That sun is really hot! – (Photo: Cheaperthandirt.com)

The sport of soccer never rests, does it?  As the majority of major professional leagues continue with their summer breaks, countless soccer matches are still going ahead in the summer heat.  The USA National team has been on display this summer and is looking ahead to the Gold Cup tournament in July.  The MLS is in full swing, and tons of other competitions and international friendlies mean that players are sweating it out on the field in matches where the temperatures are pushing 90 degrees.

With summer vacation in the air, tons of kids will be heading outside as well, either engaging in casual pick-up soccer games or partaking in summer practices with their school or club teams before the season begins in the fall.  Although such games are highly encouraged and can lead to great improvements of your skills during the summer months, players must be smart to avoid possible troubles with the intense sun and heat.  Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

Drink water throughout the day and bring water along when you go play soccer.  Your body needs to be hydrated for good health, especially when you engage in a physical activity like soccer.  Dehydration can cause all sorts of problems, so make sure you can quench your thirst when you need to.

Look for shady spots.  Naturally, this can be difficult as most soccer fields provide little shade, but for casual kick-arounds, perhaps head to a local park where there are some trees.  This can greatly help keep the game cool.  If the field isn’t shaded, take advantage of breaks to find a shady spot so you can recover a bit from the hot weather.

Another thing to consider is playing soccer in the early morning or evening.  As temperatures are lower, you will have a much more comfortable playing experience and will lessen the risk of heat-related injuries.

Also, sometimes it can be very beneficial to wear a hat.  Most sun-related problems occur in your head with headaches and sunstroke, and these risks can be greatly diminished if you simply wear a hat.  Although this does limit your ability to head the ball, wearing a cap backwards can give you some protection and make you look really cool too!  Goalies have been known to wear hats during professional matches so the practice isn’t unheard of.

Another summer factor to consider is sunburn.  If you are planning on playing outside for an extended period in the middle of the day, be wise and apply some sunscreen.  Bad sunburn can leave you in terrible discomfort and sidelined for days.

Also, make sure that someone at the field has a cellphone.  This way, when any potential injury or problem comes up, you can make the necessary call to a relative or the hospital if need be.  Over-heating can cause all sorts of problems, and can sometimes even result in a death, so be exceptionally careful this time of year and follow these precautions so that you are prepared in the best shape to handle the summer heat.

Competitive training session (c) Blue Moose Soccer

“Not a game.  Not a game.  Not a game.  We are talking about practice.” 

Who could forget those famous quotes from Allen Iverson after  missing out on practice sessions while playing for the Philadelphia 76ers?  Coach Larry Brown criticized Iverson after a stretch of bad loses and this was Iverson’s reaction during a press conference.  A prime example of how an athlete should never respond.  There is also the much more lucrative saying, “Practice like you play.” 

For a lot of athletes, especially youth players, practice can sometimes be a chore rather than training.  If this is the case for you as a coach you often get players going through the motions and not giving a full effort.  They can get away with not giving 100% effort because well like Iverson said, it’s just practice.  How will your players get better if they are not giving their full effort?  You practice like you play, you get results, and you get better.

Easier said then done right?  There is a simple solution to this dilemma.  Instill competitions throughout your practice and make your practices competitive.  By having competitions within your practice you make it a game-like situation where there are winners and losers.  Serious athletes do not like losing, spice up your drills and make them competitive.  Keep track of points, passes, goals, whatever it is that you can measure a winner. 

Going through the motions is the worst thing that can happen at a practice.  Another way to combat this issue with competitiveness is having your players fight for starting spots.  If you practice well during the week and give 100% effort, you will earn a starting position.  If you go through the motions and your effort is lethargic you earn a spot on the pine.  Your players should have to earn their spot for a starting position. 

Lastly, make it fun.  There are many way that you can fix your mistakes by doing drills/games that are fun.  Be creative.  If you are having trouble clearing corner kicks.  Make a competitive drill that has consequences when you give up a goal on a corner.  Your players should be clawing and fighting to get the ball out of the danger area.  If you fail to clear and you get scored one, set a consequence that as soon as it happens, the defenders are sent sprinting to the other side of the field and back.  Players love competition, but they hate sprints!  Make it work, make it fun.

Family members tailgating before a game (c)CHSsoccer

This past year I got to experience a whole new dynamic of a family team atmosphere.  My fiance’s (soon to be wife this Saturday) brother plays Lacrosse for Ursinus College and the way they run the program was fascinating.  Before every game the families were getting together to tailgate.  They would mingle and discuss the upcoming game and some real good friendships were created.  During the games they all sat together and cheered on the team.  After the game they had another tailgate where they would feed the players and parents.  Every family was responsable for bringing something and the menu changed almost every game.  During the week the parents would get updates with what was going on with the team from the coaching staff.  Everyone was on the same page and everyone felt they were a part of the team.  It truly made the difference in the whole experience.  So how can you help create this family team atmosphere with your team?   

The time and money that was put into this college experience is probably above what you are able to do with your youth team; the situation will be different for every team.  But there are several things you can do to create this “family” type atmosphere and make it the best experience for both the parents and the players.  This will help create a buzz for your program and get people involved.

Before the season starts it’s always nice to get off on the right foot and to create excitement.  You can do this by having a pre-season picnic/barbecue.  Get all the parents on an email chain and organize it so everyone who is involved plays a part.  Whether they are buying the hamburgers or hotdogs or supplying the grill and yard games, everyone will be involved.  This gives the parents a chance to meet each other and maybe even setup a carpool schedule for picking the kids up at practice.  At the beginning prepare a little speech that will get everyone excited about the upcoming season and tell them to just enjoy the day. 

During the season select one of the game that you know will a big game.  Organize a tailgate that the parents can be in charge of running.  When the players are warming up they will be able to see their families all getting pumped for the game and enjoying each others company.  This will also give the players a little more energy knowing the amount of fans that will be there supporting them.  It’s a great time to do a little fundraising as well, you could sell your team logo apparel or promote whatever fundraiser you are currently running.

Stay connected during the season.  Follow up your games with an email of your reaction to the result.  Stay positive but also note the places of improvement.  Send this email to both the players and the parents.  If the parents know whats going on and know your philosophy they will feel like they are a part of the team.  When you feel like you are a part of the team you feel a sense of loyalty and you will get a lot more out of the parents. 

As I have grown older I have learned the importance of family.  Family helps celebrate the great times and get you through the difficult times.  As a coach you can create another family by adding these dynamics to your team.  You will win together, lose together and grow together.

How about a little round of Soccer Golf!

In honor of the US Open we decided to teach Soccer Classroom how to play “Soccer Golf.”  While the name might sound confusing the game in quite easy, and fun!  So as we prepare to watch Tiger Woods and crew take on the difficult Merion Golf Club let’s play a little golf ourselves, soccer golf.

In Soccer Golf there is no caddie necessary.  All you need is a soccer ball, some open space and some objects.  Just like golf, everyone will start at the same place (tee box).  In Soccer Golf you do not even have to have a course set up, you can just select a random object that will represent the hole.  Each hole a different person will select the target.  So here is how you play:

1.  Select a target that will represent the hole.

2.  Everyone takes their initial kick (tee shot) towards the target.

3.  After everyone has kicked, the furthest person away from the hole takes their second kick, just like in golf.  Then the next furthest person, and so on.

4.  You keep that same rotation until everyone has hit the target.  Keep track of how many kicks each person has taken.

5.  Once everyone has hit the target choose your next target.  The person with the lowest score kicks first.

6.  Keep track of all your scores and the person with the lowest amount of kicks in the end wins! 

Have fun with it and hit them straight!

Playing soccer on the sand – (Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org)

Summer is officially in the air and with it should hopefully come a wonderful trip to the beach.  The ocean is beckoning and the sand lies in wait for you to practice your soccer game.  But since beach soccer is so vastly different from typical soccer on grass, will you actually be improving your game when you play at the beach?

The question has a varied response, but in my mind any time you have the ball at your feet, regardless of the playing surface and whether or not you have shoes, you stand to improve from playing soccer.  Also, do realize that the four most recent nations to win the World Cup (Spain, France, Italy, and Brazil) have an exceptional amount of coastline and beaches.  I think I’ve spotted a trend here!

The great thing about playing on the beach for me is the bare feet.  After your body adapts to the stinging sensation of kicking a sand-covered ball, you can start to play freely and work on your touch.  Since playing soccer without shoes forces your feet to really master the art of touch, you will greatly see improvements in ball control should you really take to beach soccer.

Another great thing about beach soccer is that the playing surface forces you to work at your aerial game.  Passes often go astray as the uneven sand is a tricky nuisance, so the most successful play comes from chipped passes and volleyed shots.  For any young soccer player, these are incredibly important skills to work on, as an aerial advantage is crucial in grass soccer as well.  Players simply cannot defend a well-placed overhead through ball or powerful cross.  Therefore, take advantage of beach soccer to harness such skills.

Another great thing about beach soccer is that forces you to maintain a high level of drive and intensity if you want to win the game.  The bumpy sand surface results in a high number of misplaced passes and loose 50-50 balls.  Whoever wants the ball more is probably going to get it more and will likely win the game.  This desire is often a very important factor in grass soccer but is magnified in beach soccer due to the uneven surface.

Running around on the sand will also help to improve your balance.  Although you will often feel shaky, this will improve your ability to maintain a proper stance and improve the strength of your leg muscles.

After a tough game of beach soccer, there is an additional bonus involved: Now you get to swim in the ocean and cool off!  In addition to the improvement in your ball skills and aerial prowess, you will surely have a great time floating around the ocean and basking in the summer sun.  Be sure to remember to bring a soccer ball on your next beach trip so that you can enjoy the wonders of beach soccer.  Who knows, if you keep playing it well, you might just develop into becoming a professional beach soccer player!

Dempsey with a confusing look against Jamaica (c)Goal.com

After a disappointing result in a friendly against Belgium the US Mens National Team came back with thunderous effort against Germany this past Sunday, beating the Germans 4-3.  While it was a good result we also have to remember that this was against Germany’s “B” team.  Staying positive, we created good results and got off to a fast start after a beautiful goal from Jozy Altidore, who had a fine game.   

Two things we learned from these last two friendly’s is 1.  Clint Dempsey is still the man and 2.  Our defense needs a lot of work before the 2014 World Cup, if we get there.  Dempsey seems to be in good shape scoring three goals in the last two games.  Wearing the captains armband, he’s been given the freedom to rome in the middle of the pitch.  He has been our most dangerous player on the attack and the one causing the opposing teams defenses the most problems.  But if USA are going to be successful, he can’t do it alone.  We need some players to step up, especially our defense who has given up 7 goals in just two games.  It’s evident that we are not comfortable back there and I feel we have several players playing not so natural positions.  If you ever told me Demarcus Beasley would be our best outside back I would have told you you are crazy.  Our back four just needs more time to gel and play together.  Unfortunately, the time starts tomorrow as USA takes on Jamaica on their home soil.  Three points a must. 

What we can expect tomorrow is a lot of USA possession with Jamaica trying to lump the ball up to their forwards on the counter attack.  Jamaica is known for their pace so we will have to slow down the counter, even if that means with a smart foul.  Jamaica who is coming off a loss to Mexico midweek will most likely be going for the three points so be ready for them to attack with pace.

For the USA I’m hoping we come out in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Jozy as the target forward and Dempsey sitting in behind him with the freedom to go vertical as well as horizontal to try to get on the ball.  If Jozy can get in good positions he should be able to hold the ball up and lay it off for the midfielders coming through.  Two other players I’m hoping to have a big-time game are Grahm Zusi and Michael Bradley.  Both players are our possession technicians and they will have to do their job if we are to come home with points. 

The mystery for the United States remains in the back four.  What is our best center back combination?  It is clear the Klinsmann is favoring the size and strength of Omar Gonzalez but the question remains on his best counterpart.  Besler has shown some improvement and will get better with time but as I said before, the time is now, we must win these World Cup Qualifying games.  Can these inexperienced players step up? 

On the outside we are likely to continue to see Beasley running the outside left flank.  He will get his chances to get forward and to try to get crosses into the box but we need to make sure we have cover for him when he does get forward.  On the other side it seems that Brad Evans has won the job for the meantime.  Again, he’s very inexperienced and it will be interesting to see how he responds at the top-level.  We need someone in the back to take the old Cherundolo leadership role and get these guys organized.

My gut feeling is that the United States will get a result in Reggae town.  I feel with the amount of possession we will likely get and the goals we’ve had in the last few games that we will get our chances.  The pitch is known to not be in the best condition so the question will be whether or not we will be able to capitalize on those chances.  Our back four needs to get their confidence back and they need a clean sheet.  I’m going 2-0 USA, goals from Dempsey and Altidore.  Lets go USA!!!!!

One goal can become two if you hang your head too far! – (Photo: Bunewsservice.com)

When a team concedes a goal in soccer, there is always a feeling of despair and loss.  Your goal has been breached, violated, and your opponent is one step closer to victory.  Naturally, players will hang their heads and question their abilities to compete in the game.  However, a smart player must realize that the game is not yet over, and although the task of winning a soccer game is surely more difficult when your team is scored upon, a great team will muster a resolve to get back into the game.

I have seen teams battle from 4-0 deficits to come back and win the game.  I have been part of teams that threw away 2-0 leads and ended up losing.  No matter what the score is, or how little time remains on the clock, a soccer team must never lose hope in winning the game.

When a team loses hope after giving up a goal, they might as well walk off the field because they will definitely not win this match.  I often see this happen in soccer games, even at the professional level.  A team will be competitive in a match, playing very well, but the moment they get scored upon they crumble.

With this loss of hope, a team will often succumb to conceding another goal just moments later, and perhaps a third flows past them to completely deflate the side.  When the goals start flowing in there is a real problem, and often it can be attributed to a side losing faith in their ability to compete.

Therefore, when the inevitable goal gets scored upon your team, don’t hang your head and breath a heavy sigh of sadness.  Focus on how you will turn this game around and succeed.  The quicker your team can get back into a match, the more likely you are to actually win the game, regardless of conceding that goal.

Teams are often quite vulnerable to conceding a goal right after they have scored.  So, when you allow a goal in, take it as a wake-up call and come back strong and ready to equalize by a goal of your own.

So much of soccer is a mind game.  The teams and players that often go on to find the most success in the sport are the ones that can get up when they fall down.  So while weak-minded soccer teams will concede a goal and implode en route to a 5-0 drubbing, a brave squad will muster the courage to fight back and win the game 2-1.

Don’t ever lose faith in your abilities as a soccer player and don’t ever hang your head, even in defeat.  Learn from the mistakes that you make and come back a better player.  Although no one likes to concede a goal, it isn’t an absolute final end to the game, and if there is even just a minute left in the match, you can potentially fight back and score a goal of your own.  It all starts in your outlook, so stay positive even when your team gets scored on!

Benteke celebrating one of his two goals against the United States (c) Channel News Asia

When you think of America what do you think of?  For me I think of Freedom, the American Flag, and Democracy (just to name a few); three things our country was founded upon.  Another word that comes to mind is passion.  Whether we are celebrating on Independence Day or we are recovering from a tragedy we as American’s come together, United as one, because we are passionate about our country.

The same is true about our United States Mens National Team.  When our players step on the field we cheer for the red, white and blue until the final whistle.  Our passion shows through our fans who are battling with the players on the field.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly, World Cup qualifier or a World Cup quarterfinal when you put on that jersey and represent our country, you better play with passion. 

Yesterday in a friendly against a strong/young Belgian team we showed zero passion, and this concerns me.  We are a year away from World Cup 2014 in Brazil and we have players who should be killing themselves to make sure they are on that roster catching the flight to Rio de Janeiro.  In the match yesterday we played sluggish, confused and passion-less.  If you watched Belgium move the ball they kept it simple and made quick short passes just waiting for the United States defense to make a mistake and then they responded by putting the ball in the right areas and finishing them off. 

Our defense was staggered, non-communitive and continuously made mistakes.  It looked as if it was the first time we had played together.  We gave the ball away in dangerous areas and didn’t track back on our runners.  We didn’t follow our runners and let them in behind us.  You can’t do that against a goal hungry team like Belgium who has young superstars like Benteke just waiting to pounce on any opportunity.  Where was the passion?  Where was the United States fight? 

When we did finally get the ball in the attacking half we never looked threatening.  There is not nearly enough running off the ball, the movement is too easy to defend.  When Belgium got the ball to one of their big strikers like Lukaku or Benteke I had the feeling that something special was about to happen.  The only time I ever get that feeling is when Dempsey picks up the ball in or around the area.  We have yet to prove that we are dangerous going forward and teams don’t respect our attack. 

We truly do miss a player like Landon Donovan who can attack at a defender one-on-one with pace, get to the by-line and get in a decent cross to someone attacking the ball.  Who do we have in the box that is an aerial threat?  Where is our Fellaini?  What happened to the United States swagger, the underdog who played with passion wearing the crest on their heart?  Questions…questions…question marks? 

Before the game started I talked with a few friends and told them that I was worried about this match.  I explained how this Belgian team is one to watch out for in the World Cup if their players connect together.  They are full of young players who play in quality leagues like the English Premier League.  Last night the Belgian’s played with passion and urgency.  The United States on the other hand played as if it was a friendly. 

Going forward no matter what the competition is when we put on that American jersey and step foot on the field you better be playing at your highest intensity or we are going to continue to get smacked.  We need to find a way to get consistent goals and to create quality chances.  We can not rely on our defense to put up clean sheets, they are too inexperienced.  The days of playing ugly parking the bus counter attack soccer are over.  Play as if you are fighting for something, like a chance to play in the World Cup, because that is exactly what you are doing.  Like the 4th of July someone needs to light a match under these guys and get them to realize that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Start acting like it, play with some passion.

A fullback can be a goal creator too! – (Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org)

The duties of a fullback for any soccer team are vitally important.  On the one hand, they defend with the back line and often go head to head against an opponent’s wingers and forwards.  On the other hand, fullbacks can be instrumental in assisting attacks, making strong runs to the final third, whipping in crosses, and sometimes even scoring goals!  For any fullback, the prospects of making a venturing run ahead can be quite alluring, but they must do so logically and make sure they don’t leave their team short in defense if the attack doesn’t result in a goal.

The important thing here is often just feel.  If you feel that there is a good opportunity to go forward and make a goal-scoring chance, then go ahead and do it.  Trust your instincts and let them guide you to success.  Now, do be smart about this.  Once a fullback goes forward, the defense becomes short at the back.  Therefore, here are some cautious tips to help advise you:

When another defender or your team’s other fullback on the opposite side of the field pushes ahead, you should proceed with a bit of caution.  Your team is already short at the back, and if you head on down the field now your team is short two defenders.  Best let them go ahead while you wait.

Another thing to consider is the game’s situation.  The perfect time for a fullback to push ahead is during an explosive counter-attack, especially after your team successfully defends a corner kick.  Because fullbacks are often among the quickest players on the field, you will probably be able to help lead the footrace back to the opponent’s goal and possibly create a goal.

Another thing to be aware of when playing fullback is to have good communication with your midfielders, especially the one who is manning your side of the field.  Often times when the fullback ventures forward, a mature midfielder will slot in with the defense or hold back a bit.  This establishes a good amount of balance within your team and will ensure that your players aren’t short at the back should you lose possession up the field.

Another vital point regarding fullbacks making offensive plays is that it is best to do so when you sense an opportunity.  Are the opponents on your side of the field out of position?  If there is a window for you to exploit, you should definitely take advantage of it as such moments can result in a goal.  Likewise, if your midfielder is trapped in the corner then you can push ahead and offer an outlet for a pass.

Fullbacks have a lot of freedom in soccer but they must exercise that freedom logically.  The allure of goal-scoring and attacking play is always present, but a good fullback is also responsible enough to help their team defend.   A lot of these decisions are best made by more experienced players, so the more experience you can gain as a fullback, the better you will be prepared in making sure you perform the role that is best for your team.

Chelsea vs Manchester City @ Yankees Stadium.

This past weekend in New York I had the pleasure of seeing Chelsea take on Manchester City in Yankees stadium as part of a USA Tour friendly.  The players were greeted with England-like weather, cold, rainy and windy.  Even though the weather felt like they were at home the atmosphere was a bit different.  Which for me  is a great example of why American “Soccer” will never be as big as our overseas friends.  Let me explain.

We started our trip in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where we have more farmland than we do taxis, which would be a big culture adjustment when we did find our way to New York City.  A subway and a path ride later we found ourselves at Legends Bar or what many of you might know better as “The Football Factory.”  We got there nice and early anticipating the Champions League crowd.  We were fortunate enough to get a table and soak in the “soccer” atmosphere.  A few pints and some apps later we were surrounded by all kinds of soccer fans.  Chelsea, Bayern, City, Arsenal, Liverpool and even a Michu Swansea jersey snuck into the bar.  The atmosphere was great, but for us country folk it was a little too crowded so we decided to head to the stadium early.   

We got the stadium and did a walkabout touring Yankees Stadium.  What a massive piece of architecture!  We were able to take our seats and enjoy the Champions League final on a massive 100 foot HD television.  It was a thrilling final where Bayern got a 2-1 victory, and rightfully so.  They were the best team in the Champions League this year, getting revenge after losing in last years final to Chelsea.

It was now time for the match everyone in the stadium was waiting for, Chelsea vs Manchester City.  Chelsea who finished just below City in third place in the EPL standings; we were bound for a thriller.  As expected there was not much defense played as the score-line would show, City beating Chelsea 5-3.  There were some quality goals scored by both teams which excited the fans, but for some reason not much excited me on this day.

The stadium was nowhere near its full capacity with only 39,462 fans handing in their ticket.  Which should be a major concern for both Manchester City and the Yankees, who recently announced the expansion of another New York MLS team “New York City Football Club”, scheduled to enter the MLS in the 2015 season.

The pride of the fans here in the United States compared to that of the European teams is not even in the same ballpark.  If you go to a European match in a European country, all the fans know all of the clubs songs and everyone is singing in unison.  If you go to a professional soccer game in the United States the fans get more excitement in trying to get “the wave” going, than when Mata scores a fantastic free kick from 25 yards out, somehow getting it up and down over the wall, off the crossbar and in the back of the net.  That was one of the few exciting moments for me in the match; otherwise my attention was too distracted by the uneducated fans trying to get a “Chelsea” chant going with Chelsea losing 5-3 and only three minutes of stoppage time left. 

Here in the United States we just don’t have the history that the other European countries have with the game of soccer.  Our country was brought up with pointy tackle football and “America’s Greatest Pastime,” baseball.  The European fans eat, sleep and breathe soccer; it’s their religion, it’s in their blood, it’s their life.  I just don’t see us getting there.  The interest isn’t there, the quality isn’t there, and the drive to make it in football isn’t there.  We can change the way we do things but we cannot change our history.  For me that’s the difference between American ”soccer” and European football.