D.C. DAY 3

Today was a killer day.  We started off on a "tempo run."  I thought I had some cool video from my Go Pro, but I'm not sure it turned out.  I think we ended up running about 2 miles total, and ended up at a little stream by accident.  We chatted a bit, constantly pushing the mental side of the game.  At one point, I was reflecting on my past, how starting a club was the scariest thing I've ever done, and how I'm responsible for everything that goes on.  It's my job as a Technical Director to educate my coaches and players and the best way to do that is through my own experiences.  My only hope is that the boys will realize what a great opportunity this is and that they'll get the very most out of it.

Don't ask my why, but I'm obsessed with my shin sweat.  I blame my friend Tara, who is obsessed with my back sweat, ha ha.  Anyhow, we were lucky to have overcast most of the day, but it was pretty humid.  My shins were dripping on an easy run at 9:00 in the morning.

 After the run, I took the boys through a core workout, and Coach Felix finished up with a technical session.  Then we ate a quick uncrustable snack (I love them a little more than I should), and walked 1.2 miles to the afternoon field where we ate our lunch and rested for a bit before the 2:00 session.

Brandon looks excited, I know...

At the 2:00 session, we handed out the training gear and enjoyed the drizzle.  Unfortunately by 4:00, it was hot and sunny again.  Today we worked on defending and the principles of defense.  I took the goalkeepers for a workout on catching the ball.  It was pretty fun, as I put them through some new drills.  I put the GoPro on one of the keepers, but I don't think it worked.  The settings are all messed up.  It's annoying.

Alex was NOT a fan of the sleeveless training jerseys.  Maybe he was just embarrassed of his tan line.  I have to say, he got worked over good during the session, and I was so proud to see how he took charge of the back line and raised the bar for himself.  After the last drill, he walked past me and said... "That was a hell of good training session."  I'm so glad he's here to experience such a high level of not only coaching, but demand from extremely committed players, and I can't wait to see how it changes his game for the better.

Before the boys scrimmaged, Coach Neil introduced us to Emile M'Bouh (center in blue), a former Cameroon National Team Player, who played in 2 World Cups and was Captain of his team.  I hope the boys recognize how amazing it is to meet someone of that caliber.  I'll admit, I kept an eye on his technical training session during the scrimmage.  It wasn't far off from what I do, but there's always a little twist that will open my eyes.

Another group shot in the boys' training jerseys.  This shot completed our 8 hour day of soccer.

Finally... time to EAT!  Coach Neil and I decided to go out with the Florida boys and Coach Felix.  We ate at TGI Fridays.  Yum, I know.  It was awesome to get to know the players more, and little Sam, who's 9 has been joining the sessions and getting such an amazing soccer experience.  This kid LOVES to play.  It's so awesome to see how he's developed such a passion at such a young age.

The Florida boys are Camilo, Tyler, Gianni, and Kyal.  While talking to the boys at dinner, it was interesting to hear their views of the days events.  Camilo mentioned how weird it was to run through the woods.  They don't have woods in Florida, and they never do core, apparently, ha ha.  Tomorrow we should be hitting D.C. with the Florida and Utah boys.  Yay!

Again, tonight I texted the boys the following:

Sly: "What was your favorite part of today?  What was the biggest challenge you faced today?  And how had today's training changed you?"

Alex: "My favorite part was the drill where Coach Neil had the defense play, because I thought that my communication was good, but he pretty much showed me there is much more.  The biggest challenge I faced today was having to make sure I gave good and proper instructions.  The training has changed me because today I really had to push myself through the not really pain, but more the fatigue."

James: "Favorite part of the day was yet again the scrimmage, because I was a lot more comfortable with my team... So, I talked more.  Most challenging was finding my desire to play soccer after the morning... I quickly found it."  

Sly: "I'm glad you found it.  Did you not like this morning?  Or just tired?"

James: "It's always the first few hours that is not favored.  You're just getting up from sleeping, and that's where you got to find it.  The motivation is there, but it's more as an individual mind set.  Today I had to tell myself that there is a reward after the running, the core, the technical, and the tactical... I look forward to tomorrow morning, so I can be excited for the end of it all, and play that scrimmage as a reward."

Apparently James is not a morning person and loves to scrimmage.  :)  He did have a killer assist to Gianni, though.  Tomorrow is offense and principles of attacking, so we'll really see it come together.  Of course, I didn't get a response from Brandon and Marshall.  I don't know what's going on, but those two are going to get an earful from me tomorrow.  They're missing out on the full experience.

Anyhow, that was our day.  I'm honestly looking forward to Friday.  These 8 hour days ARE rough, but like James said, there is that reward at the end.

"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it."

-John Ruskin

D.C. DAY 2

Today was an adjustment day.  We trained from 2-5 on a turf field.  It was hot and humid.  My shins were sweating just standing there.  The boys did some technical work, some patterned plays, a little defensive training, and ended with a 15 minute scrimmage.

We talked extensively to the boys about the importance of communication.  I'll be blunt.  They really suck at it.  Hopefully it will continue to improve.  My advice to the whole group was to remember that each day we get a little bit closer to Spain, and to come a little more excited each day.  I hope by Friday, we won't be able to kick the smiles off their faces.

As far as the Utah boys, I pulled them aside after training and chatted with them.  I told them I care about them the most, and how I want them to get the most out of this experience.  That being said, they need to respond to my texts.  Come to find out, Brandon forgot his charger, and apparently Marshall brought his brother's phone.  Again boys.... information I need to know.  So here's an update from James and Alex.

The question/statement:

Sly: "Text me your favorite part from today."

James: "The scrimmage for sure.  Just to see the way the players played, and how I will work with them."

Alex:  "My favorite part was sitting in the shade and talking.  JK!  I enjoyed the one drill with the defense and splits."  "What challenged me was having to be patient not getting split, but when we did, having to turn right around and defend other people."

I gave both boys advice on how to improve their game.  For Alex, it's to stay more connected to his team offensively.  To be a little more aggressive and instead of directing the ball AROUND him, to direct and move the ball THROUGH him.  For James, it was connecting with the other forward more (assuming he'll play forward the majority of the time), or at least checking in with the other forward, and once he gets behind the defense to just finish.  If we were at ODP Region camp, that's all the Region coaches will evaluate.  Can.  He.  Finish?  It's a lot of pressure for sure, but that's the role of the forward.  Create goal scoring opportunities, and convert.

Tomorrow I'll tackle Brandon and Marshall.  Advice for Brandon... Clean up his first touch and be confident going to goal as an outside back.  I know he can rip a shot, and I'd like to see it in a game.  Advice for Marshall... Communicate and connect with his teammates.  He's so quiet and small, but he doesn't have to PLAY that way.  He's a gamer and not a trainer, and I hope to continue to change that.  If you don't train well, you can only get by for so long on the adrenaline of a game.  At some point, bad habits and technical deficits will become a liability on the field.

All in all, the Bayern boys showed fairly well today.  It really makes me proud of the hard work we've all put in together.  I know we'll always remember this summer.

For the rest of the night, Coach Neil took Nikki and I out on the town.  He's been raving about these Georgetown Cupcakes since he came to Utah, so we went out and got us some.

My cupcakes of choice... Toffee, Peanut Butter/Chocolate, Red Velvet, and Chocolate Mint Crunch.

We ate at a Portuguese Restaurant called Nando's Peri-Peri.  Delicious!

After dinner, we said "Cheers," and ate away.  I have to say, they were dang good cupcakes.  I could only eat the one, though.  I'll save the rest for tomorrow.

Neil took us on a tour through D.C. and the surrounding areas.  I never get out to the East Coast, so it was so much fun seeing new sites.  I'm hoping to get some good pics with the boys later this week.

Tomorrow should be a full day for everyone.  We'll be training from 9-12 and 2-5.  I'll be running a core workout, and I can't wait to kill the boys.  :)

"I believe success is preparation, because opportunity is going to knock on your door sooner or later, but are you prepared to answer that?"

-Omar Epps-

D.C. Day 1

All that we've been preparing for is finally here!  I'm hoping I'll be able to keep up on a daily journal of our trip.  Today we met at the SLC airport at 8:00 am.  As we were headed through security, I thought we'd said goodbye to all the parents, but just a couple minutes later, they appeared again, taking more pictures.  They were definitely stalking us.  Jenny did her best to hold back her tears, and I gave the boys a final warning that I would tolerate NO crying on the trip.  If anyone was caught crying, they'd be sent to the bathroom where all the open mouth chewers go.

Poor Marshall got his bag searched at security, and it didn't take long for someone to roll their eyes at us as James was being "inappropriate" on the moving walkway.  People are so uptight.

Our flight was... not great.  1) There was a crying baby in front of us that made me question why parents just don't benedryl their kids prior to traveling.  It's just better for all of us...  2) I drank too much and had to use the airplane bathroom for the first time in my life.  It was a little traumatic for me, and I hope I never have to use it ever again.  3) There WAS a funny moment where the flight attendant was talking to James, and asked him if we had a little kid on our team.  He said he didn't think so, and she kept telling him how she was about to give a toy to a little kid, but noticed he was wearing the same training top and stopped herself.  She was shocked to find out he was 15.  Maybe we'll have to draw a mustache on Marshall before Friday's flight to Spain.  

We made it safely to Baltimore, and the families the boys were staying with were there waiting for us.  They all seemed really nice, and the boys were excited to meet new people.  

Coach Neil picked me up, and took me to my hotel.  I got settled, did some work (yeah, I got an assignment), then met up with Coach Neil and Coach Felix, going over the itinerary for tomorrow and the trip.  It's so refreshing to be around high caliber soccer again.  

I texted the boys tonight, reminding them what they need to wear tomorrow, what they need to bring, and to write in their journals.  Yeah... no response from any of them.  We're going to have a chat tomorrow about responding so I know they got my message.  I'm trying to teach them to be a student of the game.  I hope they soak everything in.

My goal is to take this experience and educate Cache Valley.  There's so much out there that the valley refuses to see.  I'm so excited to be a part of this opportunity.

"There is no short cut to achievement.  Life requires thorough preparation."

-George Washington Carver

Pressure Makes Us: Abby Wambach

There's no question how much I love the US Women's National Team.  I feel like their game is so pure, meaning they are there to play and to do their best.  Always.  No antics.  No flopping.  No egos.  And although Carli Lloyd is my favorite player, I truly respect Abby Wambach.  She handles a tough loss with such dignity and pride it's almost more inspiring than winning.  She knows how to rally her team.  She even controls their emotions when she gets punched in the face.   She is the epitome of a true team player.  She shares the ball with her teammates, will run her guts out to make any pass or play work, will put her body at risk for a 50/50 ball, and will play any position on the field for the greater good of the team.

As a player, I always try to be that team player.  I'll play anywhere on the field, mostly because I know I'll find my chance to get in that attack and all I really want to be is a difference maker.  Wise words from Megan Rapinoe... "I go where the game tells me."  As a coach, I only wish parents and players are open minded to see it too.  Not glorify any one position, or look down upon another just because it's not the attention grabber or "lesser skilled" position.  For some reason everyone thinks if you play defense, you lose your skill, your confidence, all you do is kick the ball.  I see just the opposite.  Defenders learn early on the definition of a mistake, and the consequence one brings.  They become smarter faster.  They play a simpler game true, but cleaner and more precise.  My cousin played Center Back, and his coach at the time made a comment on when he would dribble the ball up the field, he would just hold his breath because you could tell something great was about to happen.  You learn to pick your opportunities to display that hidden skill, and when you get your chance, that's what everyone remembers.  That's the excitement this game needs.  Proud defenders.

"It's taking care of the small little things that make the whole succeed and move forward."
-Abby Wambach

GAME #3 STATS - FIRST TOUCH

One thing we really need to work on is our first touch.  It killed us in our third game vs. Blue Knights Premier.  Homework assignment... 2,000 total juggles per day.  Yeah, I'm not joking around.

Here are the stats for the Blue Knights Premier Game:

TEAM TOTALS

First Half Total Passes = 89
First Half Total Touches on Ball = 189
First Half Possession Percentage = 45%
Second Half Total Passes = 81
Second Half Total Passes = 345
Second Half Possession Percentage = 51%
Overall = 167/345 for 48% Possession.

We maintained our average of 46%. We need to clean up that first touch to increase our possession.

INDIVIDUAL TOTALS:

• Marshall = 4/9 - 47%
• Ty R = 8/20 - 40%
• Blayze = 4/7 - 57%
• Hunter = 18/52 - 34%
• Nate = 23/33 - 69%
• Jordan = 24/40 - 61%
• Johan = 21/43 - 48%
• Gage = 1/6 - 16%
• Wes = 14/27 - 51%
• Carter = 29/58 - 50%
• Dawson = 8/20 - 40%
• Ty S = 5/10 - 50%
• Mason = 4/8 - 50%

I have to keep in mind that we played one of the top teams.  A 5-1 loss didn't reflect our game really.  It was 1-1 at the half, they scored their second midway through the second half.  Costly mistakes, lack of pressure was what resulted in their goals the second half.  I think I get caught up in our potential and realize that we have to be patient with the possession game.  It takes time to develop, and these boys are on the right track.  Again, cleaning up their first touch is step one to achieve the success we strive for.  

FC BAYERN 02 PREMIER - GAME 1 & 2 STATS

Okay, I'm getting with the program again.  I'm really trying to bring awareness to everyone's game and make each player accountable for what they bring to the team.  The number one focus, of course, is possession percentages.  It's always a huge eye opener when you can actually see the numbers.  Here are the stats.

GAME #1 - FCB vs USA Alliance (W 1-0)

TEAM TOTALS

• Total Passes = 82
• Total Turnovers = 145
• Total Touches = 227
• Possession Percentage = 36%

INDIVIDUAL TOTALS

• Marshall = 2/7 - 28%
• Ty R = 4/8 - 50%
• Blayze = 1/2 - 50%
• Hunter = 13/36 - 36%
• Nate = 10/24 - 41%
• Jordan = 11/23 - 47%
• Johan = 16/43 - 48%
• Gage = 1/4 - 25%
• Wesley = 12/30 - 40%
• Carter = 8/20 - 40%
• Dawson = 4/13 - 30%

GAME #2 - FCB vs Rangers (W 2-1)

TEAM TOTALS

• Total Passes = 174
• Total Turnovers = 136
• Total Touches = 310
• Possession Percentage = 56%
• Improvement = 20%
• Possession Average = 46%

INDIVIDUAL TOTALS

• Marshall = 6/11 - 54%
• Ty R = 7/11 - 63%
• Blayze = 6/14 - 42%
• Hunter = 22/47 - 46%
• Nate = 20/39 - 51%
• Jordan = 25/38 - 65%
• Johan = 24/39 - 61%
• Gage = 3/9 - 33%
• Wesley = 19/33 - 57%
• Carter = 21/32 - 65%
• Dawson = 11/17 - 64%
• Hayden = 4/9 - 44%
• Mason = 6/11 - 54%

The team improved so much from Game 1 to Game 2, and that's what we're here to do... Improve.  We have another tough game coming up.  I hope the boys can keep the same focus, connect their passes, and continually increase their averages.  I couldn't be more proud of them right now.

Game Awareness - The "Three Look Pass"

One very important skill to have is game awareness.  Always scanning and checking, and being aware of your surroundings.  When I coach, I joke with my bench that I have ESP, because as I position players, especially on corner set pieces, I'm often times right on where the ball pops out.  It's all about reading where the space is, where holes are, who's marked and unmarked, and predicting play before it even happens by reading those visual cues.

At half time of my U14 boys game yesterday, I spoke about Xavi and how he's always scanning the field, taking mental pictures of his surroundings.  I have a drill similar to this, called the "Three Look Pass."  It's a nice and easy passing and moving exercise, where players 1- look over their shoulder, etc before receiving the ball, 2- look back down at the ball and make sure they take care of the ball, and 3- look back up to find your target.  After the second half started, we had a throw in just in front of me.  I told one of the players that the middle is open, and to hit that space after receiving the throw.  He received the ball, and without missing a beat, he immediately sent his pass forward toward the center of the field, where he connected with a wide open teammate, who played in another teammate, who put the ball in the back of the net.  My prediction became a reality in about 10 seconds, and proved my halftime speech to be accurate.  I also joked that I really deserved credit for that goal.

It was this clip I saw on youtube that I made reference to to paint that picture.  It also has some great additional information from Iniesta and Messi.  Just ignore the lame music.  :)