Weekend Review: Cal Cup

Extreme Family,

Thanks to everyone for the great support this weekend. I know it was challenging at times but we couldn't have done it without you.

Each game presented a new challenge for the team - challenges I hope we can learn from this fall.

On Friday we played two of the top teams in Northern California. The Placer United team is definitely one of the stronger more organized teams we will play. They are physically faster and play with a confidence that our girls are still developing. One good lesson I think the girls learned was that they have to be willing to think and play faster. More experienced teams defend at a higher level. They anticipate and read the play better. They take more aggressive angles to attack the ball and know when to take chances and when to hold.

Saturday, we made a few tactical changes, and the girls settled into a good passing rhythm and controlled large parts of both halves. Against Heritage we just couldn't find the combos or one change of pace to get by a very determined defense. Soccer is a cruel game sometimes and I think we were terribly unlucky to surrender a goal so late when we were pushing hard for a winner. Against Woodland we found more of the swashbuckling attitude and created many more chances. We got a great goal right at the start of the second half, a great overlap from Hailey and a very good run from Tigre led to Tia's well taken finish! I think all the girls were up for the game (even in the heat) and played well. MC did excellent in goal, while Katie, MJ & Jessica kept the back together. Paige had a fantastic match as the defensive midfield, controlling the game and linking our play really well with Hailey, Tia, Mikakay, Nat and the rampaging Macy. I think we had a second goal chalked off when it should have stood (but I think it as quite clear that I wasn't happy about the level of our ref crew). T-bone and Alyssa did a great job of holding the ball up in Woodland half and brought teammates into the game. And Tigre did a fantastic job at the #9, especially the second half when her off-the-ball movement was superb and clearly deserved that goal.

Juggle testing continues through July so make sure to practice over the soccer break & watch some soccer. It'll make you better.

See you in a couple weeks.

Goal Inspiration

Here are the Highlights from today's WC matches. Nothing like watching goals fly in to get you ready for the weekend tournament.

Denmark v Japan



Cameroon v Netherlands



Slovakia v Italy

Assists of the Week

From today's Portugal v North Korea Goalfest:


Combo = #6 passes to the #10 making a run behind the defense.

Portugal 1-0 North Korea

Simão | SU



Combo = #2 with a long diagonal pass to the #10. #10 one-touch control to the #9 for the give-and-go. #10 plays a one-touch pass to the sprinting #11 for the finish.

Portugal 2-0 North Korea

Simão | SU


Combo = #11 makes a diagonal run behind the defense and dribbles down the win. #11 does a  cut-back cross to the #6.




Combo = #9 holds the ball up and doesn't force the play.  Passes the ball back to the open #5. #5 crosses to the on rushing #6 to head into the corner.




Combo = #10 play the overlapping #5. #5 gets down the touch-line and crosses to the open #9 to finish with his head!!! Gotta love it.

HowTo: Shoot

Here is a great goal from Sunday's WC Action.

Watch Fabiano's shooting technique closely. The super-slow replay is the best.

1. Approach the ball with little steps to set your feet for one explosive big step.
2. Put your non-kicking foot next to the ball.
3. Strike the ball with the instep of the foot. Lock your ankle and make it firm.
4. Finish by following through bringing your knee to your chest and landing on the striking foot.

Homework: Watch The USA vs Slovenia Game - Friday 7am on ESPN

Homework for next Tuesday: Watch (or tape and watch) the USA vs Slovenia Game Friday @ 7am on ESPN.

1. Pick a player that plays your position on the US team*.
2. What team does he play for other than the US National Team?
3. One fun fact.
4. What did you notice about his soccer decisions: When he had the ball at his feet? How did he move to get the ball? How about when Slovenia had the ball? Did he tackle, track or mark? Dribble? Head the ball? Communicate with teammates?

I will ask the players to give a brief presentation to the team about the player they watched and what they observed on Tuesday before training.

USA!USA!USA! 

* If you want to pick a player from a different country (say Germany or England or Brazil or Spain or Holland) let me know.  It's perfectly OK!

Juggle Test Results

There has been some really impressive improvement in the juggle score last week. Check the new list which now has a juggle ranking.

And here is a little inspiration to work on your tricks....

Great Goals from last week's WC Action

Here are some great goals for the WC so far.

Germany vs Australia:

Watch for the great diagonal run from the #10, the overlapping run from the #2 which draws the defender wide enough for the #7 to play the pass. Then the great one-touch cut-back cross on the ground (he doesn't even need to look). And finally the hammer blow of a strike on target. Great team goal.



A big brave header from a deadly cross.



Finally, another great team goal with a quality finish. Watch the interchanging of positions, the mobility, and most of all the great finish. You have'to love the slow-mo instant replays they have at this WC.

Spring Evals this Week: Schedule

This week at training I will be giving the girls their initial evaluations.

This week at training I will be giving the girls their initial spring
evaluations.

Evaluations help players to identify areas of improvement and to get feedback on their soccer progress. This is an important step in helping players achieve their soccer goals.

Basically we're going to talk about where each player is right now, where I think they can improve, and what & how to get them there.

I would also like to give the parents an opportunity to sit in on the each evaluation so they can be involved with the process. If you would like to be present at your daughter's evaluation you are welcome to sit-in. If you can't make it, that's ok. Each player will get a paper copy of the eval for her to keep.

We'll go in alpha order and each eval will run approximately 10 minutes each. Hope to see you there.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Technical Training Starts This Week

Technical Trainings start June 16th.

These session are geared towards skills development. It'll be just you and the ball!

Technical Trainings are every other Wednesday for the girls groups (although you are welcome to attend the boys session next week as well).

See you out there.

Juggle Test Results - June 8th

Click on the image to enlarge.

Absurd Goal You Have To See

Yesterday at training we worked on ball control, short passing, teamwork, speed of thought & vision. This goal scored yesterday in the WC warmup has all of that. It's ABSURDLY good!!

Juggle Test Results

HowTo: Slide Tackle

Slide Tackling:
There is a debate on within the youth soccer community as to when to teach, or even to teach, slide tackling. At many youth, recreation levels, slide tackling is not permitted due to the risk of injury, both to the tackler, and the one being tackled. This is generally because slide tackling is not taught, or taught very little and therefore the execution of this technique is poor, to say the least.

Since slide tackling is part of the game and sooner or later your kids are going to try it, it is probably better if they are taught the right way to do it. Remember a slide tackle is not a first defending option. If you defend properly, position yourself well, anticipate the attackers movements then you will never have to leave your feet. That said...

The basics of slide tackling are as follows:

First off, there are many types of slide tackle (near-foot, hook-slide, slide-tackle trap). We're just going over the basics.

Watch The Ball
When an attacker is running at you with the ball, it's difficult not to concentrate on her body movements. Doing so, however, could cost you a tackle.

More than a few flashy forwards have juked a defender out of her socks while only nominally touching the ball. Such situations, however, can be avoided by keeping your eyes on the ball. If someone is trying to dribble by you and she's coming right at you, you've got to watch the ball. No matter where the attacker's body moves -- she can go right, she can go left -- the ball always sits still.

Don't Tackle Unless It's Necessary
The best place for a defender to be is on her feet, not on the ground, and so one should resist the temptation to leap at an opponent's ankles any time the opportunity presents itself. It's better to contain the forward and prevent her from penetrating. You should also try to work with your fellow defenders to close off the attack without direct confrontation.

If you are the last line of defense, it is particularly important to remain upright. If your slide-tackle fails, your opponent's path to the goal will be clear. Any time you dive in, there's a chance of you getting beat. Even if you do dive in and get the ball, it can always bounce or deflect off the attacker and get by you.

Wait For Your Opponent To Separate From The Ball
As long as your opponent has the ball at her feet, she's in control -- a slide tackle could be a poor choice. Wait for her to knock it ahead two or three feet.

If you tackle when it's at her feet she can knock it away from you or dribble by you. When she separates from the ball, you can cut in front of her without tackling. And that's perfect because you can keep playing. If you need to tackle, wait for her to separate from the ball, then hook her.

Timing is the crucial ingredient, both for safety and effectiveness. But the quality of the timing is elusive. The most important thing is to get your timing down. If you don't have the right timing, your opponent is going to run right by you. Developing timing requires constant practice, but because training sessions rarely emphasize tackling, games offer the best training ground. Kids always want to practice slide-tackling, but it is not really something you can do in practice. The more you do in a game, better you'll get at it.

Be Decisive
Every time a high level player tries to complete a tackle, she takes the attitude that she is going to get the ball and crush the forward. That's the way you have to think.

Mentality is important, especially at the highest level where the difference between success and failure can be confidence. Players can't hesitate, or they'll be beaten.

When you decide to go down, you have to go down. You can't think twice about it. If you go into a tackle halfway, you can get hurt. Decide 100 percent that you are going, then go.

Knowing when to go requires instinct built through experience, and it requires the ability to read the game.

Attack From An Angle
The best tackles come from an angle.

Coming in at an angle also allows the defender to strip an opponent from the ball
without tackling.

While racing alongside an opponent, wait for her to separate from the ball. Then step into her path, between her and the ball. Step right into her line. Now you've got the ball, and you can shield it. Chances are, she'll trip you or foul you because you've cut her off.

Tackling from behind isn't recommended. You're likely to get sent off. For every clean tackle from behind, there are four bad ones. Referees have been instructed for years to treat tackles from behind as violent conduct worthy of a red card. Don't Do It.

Slide-tackling from the front, with both feet, is another matter, and one referees rarely smile upon. Even if you get the ball, you'll get the player and usually a foul. It's dangerous don't do it.

Protect Yourself
The first law of slide-tackling concerns safety, and it begins with shinguards. Full guards may not be as comfortable as smaller models, but defenders don't really have a choice. Nor do they have a choice once the decision to tackle has been made. Don't take it easy! You must go all out.

Mechanics are important. Tacklers should keep their leg unlocked with a slight bend. Then when you get to the ball, extend your leg through it. Make sure you get the ball right on your shoelaces and swing your leg through it.

Give 'Em The Hook
The proper slide should make baseball managers proud -- it's a hook, on your side, with the extension of your leg through the ball. It's like a baseball slide. The only difference is you don't slide straight through. In soccer, you're running at an angle and sliding, hoping to land on your side. Then you try to swing your leg across and hook the ball.

It requires precision and resolution. Don't just put your foot out there, hoping the ball will hit you as your opponent trips over you. Make sure you swing through it.

Try to control it, clear it, or try to kick it away from the opponent.

Get The Ball
This is most important. If you don't get the ball. Your goalkeeper will likely be picking the ball out of the back of the net in a matter of moments. Make sure you get the ball. You can get the ball first and then go through the player. Or don't. Tackling doesn't require a defender to strip the ball from her opponent. Sometimes just getting in the way is enough. If an attacker is running down the wing, she's running full speed, and you know at that speed she can't cut it back. You know she is going to cross it. Sometimes if you stick out your leg, you're not going to block it. If you slide and lift your leg, you can block the pass.

Control Your Emotions
Professional fouls are part of the game, mere moves in a chess match. And although players can become frustrated and tempers can flare, one should never take it out on an opponent. It's important that you control your emotions. Never go out to hurt somebody because you're looking to be thrown out of the game, and that's stupid.

In many ways tackling is an instinctive play. But instincts can be developed. The most important factor to a successful tackle is to be determined.

Since you've read through all of that...

Here is some video evidence of a great tackler. Steven Gerrard -- Captain of Liverpool FC. Being a tough tackler is part of his soccer personality. It's amazing to watch how determined he is and how hard he works to make his tackles. He is a true natural.

Stick around till the end to see other parts of his soccer personality -- long range shooting & game winning goals.

Great #6 & #8 combo = Goal

Here is a great goal from yesterday's WC2010 warmup match between Holland and Ghana.

As the #9 pulls wide to the right to look for space, the #8 receives a pass from the #10 (who had dropped deep to pick-up the ball). It's not the greatest pass in the world - it leads the #8 well but it's bouncing and into a tight area. What is so great is how the #8 reacts.

He can see that the defender is closing fast, so instead of dribbling, he lays the ball off to the supporting #6 and makes a strong forward run. The #6 plays very smart ball over the defenders.

Make sure to watch it a couple times. It's a great goal.

Juggle Test Results

Click on the image to see full size.

Juggle Test

Here it what the juggle test looks like.  

I will be explaining it to the girls at training today.