Week 4 & 5 - Now I'm really behind

Hey - this is the last week for POPS soccer. See if you can make it to Perrigo on Tuesday & Thursday between 4:00 and  5:30. It's mostly scrimmage. Just fun.

Week 4 - up the push up count to 8+8+8

Whoops It's week 5 and it is nearly tryouts!

Up the push up count to 9+9+9 - we are half way there! (Ideally, we will be able to do 20+20+20 at the start of the season.

So, this week my emphasis has been on defense. We all know players on our team that really stick a tackle. The trick often is how you approach the tackle that makes the difference. I have a video this week of some professional slide tackles and you'll note that there are several tackles in the box where they clear the ball and wipe out the man. When you hear me say "ball first" this is the kind of determination I'm talking about:

Ball First!
When you are defending, focus on getting your foot to the ball! Keep your balance centered, and tackle with your whole body through the ball.
Ball First!
When you are running down a player, when you see the moment you can attack the ball, take it!
Ball First!
Play the game as if the opposing player doesn't exist. Play the ball as if they aren't going to win it, because you know YOU are going to win it.

Now go do some 10-20 yard sprints to make sure you win it this year!

Cheers.

Fitness

9+9+9 on the push ups.
5 Colton Bras - this is the max until the season starts.
BRUSH YOUR TEETH (2 minutes of leg lifts)
- alternatively, if you don't want to lay down sit against the bath room wall with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle while you brush.

Running 

Mix sprints and distance. I would love for you to do sprints three times a week and distance (up to three miles) twice a week.

So take some time, start from a standing "balanced and ready" position.
Sprint 10 20 yards, walk back.
repeat until you reach your age.

By the way, it's Easter week.

Again, I work with both Junior High and Senior High students at Northshore (on the border of Bothell and Kirkland). If you don't do the God thing, I get that. So does our church. It's a place everybody can fit in.

If your ask, most people don't do the football thing, but they still end up at a Superbowl party once a year.

My point is, Easter is kind of like the Superbowl for most churches. If you want to check a place out, now is the time to walk in and walk out and not be put under pressure. Our church expects around 3000 visitors this coming Sunday. They've made five service times. If you are looking for a church or are just curious, check it out. http://www.nsb.org/news/easter-at-northshore/

Week 3 - ACK I'm behind

Two things to think about. First, short distance sprint speed. Second, shooting.

If you look out there, we have a new Sounder named Yedlin. He is the fastest Sounder on the team in the 10 yard run. Yup, 10 yards. #2 on the team is predictably, Alonso.

Think of how many times you need to run a SHORT DISTANCE in soccer. If you were just a little quicker, you could get to the ball before the other guy. If you were just a bit quicker, you could get separation from the defender and get a clear shot on goal.

Second, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. I can't help but feel frustration at the Sounders as they have started this season. Here's why. In order to score goals, you have to shoot. The Sounders play a possession style of soccer. They play by the same rule we do, if we have the ball, the other team cannot score. However, there is a point where we need to "make it dangerous."

Last year, we had a couple players that could do this. Montero, EJ, Caskey and Estrada to name a few. The year before we had Zakuani and Neagle (yes Neagle). They would attack the goal (make it dangerous) draw defenders and THEN decide to shoot or pass.

But when Zakuani and Estrada came back from injury, both would get to the corner of the 18 and turn tail. Meaning, rather than go at the defense and make it dangerous, they would pull it back and pass to midfield, and eventually back to our defense. Where did the fire go?

So as I watched our first two games of the year, and as we prepare for Portland, I just want you to WATCH and see how these former shooters play. Do they "go at him" (the defense) or do they pull up and look for a better chance.

As further evidence of the issue, I point to the Tigres game. We were D-U-N done. We were down two goals to zero and who opens up the scoring? Defense. At some point, SOMEBODY had to start shooting. And it was the DEFENSE that got it done from 30-35 yards.

See, the other problem that we have at the moment is only having one attacker. FOUR defenders are going to eat up one attacker. It is next to impossible for EJ to score on his own. He HAS to have someone else draw defenders in order for him to get quality scoring chances.

SO YOU!! Are you going to be that second person that is willing to take shots? Are you going to "make it dangerous" or "Go at him!"?  What move are you working on that you can beat any defender with? Inside outside SHOT!

Fitness

7+7+7 on the push ups. That's only one more than last week. So if you are doing them every day, this should be a piece of cake.
4 colton bras
BRUSH YOUR TEETH (2 minutes of leg lifts)
- alternatively, if you don't want to lay down sit against the bath room wall with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle while you brush.

Running:
Nathan and Jesse are doing well on their distance runs. Now try some sprints.

So take some time, start from a standing "balanced and ready" position.
Sprint 10 yards, walk back.
repeat until you reach your age.

I would love to see you post your times.
Have a great week!

Week 2 - Don't get behind

Fitness Lesson from Montreal

This last week I there was an interesting pregame article between Montreal and the Sounders. It was the two supporters groups having an interview. For perspective, last year, Montreal was an expansion team. They didn't make the playoffs. They were notorious for becoming completely ineffective in the later stages of the games.

Read some of the comments.

Let me summarize... they sacked their fitness coach.

So now fast forward. This loser team just handed the Sounders their first loss on opening day since the Sounders went to MLS. The article says the fitness is a night and day difference.
All right - this week, I still want you to work on your iSoccer skills. I'm seeing some numbers going up. So nice job you guys that are doing it.

Fitness

6+6+6 on the push ups. That's only one more than last week. So if you are doing them every day, this should be a piece of cake.
4 colton bras
BRUSH YOUR TEETH (2 minutes of leg lifts)
- alternatively, if you don't want to lay down sit against the bath room wall with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle while you brush.
Start your mile times. I would love to see you post your times.
Have a great week!