report, the all-access/Total 90 video is outstanding.
To get a sense of the environment, they put together a series of videos from the most recent Showcase in Frisco, TX in February.
Watch Studio 90 - Winter Showcase Video
To get a sense of the environment, they put together a series of videos from the most recent Showcase in Frisco, TX in February.
Watch Studio 90 - Winter Showcase Video
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Welcome to the New OESA blog!
The aim of this blog is to the families and friends of the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy as well as those interested from around the soccer community informed.
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