8/29/13 Recap

In this post I want to talk about a game I had my teams play this past two weeks.  It was a 1v1 to a single goal game.  For my boys, especially U12, they absolutely LOVED this game.  I seriously think I could have done that for the entire training and they would have been content.  What I noticed with this enjoyment they for the game, their skills and confidence on the ball improved significantly.  I really enjoyed watching them play this game.  I put a video together that I plan on posting on my Facebook page.

My girls on the other hand did not enjoy it as much as my boys.  When watching them I could tell they just didn't enjoy it as much.  I just did not get it.  So I talked to them and they said they didn't mind it, just would rather do something else.  After I told them how the boys loved this game they said maybe it's because they're girls.  They did say they loved the bag game though.  Which is where players play 3v1 and try and hit a bag in the middle to score points.  My only guess is that it is because of the gender.  Boys tend to be more about themselves and girls are more about the group, especially at the younger ages.  Which kind of explains why one game is favored by each gender more.  1v1 is all about the individual and 3v1 is about the group.  Unfortunately the girls lost out on the benefits the 1v1 game has for their skills.

I found this interesting and I may have the other trainers try these games with their teams and have them let me know if they notice the same thing.  It could just be my girls though.

Took this right before I went on.

Last week I presented the curriculum I designed for the club, I'm really excited with the reception I've received on it.  Nothing negative, but I'd guess no one would tell me to my face if they thought it was bad.  Like I told some of the parents that have talked to me about it, now is the hardest part and implementing it and having everyone develop to fit into our style of play.  But I also think this is the fun part..

Lastly, I hope Ashley and Ivenn get better soon.  Both had to drop out of the tournament this weekend.  Ashley broke her pinky and all of the girls were really sad to hear about her being out for awhile.  Ivenn won't be ready for tournament either because he just won't be ready in time from his recovery

Sincerely,
     Derek McMullen
@CoachDerekMc 
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8/16/13 Recap

U11G:
Tuesday - Girls had a good practice.  I need to improve the technical training.  Not good enough.  I think I'm going to try the passing circle with them for the next training session.  I like that one.

Thursday - Girls had an excellent training session.  Changing the technical training to the passing circle made a difference.  It also let me make it more challenging on the girls.  Really pushed the looking for information and calling out players names of who they were going to next.  Forcing them to think before they get the ball and to notice where the open player is and how they will get it to them. 

Jillian is receiving the ball and will use the Arsenal turn.  Ashley is a little late in supporting Jillian.  She needs to get into the light sooner.  Watch the girls here.

U12B:

Monday - Boys had no energy.  A lot of standing around during games.  Had a talk with them and a few were playing video games all day.  Not good.

Tuesday - Much better practice from the boys.  Started out a little rough but the boys had a very good practice.  Their passing and movement of the ball was an improvement from training so far.

Carter is using the Arsenal turn.  John is about to receive the ball.  His body needs to be open to the field more. Watch the boys here.

U13B:

Monday - Boys had a good practice.  Worked on possession again.  A lot of focus on looking for information and finding the open spaces on the field to exploit.  Need more work and I need to see it more during the game, I plan on making a minor change to an activity that should have a big impact.

Thursday - Excellent training session.  Challenged the boys during the technical training.  Made an adjustment to it so they had to find their partner that I told to try and hide of them so it wasn't easy.  This forced the players to have to look a lot.  They would usually just look once and be done.  Now they were constantly looking.  I also modified another game to make it so they had to find the open space in the middle to exploit.  Worked alright but not the greatest.  They've got to learn to have a little more patience and look for the right opportunity.

I was also really happy to hear about Frankie and how he used the shoulder check during his school game and it resulted in a goal.  Glad to hear the training is already taking effect.

U13B playing a rondo game.  Doing a good job of finding the open players in space. Click here to watch the video.

Sincerely,
      Derek McMullen
@CoachDerekMc 
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Beach Soccer Newsletter

Girls made the newsletter for beach soccer.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/eNews-From-Illinois-Youth-Soccer--Beach-Soccer-Champs--ODP-State-Teams--MRL-Teams.html?soid=1108959632472&aid=L8R1FDKzcPQ

Sincerely,
    Derek McMullen

@CoachDerekMc 
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First Week Recap 8/9/13

U11G:
The girls were VERY excited to see each other.  It was good to see that and I let them catch up a little.  Training was alright.  Had to break down the receiving turns for the girls.  They used them all last season but they obviously forgot them.  So we had to spend a lot more time on it then I was planning.  I'll break it down for them again and we will attack it in chunks.  The 3v1 to Bag game did go over very well.  They enjoyed it a lot.  I used to do this activity a lot and I just forgot about it.  I'm glad I saw it used again to remind me how great of a game this is.

U12B:
They struggled a little at the first practice but I modified a few things and the second practice was much better.  The new players receiving technique was lacking so I put a lot more of an emphasis on it for the next practice.  Broke it down for them into smaller chunks and they started to pick it up.  We will have all of next week and I'll be putting together some skill development workouts for them to help them catch up.

U13B:
Boys had an excellent first practice.  I love it when practices run real smooth and this was one of them.  I have no complaints with this practice and I'm trying.  The boys picked up the concepts really well.  Made a few pointers during the possession games and they had the defenders spinning in circles.  Had to start coaching the defenders.

Speed Clinic:
Humam did my teams a huge favor in running the speed clinic for them.  It was really good and I'm really glad I got to watch it because ill be able to implement it into my training sessions so they are able to build off of it.

Sincerely,
    Derek McMullen

@CoachDerekMc 
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New Season Starts Today

The 2013-2014 season is upon us!  First day of training is today and I'm ready and excited for the challenges that lay in front for myself and my players.  The week and next week the focus will be on Passing and Receiving for my U11G and U12B which will lead into possession.  My U13s will focusing on a lot of keeping possession of the ball which will lead into spaces being reduced so they are able to cope with the challenges of working in a confined space.

The main focuses of these training sessions will be the proper techniques of passing and receiving but a lot of focus will be put into awareness of the space around them.  Players will be instructed to "check their shoulder" to see the information and they can make the proper decision.  This is a huge skill to possess and unfortunately a skill that is overlooked way to much.  These two videos should highlight the importance of this skill: Scholes and Xavi.  This is a huge skill that I will be coaching a lot this season because the more a player can see and assess, the better decisions they will make.

Now, it's off to the dentist before I head out to training and looks like I'll be getting a little wet.

Sincerely,
     Derek McMullen

@CoachDerekMc 
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