Rabona (ie- tricky kick): to cross your dominant foot behind your non-dominant foot and kick the ball.
Here's a great example to set up a goal. Watch close as this right-footed player figures out how to cross with his right foot while dribbling down the left.
Here are some more examples (around 3:30). And check out Maradona leading the way with the most stylish Rabona.
Definitely something to practice in your next backyard session.
Skill of The Week: Rebona
Caravan Down To Visalia, CA
We still need to get one or two more drivers to go down to Visalia. By my current count we have 3 drivers. All we need is one more van/suv or a couple cars.
Please let Mitch or I know if you plan to drive down and see if we can organize a ride-share.
Celebrate The Goal
A goal is something special. Something to celebrate. Here is a list of 10 Memorable Goal Celebrations from the past & a video to give you some ideas.
I'd like to purpose that every Man Utd goal from here forward gets a proper celebration (even if that celebration is simple, like everyone on the field gives the scorer a hug and a high-five).
Have Your Say!
Put your favorite Goal Celebration in the comments thread.
HowTo: Midfield Support The Front Line
Here is a great analysis of how midfield players support the forward line.
This is a great example for players to learn from. Watch closely and see how they look for each other as there first option.
This is very close to how our #8 & #10 support our #9 (the center forward). But it is a good lesson for all our players to learn.
Showoff
Here is a good little video of some flicks & tricks from last weeks soccer action.
This should give you some new ideas about how deception and disguise play a part in successful attacking movements. Maybe you could even practice some of these at home & try them in practice.
GameNotes: Sac United 3 - 6 Atlas
Man Utd Family,
It was a disappointing loss this past Saturday. We did not defend there directness well. Both times we got back on level terms, we did not show the determination, resolve, or teamwork to hold them off.
Even with our defensive troubles, I feel we had enough chances to score 6, 7 or 8 goals but lacked the predatory touch in front of goal. The goals we did score were well taken. Congrats to Speedy for scoring again in his new attacking role, Adrian for bagging himself a goal with a smart finish & Jorden for continuing his good run of goalscoring.
It is important to stay positive looking forward to next League match. I feel we have made real progress in the last month and need to continue working hard to take our game to the next level. Woodland has been a bogey team for us this year, but I think with a strong week of training, the right mental and team focus this Saturday and we can bring back a victory.
We will work this week to improve the three most urgent soccer problems the team faces: (1) Individual & Team Defending (2) Finishing (3) Teamwork & Understanding: Practicing the System
Training Next Week:
Monday : 5:30-7:00pm @ Granite - Defending
Wednesday: 5:30-7:00pm @ Granite - Finishing
Thursday : 5:30-7:00pm @ Granite - Practicing the System: 1-4-3-3 + Set Pieces
Contest Notes:
GOTM-
You still have a few days to enter the GOTM contest. GO HERE & leave a comment of which goal you liked the best. If you guess the best goal, you win a $25 gift certificate to Kombat Soccer.
Juggle Month:
Keep practicing to raise your juggle scores as there will be prizes for the player who raises her total & consecutive high scores the most. And don't be surprised if there is a lightning bonus round for headers in the next week. ;)
Evaluations:
Fall Evaluations are complete, so check your email & please share them with your player. I will be talking with each player individually over the next 2 weeks regarding the eval & there continued soccer improvements.
September GOTM Contest
Pick your favorite and leave it in the comments thread (click on the number a the top of the post) to be eligible for the $25 dollar gift certificate to Kombat Soccer. Like this:
This contest is open to all Man Utd. players & parents.
#2 , Gary
For a Higher Quality Video Click Here.
Goal recap:
(1) Could you track an attacker to your own 18, make a gut busting 80 yard run with the ball, and still be cool enough to make a great pass your teammate could coolly slot away?
(2) Clever turn. Used his body to turn the defender. Buried the finish with his weaker foot.
(3) Great Chilean! (Americans call it a bicycle kick though... not sure why.)
(4) What makes this goal great is the teamwork you don't notice. The first header from the goalkick finds a teammate. Then the layoff and run by the forward to draw the defender out of his central position. Then the good finish. Overall excellent execution.
(5) Good run. Good decision. Great turn. Better Hit.
(6) Great goal from a Center Back*. Wins a header in midfield. Continues forward playing a one-two with an attacker and ends up on the edge of the box with a great strike. (* please keep in mind he does play for Arsenal**)(** Watch Arsenal play and you'll understand)
(7) Another Striker using his body to shield and roll the defender. But the speed and the finish are top class.
(8) This goal starts with great anticipation by the left back to cut out an attack. but the rest is All Fernando Torres. Moves, Speed, Power and the ability to FINISH.
(9) I posted this goal a few weeks ago but it gets better and better every time I see it. My new favorite part: if you turn up the volume, even over the commentator, you can hear the ball RIP THE NET! Whao!
(10) Great combination play around the box. An inside wall-pass, backheel flick, fake shot to draw a defender and a strong finish.
So there they are!
Pick your favorite and win. The winner will be announced Oct 18th.
(One vote per person. If there are multiple votes for the GOTM, a winner will be chosen at random)
Juggle Scores
| Player | High | Total |
| Max | 35 | 185 |
| Nata | 42 | 212 |
| Seamus | 32 | 162 |
| Julien | 30 | 190 |
| Jake | 27 | 167 |
| Rod | 56 | 127 |
| Adrian | 31 | 173 |
| Kenneth | 29 | 198 |
| Adam | 23 | - |
| Jorden | 55 | 244 |
| Edwin | 34 | 216 |
| Gabe | 34 | 175 |
October Is Juggle Month
The Benefits of Juggling:
Players gain more confidence on the ball while increasing overall skill.
Juggling is a fantastic exercise to develop touch with the soccer ball. When juggling, learning to control the body is very important. Being able to make quick, bodily adjustments with all muscles is developed through juggling.
Juggling also improves Balance & Coordination . With good juggling skills, players will become better passes, beat defenders more easily, and be able to hold the ball against defensive pressure, because of better touch on the ball.
And Juggling Will Help You Score! Don't believe me?.. Here are three examples. Enjoy.
Valencia's Pablo Hernadez. Take a bow!
One of the best goals you might have missed from last week.
Rivaldo for Barcelona. Probably one the the best assists of all time, although I think he meant to score. What a first & second & third touch.
All Content NK and SU Manchester United U12B