Check out the ball control skills... I'm always impressed by how easy they make it look.
More after the jump...
And Here is a pretty good HowTo video:
Freestyle Ground Moves
Live Soccer Alert :: TV & Northern California
Upcoming Soccer Events on TV or in Northern California:
Wednesday, June 24th @ 11:30:
US MNT vs Spain -- ESPN
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Club America vs Inter Milan -- Stanford Stadium
Saturday, August 8th, 2009
Barcelona vs Chivas in San Francisco
15 Best
Please enjoy this video list of top 15 goals from the Champions League last year.
Somebody tell me how #5 & #4 aren't 1 & 2.?..!.?....
Placer Tournament
Dates: July 10-12, 2009 (Friday – Sunday)
After the team camp, we will be going to the Placer United Prestige Cup @ Cherry Island.
This will extend us one week into the Sac United Soccer Break, but we you'll still get two weeks off and have time to come back to get ready for our tournament, the Suntan Classic, in August.
Please let me know immediately if you can't attend so I can look for guest players.
Sac United Team Camp: June 29th - July 2nd
It's time for this years Sac United team camp.
Sunday June 29th - Thursday July 2nd.
Here is the full schedule.
The team camp is our chance to really improve on our soccer problems before the summer tournaments.
Make sure to get to all sessions and wear your Sac United Colors.
Evaluations Released
Check your emails. I will be sending links to your email accounts. You should receive one email confirming your account & one email telling you there is an evaluation ready.
Evaluation scale:
0 to 4.
1 - Base Comp Player Skill level
4 - Top player in California's Skill level
Please focus more on the comments then the numbers.
If you have any questions regarding the player evaluation please contact me.
No Games This Weekend
There was a possibility that we could have entered the Cal Cup this weekend, but we missed the window.
So enjoy the open weekend.
Spring Evals
Players & Parents,
Be watching your emails for your player evaluation.
I will be completing and sending them out for you to view/print-out from the web. I will also have a conference with each player at practice during the next two weeks.
Before you can view it, you must fill out a self-evaluation for my records.
Remember these evaluations are to be kept between the coaching staff and each player and their parents. Evaluations are to help with your individual development & personal goal-setting. They are not to be shared with other players.
Before there was Ronaldo, there was...
Ronaldo. He was the first of a new wave of soccer player who played with both skill and above everything speed. There's something to get you pumped up for tomorrows.
And he still is. Check it out after the jump...
How cool is that?
HowTo: Defend in Midfield
Here is a video for all the players who have aspirations to play anywhere in the middle of the park or any players wanting to be better at defending.
This is Darren Fletcher. He plays for Manchester United and is what could be called an unsung hero.
Watch this 2 minute clip of him and this teammates defend as a team. It's from the BBC Match of the Day program.
Check out how Darren and his teammates communicate (talk, point) and work with each other to mark and defend.
BTW - if you want to watch the whole Match Of The Day, let me know and I'll bring you a copy.
Focus & Discipline
From The Vision of a Champion:
In order to excel at the highest possible level you need to be focused and disciplined. That's because the competitive soccer world is so stressful. For example, athletics demands tremendous fitness... Can you drive yourself to get fit, and, after you are bent over in exhaustion from sprinting, can you spend an hour slamming a ball against the wall, or playing one v. one against your friends? Can you drive yourself with self-discipline when others are not there? No one is going to be constantly pushing you, insisting that you get fit or hone your skills. When it truly counts, you're on your own. Your margin of success is based on your inner drive. This focus and self-discipline is also a great element of your character.
Now let's get fired up.
The Art of the Cross
Crossing is sometimes a forgotten skill of attacking soccer in the United States.
An accurate cross can bypass the entire defense and create an easy scoring opportunity.
Here are the techniques of the many different types of crosses:
The Driven Cross:
- Non kicking foot to the side of the ball
- Use the instep
- Contact through the middle of the ball // below the ball for more height
- Cut across the ball
- Head down and steady
- Eyes on the ball
Cut Back Cross:
- Non kicking foot to the side of the ball
- Use the instep
- Contact through the middle of the ball
- Rotate your hips on making contact with the ball
- Head down and steady
- Eyes on the ball
The Inswinging or Outswinging Cross:
- Non kicking foot to the side of AND behind the ball
- Use knuckle of the big toe to make contact with the outside of the ball
- Follow through with toe in the air
- Head down and steady
- Eyes on the ball
Here is a video to help all you visual learners put that into motion.
If your goal is to be a better crosser or a better winger, this is your best tool.
Homework for Thursday
The homework for Thursday is the dribble move the Dutch call Akka.
Here is a quick demo.
Make sure to work on all versions at home. Have fun.
All Content NK and SU Manchester United U12B