Meaning of playing good soccer

What is the definition of "playing good soccer"?

In the last few years, an explosive controversy has dominated soccer. It refers to the elusive concept of "playing good soccer". Many of the people believe that believe that good soccer is exclusively the domain of teams utilizing the indirect "tiki-taka" style of play, a style based on sustained possession of the ball in the middle third of the field. 

Last night, Hawks played against The Saints. In one side, the tactics is to sub every five minutes. One day, I am going to talk to the coach and he will have to explain to me why he has been doing this for years. He doesn't know the concept of making a "mayonnaise". Give time to make the mayonnaise so all the ingredients are one. On the other side, it is screaming at his players. Who knows why?

Soccer is a team sport! Team formation is complex and sometimes tedious; it requires time, effort, dedication and hard work. Before a group of players can form a team many things must happen. But by subbing all the times, players won't integrate the concept of the team, they won't be comfortable with his teammate, they won't understand the philosophy of play. Ok there is none!

Again last night was not a beautiful game, beautiful soccer. It is high school soccer. Sport is not solely about winning. A sport will keep moving forward and developing as participants maintain their passion and enjoyment of it. 

At the end of the game, that was it! Fans went into the field, were singing, were enjoying the moment. That was their moment! That was their meaning of playing soccer! 

Read More

Mental Game

All coaches and athletes understand the importance of training the mental aspect of performance. The mind can have a positive OR negative influence how athletes perform....

The Olathe East Men's Varsity Soccer team played Park Hill South (PHS). Hawks didn't start the game very well on this beautiful Saturday morning. Panthers controlled the ball, were well organized on the field. We didn't have to wait too long for them to score. After a nice combination of play, they are leading the score board.

Athletes look at their coaches as models of thinking and behavior. I don't know what happened but the Panthers lost it! Like we say in French "ils ont disjonctés" - Hawks started to play together and controlled the ball. Panthers were just trying to play the man! As result, Shane got fouled just around the 18 yards. Shane took the free kick and scored! I pass the fact that the referee was handing yellow cards out like candy and PHS seemed to grow more frustrated as the half continued.

Half time 1 - 1

OE brought that momentum in to the second half with several early offensive opportunities, corners, and shots. Hawks dominated the game. Their efforts paid off around 13 minutes in to the second half, when Carson served a beautiful free kick in to PHS box. Julien timed his jump perfectly, going straight up and getting his head on the ball, sending the ball to the net. 2 -1! Now it is an ugly battle. 

The idea that all the athletes should be tough is an irony. Soccer is all about skills and movements. The coach can direct the athletes to image the competitive environment and their "game plans" as the team prepares for upcoming events. Panther's coach has a lot of work to do!!!

Hawks proved that they play as team. 

Read More

No Job for Old Man

The coach's role in building routines. 

It can take a tremendous investment of effort by the coach to develop new routines, but the cost of not making this investment can be high.

Tonight's  OE Men's Soccer Team game against Columbia Rock Bridge.   Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo said that U.S. players are not taught technical skills at an early age and that ultimately affects the quality of play in Major League Soccer. I will agree with this statement. 

Hawks started slowly and didn't control much the ball until the 34 mark. The game was very physical, there were a lot of running. Sometimes I want to scream to my son, "stop running".  Around the 15 mark, Julien saved a throw in by kicking the ball back to Blake who crossed it to Connor. Connor controlled the ball and push into the goal. Goal! The first half concluded shortly after Jesus made a great stop among a swarm of Rockbridge offensive activity inside the 6 yard box.

Half time 1 - 0 Hawks

Second half was pretty much the same. A lot of running. I was tired just by watching them! Our second goal came in the 33rd minute when Shane stole the ball in the middle of the field and ran forward. In front of him, Julien was running too. Shane passed the ball to Julien who lobbed the GK. Goal! 

Hawks got a free kick against them around 25 yards. The ball went above everyone and they scored. Now it was not panic time but when you don't have any routines, you don't possess the ball and there are 3 more minutes to play. You never know in soccer! 

Final score 2 -1 Hawks! 

Read More

Keep it simple, stupid

Maybe Mourinho does it better? Maybe Wenger? Maybe our coaches should google "soccer training session" and get the latest information. 

The Olathe East Men's Varsity Soccer team played Olathe North West! A cloudy sky had moved through the area and the forecast called for a humid and storms. Both teams came out hard and fast. When I am saying fast, it is too fast. It is like table tennis, back and forth. On both sides, it was long ball, high pressure and try your luck.  After 10 minutes, our central defender had a miscommunication with our goal keeper and could have critical for the Hawks! Few minutes later, we got a shot on goal without great conviction.

Our tactics is to sub every 5 minutes or to move players in a different position or to sub a player to tell him that they need to put more pressure. It is too bad because there is a fantastic player in the middle of the field that is trying hard. With a little more possession of the ball, Hawks could control their destiny. 

Hawks had 2 great opportunities to score! Hawks GK made 4 saves and we had 4 shots on goal and few misses... The weather stopped us. The game will be rescheduled.

It is hugely difficult to imagine the future. What do you think? 

Read More

Tryouts 2016

LENEXA Soccer Club Tryouts 2016

Premier Soccer Tryouts.

What: Premier Soccer Tryouts. 
Dates: June 11 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.
               (Registration starts at 8:30 am). 
            June 12 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. 
               (Registration starts at 8:30 am). 
Location: Electric Park (East of 435 off of 95th Str: 9299 Loiret Blvd/Lenexa/KS/66219).
 Ages: Exclusively for girls born in the years 2004, 2005, and 2006. 

Free Pre-Tryout Camp: Monday, June 6th at 5:00 pm (If rained out: June 7th at 5:00 pm).

No need to pre-register for Pre-Tryout Camp or Soccer Tryouts. (Onsite Reg).

Philosophy: There is no need to spend thousands of dollars on club soccer especially during the player’s early years.  The player needs to be taught the fundamental soccer skills:  moves, passing, finishing, shielding, trapping, etc.  These technical skills are integrated into team tactics as they get older. There is no need to pay club fees and high coaching fees for this type of training.  You just need a coach that pays attention to detail and has a passion for the teaching the game. 

 Are you tired of paying so much money for your daughter’s $ports?

Coach Mike started out coaching soccer when his girls were growing up and has continued to coach premier soccer for 15 years now. His 3 girls went on to help St. James High School win 3 State Championships in soccer.  Several of his players have gone on to become successful in not only soccer, but other sports.  

Yes, you are allowed to play other sports with this club! In fact, I encourage it. Specializing in one sport so early in life can lead to injuries and a higher burnout rate later.  Several of my past players have become some of the best cross country/track runners in the city for their high schools; others have run in college, some of them have gone on to play college softball.  Several of my past players were or are currently starters for their high school soccer teams at schools like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. James, Mill Valley, SM West, Olathe Northwest, SM Northwest, Lawrence, Free State, Washburn Rural, and Topeka Seaman.  Several players have gone on to play soccer in college.

Mike Feldkamp’s Bio:

Lenexa SC Director of Coaching
NSCAA Advanced National Diploma (USSF "B" equivalent)
NSCAA National Diploma (USSF “C” equivalent)
NSCAA Goalkeeping Level I Diploma
USSF National "D" License
BLS certified/NCT certified in Nuclear Cardiology
NFHS Concussion Certified
Virtus Certified
15 years coaching premier soccer
Have taken several quality teams to State Cup:
Two teams made the semi-finals in State Cup.
My oldest daughter’s team won State Cup 
Our current 04/05 team (Minions Academy 05) plays D1/U11 at Heartland. 

Coaching Fee:  $30 a month only.  (No extra club fees, hidden costs in uniforms or with registration, etc.).    I have a real job so I am not doing this for the money like “Professional” coaches earning money for a living under “Non”profit status.  My teams play for about a third of what other teams p(l)ay for in most clubs.  Yet, they are able to compete and play at the same level of soccer because this isn’t nuclear science.

Please bring a ball, shin guards, cleats, and water to camp and tryouts. Thanks

Mike Feldkamp / 913-593-4197

Laurent Denis's Bio

NSCAA Advanced National Diploma (USSF "B" equivalent)
NSCAA National Diploma (USSF “C” equivalent)

15 years coaching premier soccer

As a coach, Laurent has been known to develop and turn around Youth teams since 2003. Laurent coaches soccer for the love of the game, enjoy teaching all aspects of the game and sharing the passion of soccer.

Read More