The club is in full swing Monday thru Friday. The entire staff and all the U14 and older players are on the campus. The professional (aka “First Team”) team trains in the center of campus with the youth and reserve teams training around the facility on different fields.
Our U15-16 players trained with the U16 players of Gimasia, since they train in the morning. The boys were integrated into the club sessions and the staff and players were tremendously accommodating. The trainer warmed the group up with technical and dynamic work before splitting the group in half.
One of the favorite activities of the staff is a game we call “over the river” so it was something our players picked up rather quickly. Another field of 11v11 was going on at the same time. They train all three U16 teams at the same time although they are not necessarily together. The players are moved up and down levels as it relates to their player development needs. On this day the “2nd” team was split with half the players playing with the top group and the other half training with the third group.
The club’s U14 players are on campus in the afternoon so we worked with our U14s separately after the U16 session. The professional team's goalkeeper coach, Gabriel Vega, stepped away from their training session and brought the club’s 3rd and 4th string professional goalkeepers to work with our goalkeeper, Sam Frohman, as well as coach Sabin and me to teach us how their goalkeepers recover to their feet so quickly as well as their side-volley punting technique. We expected them to spend just a couple minutes with us, but they ended up staying for well over half an hour. The players were very humble and Gabriel was unbelievable in the time he spent with us.
Javier Novarini has grown up with Gimnasia. He spent several years in the United States and played both in the MLS and USL. He has been our main facilitator with the Gimnasia technical staff throughout the week and stepped in to work with the U14’s while Coach Vega worked with us.
The parents came by earlier in the day and ate lunch with us.
Internet issues were largely solved in the afternoon so the boys could use the time to study and do homework.
Our composite team played the Gimnasia U14 team in the evening. During the first half we were unfortunately largely spectators of their possession game. Adjustments at half time made us more competitive in the second half and the boys were very receptive to the instruction given to them. The game was a great experience for everyone.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
ITP - Argentina | Gimnasia y Esgrimga La Plata | Day 4
Today was a day of adjustments.
Heavy rains moved back into the area overnight making for a great night's sleep but also closing the training fields for much of the morning. The Gimnasia staff was once again great. They typically do not work on the weekend and yet 4 full-time staff coaches – Favio, Napolitano, Christian and Ariel – took the time to work with our players and provide a great 2-hour session on an area outside the first team's training pitch.
The full-time "trainer" is responsible for the warm-up and cool down, including some basic technical work combined with both dynamic and static stretching. The head coach is responsible for all the technical and tactical training with his assistant coach and they facilitate the bulk of the training. The goalkeeper coach was not available today, but the youth director – “Pata” – was at training to oversee the session and provide feedback to the staff and players.
The activities are very similar to what our players are used to. The main difference is the environment. The youth players in the professional system of Argentina all aim to become professionals. Those that make it can pull their family from real poverty and therefore that level of passion and desire is something we simply don't have in the U.S. Most of our players don't expect to make it as professionals, the youth of Argentina think of nothing else.
After lunch we boarded the buses to Buenos Aires to attend the match at Independiente. Upon arrival we learned the team had provided us the wrong tickets for the match and the decision was made not to attend. Our guides – Sergio and “Nacho” are serious about providing us the best possible experience and the safety of our players is their clear priority. Even with yesterday's experience at the Gimnasia match we were never in danger and never feared for our safety. Because of the section our seats were incorrectly placed by Independiente, the proper decision was made not to attend.
Instead, we went to La Boca and the Gaminito in Buenos Aries. The kids even found a 5v5 match against local kids on a concrete futsal court and had an awesome time. We walked the few blocks to Boca Juniors stadium before returning back to Gimnasia for dinner.
Heavy rains moved back into the area overnight making for a great night's sleep but also closing the training fields for much of the morning. The Gimnasia staff was once again great. They typically do not work on the weekend and yet 4 full-time staff coaches – Favio, Napolitano, Christian and Ariel – took the time to work with our players and provide a great 2-hour session on an area outside the first team's training pitch.
The full-time "trainer" is responsible for the warm-up and cool down, including some basic technical work combined with both dynamic and static stretching. The head coach is responsible for all the technical and tactical training with his assistant coach and they facilitate the bulk of the training. The goalkeeper coach was not available today, but the youth director – “Pata” – was at training to oversee the session and provide feedback to the staff and players.
The activities are very similar to what our players are used to. The main difference is the environment. The youth players in the professional system of Argentina all aim to become professionals. Those that make it can pull their family from real poverty and therefore that level of passion and desire is something we simply don't have in the U.S. Most of our players don't expect to make it as professionals, the youth of Argentina think of nothing else.
After lunch we boarded the buses to Buenos Aires to attend the match at Independiente. Upon arrival we learned the team had provided us the wrong tickets for the match and the decision was made not to attend. Our guides – Sergio and “Nacho” are serious about providing us the best possible experience and the safety of our players is their clear priority. Even with yesterday's experience at the Gimnasia match we were never in danger and never feared for our safety. Because of the section our seats were incorrectly placed by Independiente, the proper decision was made not to attend.
Instead, we went to La Boca and the Gaminito in Buenos Aries. The kids even found a 5v5 match against local kids on a concrete futsal court and had an awesome time. We walked the few blocks to Boca Juniors stadium before returning back to Gimnasia for dinner.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
ITP - Argentina | Gimnasia y Esgrimga La Plata | Day 3
The people of Gimnasia are absolutely top rate. They are treating us very well and have almost become too accomodating. Their hospitality is unbelievable and we are all grateful.
More than one player stated that this "was the greatest day of my life!". Unless you have experienced what we did today it is impossible to understand. I'll explain more later.
With all of us asleep pretty early and with 2 rooms of 3 players, 1 room of 4 and 1 room of 7 we really didn't feel the need to set an alarm. Breakfast was scheduled for 8am and coach Sabin was the first to wake up at 7:55.
Training was from 9:30-11. The profession team's head and assistant coaches stopped by to greet the players and the youth team coaches conducted the all-technical session. I had the chance to meet with the staff after training and compare our ideals and culteral differences and its very difficult for them to understand how different our environment is for the players. It was a wonderful exchange and one I truly enjoyed.
After yet another meal (we seem to eat all the time and the national beverage is coke), we loaded the bus for the match between Gimnasia and Rosario Central. The match was supposed to be held at the new state of the art 45,000-seat La Plata Stadium but the head coach chose the old stadium which holds only 25,000 but it much more intimate. The two teams were both relegated to the second division last year and currently sit 1-2 in the promotion table back to the top division next year so the match was very important for both teams.
We were treated unbelievable at the match. The group entered the stadium through the Gimnasia locker room as the team returned from warm-ups. They took us to the field and took picture on the playing surface. We were the guests of the team president and sat in the owner's box. Most of the players and both coaches were able to get seats just outside the box.
It is impossible to explain the atmosphere so I won't try, but the match ended 1-0 on a very questionable penalty for the home side with 5 minutes left. Both teams finished the match with only 9 players and the away fans tore chairs from the concrete and threw them over the fence. Gimnasia went from a player up to a player down and back to even in about 10 minutes. The Gimnasia coach was sent off and needed to be restrained by the police and the Rosario coaches went after the referee after the match. A group of Rosario fans actually went after the riot police and the only disappointment amongst our players was that they pulled the water canon and pointed it at the skirmish, but never actually used it.
Note - the home fans are locked in the stadium after the match for about 30 minutes to give the away team fans time to "escape". After witnessing my first match in this country I completely understand why!
Tomorrow we have a full training session with the youth team coaches and they have promised a very demanding session for the boys. The highlight for tomorrow is the match between Independiente and San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Noches.
More than one player stated that this "was the greatest day of my life!". Unless you have experienced what we did today it is impossible to understand. I'll explain more later.
With all of us asleep pretty early and with 2 rooms of 3 players, 1 room of 4 and 1 room of 7 we really didn't feel the need to set an alarm. Breakfast was scheduled for 8am and coach Sabin was the first to wake up at 7:55.
Training was from 9:30-11. The profession team's head and assistant coaches stopped by to greet the players and the youth team coaches conducted the all-technical session. I had the chance to meet with the staff after training and compare our ideals and culteral differences and its very difficult for them to understand how different our environment is for the players. It was a wonderful exchange and one I truly enjoyed.
After yet another meal (we seem to eat all the time and the national beverage is coke), we loaded the bus for the match between Gimnasia and Rosario Central. The match was supposed to be held at the new state of the art 45,000-seat La Plata Stadium but the head coach chose the old stadium which holds only 25,000 but it much more intimate. The two teams were both relegated to the second division last year and currently sit 1-2 in the promotion table back to the top division next year so the match was very important for both teams.
We were treated unbelievable at the match. The group entered the stadium through the Gimnasia locker room as the team returned from warm-ups. They took us to the field and took picture on the playing surface. We were the guests of the team president and sat in the owner's box. Most of the players and both coaches were able to get seats just outside the box.
It is impossible to explain the atmosphere so I won't try, but the match ended 1-0 on a very questionable penalty for the home side with 5 minutes left. Both teams finished the match with only 9 players and the away fans tore chairs from the concrete and threw them over the fence. Gimnasia went from a player up to a player down and back to even in about 10 minutes. The Gimnasia coach was sent off and needed to be restrained by the police and the Rosario coaches went after the referee after the match. A group of Rosario fans actually went after the riot police and the only disappointment amongst our players was that they pulled the water canon and pointed it at the skirmish, but never actually used it.
Note - the home fans are locked in the stadium after the match for about 30 minutes to give the away team fans time to "escape". After witnessing my first match in this country I completely understand why!
Tomorrow we have a full training session with the youth team coaches and they have promised a very demanding session for the boys. The highlight for tomorrow is the match between Independiente and San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Noches.
ITP - Argentina | Gimnasia y Esgrimga La Plata | Day 2
We were able to get through the payment of the reciprocity fee and customs in about an hour. Everyone’s luggage arrived and our guides, Sergio and “Nacho” were there to greet us and load the bus. The hour-long trip to La Plata through the northern part of Buenos Aires took us by the Argentine Futbol Association and Boca Juniors stadium.
The coaches and players’ facility was not yet ready as we arrived due to the storms of the previous two days. (The parents are in beautiful apartments in downtown La Plata about 30 minutes away.) By the time we ate lunch – wonderful pasta, bread, coke, water and ice cream – the rooms were ready.
We thought the boys would take a nap, but it turns out the only one who passed out was coach Sabin. It is very unusual to allow any visitors on the campus on the day prior to a match. They very much guard the relaxation and preparation of the professional team, especially since our building is only 50 feet apart. Our kids were extremely respectful of the request for quiet.
Instead of a light session in the afternoon we decided to warm the boys up and play an hour-long soccer tennis match in the gym. The boys were anxious to touch the ball and had a great time until Ryan Hadley volleyed a ball too high and broke a ceiling light. The four-man team of Jared Grubich, Bryce Schweirling, Mike Coghlin and Rielly Dowling won the first 5 or 6 matches and dominated the hour-long session.
Lights out at 10:30 and the boys were quickly out.
The coaches and players’ facility was not yet ready as we arrived due to the storms of the previous two days. (The parents are in beautiful apartments in downtown La Plata about 30 minutes away.) By the time we ate lunch – wonderful pasta, bread, coke, water and ice cream – the rooms were ready.
We thought the boys would take a nap, but it turns out the only one who passed out was coach Sabin. It is very unusual to allow any visitors on the campus on the day prior to a match. They very much guard the relaxation and preparation of the professional team, especially since our building is only 50 feet apart. Our kids were extremely respectful of the request for quiet.
Instead of a light session in the afternoon we decided to warm the boys up and play an hour-long soccer tennis match in the gym. The boys were anxious to touch the ball and had a great time until Ryan Hadley volleyed a ball too high and broke a ceiling light. The four-man team of Jared Grubich, Bryce Schweirling, Mike Coghlin and Rielly Dowling won the first 5 or 6 matches and dominated the hour-long session.
Lights out at 10:30 and the boys were quickly out.
ITP - Argentina | Gimnasia y Esgringa La Plata | Day 1
Note - the internet was largely blocked until Saturday evening after dinner. The only building at Gimnasia y Esgringa La Plata that has a wireless connection was being used for the First Team who was on campus in preparation for a very important match. Internet access should be much more available for the players and coaches from here on out.
All the players arrived early to the Dayton Airport and the check-in process was smooth, even for our first time flyer Rielly. The boys traveled very well even with a 4.5 hour lay-over in Atlanta. We were all entertained by Mark Coghlin’s pacing in hopes that the family could get on our flight and fortunately they did.
Most of the players slept 2-4 hours on the 10-hour flight. In-flight movies – Ides of March and Moneyball.
All the players arrived early to the Dayton Airport and the check-in process was smooth, even for our first time flyer Rielly. The boys traveled very well even with a 4.5 hour lay-over in Atlanta. We were all entertained by Mark Coghlin’s pacing in hopes that the family could get on our flight and fortunately they did.
Most of the players slept 2-4 hours on the 10-hour flight. In-flight movies – Ides of March and Moneyball.
Monday, February 13, 2012
2012 OESA International Training Program
In just three days Ohio Elite Soccer Academy players, parents and staff will return to Argentina for eight days as part of the OESA ITP. The players will be staying at the Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (Gimnasia). The players will train with and play a game against the Gimnasia youth team. Gimnasia is home to former Columbus Crew star Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The group will attend two professional games; Rosario Central at Gimnasia and San Lorenzo at Independiente. In addition to training, competing and attending professional games there is a day trip planed to Uruguay, tour of the Bombonera, Buenos Aires tour along with over sights. Like the participants of last years trip, we are ready to take full advantage of this opportunity to learn, to better ourselves and push our comfort levels. For more information you can follow our trip on he on this blog, Facebook and Twitter. There is also a copy of the itinerary on the International Program page of our website.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)