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.