Soccer is a team game.
With that being said, the components of each team raise the potential for
every group. On a technical front, in
order for your team to improve you must OWN IT.
For high end, select clubs, attending training 2-3 times a week isn’t
enough. Just like in school you get
homework each night to reinforce what you have discussed in class that
day. Depending on your school, you may
get 20 minutes to 3 hours a night. If
you want good grades, to understand your material, and be prepared for quizzes
and tests, you do that homework. My
guess is most parents are fairly focused on making sure you are doing your
homework.
Training sessions are like going to class. You get to work on techniques and tactics
while getting some repetitions. The
coaches (teachers) explain and demonstrate ideas and solutions to problems that
will allow you to be successful during tests (games). Unfortunately, we do not get the number of
repetitions we all need at every practice.
We expect all players to do
homework, however, not all players do their homework. And just like in school, if you do not
complete your homework and study the results on your test are up in the
air. We just hope that our test will be
easy.
Some students understand math much
easier than others. ‘Johnny’ doesn’t
even have to open a book and he gets A’s on his tests. While ‘Billy’ has to study 2 hours a night
for the same class just to get by. Some
techniques and tactics just come naturally to some players, while others need
to work hard on improving technically or they need to look over (study) materials
from the coaches to better grasp the concepts each team is trying to perfect.
No matter how easy it comes to you or how difficult it may
seem, you must OWN IT. You must create
the time to work on your game every day.
It may be an extra 2 hours a day or you may only need 20-30
minutes. Some will need to spend time on
the ball every day, while others may only need days they don’t train.
Because all of our tests are group tests and they are pass/fail,
it can be extremely frustrating to get our grades. We have all different kinds of tests. We have tests where we are not prepared and
we fail. There are tests when we are
extremely prepared and the test is just too difficult. We have tests where some of the team is
prepared, but others are not. Tests when
we are not prepared and it is easy. You
name it, we get those type of tests.
Part of our clubs philosophy is to make sure our tests are
not too easy. We do our best to make
sure the test is an appropriate level.
We also do our best to expose our players to what levels are out
there.
When the final whistle blows, the result is up to you and your teammates. Have you OWNED IT?
WAYS TO OWN IT
1.
Work on Juggler’s Guild and get a minimum level
for your age group, increase a level, and ultimately attain the Gold Level.
2.
Review set pieces and tactics for your team the
night before a game.
3.
Increase your fitness.
a.
Work on CONES
b.
Add one day of intense flexibility to your
schedule – YOGA, 25 minute plus stretching
c.
Add elements of strength training
i.
Push-ups, sit-ups, body squats
ii.
Start strength program under a professional when
age appropriate
4.
Take advantage of things like THE CENTER
5. Reach out to teammates for extra training
a. Come early or stay late for 10-15 minutes to work on game
b. Grab a few teammates on an off day to watch a professional game
c. Discuss team tactics to make sure you understand
5. Reach out to teammates for extra training
a. Come early or stay late for 10-15 minutes to work on game
b. Grab a few teammates on an off day to watch a professional game
c. Discuss team tactics to make sure you understand
6.
Be a great teammate.
a.
Stay positive
b.
Support players on the field, even if you are
not.
c.
We all make mistakes. Pick up your teammate with positive comments
when they make one.
d.
Train/Play with 100% Effort.
Be your best, physically and mentally, every training and game, so your
component is strong.
