- Welland 2000 Wizards Team Blog - LEAGUE CHAMPIONS (2012 U12 NYSL) : Team News

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Team News - Practice & Play-off Schedules

Hi all, a quick reminder that there is no practice tonight... first day of school is enough excitement!

Final three practices of the year are as follows:

· Thursday September 8 at WSC (6:00–7:30pm) ***earlier time

· Sunday September 11 at WSC (8:00-9:30am)

· Tuesday September 13 - our final practice at WSC (6:00-7:30pm) ***earlier time

BILLY GRAY CUP PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE

This is a "knock-out" competition (i.e. we win and we keep playing, we lose and we go home)

First Round Draw v Port Colborne

Thursday Sept 15 at Port Colborne (players must be at Port Field by 5:30PM)

Second Round - Opponent TBD (either Lincoln, Niagara Falls or Pelham)

Saturday Sept 17 at Grimsby 9:00am (players must be at Grimsby Field by 8:30 AM)

Championship Game - Opponent TBD

Sunday Sept 18 at Grimsby at 9:00am (players must be at Grimsby Field by 8:30 AM)

TEAM ACTIVITY REMINDER

If you missed my email last week or didn’t see it here on the biog, we received free tickets (thanks to Liam's Mom Jane) for a Roma Wolves CSL game! We have booked Sunday, September 11 when the Wolves host Capitol City at Club Roma at 4:00pm...

This is a great opportunity for the boys to get together for a fun night out... lets wear our uniforms and show our team pride!... I am arranging (hopefully) for our players to be involved in the pregame ceremonies/coin toss on the field and possibly a Penalty Shoot Out Contest with another team at half time! ...Will keep you posted!

***Please let me know if you can or can't make it...

YEAR BOOK VIDEO

Liam’s Mom Jane has volunteered to create a “Team Year Book Video” for us!

Please give to Jane (at practice on Thursday) any pictures or videos you may have of the team’s action this year (saved on a Pen Drive or burned to DVD) and she will put together a memory keepsake of our boy’s soccer summer... I have a ton pictures from a Grandfather of one of the Niagara Falls players. He was kind enough to send me pictures he took of our games with Niagara Falls.

TEAM PHOTO

Keegan’s parents Dierk and Aurelia wanted me to share with you that they called FutureStars re team and individual photos - some parents may not have ordered one on Picture Day but want one now. The person Aurelia spoke to said that if you have made an initial order on Picture Day that you could now make a subsequent order for $9.00. If you did not make an initial order on Picture Day the cost today would be $16.00 (i.e. you had to have ordered something else already to get the $9 deal). The contact asked Aurelia to share this with anyone else who wanted a picture and team photograph. The contact name was Michelle at FutureStars, 1-800-461-6575. *****Next year I will try to get you the order sheets ahead of time so that parents are not scrambling to fill out the order form and make payment on the field!

YEAR END TEAM BASH

Once we have finished the play-offs we will have a Year End Team Bash (just for our team, this is separate from the WSC Banquet). Parents, please let me know if you have any ideas – I’m open to suggestions that work for everyone!

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.