USA vs Portugal Thoughts

You can't help but be disappointed by the result of the USA game. 15 seconds from being the first team to qualify through in the Group of Death. It was heart break.

The things I like to point out in these write ups is what we talk about as a team. First, Just last week we worked on finishing and we spoke about where to shoot the ball when approaching the goal from a high angle. Look at Portugal's first goal:

I know that the whole thing is a gift from a missed clear - but notice how Nani attacks the space and then look at what Tim Howard covers. We said it, you go top shelf - or far and low. Nani hits top shelf.

Next, let's look at Jermaine Jones. We talked about how when we strike the ball, our desire is for the ball to bend around/away from the goalie and then go straight into the net. This strike is a perfect demonstration of that.

Players who have been on my team a while know that I say "any little touch" quite a bit. This is used to disrupt the play on defense, but also create chaos in the box on offense - a great way to wrong foot the keeper. In this case, Clint scores with his belly button.

First, note that this whole thing is started by DeAndre Yedlin getting to - where? The end line! To create a front foot finish opportunity. At worst, the Defense will conceed a corner, but instead, they couldn't clear the danger and the US is there to put in the go ahead goal.

I'll also note that Clint looks over his shoulder to check where the defender is to be sure he is on side. Watch for it. You hear me say "Head on a swivel." Be smart forwards, don't kill a goal by being in a poor position.

Last, I hate to say it because Bradley is an incredible player. But the goal that kept Portugal's hopes alive is a give away with less than 30 seconds to play. The ball goes to Bradley who gives a half hearted effort at winning. It turns over quickly to Portugal who gets a free 20 yard press up field before the ball swings wide to CR. Then the perfectly laid cross makes this a near impossible stop for the defense. Great service, great run, great finish. DANG!

Well, that's the group of Death for you.

I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!

Costa Rica Thoughts

For those that have played with my teams in the past, you'll know that I'm all about:

PLAY THE WAY YOU ARE FACING

So if you watch their first goal today, you'll see a winger getting to the end line and doing a nice Cruyff move that enables the player to take his time and make a good diagonal pass back. The first person totally had a chance to finish, but does a lovely dummy to allow the second player to finish.

I call this a FRONT FOOT FINISH. Because they are facing forward when they shoot.

So note, the winger is wide and getting to the end line, if he does, and gets the ball across without the Cruyff, he has three forwards inside the six to knock it home. But once he cuts it back, all three of those forwards end up in an offisides position.

So you have to ask the question, who is the winger playing the ball to? The answer is the midfield! So you have two midfielders with opportunities to finish by running from the edge/outside the 18 into the box, charging toward the goal and defense for that front foot finish.

Food for thought all you forwards and midfielders.

Cheers.

Dynamic Warm-up 6/10/2014

We do this rotation 2-3 times depending on the warm-up activity. The general flow is bottom of the body working up.

As a group, start on the End Line and progress toward the 18. All items are done 4 times (split 2 and 2 left/right). At the end of the stretch, sprint the remaining distance to the 18 and jog back. As a group, start the next excercise.

1. Rotate Ankles 
2. Toe Grabs/Toe Point 
3. Calf Hops with Headers
4. Long Lunges, high reach with each arm
5. Side Lunges
6. Squeeze knee to chest & "Open & Close the door"
7. Quads lunges 
8. Hip balance
9. Partner Leg Swings
10. 4x ____ Plank Climbers & Push-ups

Details:

1 - Rotate Ankles four times in each direction, right and left
2 - Bend at hips, keep quads parallel, but bend one knee (not the other), Pull up on the toe Four Count. Let go and push toe flat on the ground and lean away (Point to away from you). Couple steps between stretches.
3 - Two foot leap heading left/right/forward/backward
4 - Slow long steps, bring trailing knee to the ground. Work one elbow to the ground while the other arm reaches up. Then switch arms, then push back to standing. Do two with each leg
5 - Face sideline, extend out to Right side, squat down to right leg, push back to standing, Pivot 180 degrees. squat down to left leg and back up.  Repeat 2x each.
6 - March pulling knee to chest. Then stretch the knee to the side and back to the ground 1/2 the distance. Then pull knee up from side, squeeze to chest and down (alternate legs)
7 - Step right foot forward. Left knee to ground. Grab left ankle, Stretch quad by lowering hip toward ground.
8 - Hip Balance. Point hands in the air like a pencil. Bend at the waist lifting one leg keeping it straight and in line with your hands until you've made a "T". Hold for 2 count. Continue to bend both hands down to touch your toes. Two count. Left arm up for two count (and down) then right hand up for two count. Then return to standing. Do twice for each leg.
9 - partner Leg Swings 2 forward and back with each leg - 2 side to side with each leg. Look, Hold each others right shoulder while swinging the left leg, hold the others left should while swinging the right leg. That way you won't kick each other.
10 - 4x ___ - The blank is the week we are on. We are starting on 5. So we need to do (1) 5 Plank mountain climbers, (2) 5 regular push-ups, (3) 5 diamond push-ups, and (4) 5 wide push-ups. (Next week we fill in the blank with 6).

Spring Training Week 5

Summary

• Brush your teeth (Leg lifts/squats)
• Stretch the Hip Flexor for 2 minutes (See Week 1)
• Do your push-ups and planks (9+9+9+9)
• Shower on your toes
• Juggling and Touches

WATCH MORE SOCCER. If you watched the Sounders, you saw over 60% possession by the home side and some much improved 1-touch passing that created some great scoring opportunities. Also, I would love for you to watch how many twist off moves Ozzie Alonso does in a game. The other thing you can count is the number of right back passes.

Lastly, watch how the midfielders and forwards are ON THE LINE (not near it, but ON IT). I'm telling you guys how the professionals play. If you can do it now while you are young, you will have great habits for your future.

You can also watch any EPL game and see defensive shape like none other in the US. I would love to hear what you see. Tell me what you heard us coach and what you see coming out on the field.

TOUCHES

Juggling 

• Increase your count or your duration on juggling.

Touches
I came across this last week and used it at practice. If you run each of these moves for just 30 seconds, your dribbling WILL IMPROVE almost instantly. If you are a midfielder or forward, you should be doing these when you get to practice and at every dead ball moment during practice. I also recommend this as a pregame warm-up for you. If you remind your feet and legs the feel for the ball, you will have more success on the field.

• Pull-back, laces
• Pull-back, laces, Pull-back, in-step
• Toe, Heel, Toe Roll, push 
• Inside-Outside Roll, push
• Toe-tap, V-Back
• Tick-Tock, 180
• Pull Backs
• Inside Outside Right
• Inside Outside Left
• Tick-Tock, Scissors
• Roll-over, outside cut 
• Roll-over, Tick-tock

That's 12 touches, 30 seconds each. You can do these in your bedroom! 6 minutes plus transition time.

Spring Training Week 4

Summary

• Brush your teeth (Leg lifts/squats)
• Stretch the Hip Flexor for 2 minutes (See Week 1)
• Do your push-ups and planks (8+8+8+8)
• Shower on your toes
• Juggling and Turns

There is nothing new this week. Although, I would desire that you WATCH SOME SOCCER. The MLS season has started and there are some great things to see out there that aren't the goals. If you like to follow the Sounders, you can watch Osvaldo Alonso perform a little toe twist off multiple times per game. If you want to see combination passing, watch the highlights of both Vancouver and Seattle.

You can also watch any EPL game and see defensive shape like none other in the US. I would love to hear what you see. Tell me what you heard us coach and what you see coming out on the field.

Juggling 

• Increase your count or your duration on juggling.

Turns

•  Increase the time. Do it for two minutes straight. Maybe Three minutes
•  Tripple your turns on each cone. Especially the Cruyff. You fake, fake again, fake again. If you pull this off, the defender will hate you.
•  Set up three cones and change the move on each cone
• Add your favorite turns

Cheers.

Spring Training Week 3

Summary

• Brush your teeth
• Stretch the Hip Flexor for 2 minutes (See Week 1)
• Do your push-ups and planks (7+7+7+7)
• Shower on your toes 
• Juggling and Turns

Apologies. I was out of town Sunday & Monday. Didn't get caught up yesterday - so....

This week, I'm only adding turns. Still do your juggling - improve by count or time. Attempt to improve your juggling at least 10 minutes a day.

Turns

I'm going to go over four turns. Your job is to do them for one minute. That means I'm only adding 4-5 minutes to your routine. You can do it!

So - for each of these turns, throw a couple t-shirts down so you can get 2-3 touches between them. Maybe that's about 5 yards. You can do this in your room, in the yard, in the front entry way, wherever. Next, do each of the four turns below for one minute straight. On one side, use your left foot, on the other side, use your right foot.

Pull back - This is when you stop the ball with the sole of your foot and pull it in the opposite direction from which you were going. The important thing is that the ball is always visible to you. I like to say the eyes of your chest can see the ball (because your real eyes should be looking for the goal or a pass!).
Outside (little toe) - Literally, use your little toe to cut the ball away from its current path and back the way you came from. Ideally, you burst away from this move getting not only an awesome change of direction, but also a change of speed.
Cruyff - This one you are faking a cross or a shot. Get your arms big. Sell this fake. Watch the defender go the wrong way. Imagine it. Do it.
Blocking - Use this one to buy time. It puts your whole body between you and the defender. It is a stepover and a pivot combined into one.

For a greater challenge:

•  Increase the time. Do it for two minutes straight. Maybe Three minutes
•  Tripple your turns on each cone. Especially the Cruyff. You fake, fake again, fake again. If you pull this off, the defender will hate you.
•  Set up three cones and change the move on each cone
• Add your favorite turns

Cheers.

2014 Spring Training Week 2

Top to bottom, we are going to work on arms, core, and legs. We are going to try to keep it simple.

Summary

• Brush your teeth
• Stretch the Hip Flexor for 2 minutes (See Week 1)
• Do your push-ups and planks (6+6+6+6)
• Shower on your toes 
• Juggling

My kids were already complaining that two minutes of Hip Flexor stretches "hurt." I told them they might have stretched too far.

Look, if you are a week behind, that is OK. We aren't too far off the bump and I'm not trying to break anybody here. The goal is to do small things multiple times per day to improve muscle strength and stamina. So go back and read week 1. That will make sense out of the "Brush your teeth" and "Shower on your toes" comments.

The big thing I will encourage you on is to do your push-ups and planks 2-3 times a day. When you get up, before you shower, before washing your hands for meals, before you go to bed. Just make it a quick habit to drop down and knock out 15, now 18 good push ups. If you get behind on this, you won't be able to suddently do 45 good push-ups when soccer tryouts come around.

Juggling

The most important touch in soccer is your first touch. Too many times at our level of play, the ball hits our shins or feet and bounces three or four yards in front of us. Then, we turned a ball that was ours into a 50/50 ball with the other team. 

Juggling is one of the best ways to improve your first touch. Now, you don't have to get all tricked out and catch the ball between your knees and on the back of your neck and stuff. In fact, if catching the ball on the back of your neck during a game is a good way to get your head kicked. However, I have seen players move 20 and 30 yards juggling down field without the ball ever touching the ground.

Nagbe scored for Portland doing a nice bit of juggling, but I wouldn't highlight Portland here... So you'll have to take Maicon scoring for Inter Milan from about the same position with about the same result. Perhaps better in that he has to beat the defender and then execute the volley.

While this is all fun, the important thing is that when you get a hard pass, you can control it without the ball escaping from you.

Your Goal... Start with five touches just on your feet. After you can juggle comfortably with just five touches, increase your goal to ten. Don't be in a hurry. You want to have good clean touches. Do this for 10 minutes and then quit. Find another time during the day to try again. Just get consistent at whatever your number is. As you strengthen your muscles, you'll find you can juggle longer periods of time. So, eventually we'll switch from count goals to time goals.

Let me also encourage you to try all sides of your foot; inside, laces, outside and even your heel (although I would save this for much later). When you use the inside of your foot to juggle, you'll discover why a hackey-sack juggler can go for so long. There is a lot of control in the "cup" of your foot. 

Try it. Let me know how adding 10 minutes of juggling to your day changes your skills.

Cheers.

2014 Spring Training 1

You ready?
Top to bottom, we are going to work on arms, core, and legs. We are going to try to keep it simple.

Summary

• Brush your teeth
• Stretch the Hip Flexor for 2 minutes
• Do your push-ups and planks (5+5+5+5)
• Shower on your toes

Yesterday in Spring Training we marked the time it took to run to mid field. Most players were right around 7 seconds. Think of that like your 50 yard dash time.

Can you find a place to get your 50 yard dash time? Write it down. Then let's see if you can improve on that in the next month.

If you can't a soccer field, find a spot in the neighborhood that takes about 7 seconds to run. Maybe from the corner to a mailbox. In any case, get yourself a baseline.

Start trying these small things now because if you wait until tryouts, you will be behind. As the weeks go on, I'm going to swap things out with other things, including ball skills (Juggling!).

So get on it! Get ready! Challenge your parents! See who can stick to it more :). Don't turn on the TV (for movies, games or anything) until you knock out 5 minutes worth of exercise time.

Core
Last year, I told you to "brush your teeth" This is essentially two minute leg lifts. DO IT!

Core with Hip Flexor
If you want some variety, in the morning when you brush, just elevate the legs. In the evening when you brush, on your back, point your toes away from you, lift 10 inches off the ground and alternate pulling one knee up to your chest, then straighten and pull the other knee up to your chest.

Hip Flexor
First, sit on your duff and place your left ankle across your right knee. This would be a good leg to lean a book against and read. Now, roll onto that knee and put your head and hands on the ground. Now, without moving your left ankle from your knee, twist your body so your left heel can rest comfortably on the back or your left triceps. Now lift your legs off the ground. Slowly raise your head off the ground. You should now look something like this:

Do not try this at home.

OK I'm kidding. Keep it simple. Get on both knees with your toes pointed away from you. Bring your left foot up and place it flat in front of you so it is at a right angle (makes a square). Now, keeping your left foot flat on the ground, lean forward into it as far as you can. Hold it there for 20 seconds. relax, repeat 3x. Switch legs. 

Back Straight

You can do this standing as well, bring your knee up to your chest. Hold for 20 Seconds. This is a nice alternative that also works on balance. Make it tougher by being on your toes.

Push-ups with Plank Hip Flex Climbers

I'm starting back at the beginning. 5+5+5+5. Do yourself a favor and try really hard to keep your body level (no butts in the air, no knees on the ground). It's only 15 push-ups. 

• Do five regular push-ups
• Do five diamond push-ups
• Do five wide push-ups
• Do five (of each leg) Plank-Hip-Flex-Climbers

That is, do a front facing plank (elbows down, palms together, thumbs up, nose touching your thumbs)

Bring your Left knee up toward your arm pit (not your chest), then back. Repeat with Right knee.

Something like this:

Me as a kid ;)

Shower on your toes

Lastly, I'm trying to encourage you to be on your toes ALL THE TIME. Standing in a line? Be on your toes. Stirring something at the stove? Be on your toes. Cleaning the floor? Be on your toes. Flying your kite? Be on your toes. See if you can catch your parents standing around flat footed. See if they can catch you flat footed.

So! Taking a shower after practice? Be on your toes the entire time. This is particularly tough while washing your hair, but you can do it. You will build calf strength and balance through your legs and core.

So - brush your teeth and take showers. 

Cheers!

Well, time to start over again

This time around is going to be slightly different. I'm looking for three things.

Increase in burst speed. I'm looking to the hip flexors (think doubles, burpies, wall sits).
Improve first touch. I'm going to expect you are juggling your soccer ball.
Define your signature moves. You need to find the move that gets you a gap. A gap is enough time to shoot or pass.

I'll also challenge you to do your push-ups. I would like to see everybody at 45 push-ups by the time tryouts roll around. This is 15 normal + 15 diamond + 15 wide.

Here we go again... it's nearly tryouts!

Cheers.

Week 11

Wow, I missed weeks 8, 9, and 10!! That was enough time to see Spain completely eliminated from the Champions League play. Who'd of thought that it would be all Germany? I guess they are going to be legitimate contenders for the World Cup again. Should we be surprised that it was Spain & Germany in the final four?

Well, week 8 was great - that's when I took four of those indestructible soccer balls to Nicaragua. THANK YOU for supporting that effort. They were a hit. They play a lot like a normal ball, and yet they were soft enough for other playground purposes, including VOLLEYBALL! But they used them for basketball, water sports, four square, soccer, dodge ball, and other playground games for younger ages. It was really cool. And so long as they aren't stolen, we know they will be in use for a long time. Thanks again.

OK - so week 8, 9, 10 we increased our push-ups to 12, 13, and 14. That means we are at 15+15+15 this week 45 Push-ups! Woo hooo! If we keep this up until June (five more weeks when practices start) then 60 pushups won't be a problem for any of you right?!

My top tips for tryouts:

1) Juggle your ball every day between now and tryouts. Don't stop until you achieve your personal goal. Maybe it's 10 with one foot. Maybe its 20 with both. Increase your goal every day.

2) Wall passes. Do wall passes in groups of 100 with both feet. Any wall. Try to vary your distances (2.5 -5 yards away)

3) If you haven't taken shots on a big goal for a while, get to a park while the weather is nice and do it.

4) Being in shape for tryouts really helps. I know many of you have been playing indoor or other sports. This is great. If you are out of shape (can't run for 90 minutes in the sun) it may be too late. Be cautious about training too hard before tryouts. You're likely to pull a muscle and then you're in worse shape.

5) Water. Our own son was dehydrated this last weekend. Bring plenty of water. (Sunscreen too for that matter).

6) Work your tail off at tryouts. Don't ever assume that you've done enough. Last year two players made the selection by doing something that stood out in the last five minutes of tryouts. That's 185 minutes of evaluation before the scale tipped. Who has it at the end? Who is making that positive impact on the field all day long?

Week 7 - Work Harder

My only thought this week is that we are good enough to go further that we did last year. We can be better! But it takes work. These athletes get it. (Note, I don't ascribe to ALL these comments):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ#t=2m43s

Name the original voice of this speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieJCC_Nsf_A

hint

I'll be out all next week, so don't forget to increase your push ups to 12+12+12.


I'll be leading youth from our church in a town near Managua Nicaragua. Solomon and I are in charge of the large game activities for a 5th and 6th grade VBS event.

You can monitor us on the trip here: http://nicayouthteam2013.wordpress.com/

Thank you for those who have given to this project (The soccer balls and T-shirts). I don't recall if I showed how you could donate on-line and receive a tax deductible receipt. http://www.nsb.org/online-giving/

Select the Student Nicaragua Team option. You'll then need to do a quick setup of typical user name, email and password. It then has a list of members in the team. You can select Solomon or me by name.

Fitness

11+11+11 on the push ups.
5 Colton Bras - this is the max until the season starts.
BRUSH YOUR TEETH (2 minutes of leg lifts or wall sits)

The challenge

SHOWERING - yes I want you to shower. Don't let the heel of your feet touch the shower floor. This should do a few things. First, you'll be on your toes the entire shower. It will work your calf muscles while strengthening your support muscles around you ankles. Second, it will increase your balance - especially if you close your eyes. Last, you will save water because you will want to end the pain as quickly as possible. And saving water is a good thing, right?

Running 

Mix sprints and distance.

Sprints

3x per week (Sprint out, walk back, get ready, go again)
3x50 yard sprints
(your age)x 20 yard sprints

Distance

2x per week
Minimum 1 mile
Maximum 3 miles

Week 6 - You better keep up

The time is getting closer to tryouts. I hope you are still using your isoccer account. I can see some players are increasing in skill while others are ... slow.

http://www.isoccer.org
U11 our team number: 755740

U13 our team number:  753615

Listen, this article from their site points to some of the reasons we need to work on soccer outside of practice. If you like the Karate Kid (original) then you can appreciate the small steps it takes to improve your skills with time.

But just as important are the lessons from Bergkamp and every professional player I've ever talked to. It boils down to practice, practice and practice. If you want to get better, you put in more time than the other guys. Look at RGIII. Look at Russel Wilson (who forced the trade of a perfectly good quarter back in Matt Flynn).


Check out the new shower challenge below.
Cheers,
rt

Russel hot from playing. Flynn cold from watching.

Fitness

10+10+10 on the push ups.
5 Colton Bras - this is the max until the season starts.
BRUSH YOUR TEETH (2 minutes of leg lifts or wall sits)

A new challenge

SHOWERING - yes I want you to shower. I have a new challenge for you: Don't let the heel of your feet touch the shower floor. This should do a few things. First, you'll be on your toes the entire shower. It will work your calf muscles while strengthening your support muscles around you ankles. Second, it will increase your balance - especially if you close your eyes. Last, you will save water because you will want to end the pain as quickly as possible. And saving water is a good thing, right?

Running 

Mix sprints and distance.

Sprints

3x per week (Sprint out, walk back, get ready, go again)
3x50 yard sprints
(your age)x 20 yard sprints

Distance

2x per week
Minimum 1 mile
Maximum 3 miles

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!

Week 1 - Warming Up

The core is everything. Let's start there.

The core helps with balance, strength, leverage, and durability. It helps stabilize your back and hips. Your core helps with your power shots, your jumps, your headers and even (or especially) your throw ins.

Simple step #1 Brush your teeth for 2 minutes! You don't have to watch this entire video - but if an overweight dude like me can do it for 2 minutes - so can you.

Next is strength in the arms. If you follow this blog week after week, then by the time tryouts roll around you'll be able to do 60 perfect pushups like its no big deal.

So 5+5+5. Five, five and five. Five normal push ups, five diamond push ups, and five wide push ups.

Do three Colton Bras.

And if you are on iSoccer, run through the foundations. Otherwise, let me know so I can get you on there. I want you to have good ball skills when you show up!

Cheers.

2013 Getting Started all over again

All I can say is that it is nearly tryouts! Here's the deal, I want you to be ready to work hard the moment you show up in May for tryouts.

I'm going to try to post something weekly that you CAN do. I want you to focus on doing some daily tasks. If you spend just five minutes, you will be ready to show me you worked in the off season.

So I don't want to get caught on tryouts again. I'm looking to have one scrimmage going on and then about six drills set up around the other field. This will include juggling, sprint speed, endurance speed, shooting, passing, dribbling, and tackling. So if you are set in all these areas, then you're golden for next season.

So here's what I hope to do. I'll post a blog that suggests a workout. If I can, I'll post me (and or Nate) doing the workout to demonstrate it.

Until then, start juggling your soccer ball. The goal is to be able to comfortably do 10 in a row by the end of the week. If you can do that already, then 10 using just your feet. Don't quit until you've reached your goal. Then train every day with your ball.

After all it's nearly tryouts. 

Biggest misnomer of all time

Why on earth is Good Friday called "good?"

Everybody knows that this is the historical day that Jesus is crucified. Then he is entombed and then he rises from the dead on Easter Sunday.

To be truthful, nobody knows what could be so good about the death.

But you could say that it is good because it shows His great love for us. No greater love has anyone than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.

Well, if you are confused about all this "religion stuff" I would suggest you hit up a church on Easter. It is the super bowl for most pastors. And like the super bowl, many people come that don't care about it.

That means it is a great chance to explore among many others. Here is a link to my church website that has an address at the bottom of the page. We  have two services tonight and five services scheduled for Easter Sunday.

God Bless.