Howto: Play #6 & #8 by Tom Cleverly

The most impressive things about this Community Shield performance is the #6's ability to control the tempo of the team with his passing and support choices. When he thinks he can attack, he drives forward with a one or two touch pass and immediate support. When there are no clear avenues forward, he helps circulate the ball and find a position to attack from.

And he's not afraid to track back immediately and pry the ball from the opponents when his side loses possession.

TVGolo: Suntan Edition

Training Schedule Update - Aug 1-4

Extreme Family,

I'll be out of town til Friday morning so Gina Ramirez will be covering our trainings.

This weeks schedule is:

Tuesday 7-8:30pm @ Granite
Wednesday 5:30-7pm @ Granite -- Technical Training
Thursday 7-8:30pm @ Granite

Sat & Sun - Suntan Classic!!!

Golazo Neymar!

Impressive #11 play.

Manditory Viewing for All Players

World Cup Final This Sunday! USA vs Japan!

Sac Utd Summer Break - The Camp

Summer Break -- Training Opportunity

Sac Utd Summer Break is July 1-15. There is no official training during those weeks. BUT....

I'm looking to raise money to get our teams some new equipment (balls, pennies, replenish the med kit, speed/agility gear).

I'm offering Training July 11-14. There will be two sessions with different focus.

Session #1 - 1v1 moves, turns & tricks -- 9-10:15am
Session #2 - Super Finishing -- 10:30-11:45am

Both sessions will be held at Granite Park. $25 per player / per session going to the team account. Friends and siblings are welcome as well.

If you interested email me an RSVP with player & session info.

US vs North Korea

Hi everyone,

For those of you who wanted to watch the USWNT vs North Korea but missed it or, like me, want to watch it a second time, I'll uploading it to my DropBox for you to download.

Just right-click and "Save As"

First Half

Second Half

Enjoy.

TVGolo: June Goals

Last Week of Training Before Summer Break July 1-15

Hello Extreme Family,

Just one more week of training til Sac Utd's Summer break.

Just 3 more session before your send off.

All next week will be focusing on 1v1 & Speed of play.

Last week schedule: Monday/Thursday 7-8:30, Wednesday 5:30-7.

See you out there.

Pre-competition nutrition

What you eat several days before endurance activities affects performance. Your food the morning of a sports competition can ward off hunger, keep blood sugar levels adequate and aid hydration. Avoid high protein or high fat foods on the day of an event, as these can stress the kidneys and take a long time to digest.

General guidelines:

1. Eat a meal high in carbohydrates.
2. Take solid foods 3-4 hours before events, and liquids 2-3 hours before.
3. Choose easily digestible foods (i.e., not fried).
4. Avoid sugary foods/drinks within one hour of event.
5. Drink enough fluids to ensure hydration (i.e., 20 ounces of water 1-2 hours before exercise, and an additional 10-15 ounces within 15-30 minutes of event.)
6. Replenishing fluids lost to sweat is the primary concern during an athletic event. Drink 3-6 ounces of water or dilute sports drink every 10-20 minutes throughout competition.

Hydration:

Water is the most important factor in sports nutrition. It makes up about 60 percent of body weight and is involved in almost every bodily process. Your body cannot make or store water, so you must replace what you eliminate (i.e., urine, sweat). Everyone should drink at least two quarts (eight cups) of water each day, and athletes need more. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after sports events to stay hydrated and avoid overheating. When you workout or compete, especially in hot weather, try to closely match the amount of fluid you drink with the amount you lose to sweat.

Training during humid conditions can be associated with high sweat losses with little to no evaporation of the sweat to cool your body; this is due to excessive moisture already in the air. Humid conditions can lead to a rapid core temperature increase, therefore, it is even more important to drink cool fluids to stay hydrated and keep core temperature regulated even if you don’t feel like hydrating.

Cool water is the best fluid to keep you hydrated during workouts or events lasting an hour or less. Sports drinks (i.e., 6-10 percent carbohydrates) are useful for longer events. Most of these types of drinks should be diluted approximately 50 percent with water. Drink even if you are not thirsty. Thirst is not a reliable way to tell if you need water. You won't start feeling thirsty until you have already lost about 2 percent of body weight - enough to hurt performance. And if you stop drinking water once your thirst is satisfied, you will get only about half the amount you need. Some tips for staying hydrated:

• Drink small amounts of water frequently, rather than large amounts less often.
• Drink cold beverages to cool your core body temperature and reduce sweating.
• Weigh yourself after working out and drink 2-3 cups of water for every pound lost. Your body weight should be back to normal before the next workout.
• Pay attention to the amount and color of your urine. You should excrete a large volume that is nearly colorless. Small amounts or dark colored urine can indicate dehydration.
  
  

If fluids are not replenished properly dehydration can occur easily. Signs and symptoms of dehydration:

• Thirst and irritability.
• General discomfort followed by, headache, weakness, dizziness, cramps, chills, vomiting, nausea, head or neck heat sensations and decreased performance.

Training Review From Monday: The Pressing Game

Please share this with the players:

There are two clips:

(1) The Yellow team in possession attacks and when they lose the ball, they immediately try to win it back.

(2) The Blue/Red team works hard to defend and pressure the team with the ball. Watch how they are always willing to pressure, always moving forward (this means after they pressure, they cover each other by moving back into position).

101 of the Best Goals of 2010/11

US Club Regional Schedule

US Club Regional Schedule is up. We play in Ripon, CA. A big bonus.

Saturday, 6/18/2011 -- 3:30 PM
Extreme vs Cal Cougars 98
Mistlin #07 -- Ripon, CA

Sunday, 6/19/2011 -- 11:00 AM
Lamorinda United Navy '97 vs Extreme
Mistlin #05 -- Ripon, CA

Monday, 6/20/2011 -- 9:30 AM
Extreme vs Carson United Blue
Mistlin #07 -- Ripon, CA

US WNT 1 - 0 Mexico

Sometimes you just have to say "I'm going win this game!"

That's just what Lauren Cheney did in this game. I jumped out of my seat when I saw it.

SoccerHW: 75 Juggles

Soccer Homework for Monday = 75 consecutive juggles.

Here is some inspiration:

TVGolo: June Bloom of Goals

Soccer on TV this weekend

June 4, 2011 @ 1:30 p.m. -------- ESPN
U.S. Men vs. Spain
Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Mass.


June 5, 2011 @ 11 a.m. --------- ESPN2
U.S. Women vs. Mexico Women
Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.

Self-Training 101

As summer gets closer, it's time to start talking about training at home. Self-training can help to accelerate soccer improvements by simply getting more training hours in.

Understand that intensity in training enables you to be the margin of victory,
so get after it when you train.

I am offering the girls help designing a soccer workout routine that can help them improve their skills, confidence and performance. But they have to take the initiative and ask for help.

Here are a few tips when coming up with a training routine that will help you improve:

There is only a certain amount of time in each day. Organize your time to achieve peak performance. Understand what is important for your soccer development and what is not; what to do first, what to do last; what to do once a week; what to do everyday; what to do on days you have training and how much more you can do on days you don't. Have a clear vision of how you are training and what it will help you improve. Envision that you are a coach trying to get you, as a player, to be the best you can be. Intensity matters. When training alone, work as hard as you can during your drills and take a full rest period (no less) between tough exercises. And don't train longer then 1 hour, 15 minutes - you can burn yourself out.

Players, contact me either at training or through email if you need help designing a self-training session. Get a clear idea of what you want to get better and I will help you get there.

I want to help, but you have to want to help yourself first.

Training Monday May 30th Optional 5:30-7pm at Granite

Training tomorrow is optional.

5:30-7pm Finishing & Striking technique.

Making the training opportunity available for those that are interested.

TvGolo: End of May Addition

Howto: Strike a ball with pace, power, swerve and accuracy

By Carlos Tevez:



The first replay from behind the goal shows how amazing this shot is.

Best Goals from the last seven days

April Goals of the Month: EPL

TvGolo: May I Goal

Howto: Build Speed and Endurance

Want to be fast like Ali Riley?

espnW gives us an inside look into Ali's speed-building workout!

Howto: Create Space and getting behind the defense

We talked a lot this past week about creating space for yourself and reading each other's movement. For example, if your first movement is towards the ball, this could be a decoy movement to draw a defender, and what you really want is a ball played in front of you to run onto.

Here a great example of that player movement from the Champions League Semi-Final.



The #9 makes a decoy run to the ball, then darts behind the defender. The #7 recognizes the movement and waits to deliver an inch perfect pass splitting the defense. Finally the #8 is on his bike to get into the box for the easy tap in.

SoccerHW: Captain Attributes

Hi Everyone,

Here is the list of qualities of a Captain/Leader that you came up with on Monday.

I think it's a great list.

For HW, please read and think about which qualities you believe are the most important and be ready to talk about your choices.

• Inclusive
• Communicator
• Outspoken
• Listener
• Friend to everyone
• Role Model on/off the field
• Organizer
• Composure
• Confident
• Positivity
• 100% effort
• Play as hard in practice as they do in games
• Team Player
• Strong Player
• Understanding of the game and her fellow teammates
• Motivating
• Helps everyone on/off the field
• Teaches
• Be a cheerleader
• Get players focused
• Makes decisions based on what is best for the team
• Nice
• Willing to help
• Strong willed
• "Go team" spirit
• Takes charge
• Responisble

Summer Soccer Reading List

I know summer is just around the corner for many of the girls and that mean one thing... summer reading! OK so I'm pretty sure that's not the #1 thing on your mind, but if it is I have a great book list for you.

Recommended Reading List

Parents:

• 101 Ways To Be A Terrific Sports Parent by Dr. Joel Fish
• The Sports Parenting Edge by Rick Wolff
• Brilliant Orange, The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football by David Winner
• The Coaching Philosophies of Louis Van Gaal and The Ajax Coaches by Henny Komeklink and Tjeu Seeverens
• You'll Win Nothing with Kids:  Fathers, Sons and Football by Jim White
• Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Colvin
• Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
• Game On by Tom Farrey
• Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
• Bounce by Matthew Syed <---- Brand new out on paperback and very worth it.
• Brain Rules by John Medina

Kids:   

• Playing Out of Your Mind, Developing Mental Toughness by Dr. Alan Goldberg
• The Vision of A Champion by Anson Dorrance
• The Champion Within, Developing Women Soccer Players by Lauren Gregg

Howto: Possession, Attacking and Movement off the ball

Here is a good YouTube video of several Barcelona FC at their best: in possession.

"Offer, Recieve, Pass, Offer" is their philosophy.

They have achieved such great success because they recognize and help each other with good supporting positions. When one player makes a darting forward run, another fills the space that was created. This constant movement creates confusion in opponents defense and gives Barcelona chances to score.



Bonus: Notice how the #2 and #5 are really attackers in the Barcelona/Sac Utd system and how eager they are to get forward. Something to think about.

SoccerHW: Captain Checklist

Homework for Monday: Bring a list of five characteristics of a captain/leader.

Game Notes: NorCal Spring League vs Davis

Today was a tough match through and through. Tough conditions. Tough opponent. I believe we get punished sometimes for trying to play possession soccer, trying to play out of the back, building attacks, and looking to combine. We will make errors in judgement and technique, but in the long run we will improve more.

We defended better in midfield with improved communication - something we've been working on. Now we need to build on that and take it to the next level in team resiliency.

I was pleased that we were able to create chances. I think the girls are learning that the level of desire needed to score in this league is higher than they are used to and we are building up to team understanding.

It was good to see old friends playing well too. See you on Monday.

Training focus for the next two weeks: Defending + Advanced Possession.

Soccer HW: 5 characteristics of a Captain.

TVGolo: Goal Goal Goal Goal Goal

Messi vs Real Madrid

Yesterday's Champions League Match was not one to remember in soccer terms.

But it did highlight the absolute brilliance, yet again, of one Lionel Messi. His touch is incredible as shown by this chart of last night's match: He received 66 passes and successfully controlled each one.

That is the mark of a truly technical player and a joy to watch.

But don't take it from me, here is what current WNT forward Alex Morgan said on her twitter account.

HowTo: Play the #6 or #8 position

**Reposted from last season with updates**

Here is another "HowTo" and it's a big one. The #6 & #8 positions. The central midfielders that make the game tick.

Here are the responsibilities for a Sac United #6 & #8

Xavi in action for Barcelona

#6 & #8 When WE have the ball:

- be an outlet for winger and if necessary for the defenders
- is a supporting player for the strikers
- needs to have a feel for the position/open space, meaning:

• support
• score/ be in front of the goal
• choose the depth

- high processing speed
- capacity to cover great distances
- capacity to score
- guard the triangle, never be in one line


Be able to play in front of the defense, meaning:

- be able pick the ball up from the defenders
- be comfortable playing with her back to goal
- quick thinker
- superb close-control in the small place
- switching play at the right moment
- be available for receiving a pass
- cooperation with 6 OR 8


#6 & #8 When THEY have the ball:

- be able to defend zone and position
- be strong in 1v1 duel

• attack on the ball! intercept
• keep player in front
• come in front of the player to defend
• good defensive header
• backing, and pinch in

- be explosive/ fast
- help organize the teams defensive shape

Watch the following video to become a "student of the game". Below are highlights of every time he touched the ball against Arsenal in last years Champion League match.

"I pass and I move, I help you, I look for you, I stop, I raise my head, I look and above all, I open up the field." ~Xavi

Watch how he plays the #6 position.

Schedule Updates

Hi everyone. A couple schedule updates:

(1) I have to change tomorrow's training to 5:30-7pm @ Granite. Sorry for the late notice.

(2) Davis Legacy match this Saturday is at 9am.

(3) We've added a scrimmage next Thursday May 5th vs Sutter MS - 5:30pm at Sutter MS.

Thanks. See you all tomorrow.

Some food for your soccer brain

Two of the Best Things in Soccer

The Feet Continue to Dance - A Tribute to Lionel Messi

Barcelona's Lionel Messi and GolTV's Ray Hudson

Best Goals from last Week

SoccerHW: Foot Stall

The Foot Stall: While juggling the ball, cushion it down and catch it on your foot while keeping your balance.



Extra Credit: Foot Stall to Foot Stall to Foot Stall



See you on Monday.

Soccer On TV Wednesday For All You SpringBreakers

Great games on the TV and the Internets this Wednesday:

11:45am -Arsenal vs Tottenham (EPL)- ESPN2

Tottenham Hotspur will play host to bitter rivals Arsenal in a high stakes North London derby on Wednesday.

Arsenal can close to within four points of league leaders Manchester United with victory, while Tottenham currently sit three points behind fourth placed Manchester City in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

12:00pm -Barcelona vs Real Madrid (Copa Del Rey)- GolTV & ESPN3.com [for Comcast and Yahoo! internet customers] -

Real Madrid missed a golden opportunity to shorten the gap from Barcelona in the chase for La Liga's title. La Liga title is surely Barcelona`s now. Wednesday's Copa Del Rey Final match offers a chance of redemption for the Galactico squad and an opportunity to show what they have learnt from Clasico 2010.

Howto: 1v1 Defending and determination

The following clip focuses on the defending, effort and determination of players who play the #6/#8 and #2/#5.

Watch how all the players highlighted are forced to make choices about how to defend. The toughest part about defending is knowing when to make a tackle and when to stay on your feet, jockey/guide/shadowing your marker till they either lose the ball or are forced backwards. Make sure to watch all the way to the end for more tips for the #2/#5.

Skill School: Showboat

Some of the best skills from the last week in soccer.

This Week's Training

Just a reminder that I'll be out there Monday/Wednesday 7-8:30pm, Rain or Shine.

This week's training focus will be technical, fitness, and small-sided games.

Howto: Coping With Pressure

Wayne Rooney says:

“When trying to cope with pressure the first thing to do is to try and blank everything else out and just play.

If you can concentrate on your own game and think about what you need to do, you won’t be thinking about the game as much.

Sometimes it’s difficult to put everything else out of your mind if it’s a massive game, but that is the best way to do it. You have to think, ‘If I play the way I can, we will win’.

The other thing to remember is that you’re part of a team and a squad. The pressure’s not just on you to win, but the whole team.

For me, there are 25 players in the squad, whether it’s with Manchester United or with England, and you know that there are plenty of players around who can win games for both teams, so I know it’s not down to me to win games.

You can’t do that on your own. It’s down to the team. It’s about sharing responsibility.

Lastly, hard work pays off. If you put the work in you should get results. Thinking like this can take the pressure off you, too. ”

Sac United Spring Camps

Spring Camps are here.

 

Goal Scoring and Goalkeeping Camp
April 18-20 @ Granite Regional Park
Time 9am-12pm
Cost $90
Ages 5-18

What a great way to spend the mornings of your spring break for a serious soccer player.  Guaranteed to make you a better finisher and striker of the ball.

WPS: Season Openers

Funny thing is... this match ended 2-2. So I think this is just the first half highlights..

Women's Professional Soccer Started up this weekend. And there was some very good soccer out there.

Games will be televised every Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Try to check one out.

Goals from Last Week - Early April

Make sure you watch #4, #5, #6, #8, #10 a few times (especially #5 - Wow!)

HowTo: #2 & #5 Covering the Center-Backs

There's so much to do as a full-back – running the channels, putting in crosses, tracking the opposition's winger – that it's easy to let your center-back go unprotected.

Don't let that happen. Every good center-back needs her full-back to be aware of the game, of every attack, and of where she should be.

Positioning is vital. Let's go over three points.

• If I'm a #2 or #5 covering my center-back, what do I do? Positioning is vital. You must stay connected to the center-back - not too far wide (creates too big a channel), not too deep (allows opp. forward to get behind the central defenders), work with the center-back. Remember, the goal is in the center of the field all the way at the end.  Defend the middle of the field first, don't allow them to play a ball through you.  Above the white/red team have a very narrow and compact back four. This forces the dark team out wide. The white/red #2 will, talk and if needed, pass-on this mark to the #3 if the ball goes out wide.

 

  
• The ball is out wide on the far side and there are two open players in the middle, what do I do? Try to position yourself in line with the center-back and inside the far post. That way you protect the goal and the attackers are marked. You can leave your mark on the far side, focus on the threat to the goal. Below, the ball is coming down the left flank (pink) and the #2 and #3 (red dots) are working together to mark the two strikers.

• What happens if the ball then gets crossed to the outside midfielder I was marking? How do I deal with that? Begin from that good starting position, lined up with your center-back and inside the post. Then, as the ball travels you travel. If you can anticipate the long cross and clear the danger --> terrific. If you aren't able to win the ball, communicate and shift to apply the appropriate pressure.

Feed Your Soccer Imagination

And bob your head to the beat...

Howto: Score great goals

To score and create goals, you need to watch goals. #2 is taken straight from our fast-footwork drills.

Game Notes: NorCal Spring League vs Cal Odyssey South

Extreme family,

Saturday was a harsh welcome to the top division. But a welcome needed one.

They gave us a lesson in execution. They completed more through-passes, won more challenges, and finished most of their chances.

Thinking back on the match, at least three of their goals came within 60 secs of us having very good chances to score which we failed to take.

We will get more accustomed to this level, but it is going to take work. We will improve.

This weeks trainings focus:

Monday: 1v1 attacking and defending. Speed and coordination. Fitness.
Wednesday: Individual and group defending. Fitness. Teamwork.

:Best Goals of the Week:

Up The Level

The best players never stop pushing themselves and setting new benchmarks. Set your sights high.

Top Goals of the Week

Dani Alves: Barcelona



Luis Suarez: Liverpool (never stops running...)



Ramires: Chelsea

Spring League

Hello Extreme Family,

We have decided the girls will play in the premier division this spring.

While both divisions provide us unique opportunities to improve, the coaching staff feels that the challenge and competition of the highest level is what this group needs the most. This opportunity will help make us a more complete team heading into the summer and fall.

Wednesday Training: Positional Observations

For training tonight, we will be doing a tactical session followed by observations at the U15B state cup match.

We'll be going over player responsibilities with and without the ball, then seeing how it really happens with one of the best teams in the state.

Practice Change

Hi Everyone,

I received word tonight that Granite will be unavailable Wednesday night for training. Training will move to Thursday 7-8:30 this week.

Wednesday will be optional. The U15B are playing in a NorCal State Cup Knockout Phase Match Wed at 7:30pm. We'd like to get as many club members to this high-level match to support the player, team & the club. Come on out and wear club red.

One Club! One Love!

Advanced Dribble Skills

More inspiration for backyard practice or just to grow your soccer imagination.

Best Goals of the Week

There were some great goals scored last week. Make sure to stay around for #10.

Howto: Play #6 & #8 when they have it

This week's Champions League gives us a great chance to review the tasks of the #6 & #8 when we don't have the ball.

Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian Sandro gave a master-class in how to defend in the midfield. Time after time against AC Milan, Sandro was in the right place and the right time with his right boot. He made umpteen tackles, numerous blocks, while his distribution to his Spurs teammates was usually sharp and accurate.

You can see his defensive stats below: 8 tackles won, 0 lost & 8 successful interceptions. Not bad at all.

Here are the video highlights from the night. I also like who he not only intercepts the ball or tackles the opponent, but also quickly finds a teammate in one or two touches so his team can retain possession.



The central midfielder individual tasks when opponent has the ball

• primary task is to eliminate goal threat
• be able to defend zone or mark
• be strong in 1:1 duel
• attack on the ball/intercept
• keep player in front (goal side)
• step in front of the mark at the right moment
• cut off passing lanes to opposition forwards
• good defensive header
• defensive support
• be explosive/fast
• preventive coaching of teammates
• able to play 1:1, without backing
• strong, defensive header
• be able to lock down against 2 strikers
• delay opponent as long as necessary
• deal with emerging players by good positioning

US WNT 2 - 0 Norway

The US Women move into the Final of the Algarve Cup in Portugal. Here they are putting two past follow WC contenders Norway.


Pure Persistence for the opener:


Pure Accuracy for the second:


The second goal is a great one to break down and watch a couple times. (1) The great ball out wide from the #3 to the #11. And the control!! Instant! (2) The overlap from the #5 to draw the defenders. (3) Carli Lloyd's movement. Some players might try to sprint forwards and minimize their space. Not Carli. She does a quick head check and holds her run because she's open. (4) Fakes right. Cuts back to the left. Great finish.

Best Goals of the Week

US WNT 2 - 1 Japan

The US Women defeated Japan earlier today at the Algarve Cup. Here is the first goal from Amy Rodriguez.



And here is the second from Megan Rapinoe: Watch the great combo between the #9 & #10 to free the right-winger, Heather O'Reilly.

Then watch Heather O'Reilly. Instead of dribbling away from the defender, she drives diagonally IN towards the defender touching the ball with every step, putting her under pressure and creating space to the outside. Notice also how she slows up a little bit, then changes gears as she explode to get the cross in. Easiest way to score = cut-back cross! Great Goal.

Howto: Prepare to play

There is an old adage: Those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

With that in mind I share with you the pre-training ritual of US WNT defender Rachel Buehler. She has a very disciplined ritual that helps her get mentally and physically prepared.

Team Party Votes

Please Vote for which option you want in the poll to the right.

I'll leave it open until Wednesday training @ 7pm.

Team Meeting Notes

Here are the team meeting notes:

1. Intro/Responsibilities
2. Team Meeting Notes

Other Important Documents:

1. Team Rules - We'll go over at training
2. System of Play - Lot's of great info about how we want to play. Make sure to stay around for page 12!

Thanks to Kris Castro for stepping up to be the new Team Manager!!

GOLO

Here is a collection of 10 of the best goals this week:

Scoring goals is a state of mind.

Howto Improve Your Play: Get Some Rest

A recent Stanford study has found that athletes performed better on their drills & exercises after increasing their sleep times. Specifically, improvements were observed after the athletes extended their sleep to 10 hours a night for five to six weeks. Ten hours is probably more sleep than many of us can afford, but the study still demonstrates just how much sleep matters to your performance.

So are you getting enough sleep to perform at the highest level?

Visualize Your Performance

A great way to help you prepare mentally for a big game is to visualize your skills.

Imagine your self on the field playing. Imagine a soccer situation, receiving the ball with pressure on you, and how you can deal with it. Visualize scoring goals. Visualize winning tackles. Visualize making the big game winning play.

But don't just take it from me.

Visualisation by Wayne Rooney

“I always like to picture the game the night before: I’ll ask the kitman what kit we’re wearing, so I can visualize it. It’s something I’ve always done, from when I was a young boy. It helps to train your mind to situations that might happen the following day. I think about it as I’m lying in bed. What will I do if the ball gets crossed in the box this way? What movement will I have to make to get on the end of it? Just different things that might make you one per cent sharper.”

Goals Goals Gols Gols

US WNT wins Four Nations Cup: Highlights

Technique, Technique, Technique

Gerard Piqué:

I think when you're young the most important thing is the technical stuff: how to control the ball, how to pass the ball short and long, how to treat the ball really well. And maybe the results are not so important. I remember when I was really young and we played against all the Catalonian teams, Barcelona against Espanyol and all the others. Espanyol always wanted to win, to get the results, and they worked a lot physically with all the young lads. It's good to work the physical stuff, but when they're older they need the technical stuff to be different. Now with Messi and Iniesta and Xavi, they are all really great players because they are technically very good. Maybe physically they are not so good. Now the soccer in America, it has to get more technical than physical, you know. The difference between La Masía and all the others is they do the technical stuff for the lads.

Read the rest.

Know Your Options

Here is Andres Iniesta talking about his soccer development:


And here are two of his best match winning moments.



Watch it again. You can see how he moves to make space for a shot before the pass is played AND his body is shaped to be able to strike in one touch.

Then there is this one..maybe you remember it.

Howto: Play the #10

Today brings another example of what it takes to be the creative #10.

New ShowBoat

Gol GOl goL GOL!!

What a great dribble and finish.



Ignore the commentator, he meant to make take that touch away from the last defender.

WoW!

Practice Review: Freekicks

Direct Shot: Tips -- It is most important to get the shot on target and make the goalkeeper work. If the freekick is close, chose placement over power. If the freekick is from farther away, hit it with more elevation and pace.


Quick Freekick: Used to catch the opposing team off guard by playing quick before they can set up. Requires everyone to be in-tune with the game.

Save of the Week: Wow!

Great footwork! Great TV to pick it up!

U14G Tryouts Coming In February

The new cycle starts in Feb!!!

Don't forget to check out the dates:

U14 Girls--

Fri, Feb 4 – 7-8:30pm
Sat, Feb 5 – 12:30-2pm
Sun, Feb 6 – 12:30-2pm
Sat, Feb 12 – 4-5:30pm

Don't forget to Register. It's super easy and takes only a minute!

Try to make it to as many tryouts as you can.

And if you know someone who should be playing for us. Get them out to the tryout. A friend of your is a friend of the club.

New Evals

Sac United has begun a new Player Evaluation program through Zoom Reports.

This is a new Evaluation system that will make the evaluation process much easier to refer to for our player, parents, and coaches.

Zoom Reports will not only email your player evaluation, it also tracks all your previous evaluations so you can review your progress.

I would like to release the evals next week and meet with each player (and parents if available) starting next week to go over some of the finer points.

Some of you have already logged into Zoom Reports and you know the site, other will be getting login information with your eval.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Showboat: Weekly Skill School

Welcome Back! Hello 2011!

Hope everyone at a wonderful winter break!

Now it's time to get down to business and finish off the season.

Lots to do:

1. Stanford Tourney - Jan 8th &9th in Palo Alto: State Cup Tune-up
2. NorCal State Cup Matches
3. Player Evals - **New digital Club evaluation system**
4. GOTM contests - Easy Soccer $


See everyone out there on Tuesday.