Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to every one!

Some of our team players are playing at the Rush Academy. On Friday 7, December Dylan, Jack, Jake, Julien and Logan were playing against U10 boys.

Once again, they played very well and they had great support from some dads! And they won!

I won't say any names!

I just received the registration form for Spring Soccer. Please let me know by January 9th if your son is planning on returning to the team. The team roster needs to be turned in by 1/29/2008.

The cost will be $64 and games start the weekend of 3/29/2008. (After Spring Break this year).

Thank you!

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End of Season

I want to thank every one for their support this season . It was not an easy decision for me to let go of my son . I have been coaching him since he was 4 years old!

For 4 years! And it is even more difficult to let go when I see great plays like at our last game! I saw Dylan dribbling the ball, going full speed, and I screamed "scissors" because he had to beat his opponent. Instead of doing what I suggested , he made an incredible pass to Julien who was running on the side line. That was an incredible assist and play.

I didn't teach this to them! It represents the pure instinct of great players and teamwork. I hope to think that my coaching inspired the players to be who they are today.

Again, thanks for all your support.

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Making Demands

We are almost at the end of our season and winter is at our door. My advice to you parents would be to work on perfecting technique, to focus on the continuing improvement of the individual player.

Your kid has been taught how to play every area of the pitch, not taught to play a specific role. They don't need to be taught a role because it is innate. Every player has a natural disposition towards one role or another but first they have to learn how to play everywhere.

I have seen some many teams, where the coaches are just there to win and their players never changed positions.

That is our responsibility to teach our players what the demands of the game are. That is why, it is a difficult game to play at the highest level. Today kids don't play until they arrive at training. They don't engage in any physical activity unless it is organized. I have a little time for each training session.

That is why, if you quit soccer for a while, it is difficult to come back quickly and be at the same level. I will recommend that your kids participate to the Rush Academy during winter.

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More than physical

In soccer, several factors combine to influence the performance of a team. However, the outstanding aspect that is obvious to a casual observer is the physical aspect, which is expressed in the fight for possession of the ball, running off the ball, dribbling, tackling etc...

All these demand a high level of fitness. On average, a soccer player covers a distance ranging between 8 to 14 kilometers during a match. That is why, I can't play anymore!

Apart from physical and techinal dimensions, the phychosocial dimension is vital in achieving good performance. Last night, I addressed them about responsability to bring their ball at practice, to be ready to train and learn, to master an effort as a team and stopped critized their teammates. The crying has to stop! I had too many kids crying these days.

The abilities of different players have to be molded together as well as their spirit. Of course, I am pushing dribbling and beat an opponent which does not help! And I am taking evaluation!

Maybe a party will help! Any volonteer?

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Rush Soccer Club

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Good Bulbs or Bad?

When Fox News ran a story claiming that compact fluorescent light bulbs are too dangerous because of their mercury content, some folks were understandably confused. Well, Sierra magazine's Mr. Green has plenty to say about that. Check out his latest Mailbag for the straight dope on CFLs -- including the one time it actually does make sense to leave your lights on.

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Instruction

Coaching is not a science, but a craft!

Coaches must develop a familiarity with functional training if they are going to help players progress and advance in the game.

I have been involved in different teams, where I am helping to coach. What is too bad for the kids is that there are some parents who are still coaching but they don't know how to help the player make progress. They are trying very hard and give their time. And we are grateful for their help. But should we have a different organization for our players?

The problem comes from the past. Parents involved in football, basketball and baseball grew up with it. With soccer, they did not play and grow up with it. So how can they teach something that they don’t really know? I will never try to teach football or baseball! I don’t know anything about it!

Today we are seeing parents who played soccer during college and are coaching. So it is coming…

But even with experience, you have to learn how to teach. You need to have a methodology to help you to introduce the techniques …

That is why I took several training sessions in order to improve myself. So I am trying to become a better coach!

But it all comes back to the player! It is all about them first!

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Humble

I survived! I just finished my training at Parkville. I am certified NSCAA National Diploma. Five days running on the field with younger kids was a BIG challenge. It was hot, humid and they were faster than me! I am sore...

But most of it, it was a great learning experience. I thought, I knew some about soccer but really I did not! You could see some young coaches with great knowledge and great communication skills. One particulary, Andy. He is good. I just told him to smile a little more but compliment him a lot!

Anyway, I am glad I went to this training. I feel more confident about the game and how to communicate to our kids.

Coaching is not a science but a craft.

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Great Performance!

Les Bleus had again a great performance at Prairie Center 3 v 3 Tournament last weekend.

From left to right: Tomer, Isaac, Logan, Camden, Patrick and Julien.

Honestly, these kids are phenomenal! We had 2 practices but we could not have every one at the same time! First practice, we were missing 1 player and second practice 2 players.

So we arrived at 9am and I had to introduce every one! Of course, we had to play up!

So we play U9 when you know that they just turned 8! Of course, our first game was a nice introduction to reality! We played against these giants and we tied! 7 - 7

After our lifes started to get easier because the other teams were not that big! They won their games 6-4 and 6-1. So we had to play the giants again!

Wow, our boys fight like crazy. The giants were pushing and using their sizes. They even got a yellow card! So we lost 4-2 but with "panache".

Congratulations!

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Champion League

If you haven't watched Milan - Manchester United, I will recommend that you do it. I have it on my DVR.This is very educative and entertaining. It is 2 different styles of soccer. “Finesse against power”Personally, I love the techniques, the one touch ball.

The only difficult part of watching on TV is that we do not really see every move. Some of the observers of the performance of the US Men’s National team in the 2006 world cup felt strongly that one of the major weaknesses of the American was an inability to make creative and tactically astute runs off the ball. This is perhaps not surprising when one realizes that this is a characteristic of most of the play in our country at the youth level.

During this game, you could see Milan running off the ball and finalized by a goal, playing with flair and incredible individual techniques. One of the players, Clarence Seedorf is 30 years old. Watched is technique! Wow! Kaka is one of the best players in the world. No comments!If we watch the games and then talk to our kids about them the next day it might encourage them to become frequent viewers and more passionate by the game.

Want to come in my house and watch it?

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Credibility

Coaching credibility.... so important and yet so difficult to define. My philosophy is to stay myself. Staying true to my personality, as a coach, is the most difficult part of coaching.

So that is why, during last game, I made the best players in my roster played a little more. I was not going to loose against a team where the parents disrespect me and my team. When you know my team is better technically, and when we know that we are 2 graders playing against 4 graders.

I have not been focusing in winning at all, but last game, I was! So I know it is stupid to try to win at this level and we are recreational team but I am passionate, love the game and the kids.

This is my credibility!

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Last Game

Well, well! That was a nice game! Not because we won against 4 graders 4-1 but because Marc and Dylan did so great moves!

Wow! That was a must! It seems that I am doing something good!

Question: should a coach instruct during a game?

The negative point to instruct is that it can be confusing for the player because they have to take their own decision. It is not like basketball where you can stop the game and talk about strategy. It is the only game where the player has to make his own decision.

What are your thoughts about it?

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Picture Day

Pictures for your Bgr 3 -4 is April 28 at 1:45pm. I will suggest that we meet around 2:10pm. If you have any questions or to confirm picture times call In Touch Photo at 816-765-5400

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TV

As you have seen on my calendar, I have posted some soccer events to watch on TV. I have taped some games from last week. Manchester United - Roma. Nice game 7-1! Wow, that was something - plus at this level, it is rare.

Anyway I just watched few minutes of another game and Rooney made a very classic goal. In French we will call it "but d'école" (school goal)

For your kids, that will be nice to watch it. There is no move but just a classic play away and boumm! So it is on Foxsoccer channel or on my DVR. I can tape it for you if you bring to me a tape on Friday.

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Make up game

Bgr 3-4 Div 8 Denis/Kemnitz rained out April 14 make up April 28 at 8:00am on Field D. We have 2 games this saturday... Be ready!

I need a volontary to take my place during the weekend of May 5? Anyone?

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Pleasant Ridge Soccer team

Hi everyone!
Since I don’t have anything else to do in my life (ha-ha), I thought that would be nice to create our own website! ! You can post any comments or pictures.

I added our calendar with our games, juggling schedule, practice।

Feel free to add any comments.

Thanks
Laurent

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