CSA/OP Rec Soccer Program

Game Weekend #1

2010-03-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Coaches/Parents/Players,

It was great to get out to the fields last weekend to kick off the first weekend of spring games at McAlpine Elementary School. After such a hard winter (weather wise) the weather was great on Saturday and the players looked like they were really enjoying getting out and running around.

I was fortunate to see the U8 game between Coach Freeland's team and Coach Ruff's team. The kids seemed to be having a blast and the play was entertaining......for the most part. I used this game to do some game analysis.

So here are some rough stats........

Game Length: (4) 12 min quarters - 48 minute game
Field size: 25yds wide x 35yds long

Amount of Time Ball Was in Play: less than 11 minutes
Amount of Time Ball Was Out of Play: more than 37 minutes

My question becomes - if the ball is out of play more than 75% (nearly 80%) of the time, how much learning are our kids receiving?

I look forward to watching a number of other games to compare some more stats.

Prague

Watching Beginning Soccer Players

2010-03-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

You know you're watching beginners soccer when ...

* You can’t tell if the players actually have knees.

* Two players stop to chat in the middle of the game.

* One player keeps wandering toward his mom on the sidelines.

* A lot of the siblings are still in strollers.

* Parents yell “get a guy!” when they mean “mark a player.”

* “Pass” isn’t a relevant word.

* Parents tie the players’ shoes.

* Just before the game starts, the coach asks, “Did everyone go to the bathroom?”

* Players are more interested in who brought snacks than in who won the game.

* The keeper’s legs are so short she can throw the ball farther than she can kick it.

* The coach just picks up players to put them into position.

* There are usually too many or too few players on the field.

* Jerseys are big enough to fit through at least two more seasons.

* The coach and parents frequently yell, “Go the other way!”

* “Swarm” pretty much describes the game plan.

* The keeper falls down and cries when a ball gets past him into the goal.

* Players don’t have to duck when they walk through the parents’ tunnel at the end of the game.

* Everyone gets a trophy when the season is over. (And for beginning players, that’s the best part of the game.)

By Donna Olmstead
(Florida resident Donna Olmstead has been involved in soccer through both her children and her grandchildren, as well as housing professional players and owning and running an indoor soccer facility. She is a freelance writer and spends weekends trying to remember at which tournament she's supposed to be cheering.)

A Child's Soccer Education

2010-03-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

Good habits often come from good learning environments. This mans children under nine years of age playing games no bigger than 4 vs 4. They need plenty of touches and plent of simple "game pictures" to see and read (for example, 1 vs 1 and/or 3 vs 2 etc.) Youngsters have known this successful recipe for generations.

The start of a child's soccer education in blending fun, grooving techniques and game skills should begin around the first grade of school. Learning to make more good decisions than bad comes from experience and the right type of playing environment (for example, 4 vs 4). This is the real foundation to getting skillful and soccer savvy.

Courtesy to Graham Ramsay's article 'Decisions, Decisions, Decisions, Decisions'

CSA Skills Evalution Night U12-U18's

2010-03-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

Coaches & Administrators,

Thank you so much for your assistance last night at McAlpine Elementary. We had a very good turnout of players and you were very efficient in getting each player evaluated.

I look forward to the beginning of training next week and seeing each of you in action.

Erik Imler
Director of Coaching
CSA/OP

2010 Spring Season Session Plans

2010-03-04T02:19:00.000-08:00

Coaches,

The 2010 Spring Season is here. To ensure you are prepared to provide our players with a well organized practice week after week, we have provided you with an 8-session, age appropriate template of sessions to follow.

Please keep in mind that these sessions are to be used as a "road map." If you have your own ideas on how you would like to work with you players on a given skill, great! Be sure we discuss those ideas in advance.

From the CSA home page, go to Coaches’ Updates and Information.

On the left menu, it has a link for Recreational Soccer Coach Resources.

If you click on that you need to log in with

Username: CSArecsoccer

Password: coach

Use the direct link to step 2 at

www.charlottesocceracademy.com/coaches/index_E.html

Erik Imler
CSA/OP
Director of Coaching

Pre-Season Coaches Meeting

2010-02-27T02:33:00.000-08:00

Coaches,

Great to see all of you last night at the Spring pre-season coaches kick-off meeting. The attendance was strong and your support of the program will continue to keep our rec program the best around.

Best of luck this Spring season. I can't wait to get going.

Erik Imler
CSA/OP Director of Coaching

World's Most Valuable Team Brands

2010-02-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

Manchester United beat out the New York Yankees as the world's most valuable team brand in Forbes' annual ranking of the world's most valuable sports brands (individuals, teams, events and businesses). Perhaps the biggest surprise on the Forbes' team list is that six soccer teams ranked in the top eight. The only other non-soccer team was the Dallas Cowboys.

1. Manchester United
2. New York Yankees
3. Real Madrid
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Bayern Munich
6. Arsenal
7. AC Milan
8. Barcelona
9. New York Mets
10. Boston Red Sox

Courtesy to Soccer America Daily

Keeping Parents in the Loop

2010-01-27T11:11:00.001-08:00

One year, based on a parent's suggestion, I decided to offer player/parent/coach meetings for the competitive U-11 youth soccer team I was coaching. My only regret was that I did not do it earlier. It turned out to be very valuable for players and parents alike. To this day, I still get compliments from the parents who were part of that team.

First, I wrote individual evaluations for each player. This was followed up with a face-to-face meeting with each player and his parents. Below, I describe the process in more detail.

Evaluations
My recommendation is to do at least two evaluations each season, three if you are coaching a competitive team.

* The first evaluation should take place two to four weeks after the first practice. By that time, coaches should have a fairly good idea of their players' strengths and areas that need improving.

* The second evaluation is optional for a house team but is very worthwhile for a competitive team. Mid-season is a great time to have this evaluation. The season is well under way and a coaches should have a good idea of where their team stacks up against the competition and probably has a game plan in mind for the rest of the year. This is a great opportunity for parents to ask questions or bring up concerns that can still be addressed.

* The final evaluation should take place just before the end of the season. A coach has seen how the players improved throughout the season and what needs to be worked on in the offseason. This is a great time for a coach to share his or her plans for the following year and to get a feel for what the players and parents have in mind as well.

Evaluation Format
One particular method that I really like and have incorporated into my evaluations and meetings is called the "Criticism Sandwich." PCA recommends sandwiching criticism (or corrections) with a compliment on both sides. The criticism is the meat, while the compliments are the bread.

My evaluations were an open-faced criticism sandwich. I first listed all the good qualities and traits a player possessed followed by a list of areas that needed improving. I always listed at least three good qualities and at least three areas needing improvement. I always had at least one assistant review my feedback not just to get his feedback but to make sure that nothing inappropriate was being said. Always make sure that the areas for improvement are attainable by that player.

Player/Parent/Coach Meeting
I prepared and conducted the meetings in the following manner:

* I emailed my evaluation to each family before the meeting to give them time to review my feedback and come prepared with any questions.

* I tried to have the meetings between tournament games. When that was not an option, I set aside a practice and had my assistant run a 'fun' practice while I was busy with the meetings. Each meeting was no longer than 10 minutes.

I used the more traditional "criticism sandwich" during these meeting. I went over the player's strengths. That was followed by a discussion covering the areas that needed improving. This part was indeed a discussion (not a monologue) because I wanted the player and parents to agree, disagree, or ask questions. I always ended the meeting with lots of positive reinforcements and encouragement and I let the player know that I believed that he had what it took to become a better player.

If it was the second or third meeting, I always reviewed the previous improvement list to see how much progress he had made.

I always talked directly to the player and included the parents when I wanted to emphasize a particular point.

Yes, it will probably consume many, many hours of your time, especially writing the evaluations. If time is an issue, having only one round of meetings is better than none. This exercise turned out to be very worthwhile and rewarding for myself as well. I feel I became a much more positive coach as I started to use the criticism sandwich technique much more in practice and during games.

If you are not already doing player evaluations and having meetings with your players and parents, I hope you give it a try. I guarantee you that the parents will appreciate the effort.

Small Sided Games

2010-01-26T05:18:00.000-08:00

You see the same comments over and over again. Let the game be the teacher. Play small sided games.....3v3 & 4v4.

Here are a few comments from the 2nd overall pick in the 2010 Major League Soccer SuperDraft held two weeks ago.....

This season, Tony Tchani will be wearing the jersey of the New York Red Bulls. It will be one of the few uniforms the 20-year-old has ever worn. Before he came to the USA from Cameroon in 2006, Tchani played all his soccer on the streets of Bafang.

"Since I was little I would just play on the street with my friends," said 6-foot-4 Tchani, who went pro after helping Virginia win the NCAA Division I title in his sophomore season. "On the street there's no parents, no referees, no rules. You just play. I'd play with my friends. Usually four-on-four or three-on-three."

When his friends weren't around, he'd juggle or practice his shooting. On television, he'd watch his hero, the Frenchman Zinedine Zidane. From television he learned the rules of the game. Of American soccer he knew little.

Courtesy to Soccer America Daily

Spring Registration is OPEN

2010-01-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

Register NOW for Spring Soccer!

If soccer is the only sport your child will be playing this season with OPRA, we encourage you to register through www.charlottesocceracademy.com. Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) runs the soccer program for OPRA. By registering through CSA you will not be required to pay the OPRA $75 Family Sports Fee. If you child plays other sports through OPRA (e.g. baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, or softball), you must register for soccer through the OPRA site and pay the Family Sports Fee.

Please be sure to indicate your coach in the "special request/comments section".

For more soccer program information, please visit www.oprasports.com.

Jamie Luckie and Abby Lynch are your program contacts and can be reached via email at recsoccer@charlottesocceracademy.com.

The Bare Cupboard

2010-01-20T10:12:00.000-08:00

Coaches,

You play such an important role in the entire youth system. Listen to the crisis England faces according to England's Director of Football Development........

Sir Trevor Brooking last night admitted he feared English football will only go backwards if we cannot abandon the long-ball culture.

While Fabio Capello’s squad will travel to South Africa in buoyant mood in the summer, Brooking, the FA’s Director of Football Development, suggested the cupboard may be bare in a matter of years.

Brooking, speaking at the launch of the £100million National Football Centre at Burton, said: “We’ve not got the depth of talent for a country of 60million-plus people.

“If you look beyond the 'Golden Generation' of Lampard and Gerrard, what is there? We all ask if they can do it at the World Cup this summer? We’ll wait and see. But after them there isn’t the depth.”

Brooking added: “We’ve not got enough players who are comfortable on the ball, can step into midfield from the back or drop off into the hole.

“We have to get youngsters playing the way Brazil and Spain are playing. That’s the way football is going, with more intricate passing, and for the FA not to prepare our youngsters for that in the future would be stupid.

“If we are honest, we are not developing technical youngsters. The first thing you have to do is make it clear that you do not play long ball at any stage. You have to resist the temptation to do it at 12 or 14 just to win matches at that age.

“It is about building the right principles. We are trying to embarrass the dads who just want their kids to win at any costs. We have to get the message home that they have to play football. That means good quality coaches who can spread the philosophy.”

The Magic of Informal Play: 'Let's kick, Daddy'

2010-01-06T10:35:00.000-08:00

"Let's kick, Daddy." Those were the words our 2-year-old son Braedon uttered a few months ago. As soon as the phrase had crossed his lips a flood of memories came rushing back to the forefront of my mind.

Two decades ago if you were a soccer player growing up in Millersville, Pa., "Let's kick! " or "Do you want to kick?" meant so much more than passing a ball back and forth as my son was now requesting. In our 1980s lexicon for soccer junkies, "to kick" took on a cult-like meaning that was as deep and varied as the characters who engaged in the activity.

The first step was to head over to the Millersville University soccer field, which was conveniently located a quick fence hop from Penn Manor High where most of us went to school.

If you arrived alone, you spent some time juggling and dribbling through mock defenders before drilling shots at the kickboard: a dilapidated structure the size of a regulation goal with peeling green paint.

The "wall" as we called it was a rectangular box with a narrow hollow space in between four plywood walls. Since the wall had no roof, if you hit your shot just wrong, with the appropriate pace and dip, your ball would end up pin-balling back and forth inside the structure and you would have to climb inside for retrieval. If there were several players at the wall, whoever shot the last ball in, had to fish out all of the balls!

Almost always, someone else would show up at the wall to kick. With two or three players your kicking options expanded to partner juggling, "pinging" the ball and serving balls from the flank for your buddies to blast into the wall with volleys, "bikes" and diving headers.

"Pinging it" was a blast. You hit low, driven, flighted balls as hard and as accurately as you could right at your mate and he had to control it and ping it back to you as hard as he could. The goal was to hit the ball so hard that your friend's first touch got away - the closer you were to each other the more fun the challenge.

Mark Colangelo was the master. From 10 yards away he could control my hardest drive with a pillow-soft touch and with a lightning quick second touch he'd bang the ball off my shin, much to the amusement of anyone watching.

When we tired of pinging it, we went back to the wall where one of us would go out to the flank and serve balls to guys making runs into the box. We only sent one runner at a time and soccer balls were usually scarce so you wanted to be extremely efficient with your crosses.

Today it seems like kids are happy to just dump it into the box anywhere. Back then, when a guy three or four years older was making a full speed run to the near post, you felt a heavy responsibility to put it on his head. If you were accurate and consistent, the older guys loved you to go out wide, which was an honor. If you struggled out there, they sent someone else out and gave you the hook.

As good as it felt to be chosen to set the table from the flank, the most fun was being on the receiving end of those crosses. It was not enough to score, you had to finish with style. Diving headers, full-, half- and side-volleys, deft flicks and "bikes" were all on the menu. If you caught a basic bread-and-butter cross that did not immediately lend itself to a gourmet presentation, you added your own bit of flavor to hopefully create an unforgettable dish.

Ground serves were roofed into upper corners or heel-flicked sublimely to the far post. On the rare occasion that a goalkeeper was brave or insane enough to jump in net, you'd have to go for the meg at least once.

We all tried "bikes," but nobody could pull them off like Roy Mehl. Roy was a stocky, powerful player who like Mark, played his college ball at Lock Haven. He missed his fare share like the rest of us, landing in a heap in the dirt. But when he connected, it was like the ball was shot out of a cannon and it would go crashing into the wall. Then he'd stand up, dust himself off and never once change his facial expression from the intense stare that was a constant whenever he played.

Once four players arrived, we could abandon the wall for a spirited game of 3v1. It was our version of the age-old playground game "monkey in the middle" and our goal was to truly make the guy in the middle look like a monkey. Making him run around foolishly flailing and missing was sheer joy and a nutmeg that kept him in for an extra round was ecstasy.

We learned from our elder peers the art of leg blocking, scooping the ball over an outstretched foot, head and shoulder fakes, deceptive glances, behind the leg flicks, supporting shape, defensive work rate and redirecting a pass with one touch while jumping over a flying two-footed tackle. All this without a coach in sight!

Ah, but the best was still to come: when we picked teams and played. By now more people had arrived and we had numbers for a game. Seventh- and eighth-graders were there like Teddy Brubaker and Hans Haverstick (who sadly passed in 2005). Then there was my era of high school guys like Bill Mullins, Matt Allen, Dan Lembo, John Symonds and our dear friend Boyd Lyon, who sadly left us in 2006.

Boyd was the most competitive of a group of hyper-competitive guys. If he ended up in the middle during 3v1 he would chew up the grass with his hard running, violent cuts and crunching tackles.

In pick-up games if you took the ball off him, you knew to play it quickly to a teammate because he was coming after you with a ferocity befitting his last name. Off the field, Boyd was a teddy bear, kind, loyal, always up for a laugh; a wonderful friend. On the field even the older guys hated to play against him and everyone loved to have him on their side.

In addition to our high school group was the older crew; college guys and recent grads like Colangelo, Mehl, Grant Myers, Chris Hoover ('Hoov'), Eric Hurt ('Nike'), Chuck Ducker ('Duck') and Troy Newswanger ('Wang'). We all grew up in the 'Ville, most attending Penn Manor and many going on to play in college.

The pick-up games were always intense. Whether it was 2v2 or 10v10, we played like it was our last day on earth. No one wore shinguards, but that did not prevent us from getting "stuck-in" or "going to ground."

You often hear coaches say "the game is the best teacher" -- it is also the most fun and we absolutely loved it. We kicked for hours every day and we still could not get enough. When it grew dark the guys who were old enough to drive would pull their cars up to the field and turn on their lights so we could get an extra 15-20 minutes in.

No one talked of getting burned-out - what was that? We craved the game like nomads lost on the desert dying of thirst and when we found our life-sustaining elixir, we gulped greedily; we were insatiable.

Little did my son know the spark he was rekindling for his grateful father when he said those three simple words, "Let's kick, Daddy."

"Kicking" was a way of life for us back then. The personalities and the game itself helped form us during our most formative years. I am sure there were countless other little pockets of soccer-playing fanatics creating their own versions of the beautiful game all across America back in the 1980s.

I fear many of these tiny futbol Meccas have died off and it is up to all of us involved in the game to do our best to stave off the extinction of informal soccer and encourage and applaud its renewed growth. So that in the future, countless other fathers, mothers, siblings, friends, neighbors, teammates, coaches and strangers can respond as I did to my son Braedon, "Yes, I would love to kick!"

Courtesy to Chris Apple

4v4 Senbel Indoor Winter Soccer League

2009-12-05T02:41:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to announce the creation of a local 4v4 Indoor Winter Soccer League at the Belle Johnston Recreation Center in Pineville. The league is an opportunity for U6, U8, and U10 players and teams to play and prepare for the spring season.

League Information

Where:                                Belle Johnston Recreation Center in Pineville (indoor)

Team Fee:                           $400.00 (up to 8 players)

Number of Games:           6 to 7 games guaranteed

Game Format:                  (2) 20-minute halves
Game Days:                      Games are played on Sundays
                                            Sundays - Jan. 17, 24, 31   Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28
Times:                                1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

For more information and to register   absenbel@gmail.com

Fall 2009 Season

2009-11-28T01:38:00.000-08:00

Coaches/Parents,

In reviewing the 2009 Fall season, we concluded the following:

PROs (things that went well): overall organization of the program (practices & games), layout of fields, appearance of fields (ie: goals in place, no trash, etc), supply of infomation, staff presence on the field, equipment, field signs, trophy delivery.

CONs (areas of improvement): uniform delivery, field space (in particular for the U12s and up), quality of coaching in particular age groups, team pictures

The CSA/OP organization will look to continue to improve upon all areas in order to make this experience as positive as possible.

Thank you all of your help and support.

Publish Post

Please let us know your thoughts/suggestions.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T04:41:00.001-08:00

Motor Skill Acquisition

2009-11-25T09:59:00.000-08:00

Just as teachers sometimes fail to understand student aspirations which fall short of expertise, some coaches tend to overlook aspirations for expert performance in favor of winning performance. Unfortunately, we often associate winning with excellence of performance; this is not necessarily a valid association. Games are won for reasons other than excellent performance. In the record book, however, the manner of winning is not recorded. The ultimate goal of every coach and every team should be excellence of performance. Coaches should be evaluated on their ability to help good performers become excellent performers. Unfortunately, too many coaches seek and achieve personal satisfaction from coaching winners. Many have little regard for the satisfaction achieved by individuals on the squad execpt as they reflect the coach's glory.

Courtesy to Margaret Robb
State of New York - Cortland

Spam Traffic

2009-11-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

Question.

I have been reading the blogs, but do not wish to create a google account since this tends to increase spam traffic. Is there a way to post blogs without creating an account?

Anyone know the answer to this question?

Teach Parents a Lesson

2009-11-17T07:54:00.000-08:00

Parents are critical to your success as a coach.

If you have their support, that's half the job done. If they don't support you your season is going to be a struggle, both on and off the pitch.

An important way parents can support you and your players (their children) is to offer encouragement from the touchlines during matches. But you don't want them to coach or shout too loudly during matches as it confuses players and tends to generate the sort of poor behaviour that the FA's Respect campaign is trying to eradicate.

So how to stop your parents coaching the players?

One really effective way to do this is to get your players and their parents to swap roles for a 'match'.

First, tell your parents to bring their trainers to the next training session.

This should get them worried :)

When they arrive, explain that you value their support but that you want them to encourage the players (from both teams please) during matches and that they must not try to coach.

End the meeting by inviting the parents to play a short match between themselves with the children taking the role of parents shouting from the sidelines.

The children will love doing this!

Add some confusion yourself by shouting "TACKLE!!", "PASS!!", "CLEAR IT!!" or "SHOOT!!" Or all at the same time!

After the game ask them what they could hear from the sidelines. Hopefully, they will say it was difficult to listen when they were trying to concentrate on the game.

For the parents who did hear what was said - often what you shouted - ask them if this instruction or direction helped them.

By showing your parents how it feels to be a player being yelled at from the touchline it will help them realise that shouting - especially shouting instructions - is not helpful.

Some parents will still shout and bawl. But you have taught them all a lesson in using positive language and the majority will moderate their behaviour at matches from now on.

And most importantly, you will have demonstrated your commitment to their children's development as players and you'll enjoy a higher level of parental support.

www.footy4kids.com

Clicking for Kicks

2009-11-17T02:43:00.000-08:00

To develop skills and master the game, the next best thing to playing is to watch. But a common lament among American coaches, one I've heard even from U.S. national team coaches, is their young players don't watch enough soccer.

For sure, the great players I've ever interviewed tell stories of watching stars make brilliant moves, and then trying to emulate them. Former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna, to name one, would watch soccer on TV with his older brother, then go straight to the backyard and mimic what he had seen.

There's no shortage of soccer on American television, but young players often aren't drawn to watching if there's not a soccer culture in their house. In many other countries, where dad's a big soccer fan or Monday's schoolyard conversation revolves around the weekend's games, children are more likely to watch soccer.

So coaches need to encourage them. They can mention upcoming games - "The USA is playing Mexico on Sunday!" -- and perhaps send e-mail reminders on when they're being broadcast and on what channel.

Coaches can start a friendly pool or fantasy league to encourage their players to watch high-level soccer. Have players pick a favorite MLS or WPS team - or teams from any league that is televised - and spur discussion on last weekend's games at the next team get-together.

Also, modern technology enables coaches to make at least some soccer-viewing convenient for their players. For this generation of kids, watching videos online is a part of their daily routine. Coaches can e-mail links to highlights or instructional demonstrations.

Highlights from soccer games around the world can be found by searching YouTube.com, and visiting soccer video highlight websites such as Footytube.com, SoccerClips.net and GoalJunky.com. MLS and WPS have video highlights on their sites. MLS's site features Goals of the Week and Saves of the Week .

YouTube also provides profiles and highlight montages of soccer role models, from Landon Donovan and Mia Hamm to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lenny Lun, who coaches girls at Northern California's Mustang Soccer, picks a "move of the month" for his players to focus on. He directs them to a video-game promo that works perfectly to demonstrate a variety of spectacular moves that entertain and inspire.

Advanced Skills Tutorial (5:05 min.)

Below is a collection of other instructional video clips that young players of various levels may enjoy:

The Ronaldo Chop (1:23 min.)

Awesome Soccer Juggling Video (2:00 min.)

The Robinho Stepover (1:33 min.)

Juggling Pele: The Master and His Method (2:00 min.)

Kelly Smith's Tips & Tricks

Juggling Tips (2:40 min.)

The Zico (1:48 min.)

Copyright © 2007 -- Mike Woitalla

Fall Season Looking Forward

2009-11-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all of the coaches, administration, parents, players and anyone I may have left out on a successful Fall season.

Now it's time to reflect on the positives and negatives. What went well? What needs to be improved upon?

We need to hear from you. Please don't be bashful. If we are to make our program better, we need the feedback.

In talking to some of the coaches last night and today, I have received quite a bit of valuable insight. Let's continue to offer up this information, lay it all out on the table and decide as a coaching group what direction we need to move in going forward.

Let's begin to light up this blog site so everyone can hear.

Hope to hear from you.

Why Is Scrimmage Dessert?

2009-11-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

It seems to be conventional wisdom that scrimmaging - letting children actually play soccer - is something that should happen only at the end of practice. It's promised to them like a dessert, the reward for eating the broccoli.

Do all these drills and you'll get to do what you thought you signed up for: play soccer.

By scrimmaging I mean playing games to goal, whether it be small-sided games or splitting the squad into two teams right after the warm-up to play a game. That's what the kids would do if the adults weren't calling the shots. And it is their playtime.

At the youngest ages, they should just be playing soccer rather than doing drills anyway. When it becomes necessary to incorporate technical exercises into practice, why has it become the cardinal rule that they must be done at every practice and they must be done before the soccer-playing?

When a bunch of rambunctious youngsters show up to practice doesn't it make sense to let them get on with the soccer-playing? If you need to have them practice their passing technique, why not after they've played some real soccer? They might be more inclined to stay focused during a slower-paced activity after they've used up some energy.

I'm not saying that going through some technical work, then advancing through various game-like exercises that lead up to a scrimmage, isn't a good, logical way to organize a practice.

But how much harm could there be in trying it another way once in a while? The kids show up after a long day of school. The coach gets them dribbling around with their balls for a little while and does whatever warm-up their age level requires. The goals are set up and they play soccer.

Try it and see whether you don't make a bunch of kids happy. Besides the smiles, you're getting them ready for the game. That practice replicates what they'll be doing on the weekend with their uniforms on and their parents on the sideline.

Article by Mike Woitalla

EA Sports Interactive Training

2009-10-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

Coaches-

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

Silent Saturday (Tomorrow)

2009-10-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

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

Thank you.

Winter Training Program

2009-10-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-08T11:29:00.001-07:00

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

Coaches

2009-10-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-07T09:59:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-04T19:45:00.001-07:00

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.

Introducing Positions

2009-10-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-04T19:29:00.001-07:00

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.