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.