EA Sports Interactive Training

Coaches-

Log onto www.easportsinteractivetraining.com for a progression of basic soccer skills you could use when training your young players.

Silent Saturday (Tomorrow)

Coaches

PLEASE FORWARD TO TEAM MEMBERS

Just a reminder to everyone this Saturday is Silent Saturday. This is all about the children and is something that is being used in many states across the country, with great success. It has everything to do with just letting them play, minus the yelling etc....A relaxed calm player is a better player. We encourage you to make signs and posters to support your child. Coaches will quietly instruct players from the sidelines. We will have lollipops available for the parents/spectators.

This is supposed to be FUN!!!!

Abby/Jamie

Vemma Orders

HOW TO ORDER FOR YOUR HEALTH
AND YOUR SOCCER PROGRAM

Go to http://www.csaoprec.vemma.com

Select the Orange Button or Green Button to order

Follow the prompts, select your product, check out

Selecting the Orange Button also creates your own free website to send your friends to so they can order, but only if you choose to – your option

When people order product from your website Vemma will send you a referral bonus

CSAOP makes money regardless of where the order originates

If 10% of the families in CSAOP order product monthly, CSAOP will make $5,000 annually

This annual number of $5,000 will not remain static.

McAlpine Elementary CLOSED

Due to the inclement weather and wet fields, McAlpine Elementary Fields will be CLOSED tonight.

Thank you.

Winter Training Program

Charlotte Soccer Academy
OPRA Recreation League
Winter Academy Program

Dates and Times:
Fridays: Nov 13 & 20; Dec 4, 11; Jan 8, 15, 22 & 29
5:30 - 6:45 PM

Age Groups:
U6 & U8 Boys and Girls
U10 & U12 Boys and Girls

Location:
Davie Park

Details:
Charlotte Soccer Academy Staff
Sharpen your skills
Age-specific training
Free long-sleeved Adidas t-shirt

Sharing is Caring

I heard the comment from a coach last night.... "I've seen the blog site but I would bet that there won't be many coaches or parents that will do anything with it."

That's too bad. This site is an opportunity for everyone in the club to communicate with one another. Well, maybe not with one another, but to voice their opinions about the positive and maybe not so positive things that are going on in our club/organization. As I walk the sidelines on practice and game days, I hear parents with something to say. So I know you are out there.

We are only going to improve our organization if we continue to fine tune the system....maybe even over-haul one or two ways of doing things. But your voice needs to be heard. I'm certain that we have a pretty sharp group of parents, coaches, volunteers, etc. I would like the opportunity to learn from you, so please share.

Not going to give up on this blog yet. It's just gotten started.

Words of Wisdom-John Hackworth

In watching youth soccer at all levels, in many cases, the desire to win preceeds everything else. Unfortunately, we (parents & coaches) do the players a dis-service and emphasize the result of a competition rather than the opportunity to learn. We think that "because we win, we're better." Sometimes the players earn the result, but many times, we rob the kids of the learning experience just for the thrill of victory.

I thought this quote was fitting.

''The emphasis on winning is a detriment to young players because it prevents us from developing technically proficient players. And we're not giving them the ability to make decisions. You can't find a youth soccer game where the coaches aren't screaming the whole time, telling kids what they should do and how they should do it.''

-- U.S. U-17 national team coach John Hackworth.

THE “G” LICENSE

This License is an introductory step to help moms and dads help their youngsters enjoy a great game – SOCCER. It is as simple as that. Your role is to “TURN ON” children to the sport. By exciting them you open their eyes, mind and the learning door. Enthusiasm sparks the energy to learn while having FUN.

What does “G” stand for? GLEE, GAMES, GOALS & GENIUS’S!

Children love to play. Let them play. Don’t worry about coaching until you are “TURNED ON” as well and want to learn. Just get out there and join in, offering positive encouragement. Enjoyment is the key.

“G” stands for GAMES and that means:

“G”-GOALS: Success breeds success. Play with 4 or 6 goals so that everyone can score and get excited.
“A”-ACTION: Soccer action demands “ball touches” over and over again. Every child must have their ball. The youngster and their ball must become the best of friends above all else.
“M”-MOVEMENT: Movement skills maximize soccer skills, especially in the arts of dodging, jumping,hopping and getting “savvy” with speed.
“E”- ENJOYMENT: Games are about fun. Children also know it is the fastest route to learning. Adults tend to invent boring drills and other non-learning, static events.
“S”-SPORTSMANSHIP: Learning to cooperate and help each other both on and off the field.
________________________________________________________

Let me warn you about a rotten letter and it must be avoided at all costs. The letter is “L”. It is at its most dangerous when adults want to ruin children’s games.

“L” stands for: LAPS, LINES & LECTURES

“LAPS” These tend to strengthen the legs and weaken the brain. This requires no imagination.
“LECTURES” They are boring and often a waste of time. If adults had to listen to their own lectures, they would either fall asleep or be taken away to a padded cell! A soccer field is for action.
“LINES” How much do you like standing in line? Youngsters can only improve at soccer when a game or mini-games are in play. Standing in line is a great advertisement for anarchy. When idle, young minds are left alone. If your practices are full of lines you will need that cell!

***YOUR ROLE***
(1) To have fun and encourage youngsters. “TURN THEM ON!”
(2) Encourage but don’t push them to practice at home.
(3) Mess around with them in the backyard. You will learn a great deal from them. Remember--- they invented games.
(4) Facilitate learning with questions rather than answer. Make them think. “Why? When? Where? “What” and “Who?” are probably the best questions to ask on any topic. Good teaching is about “LIGHTING FIRES” and “FILLING JUGS.” If you can ignite their learning “fire” by giving them critical thinking skills, you will help create a bright mind. Whereas to “fill” their mind with information overload (often your answers) is a quick-fix method with short term returns.

The old Chinese learning proverb is a superb guide to help you:

“I hear and I forget,
I see and I remember,
I DO and I UNDERSTAND.”

DOING & UNDERSTANDING are vital pieces to the learning jigsaw.

Courtesy to Graham Ramsay

Graham Ramsay © 2003 First printed in 1976/revised in 1980, 1990 & 2003 email: ramsaysoccer@yahoo.com

Pictures UPDATE

Monday 10/12 has been changed to 10/19 for pictures.

Coaches

In the modern game of soccer the youth coach many times is a first-time parent coach that got lured into coaching because their son or daughter didn’t have a coach. What many don’t realize, these impressionable years are the foundation for the majority of youth players around the world. Players are turning away from our sport at a young age because they are bored and not challenged.

As coaches, we must remember to keep the players active by getting as many touches on the ball during each session as possible.

All players need to come to practice with a ball, or a ball must be provided for the players. Players will not get the necessary touches on the ball to develop in a timely manner without the ball.

The following will help you along as you start preparing your sessions:

* Make it FUN!
* Have a few extra balls available, as well as cones to mark out your area!
* Allow players the opportunities to problem-solve!
* Think how you can maximize the number of touches each player will have in your session!
* Allow players the opportunity to be creative!
* Don’t talk too much –have the grids set up ahead of time –let them play and then explain your exercise within thirty seconds or less!
* The larger the size of the grid the easier it is for the players to have success: the smaller it is the more challenging!
* Be organized, be patient, stay positive, and have a backup plan!

The exercises in this section are games that will give you the coach many fun-filled opportunities to teach the techniques of soccer, allowing for the youth player to develop and master the techniques of soccer. Even more experienced coaches have found success utilizing these fun games as part of an extended warm up routine.

© SoccerSpecific.com All rights reserved.

Kids Talk

With the introduction of a "Silent Saturday" coming up in two weeks time, some of you might be thinking, "Why?"

You might have your kids involved with the CSA/OP Rec Program simply to give your child an opportunity to run around and be involved in an activity. CSA looks at each player in the program having the potential to "move on" with their youth soccer education. It is the job of each administrator, coach and parent to give every child the opportunity to be successful as they take the next step in their youth soccer playing career.

One of the problems many coaches will point to in their end of season evaluations of players is their lack of ability to communicate on the field. "Team Talk" is the glue that holds teams together. Without it, our players are playing with blindfolds on. It is our job to instill the quality of "talking" to our players at the youngest age possible.

How can we expect young players to develop the good habits of talking on the field if they hear the constant barrage of commands from the coach and parents from the sidelines?

Please keep in mind that "Silent Saturday" is an experiment. We hope the game will have a different "feel" and we walk away from the field with positive results.

Feedback is always welcome. Thank you.

Erik Imler

Silent Saturday Oct 24, 2009

The CSA/OPRA Rec League has decided that Saturday, Oct 24, 2009 will be Silent Saturday at McAlpine Elementary fields. We ask that all coaches, players, parents and spectators support the true spirit of youth soccer on Silent Saturday!

It has been found that kids are often confused and embarrassed by the sideline input from enthusiastic coaches and fans. While the intentions are often good, the effects can often undermine a child’s self esteem and possibly cause a child not to want to participate or play their best. Silent Saturday is an effort to allow everyone to experience soccer in a different way– a quieter game with less pressure for the players and the referees! Silent Saturdays have been successful in many soccer leagues across the country including Georgia, California, Massachussetts, Ohio, Illinois to name only a few. Please support your child by following the guidelines of Silent Saturday.

Note: We will be providing all parents with lollipops as a reminder.

Remember it’s all about the kids!

The Objectives of Silent Saturday:

To reemphasize that the game is about letting the kids play and have fun.

To help the few parents and coaches, who feel they must provide constant direction, realize that kids can play very well with limited instruction.

To allow players to take control of their game, make their own decisions & improve communication on the field.

To foster a sense of teamwork among the players.

To eliminate the ever increasing questioning of referees’ calls by coaches and parents.

To take pressure off the players and referees.

Silent Saturday Guidelines:

Parents and spectators may provide support to the players by clapping only (nothing verbal). Parents are also encouraged to make posters or banners showing support for their child.

Parents and spectators may not direct any comments regarding the game to the players or referees on the field or sidelines.

ONE coach per team may provide MINIMAL instruction/correction to players on the field, correcting only the most obvious errors.

Coaches may quietly instruct the players on the sideline.

Players on the sidelines may not instruct field players from the sideline.

Players on the sidelines are encouraged to CHEER WILDLY in support of the players on the field (NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS).javascript:void(0)

Field players are encouraged to talk to and encourage each other on the field.

Please be aware that referees will remind coaches of the Silent Saturday guidelines if necessary. Referees will not, however, enforce Silent Saturday requirements– this is the coaches’ responsibility and we hope that all coaches will want to support the goals of Silent Saturday. So parents, please set a good example and lets make this a fun day for the kids.

Thank you.

Time for a Children's Revolt

By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

Some of the things I've heard adults yell at children at soccer games are just downright hilarious. Like the coach who yelled at a 6-year-old, "Give him a target on the flank!"

Oh, how I wish the kids would start shouting back. Go ahead and give an earful right back to the loudmouths on the sideline.

I would have loved to see the little boy turn around and say:
"Excuse me! Give him a target on the what? Do you realize I'm 6 years old? How little time do you spend with 6-year-olds that would make you think 'Give him a target on the flank' makes any sense to us? Maybe after we learn how to kick the ball farther than five yards we can start giving each other targets on the whatever."

If you've been around youth soccer games you've probably noticed that whenever a little kid manages to break away from the pack and toward the goal, the shrill screams of "Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!" begin.

How wonderful it would be if a kid would just stop in mid-stride, turn to the sideline, and shout:

"Listen here, and listen good! I KNOW I'm supposed to shoot. I'm 6 years old, but I'm not an idiot. And what if I didn't want to shoot? What if I wanted to dribble around the goalkeeper. Am I allowed to do that, or are you in charge of every movement and every decision I make out here?"

One the most common screams from the sidelines is "Pass it! Pass it! Pass it! Pass it! Pass it! Pass it!"

I want a little kid to tell them:

"So you've noticed that I've gained enough confidence to try to dribble through a mass of kids who are kicking at my shins. You see, I've been playing around with the ball in my yard and I'm starting to figure out this dribbling thing. And you want to discourage me! Well guess what? I'm going to ignore you. When my teammates start asking for the ball, then I'll start thinking about whether I should keep dribbling or pass the ball."

Preparing a Coaching Session for Youth Players

By: SoccerSpecific.com staff

Question – What is the coach’s role? It is important to consider the following when preparing a coaching session:

1. Soccer is a game involving very complex skills; and the bulk of practice should be spent with a ball, practicing these important skills.
2. Soccer is a player’s game - while the role of the coach is important, the practice must revolve around ‘the player’
3. Different players learn in different ways – some by listening, watching coaching demonstrations and observing other players (both live and on TV)
“The best teaching tool is playing the game itself.”

Where to Start:
A coach must consider past games when preparing any future session – “What went well?” and “What needs work?” must be asked prior to designing any future session. This is referred to as match analysis. Each training session should have a "theme" or main focus. This theme should be based upon the needs of the players and team determined from the match analysis. While determining the main theme coaches should remember - playing the game and maximizing touches on the ball is the best teacher of the game.

Session Format:

Duration – A coaching session should last about as long as a game or slightly longer (within reason). More is not better – attention spans of younger players will be exhausted after a relatively short period of time. Also, fatigue (both mental and physical) results in execution of poor technique.

Theme – One theme is best. Again, more is not better especially when giving information to younger players.

Format – The aim is to be effective, efficient and create an environment that will aid in the learning process. The following format provides a general guideline and may vary depending on age and ability of players.

Preparation:

All players must be informed of the exact time and location of training in advance to avoid potential conflicts. Players should be encouraged to notify the coach, in advance, of any potential conflicts.
1. The session must be planned before arriving at the site. Factors to consider:
Equipment needed (cones, balls, bibs etc)
Number of players
Duration of practice
Space available
Surface available – good vs. poor
Are goals available?
Weather (rain, cold vs. hot etc)
Number and progression of activities
2. The coach should arrive early at the site (before players). The playing area should be inspected for items that could cause injury (glass, rocks, holes, standing water etc)Goals should be secured to the ground with stakes or weighted objects such as sandbags.
3. The playing area should be set up prior to players arriving – cones laid, flags organized and balls placed in required areas. An organized playing area will save time and result in a more economical training environment.
4. Players should be welcomed as they arrive. While players are waiting for teammates to arrive different skills should be practiced – juggling etc. Players should be encouraged NOT to simply stand around.
5. Coach should offer a brief overview of why particular skills or tactics are being emphasized at this session.

The Session: The following is a general guideline and has proven efficient in training youth players.

1. Warm-up – Should include activities that have a relationship to the main theme of the session. For example, if the main theme is dribbling to beat an opponent, the warm-up should include various dribbling techniques. Should last for the first quarter of the session and steadily increase in intensity. Various forms of flexibility exercises should be included.
2. Main Theme Activities – These activities should emphasize the coaching theme(s) for the session. The activities should move from simple to more complex. The age and ability of the players must be taken into account when attempting more complex activities.
3. Final Game – Players must eventually be placed in a game-like situation. Numbers can be adjusted depending on ability, age and desired outcome. Restrictions may be placed on the game at the beginning however, all restrictions should be removed for a part of the final game. All relevant coaching points from the “main theme” must be carried into the final game. Minimal stoppages should be made during this activity – Remember, the game is the best teacher!
4. Cool-down and Departure – Players perform static stretches while listening to the coach review the session. Ask players questions on what they learned in the session.

Pictures

Coaches,

Moments In Time will be taking team and individual photos at McAlpine.
(those of you who are not practicing at McAlpine- please contact me to
schedule pictures) You are scheduled for pictures when you practice.
Schedule is listed below. Photographers will be ready at 5:00PM (4:30
on Thursday) for those who would like to have pictures taken before
practice. I would encourage your team to arrive early! Once all
members of your team have arrived please head to the picture station.
It is important to keep your team together and organized so
photographers can get photos taken and you can get back to practice.
Please have parents help you! Each team will have a team photo. We
also photograph the backs of all teams for our LandOFrost sponsor.
Please email parents reminding them all players must wear their
uniform to practice. Coaches please wear you coach shirt. See me if
you do not have one. Attached is the photo order form. Photos are pre-
paid only. PHOTOS ARE MAILED DIRECTLY TO PARENTS. Photographers will
be on hand Saturday, 10/10 and 10/17 for those parents who would like
to have their child photographed in action. If you have any
questions, please let me know. Thanks, Abby 704-942-1288.

Website for A Moment In Time is:

www.ownyourmoment.com

Picture schedule:

Wednesday, 10/7
Thursday, 10/8

Monday, 10/12

Tuesday, 10/13

Friday, 10/16


Action shots are Saturday October 10th and 17th. 4X6 photo's for $5
each are printed onsite additional sizes and prints can be ordered
through the website listed above.

Please print the attached form. Pictures are PRE-PAID only. Thank you!

You Can Only Dream If There Is Space

Soccer should be about goals, skills and above all, FUN.  How can we help youngsters develop positive attitudes to this great sport?  How can we help them gain personal skills, game awareness and a PASSION to learn and play.  For young players in their pre-teen years, there is a general consensus to nurturing these “soccer seeds.”  They are:

(1) BALL CONTACT

                The more a child touches a ball the better that youngster will become.  “Touch time” is critical.  Many experts suggest touching a ball at least 1,000 times a day.  Yes, 1,000 times!  Without this harmony between body and ball they will never develop into an “educated player.”

                Thing in terms of learning a language, you need to learn the alphabet first, then words, then sentences and so on……..Without learning the alphabet and basics you get your just rewards – an unintelligent child!  Learning a sport, to a great extent, is no different.

                In soccer terms, the key is for youngsters to become clever with any type of small ball, beit a tennis ball to a soccer ball.  This cleverness breeds a special confidence that is difficult to acquire in later teen years.  The relationship has to become a love affair between player and ball.  You know when this act is consummated – the ball follows the youngster wherever they go!  The friendship is that close.

                Touching that ball through dibbling, ball juggling, running with it to shooting are foundation techniques to becoming “soccer literate.”

(2) MOVEMENT SKILLS

                “If you can’t control your body, you can’t control the ball.  If you can’t control the ball, you can’t control the game.”  Therefore the ability to dodge, twist, turn, jump run and hop are just some of the movement skills needed to be in concert with that devious ball.

                Children wrote the book on dodging games as they know how important they are to getting “savvy” with different moves, e.g. stop-starts, fake one-way, fly in another direction, etc.

(3) FAILURE FREE ENVIRONMENTS

                Allowing children a chance to experiment and try out ideas over and over again is a vital learning block.  Parent/coaches need to know when to instruct and when to leave alone.  Youngsters need places to dream with the ball.  They can only dream the “greatest goal” if adults are somewhere else.  Michael Jordan, Romario and such company found this haven on the playground or street.  Here is where sports alchemy ferments into action.  Some call it the “witch’s kitchen” due to the potency between player’s imagination and the freedom to experiment.  This is the real cutting edge of sports skill.  It’s where fantasy and reality are fused.

                Think of how many times a Jordan or Romario must have failed before the shout of “eureka!”  How many times must they fail attempting a move that belonged only in their imaginations?

(4)  B.Y.O.R.  (Beat Your Own Record) GAMES

                Self motivated solo games such as ball juggling, dribbling slaloms, act. Are a great way to hone techniques.  Plus it develops the habit of perseverance, of never giving up until you’ve beaten your record. 

                B.Y.O.R.  games also breed a serenity to focus and promote a self coaching attitude.  This can only be acquired by the player in their own time.  A coach must encourage this habit, but only a player can do it.  Often it is the difference between a recreational player and a real one.

(5)  THE GAME TO FIT CHILDREN

                Fitting the game to fit youngster’s physical and maturational boundaries.  This means smaller pitches, fewer players, smaller ball fewer laws and sometimes smaller/fewer parents!

                How do you measure the general quality of your program?  May I suggest you look at the oldest age group to assess the effectiveness of what they have learned?  If, for example, the average passing move has fewer than 3 successful passes to it, you need to look and learn again.  If, on the other hand, each possession contains, on average, 3 or more consecutive passes then you are on the right road.

                If priorities are winning first and development a distant second, the results are often short term success and enduring failure…..in both games won and creating skillful players and teams.  Conversely, if skill and fun are the foundation stones, then such programs will feed long term success.  Better players, better teams and stronger soccer root are the reward for caring and nurturing the sport.

                Finally, be aware of the two major cancers of pre-teen soccer ----- too much structure and the “worship of winning.”  Too organized means youngsters lose.  They are straight-jacketed into positions and become human muppets.  They react after a couple of years by “dropping out.”  The same applies to the glorification of winning.  At this age a coach can have a winning record without knowing how he/she won half their games.  It is a lottery where power will win the day.  The end product is “drop out.”

                Winning should be re-defined in youth soccer by winning youngsters to stay in the sport.  That’s real winning!

Courtesy to Graham Ramsay www.ramsaysoccer.com.

 Graham Ramsay © 2003 First printed in 1976/revised in 1980, 1990 & 2003 email: ramsaysoccer@yahoo.com

Introducing Positions

In watching our younger CSA/OP rec games over the past weekend, I noticed quite a few players who were not involved in the play when the ball traveled forward.  These so-called "defenders" need to join the play and be involved....not sentenced to their "spot" on the field where they wait for the play to come to them. 

 

Read the article below by Chad McNichol.  While this might be "common knowledge" to many of you, it is a problem I see at even the higher levels.

 

 

Introducing Positions Without Shackles by Chad McNichol

 

I am firmly against having young kids play "positions" that are part of the adult game. I coach a U-9 team in a league that plays 8-v-8 (including keepers) and my players are now at the transitional age when they can begin to grasp the concept of positions.

The challenge is introducing players to positions without stifling their involvement in the game. They need to comprehend positioning without being restricted to specific areas of the field. One of the worst situations is when young players, labeled as "defenders," stand idle in empty field space, watching the action from the other end of the field.

I've taken the following approach regarding positions:

I have one goalkeeper and two "back players." The other players have no specific assigned role (i.e. there are no "midfielders" or "forwards"). All players are told to stay close enough to their teammates to support them, and close enough to the ball to be engaged in the game at all times.

The two "back players" play slightly behind the "pack" at all times. If the pack advances near the opponent's goal, the "back players" are only a short distance behind. This maximizes their touches on the ball and teaches them the important lesson of linking up with the players in front of them.

When the "back players" fall too far back, I tell them to "join the game." (They understand this instruction better than the order to "pull up.") This instruction also gets them to decide for themselves where exactly they need to be, which fulfills an important coaching guideline of getting the players to think for themselves.

The other players are only told that they are "not in the back." This means they are not to linger next to the "back players" when the ball is further upfield.

The keepers come fully out of their boxes when the ball is at the other end of the field. This teaches them proper positioning for the adult game, and gives them the opportunity to play balls that are kicked far behind the "back players" with their feet - another crucial skill for goalkeepers in the adult game.

This scheme leaves us open to the counterattack, especially against teams that play kickball and run fast on over-sized fields. This is because the "back players" do not hang back with the "cherry pickers" on the other team.

However, I strongly believe that the fear of conceding goals must never trump player development. I'd much rather keep young players engaged in the game, put them in situations that foster creative play, and give my keepers experience with breakaways and positional play, than limit the players' game experiences in the name of achieving a soon-forgotten winning score.

 

Welcome

Welcome to the CSA/OP Rec Soccer Program blog.

This blog has been created to provide a forum for players, coaches and parents to share information and discuss ideas.  Hopefully, you will find this site a valuable communication resource for our ever-growing organization.