Friday, July 10, 2020

Soccer Mirrors Life


Soccer Mirrors Life

Similar to life itself, achieving success in soccer requires a solid grasp of its fundamental principles (rules) to derive maximum satisfaction, both individually and collectively, from the experience. Naturally, this necessitates personal dedication to attain physical and psychological preparedness to meet the demands of the game. This process encompasses continuous enhancement of technical prowess, striving to become the best possible player.

On a collective level, the team must internalize soccer's core principles of play, comprehending when to attack, defend, maintain formation, and sustain equilibrium. Within these aspects lie offensive and defensive strategies. Offense entails elements such as penetration, depth (support), mobility, width, and improvisation. Defensive tactics encompass pressure, coverage, balance, and concentration/compactness.

As a united team, the depth of our comprehension and adherence to these play principles directly influences the effectiveness of our joint endeavor. Thus, during training sessions, our efforts should surpass those during actual matches, facilitating a more enjoyable experience during games.

The absent component in the team-building process is the psychological aspect. Each player should introspect: Am I taking complete responsibility to elevate the team's performance every time I interact with the ball? Is my commitment unwavering towards the team's objectives? (If applicable) Is my drive to improve myself unrelenting on a daily basis? Do I possess a passion for competition?

Once again, soccer team dynamics reflect life itself in numerous ways. The more we, as individuals and a team, internalize the principles of playing the game, the higher our probability of success.

In conclusion, the key to assuming accountability for your life hinges on recognizing that each of your choices inevitably guides you towards either success or failure, as per your personal definitions of these terms. Each choice serves as a building block—some sizable, others smaller. Yet, every one contributes to the foundation of your life's structure.


Football est le miroir de notre vie! 


Comme la vie elle-même, le succès dans le football exige que vous connaissiez et observiez ses principes de base (règles) afin d’obtenir la plus grande satisfaction à la fois individuellement et collectivement de l’expérience.
Évidemment, il doit y avoir un engagement individuel à se préparer physiquement et psychologiquement à supporter les exigences du jeu. Au fil du temps, cela inclurait de devenir le meilleur joueur technique que vous pouvez être. 
Collectivement, le groupe doit comprendre les principes fondamentaux du football, quand attaquer, quand défendre, garder notre forme, garder notre équilibre.
Il y a, bien sûr, des tactiques d’attaque et des tactiques de défense. Les attaques sont la pénétration, la profondeur (soutien), la mobilité, la largeur et l’improvisation.
Les tactiques de défense comprennent la pression, la couverture, l’équilibre et la concentration/compacité.
En tant qu’équipe, plus notre compréhension et notre observation de ces principes de jeu seront grandes, plus notre effort collectif sera efficace.  
C’est pourquoi, lorsque l’entraînement a lieu, nous devrions travailler plus fort pendant les séances d’entraînement que pendant les matchs. Donc, pendant les matchs, nous devrions nous amuser. 
L’ingrédient manquant dans tout le processus de construire une équipe est la composante psychologique. Vous, en tant que joueur individuel, devez vous demander: Est-ce que j’assume l’entière responsabilité d'être le meilleur pour mon équipe chaque fois que je touche le ballon? Suis-je totalement engagé dans les objectifs de l’équipe ? (Si vous en avez) Ai-je faim d’être le meilleur joueur que je peux être - tous les jours? Est-ce que j’aime me pousser au meilleur de moi-même?
Encore une fois, l’expérience de l’équipe de soccer reflète, à bien des égards, la vie elle-même. Plus individuellement et en tant qu’équipe, nous observons les principes de jeu du jeu, plus nous réussirons.
Conclusion: la clé pour accepter la responsabilité de votre vie est d’accepter le fait que vos choix, chacun d’eux, vous conduisent inexorablement à la réussite ou l’échec, quelle que soit la définition de ces termes. 
Chaque choix est un bloc de construction – certains grands, d’autres petits. Mais chacun fait partie de la structure de sa vie... 


Sunday, October 16, 2016

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! 




Saturday, September 3, 2016

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. 




Friday, September 2, 2016

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! 

Friday, August 26, 2016

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? 



Friday, May 20, 2016

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.



Thursday, July 31, 2014

Why juggling is important?

As in any other sport, the recipe for success in soccer is equal parts talent and preparation. There is not much we can do about talent, but there is a lot we can do to prepare.
It is important that the boys spend a lot of time playing around with a soccer ball. No matter what positions they play, it is important that they have a high level of "feel" for the ball, and feel comes from nothing else but accumulating experience with a ball on your foot, not to mention their thighs, chest and head, and hands if you are a goalkeeper.

And the best to do it is: JUGGLING.

Juggling is one good way to develop ball feel. But even better is kicking the ball against a wall and playing rebound in different ways. The best thing about this is most players enjoy it.

Although it's simple, juggling is one of the best ways to improve ball control. It only takes a few minutes of training a day, but it produces noticeable results.

Step1: Pick the ball up and hold it out in front of you.
Step2 Drop the ball to your feet or thigh and kick it back up into the air. Use the base of your big toe to make contact with the ball.
Step3 Catch the ball with your hands after kicking it once. This is the basic movement behind juggling.
Step4 Drop the ball to your feet again and kick it twice before catching it. You can use the same foot for both kicks or you can alternate feet. Alternating is a good idea during training, because it strengthens your weak foot.
Step5 Count the number of times you kick the ball up before it hits the ground. Practice juggling until you can beat your record.
Step6 Master the basic juggling technique before trying more advanced moves. There are dozens of freestyle soccer moves that build on this basic technique, but you need a solid training foundation to do them well.

Player Expectations U10:
•Players confident enough to take risks with the ball in training and game situations
•25 juggles in one minute

Player Expectations U11:
•Passing/receiving for distance
•Striking the ball with both feet
•50 juggles in one minute

Friday, May 24, 2013

La haine 2


Vivant le football tous les jours - je fais souvent le parallèle de la vie avec le football. Les enfants sont perdus dans cette jungle car il y a des inégalités.  Tous ne sont pas nés égaux mais ils devraient tous avoir les mêmes chances.

La réalité n’est pas comme cela. Un exemple – mon fils fait les essais pour être pris dans un club, 100 enfants viennent, il est sélectionné pour le 2 tour – ils en gardent 35 – mais il n’avait aucune chance au départ. Inégalité. Ils ne savaient pas son nom, ils n’avaient pas fait de recherche alors comment peuvent ils sélectionner un gamin en les faisant jouer 11 vs 11 pendant une demi heure ? – il n’a jamais eu le ballon. Injustice alors on cri. J’ai ce sentiment. Mon fils doit l’avoir surement. Va-t-il aller casser dehors ? L’idée m’a traversé d’y aller moi-même ! D’accord il n’a pas fait un très bon essai mais j’ai le sentiment qu’au départ, il avait perdu avant même d’avoir commencé.

 Alors imaginons les cités, les parents qui laissent leurs enfants dans la rue. L’enfant quitte l’école, vie dans la colère, l’injustice. Comment résoudre l’inégalité ? Communisme ? Capitalisme ? Socialisme ? Je pense que la philosophie du communisme était la mieux mais encore le problème n’est pas la philosophie, c’est l’être humain qui est vénal.  

 La haine de l’autre. La jalousie de l’autre. En grandissant, les voyous étaient mieux habilles que le petit bourgeois. Le manque de civisme de tous les jours, il suffit de regarder les gens en conduisant. La haine des religions – Comment ne peut on pas devenir raciste aujourd’hui ? L’Angleterre, la Suède, la France – c’est dramatique.

 Enfin le foot est une représentation de notre vie en société. Elle n’est pas jolie et il faut avoir la foi pour survivre. Je l’a perd de plus en plus en vieillissant.

Enfin cela ira mieux demain comme on dit. 

Friday, March 1, 2013

La nourriture

Je ne sais pas comment les Francais font pour oublier leusr racines et leurs cultures - me dire que la cuisine Francaise est representee par le couscous et le burger, c'est bien triste. Mettre sur le compte que la nourriture Francaise est en declin parce que les restaurants vendent des mauvais produits, fait parti du probleme mais pas entierement.

Every where it is the same story. A family of 4, can feed their family with burger, coke for $10. If they want to go to the grocery store and buy fresh food, it would cost them more. And the kids won't like it. Both parents are working a full time job, and nobody cooks anymore.

27% less of consumption of wine in France because people don’t want to spend the money to buy a bottle of wine in a restaurant and there is the police too. 45% of kids are overweight in France. In Bordeaux, there are more wine bars opening today. Why? Because young people prefer to buy a glass of wine and share a cheese plate. Cost = 15 euros for a nice “soiree”

My point is that you can’t blame the restaurateur to buy industrial products instead of fresh. It is the same problem as for a family. Food Cost = 30 to 33 % of gross sale -So the average 45.5 % of gross sale is gone for above too. Rest 54.5 % of gross sale is spent on :  Rent, Electricity, insurance, garbage, telephone , accounting, employee's salary, misc).

So La Cremaillere with 325k of sales is having 888E benefit! Yeah! Imagine the salary of the owner – I will say between 40-60k if he/she is good. To find out, you can buy their bilan!

As culture, France is not about couscous or burger. Watch “les escapades de PetitRenaud” – now I could take you to some nice bistrot in Paris but the price won’t be $8 – it would be more….

After it is all about what we want. If you want good food, you have to pay for it – if not, you do like the Americans – fast food… That is what the French are doing… It is sad because I grew up with my mom cooking everyday for us… Smell good in the house all the time, fresh food, healthy food, well prepared with love…

Even good bread is hard to find. Would you get up at 1am and work until 5pm? I won’t! Nobody wants to do that anymore except few of them… We are creating tours to take Americans around France to show them some great restaurants, artisans and the beauty of France. http://www.globalculinaryescapades.com/

My wife wants to participate to David's chocolate tours!

Support your locals – don’t blame them.


Friday, February 8, 2013

La tactique

Depuis que j'entraine - je me suis toujours posé la question par rapport a la tactique. Es ce que la formation d'une équipe est elle si importante?

Je ne suis pas un professionnel et comme tout Français j’ai joué dans un club à Bordeaux. En arrivant aux US, j’ai commencé a jouer indoor puis j’ai commencé a entrainer des enfants. N’étant pas professionnel, je me suis éduqué et j’ai passé mes diplômes d’entraineur. Aujourd’hui apres 10 ans, j’ai une Licence National Diploma de la NSCAA.

J’ai demandé autour de moi sur la question de la formation. A mes yeux, le foot moderne est vivant et plein de mouvements. Les athlètes sont devenus plus rapides, plus forts, plus techniques et surtout plus grand ! Il suffit de voir l’équipe de France. Par rapport a la formation, un ami m’a répondu que la formation a un effet phycologique sur les enfants – cette réponse m’avait bien plu. Si on regarde l’Espagne, par exemple contre l’Uruguay, on voit bien Fabregas perdre le ballon et tout de suite mettre pression sur l’adversaire… Voit on cela avec nos bleus ?

Ma philosophie est que l’athlète se bouge sur le terrain car il est motivé et en forme. L’Espagne domine aujourd’hui car les joueurs sont très techniques, protègent le ballon et travaillent en équipe. Voit on souvent un Espagnol dribbler comme Ribery ? Moi je ne vois pas sauf dans les derniers mètres.
Donc je pose la question a un professionnel – es ce que la formation 4-3-3 ou 4-2-2 est si importante ? Ne doit on pas essayer de faire une bonne soupe avec les ingredients qu’on a.

A moins que je n’ai pas tout compris, mais la France a joue avec un 4-2-1-3 - Pourquoi mettons Cabaye en #6 alors qu’il joue plus souvent en #10. Pourquoi ne mettons pas Valbuena en #9 aulieu de Benzema et celui-ci en #10 ?
Enfin moi je n’y connais pas grand-chose !

Pour ce qui est de la MLS et Beckham. Je suis d'accord avec votre fils. Au debut, il se cachait - puis il y a eu la motivation de rejouer pour l'angleterre. Et la, les 2 dernieres annees... il m'a impressione!!! Stephane Auvrey (D2 Nimes) me disait qu'ici c'etait plus physique et moins tactique. Alors voir Beckham se bougeait le cul comme il l'a fait les 2 dernieres annees, a mes yeux s'etait impressionant. Maintenant a t il une motivation? Je doute.... Donc a Paris, il ne fera pas grand chose sauf du marketing.
Et vous etes bien conserve vous meme! Je ne pourrai pas en dire autant!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Pour Didier Roustan

Cher Didier,
Premierement j'aime bien votre blog! Aussi a chaque fois que je vous regarde, je ne peux m'empecher de penser a mon frere, il a les memes mimiques! Donc c'est affectif!

Pour revenir au foot: je suis entraineur aux US depuis 10 ans! C'est navrant comment les gens eduquent les enfants. On les borne a des positions depuis l'age de 5 ans. C'est debile! Du coup apres on cherche des joueurs grands et rapides afin de battre l'adversaire.

Avec mon equipe "les bleus", j'avais un entrainement identique pour tous les joueurs. Un development individual. As result, j'ai gagne enormement avec cette equipe. J'avais ma ligne de defense qui pressait tout le temps afin d'aider la ligne du milieu. Les autres entraineurs disaient toujours que je jouais le hors jeux... Non! Je jouais a fond! Et on m'entendais crier a la defense "up, up" all the time.

Meme contre le Japon la ligne de defense etait basse. Alors le risque c'est que le gardien se retrouve en situation de 1 vs 1! Oh well, au moins nos milieux pourraient avoir plus de ballons.

Contre l'Espagne, que je n'avais pas realise avant d'ecouter votre blog, qu'ils ont 6 milieux et pas d'attaquants. C'est pour cela qu'ils sont toujours entre les 2 lignes. On ne voit rarement un espagnol sur la ligne de defense comme un Giroud ou Benzema! Ils sont entre les 2 lignes et ils sont tres ecartes! Donc si la ligne de defense joue haut avec 2 milieux defensif... on a peut etre une chance! Comme vous dites... la contre attaque comme avait fait Chelsea!

Enfin je ne suis pas l'entraineur, mais souvent j'ai l'impression que les gens se compliquent la vie. Le foot avant tout c'est de courir apres un ballon - c'est un jeux simple et complique en meme temps. Moi je dis souvent "coaching is like cooking, you have some ingredients and you have to make the best soup!"

Enfin allez les bleus!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Area of Play, Not Phases of Play

by john cartwright
For years coaching here has relied on the use of Phase-play as a method for teaching specific situations or ‘slots’ in the game. These phases, be they for the use of an individual or a small group, are constructed by the coach to familiarize players with either individual situations or aspects of team-play. I feel that this type of coaching practice has several flaws and is unlikely to produce satisfactory improvements, in either individual or team performance.
  I believe Phase-play methods are simply a carry-over of the structured development methods used here when coaching skills and movements for the game. This method of isolating a situation and then practising it as a singular ‘slot’ in play, does not satisfy the important playing ingredients of realistic continuity in the game. There are two specific faults with Phase-play practice:
1. It does not involve enough playing situations prior to or beyond the actual phase of play under scrutiny.
2. The recognition of a Phase-play situation and acting on it successfully in the competitive ‘heat’ of a match is highly unlikely.
Staged restart situations are more likely to prove successful from Phase-play practice, but more fluid and open play situations tend to be less so simply because they are more difficult to construct or recognize in a competitive atmosphere.
 I have always believed that an on-the-ball situation developing in one area of the field derives from what has occurred in the area from which the ball came and is dependant on the actions of players in the area(s) into which the ball may go. Phase-play often limits practice to singular situations, thus reducing more expansive options that may be available to players.
Restricting game-flow opportunities from area to area to players in practice is not the way to develop spontaneity, integration and game variations in those players during competitive match-play.
The movement of the ball and players through def/mid/att. areas of the field with the conclusion of a goal is what the game is about. Movement of players as well as the ball through these areas requires ability, concentration, timing and game understanding. Combined practice through these areas that offers players a total look at all the possibilities, options and needs is what is required if we are to develop the quality of player that can play at the highest levels.  Because of the competitive nature of football, the matter of interference to the flow of the game is a vital issue if success is to be achieved by both the individual and the team. Whether in att. or def. mode players must be capable of making and changing decisions on situations speedily and correctly.  Unless players follow a development program based on realistic practice involving playing alternatives and options and forces changes of decisions to be made as happens in a game, it could quite easily be said that the practice time is wasted.
Phase-play practice resembles the methods used in the theatre when a Director wishes to modify or change a section in the performance; he/she reconstructs the section in question, it is rehearsed and included in the next performances. This may be suitable for the theatre where action prior to the newly learned ‘slot’ and action immediately after it remain unchanged, but it does not satisfy the needs of a game that requires the immediacy of choices and responses to situations that are never exactly the same. The reliance on pre-determined practice methods and ‘straight-line’ thinking has produced ‘straight-line’ players who can only play ‘straight-line football’. The use of unrealistic practice has been at the forefront of our football decline and Phase-play practice is yet another example of the orderly, classroom mentality that dominates our coaching; — organization and simplicity are preferred to spontaneity and skill!
A ‘chicken and egg’ situation (what comes first?) is evident in our game; is it, poor individual skill that needs a simplistic playing style, or has a simplistic playing style only required poor skill levels to play it?
 Either way the result has proved a disaster for our game. From the teaching of individual skill to group and team instruction, coaching here has taken individual fantasy from the game and replaced it with combined futility.
Until we open our minds and subsequently our coaching methods, we will continue to produce football mediocrity and have the audacity to call it football greatness!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Soccer Academy

US Soccer started the US developmental Academy in 2007. This was a result of an extensive review on soccer development in the US. The idea was to identify elite male athletes, put them to reach full potential.

Of course, it is not perfect system because of the size of the US. That means the national team is made up of players from academy system not the entire nation. And who are these scouts?

Now we have Sporting KC connected with the largest club, Blue Valley. Are the coaches going to do something different? Is it good for MLS teams to sign home grown players?

. I felt that for all of you whose children are are of age to try out for the Sporting KC Juniors Development Academy teams (U15/U16 and U17/U18) or their U13/14 team it will give you food for thought. FYI, going forward Sporting KC Juniors will only have 3 teams in the mentioned age groups, hence annually "graduating" players form the U13/14 to the U15/16 Development Academy team. I say "graduating" because if a player can not play in the Development Academy he will be replaced and send back to BV!

I will close by saying that development is personal choice whether in soccer, basketball, any other sport or academics. In my opinion, in the case of soccer it must be a fit that includes a review of the following:
• Financial commitment: nothing is free and no one plays for free anywhere including in our club.
• Development needs based on the four pillars of the game: psychological, physical, technical and tactical.
• Coaching style, philopsophy and methodology: is it clearly defined; is there planning; do you see teams/players developing.
• Balance of the team: administration, coaches, players and parents.
• Competitive environment: types of competition, location/travel demands.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Interesting article from the KC Star


Terez A. Paylor
The Kansas City Star

In many ways, Kevin Ellis’ story is one of redemption.

After Ellis, a defender, was announced as Sporting KC’s second-ever Homegrown Player at a news conference Friday, coach Peter Vermes rained praise on him, using terms like “huge upside,” “impact” and “huge ceiling.”

But the truth is: Ellis, a 19-year-old Oak Park graduate who spent the last two years at Barton County Community College, hasn’t always been in Vermes’ good graces.

“He came out last year and tried out with us, and he wasn’t ready from a number of perspectives,” Vermes said.

Ellis was invited to the team’s three-day combine in Kansas City last January before Sporting KC’s annual departure to Phoenix for preseason training. But Vermes didn’t like what he saw from Ellis, a former Wizards’ junior player, and dismissed him before the trip.

“He wasn’t prepared physically at all, and his attitude was one where he thought he’d already arrived,” Vermes said. “I basically told him afterward that these opportunities don’t come along much — some guys would die for one — and you basically threw it away.”

Vermes also warned Ellis that if he ever got another chance, he had better be prepared.

And Ellis couldn’t have been more terrified.

“It devastated me,” Ellis said. “My dream is to play professional soccer, and to have the professional coach tell you that you wasted an opportunity and you’re not ready, it hurt. I didn’t want that feeling again.”

Ellis, however, heeded Vermes’ words. He says he started eating right every day and taking better care of himself. He called Vermes after Sporting KC — then known as the Wizards — finished its season, got the offseason workout plan that the players on the big club had to follow and followed it to the letter.

“It was challenging, mentally and physically,” said Ellis, who adhered to the plan despite his coursework. “A couple of hours every day I was in the gym, and I spent another hour and a half each day working on my game.”

When he returned to the three-day combine this January, he looked like a different player. He was in shape. He knew what he was doing. And most important, he had the right attitude. He earned the trip to preseason camp — the only juniors player to do so this season — and kept improving until Vermes felt he had no choice but to give Ellis a chance to join the big club.

“He didn’t just develop as a player, he matured as an individual,” Vermes said. “I’m really happy for the kid, because I love to see when someone is successful. He worked his butt off to get the chance he has.”

And while Vermes added that it’s safe to assume Ellis will spend much of the season playing in the brand-new reserve league – along with goalkeeper Jon Kempin, SKC’s first Homegrown Player – there’s no doubt in his mind that he has a chance to do some special things somewhere down the road.

“This kid has a huge, huge ceiling, a huge upside,” Vermes said. “I don’t know how far he is from reaching his potential, but he’s already making an impact.”

And this much is for sure – after his initial scare, you don’t have to worry about Ellis letting up.

“When something like that happens and you have opportunity to play for a professional team, the truth is a lot of guys don’t get a second chance,” Ellis said. “But I told myself I’m going to keep working hard, because I’m not going to have any regrets.”

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

2011

Happy New Year!
FSA Les Bleus—U12 Boys—D1
Our goal is to create a team with players who truly enjoy the game and playing together. We will strive to help each individual fulfill their potentials with challenging and enjoyable weekly practices. www.kcforcesoccer.com
I plan to develop a winning attitude that will approach every game with a serious desire to play well. We are in a phase that I will still focus on developping individuals but starting to move the ball around more. Physical attitudes are going to be more and more important too. Soccer is very physical. A professional soccer player is running an average of 10 km per game!
In long term, we are planning to create a team for 2012 to play at State Cup with success.

Friday, September 17, 2010

The Christmas Tree

The World cup has been the tournament of 4-2-3-1 which Spain adopted against Germany and stopped trying to squeeze Fernando Torres and David Villa into the same side, fiddled with the line of three, pulling Xavi back and pushing Andres Iniesta and Pedro forward so it almost becomes 4-2-1-3, which seems to be the route club football is taking.
Argentina did have a creative, deep-lying midfielder in their squad, but Maradona seduced by the firepower on show in his all new Tevez-Messi-Higuain attack, elected to leave Veron on the bench for the quarterfinal massacre at the hands of Germany. By selecting Tevez instead of Veron, Maradona left Mascherrano completely isolated against 3 germans in the center of midfield.
It is very difficult to establish control of the game without a composed player operating in central areas who is capable of picking a pass and either slowing or raising the tempo when necessary.
Deploying 2 destroyers leaves a team bereft of that control in the middle of the pitch and unhealthily dependent on their forwards for inspiration. Deploying just one nominally defensive midfielder against a well equiped 4-2-3-1 as both England and Argentina can testify, often can be a sure fire shortcut to humiliation.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

FIFA Ranking

World Cup champion Spain stayed at the top of FIFA's world rankings on Wednesday, and Germany and England have risen after back-to-back wins in European Championship qualifiers.

The new rankings have France, which lost a home Euro 2012 qualifier to Belarus, dropping six places to No. 27 - its worst position since the rankings were introduced in 1993.

Spain's 4-1 loss to Argentina in a friendly last week meant its lead narrowed over the second-place Netherlands. Germany is No. 3, and Brazil dropped to No. 4.

Argentina stayed at No. 5, with England now sixth ahead of Uruguay. Portugal, African champion Egypt and Chile.

FIFA updated the standings, which weigh results over a four-year cycle, using 159 international matches played over five weeks. Euro 2012 and 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers carried the most points.

Norway and Slovakia each used a pair of wins to jump to No. 14 and No. 16, respectively - the Slovaks' best ever - and Turkey rose seven places to No. 21.

The United States remains at No. 18 and World Cup quarterfinalist Ghana climbed three to No. 20.

Switzerland, Australia and Russia dropped out of the top 20. The Australians remain the top Asian confederation nation at No. 24.

Rank Team Points Confederation
1 Spain
2 Netherlands
3 Germany
4 Brazil
5 Argentina
6 England
7 Uruguay
8 Portugal
9 Egypt
10 Chile

Monday, September 6, 2010

Wow! Great Weekend

Legacy Park, Lee's Summit - September 3-6 2010
Finalists Boys U13 DII
Maybe one day, we will play our age group and win a tournament. I chose Fall Brawl because I thought that would be a good tournament for us. Of course, the club asked us to play up because they told me that it would be too easy for us to play U12. It was too late for me to find another tournament so we ended up to play U13 boys and 11 vs 11.
That was the first time, we played on a big field. We didn't have any expectations because we have only 11 players. We had 2 guest players from KC Legends.
So nothing is easy in life! We started with a tie, a win and a lost but we endep up in the final! Of course, we ran off juice. Having only 2 subs, playing up, we craked down at the last 5mm of the game but I am very proud of my little boys! They played "Beautiful"

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Are Formations a top priority?

Soccer, just like anything else goes through phases, evolving and changing over time. One clear aspect is the debate over formations and systems of play used in modern day soccer. Have you found yourself asking the question, "should I play a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3? I know I have but at the end of day that is not the top priority.

There are a tons of books, videos and coaching courses geared toward understanding the details, nuances of various systems and formations. It is important to know the difference, their strengths and weaknesses at the highest level. Should it be a top priority for young soccer development?

Regardless of being on defense or offense, soccer players need to adjust constantly ot the situation around them. Where is the ball? Where are my teammates? Where are the opponents? How can I help? All are constant questions and anwers that need addressing every second of every game. This requires constant focus, awareness, endurance, communication and effort.

It is not as easy as it sounds.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Teaching the love of the Game

Coaches occupy multiple roles in children's lives as sport participants. Coaches must be excellent instructors so that youths learn and improve skills, increase knowledge of strategies and tactics and achieve their goals. Coaches also can inspire children to maintain motivation for participating in sports.

We need to get all involved:
Coaches, parents, peers (teammates, close friends) => perceived competence => Enjoyment & Motivation.

I want to thanks the Owen for the party on Saturday. I will continue to motivate athletes by teaching them self-regulated learning strategies, which allow children to depend on themselves, not only adult.

The major reasons children play sports is to develop and demonstrate physical competence, experience positive social interactions with adults and peers and have fun and enjoyable times. We all need to embrace the love of the game.