- Welland 2000 Wizards Team Blog - LEAGUE CHAMPIONS (2012 U12 NYSL) : Updates - Coach's Thoughts

Monday, April 4, 2011

Updates - Coach's Thoughts - Plans for April

Hi everyone, an update (further to my Feb 21 post on plans for the summer), some thoughts on the year and plans for April:

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR APRIL (WSC Dome)

April 6 (Wed 6:00-7:30pm),
April 12, 19, 26 (Tuesday’s 7:30-9:00pm)

Total Cost for Dome Rental will be $20.00 per player ($5.00 per session)... I would appreciate if you could bring the $20 to the April 6 practice.

TEAM AND LEAGUE UPDATES

Please Register at the WSC ASAP if you have not done so already.
If you did not play Select last year for the Welland Wizards, please provide the Club (front office) with a picture (passport size, head and shoulder) for the Players Identification Book and your birth certificate ASAP.
Season to start last weekend in May with games likely to be Thursday evenings with practices Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings. I will confirm all dates when I receive the schedule from the NYSL
We will be in a 10 team league, playing an 18 game schedule (home & home) vs. Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, NOTL, Pelham, Port Colborne, Roma, and West Lincoln
Our Team Blog will be my primary communication tool for Players and Parents (with training videos, news and updates). Parents, please ensure the boys have access to our blog amd that you save the URL in your Favorites!
Parents Meeting set for Tuesday April 12, 8:30-9:00pm (NOTE time correction, meeting will be during practice at WSC)
Team Building Retreat Weekend at Sherkston Shores set for May 13,14,15 with Elite Soccer Development Academy (at a cost of approx $205.00 per player)
Competing in 3-4 Tournaments meaning budgeting approx $75.00 to $100.00/ player for total Tournament Costs (i.e. West Lincoln Pre-season, St Cath Ti amo, Niagara Falls Douglas, Welland, Tottenham). Given we will have a full 18 game schedule we can discuss at the Parents's Meeting the number of Tournaments we should enter.
Cost-neutral Organized Team Activities (OTAs) will be planned with parents to emphasize team building and togetherness...please bring your ideas to the Parent's Meeting (BBQs, CSL Roma Games, Pool Parties etc)
Practice plans include Dry-Land Circuit Training to emphasize conditioning for the big fields this summer. I will also bring in Guest Coaches (e.g. GK Specialist) to offer the widest array of training and coaching techiques for the players.

APPROX COSTS FOR THE YEAR

Registration $265, Tournaments $100, Team Building Retreat Weekend $205, April Dome Rentals $20 = Approximate Cost for the Year of $590.00 (Registration and April Dome Time included).

Fund Raising is vital for our team. We hope to raise enough money to cover a significant portion of this cost for parents - but we need everyone to chip-in and help. As an example, if each player can raise $200, the cost of the Weekend Team Building Retreat at Sherkston will be covered! Please bring your ideas to the Parents Meeting.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Parents, as Coach I can't do it myself - I need your help! We need Parent Volunteers for the following:

Car Pooling (with our "Soccer Family" working together, rides to practice and games should never be an issue!)
Social Committee (to organize OTAs and social activities for team building)
Fund Raising Committee (the more $$$ we raise together, the less the season will cost for the parents)
Team Manager (coordinate ordering warm-ups/bags and assist with team administration
First Aid Rep

Volunteer Linesperson - for games

Parent Rep (to act as a spokesperson for the parents)

Based on our discussion on March 30, some of you have already contacted me with your ideas and I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH! ....

Sincerely, thank you... Someone once told me: "You get out of it what you put into it"... working together as a "Soccer Family", we will make this a great soccer season for our boys!

I can't emphasize enough, if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas to help make this a great summer for our boys, please call me...See you at practice on Wednesday and at the Parent's Meeting on Tuesday April 12!

With ALL my thanks,
Coach Jim

PLAYER ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1) MENTAL ATTITUDE/APTITUDE FOR THE GAME & TEAM PLAY

i. Commitment to Game – The player exhibits good Team Player attitude. He is confident in his abilities and doesn’t second guess himself. The player is coachable/respectful at all times. He shows up for practices, listens, makes progress, shows good competitive sportsmanship and applies lessons well. Shows a desire to play soccer for the love of the game. Focused at games and practices. Eager to learn because he is aware of his own strengths and weaknesses. Always makes best effort. Rarely late. Player has courage and plays with urgency, willing to sacrifice.

ii. Game Sense – The player understands the tactical side of the game. Player understands the principles of attacking and defending, and rules of the game. Aware of situational play, transitions well between attack and defend mode, can make fast decisions and makes a positive difference in most plays with his teammates. Communicates with team-mates. Knows when to be “selfish” and knows when to be “unselfish”. Can “shake-off” mistakes.

iii. Positioning/Spatial – A player’s ability to read the game as it develops and to position themselves in the most advantageous area from which to support their team effectively. The player moves to space. The player understands their position and his position on the field. Understands the format the team is playing. Adjusts his play to support those around his and usually makes the BEST choice during play. Player is always moving.

2) SKILL CATEGORIES

i. Dribbling/Ball Control - Player’s ability to move the ball quickly, while under complete control combining pace, deception, and skill. Using both feet, inside and outside, under control, under pressure. Composed manner, shielding and seldom losing possession. Attacks opponent straight-on, makes opponent commit. Player works towards achieving 100 juggles/kick-ups using both feet (including inside/outside of feet), thighs, head and chest.

ii. Passing/Serving/Crossing – To accurately pass the ball at the correct pace to a teammate. Proper passing/receiving technique, passes to feet of teammate and to space, can keep the ball on the ground and lofted as needed. Uses both feet and all parts of the feet. Anticipates opportunities/plays for team-mates. Communicates with team-mates.

iii. Receiving/First Touch – Shows for the ball and receives cleanly. Eyes on the ball, body behind the ball. Checks away. Uses either foot to trap the ball. Uses their body effectively to trap air balls. Does not wait for the ball, runs to the ball to receive it and always moves to open space to minimize a challenge.

iv. Shooting/Striking – The ability to strike on goal with a variety of techniques from differing ranges and angles, with composure, showing the touch to score goals. The ability to drive long passes from goal and corner kicks. Proper shooting technique, on goal, off passes and volleys. Head down and eyes on the ball

v. First to Ball/Winning the ball – The “smarts” and ability to get to the ball with efficient and fast movements in all areas on the field. Winning possession of the ball, shows courage. Overall speed with the ball. Overall speed without the ball. Quickness & reaction time.

vi. Fitness – Overall endurance, ability to work hard the entire practice session and in games. Athletic abilities of running, quick change of pace and direction (agility), leaping, and strength on and off the ball. Game fitness.

vi. Defensive Technique – Understands transition to defense. Demonstrates ability to contain attackers and knows when to challenge (tackle). Understands Goal Side. Communicates with team-mates. Wins the ball under control (not just clearing). Provides defensive support to team mates.