Elite Development League Week 2 Updates

For Monday training this week, Coach brought the 7x21, full size goal for an Under 12 Youth Players--a "full sized goal" is 8X24 feet, and we covered:

Goalkeeping--Breaking down the Angle-- Basically saves should be made approaching the ball, breaking down the angle for the shooter by moving off the Goal line.

Finishing, Chipping, and Shooting--Worked on different techniques highlighting differences between placing the ball with accuracy, lofting the ball in the air, and driving the ball with low power.
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 Wednesday Match Night was our best yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Learn The Laws of the Game
Parents and players covered the touchline, the Goal kick Law 16, and the Corner Kick; we mentioned the Penalty Kick and Offside Position and we saw a Caution...!!!

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 HOMEWORK--TRY TO BUILD A SOCCER MACHINE--MAKE A VIDEO--SHARE
#2 VIDEO ILLUSTRATING A MACHINE 

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Next Week :working on Positional Awareness & Passing......

You can't wait to Donate!--Metts AquaChair 2016!

Soccer and Family Friends--
Dare to Care!

Kick down and drop a dollar here

We are going to buy Bradley a Chair

Think of when you last got to swim,

Walk, and run--now think of him.

Dan Metts and Bradley--the unstoppable pair

Thank you for Supporting Metts AquaChair.

https://www.gofundme.com/Aquachair2016

 https://www.facebook.com/MettSoccerFundraiser/

Building the Total Player Across Three Dimensions--Session 2 Training--Elite Sports Center

Here is a quick guide to Session 2 at Elite Sports Center

Building the Total Player Across Three Dimensions--

It is good to have skills, but if you shy away from taking players on, or don't understand how to team defend, your skills limit your "player dimensions". Session 2 Training at Elite will work to expand players' knowledge across the three dimensions, individual, small side, and team.

The Individual player dimensions involve Attacking and Defending 1 Versus 1. Many players fail to recognize moments, or fail in the attribute of confidence to exploit these situations.

1v1 Training will incorporate learning "moves" such as in Session 1, as well as reinforce the basic notion of beating a player by dribbling. The attached videos should give you an idea as to what to expect from the Warm-ups in the Individual Player sessions.

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Moreover, 1v1 defensive training will also focus on learning how to "contain and force" a dribbler. These skills will become essential to step through the next two player dimensions.

 Breaking Down the Dribbler PlayList: 3 Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI9xuPsmfAW_Y3Rg4qgu5fyBLq3FAMirm

The Small Side player dimensions involve Attacking and Defending 1V2, 2V1, 2V2, and 3V3. The small side dimension teaches players how to combine on the attack and how to play the roles of "Pressure and Support Defenders".

Borrowing from the Tactical Training from Session 1, we will utilize the number system, specifically the #'s 1 and 2 Defenders--The home and Defending Midfield player--as alternating pressure and cover.

Training in the Team dimension started in Session 1, but some of the language was lost because we hadn't stepped through the earlier independent and small-sided dimensions.

So it is my hope we can move through the first two dimensions in a span which allows us to incorporate this third dimension.

The idea behind the third dimension is essentially training the team as a unit to "read the play" and to respond in a coordinated sense. The tactical system works efficiently to transition from defense to attack involving every player.

So that is the goal--hee, hee-- I have in mind for Session 2 Training at Elite. Your player can join if they were not in Session 1, and we will get them up to speed with the basics from that series.

It is my hope that players begin to see the game as an outlet for physical, emotional, and intellectual energy as well as cultivate a "professional attitude for use in later games, with later teams, and in later life.

Training Checklist Academy Teams Weeks 9, 10, 11

Academy Training Checklist Weeks 9, 10, 11

Based on some sound Feedback from the far touchline--ASA has paired the input with the issues and solutions and will use this to structure training items for the coming three weeks.

Input #1--the small sided drills from Thursday's training are effective because it simplifies the game for the less experienced players enabling them to work as a unit with only a couple of passing options. Maybe we could take some time in similar drills and limit the play area to the penalty area with a goalie- then do 1v2, 2v2,etc. then add support players around the outside of the penalty area. This could also be some valuable practice for the goalies.

Training Solution-- Small Field Games with Passing Support & Goalkeepers

Input #2--all the offensive players wanted to shoot on goal and go it alone.  They didn't seem to want to or know to stay in their lanes.  There were often 3 offensive players bunched up in front of the goal time after time, as if they all wanted to shoot on goal by themselves, or maybe b/c they were afraid to spread out and lose control of the ball.  Then there would be no one open to pass to that was on that end when the pressure got hot, and they would often try to make a shot from too far away.  

 

There also seemed to be issues with not following through on missed shots.  As soon as the shot was missed, everyone would turn to fall back on defense rather than looking for a follow-up shot.  Many times they were too deep in the box and didn't have an angle but would still shoot instead of looking for a trailing shooter. 

Issues to be addressed--Framing the goal as a team--Shooting V Finishing//Angles--Shooting: hips and angles need to be corrected//Finishing with the side of the foot

Input #3--When a player was taking the ball down the field, there was often none to pass to, so a possible score was missed

 

 --to solidify what their roles are and learn to stay in their areas as they move the ball.  Maybe a "special teams" approach with running certain plays over and over in practice?  

 once the other team would gain ball control, there was no one downfield to protect/aid the #1, because as you said, they didn't anticipate the rebound. 

 
Issues to be addressed--On the ball strength--Our dribblers need to gain stability and hold possession after "shoulder challenges" the referee allows--Staying Compact--

 Training Solution--1v1 and 1v2 1v3 small sided play with  designated attacker

Input 4--In the second game from Saturday, number 12 from the other team was the biggest challenge (I think he scored 4 out of the 5 goals). Maybe in defense there is a way to identify these challenges and have them practice a strategy to defend against this kind of situation. Last time we played them (in Albany) he only scored two times, and I think we tied that game.

 

 Training Solution--1v1 and 1v2 1v3 small sided play with  designated defenders coaching against the dribble

Input #5--They r young still! if the team stays together and can have some consistent practice with decent weather they will better know what to do!

Training Solution--Indoor and Spring 2016 Soccer--

Indoor Soccer trainings

-- in Albany will be on Tuesday& Thursday nights for Academy teams starting in November

--in Parkersburg will be on Monday & Wednesday nights at Elite Sport Center

 Under 6 Under 8 4:00-5:00

U9--U11 5:00-6:00 

U12-U14 6:15-7:15 

& High School 7:15-8:15pm

 Mind          Body          Spirit          Soccer

Kicks for a Cause April 4th Metts 3v3

We gathered in the middle of the day to begin these games. 

 

Shortly before the guest of honor arrived, we stood shoulder to shoulder and team to team. 

Mutual respect became the goal, and the talent pool before me stopped in a moment to pause and remember how blessed we were to be here. 
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Somewhere in the middle of the day we crowned an Under 12 Champion and then began an Under 8 bracket with three teams and an Under 14 with 5.

Under 12 Champions

U12 Champions ASA Orange Tabler Crush and Club Ohio

Bradley arrived right as the second bracket games were about to begin. His presence raised the level of appreciation for what was before us: the magical youth unveiling a personality we had never encountered before, with the ball and the game...This is Under 8 Soccer!

Under 8 ASA White Dragons

Bradley, Ethan and Team Alexander

Bradley's sister Brooklyn's team and our Under 8 Champion

 The Under 8 Bracket allowed some new referees a chance to work their very first games.  Learning to see the game as a referee, rather than as a player takes time. 

Also the personality of the new referee needs to have certain components.  It takes courage to stop the game. It takes self-control to manage others. Here we see someone with a good start to becoming a strong referee.

New Referees Rider and Sudesh perform their pregame duties before kickoff in the Under 8 Bracket

Having fun "off the ball"--in between games.

The Referees were paid in Gift Certificates from local Athens Restaurants such as Avalanche Pizza, Casa Nueva, McDonald's, and Village Bakery.  The total raised/donated was more than double the 2014 amount.Those numbers will be available soon.

Under 14 Champions

#3's have each other's back...

Under 12 Finalists Club Ohio

Look for the next Kicks for a Cause event earlier in the calendar year.  We hope to return to this beautiful facility. We hope to see these same players. We hope to have Bradley back, and check in with him on his road to recovery.

Thanks to everyone!  See you in November...or December...2015.

Tournament Coverage: Kicks for a Cause 2015 Metts 3v3 Tournament #1

On March 22, Athens Soccer Academy celebrated a birthday, and hosted the second Kicks for a Cause Event, and the first of this spring.

 

Bradley Metts 2013 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2015

Bradley played soccer for the Alexander Soccer Club. in 2013 when what began as an ear infection quickly progressed into  subsequent mastoiditis, meningitis and cerebral edema.

Bradley was in a coma, when in 2013 folks began to organize around a Soccer Event that recognizes his road to recovery.  Bradley works hard every day, just like the young, talented players you see in these pictures.

Bradley Metts 3v3 2014~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 2014 Kicks for a Cause Raised over $1000 from community based donations.

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2015 Kicks for a Cause #1 at Ohio University FieldHouse Raises over $1000

Watch 3v3 Soccer Here

Under 10 Champions

6 Golas

 Players pause as they grab a break between games...The Black Pearl in the photo above is showing how many Goals he has scored on the day...Maybe five or maybe six.  The boys in Red hoisting the ball above are Bradley's friends and team mates, winners of the Under 10 Bracket.

Due to Interest--and OU Spring Break--The 2015 tournament now has two dates and 2 Under 10 Brackets--Questions email
 tad@athenssocceracademy.com

March 22  Sunday we plan to see you at Walter Fieldhouse with your team.
Under 10
Alexander Team A
Athens Soccer Academy Boys Team B
Athens Pirates Team C
Athens Soccer Academy Girls Team D
Please arrive 20 minutes before your kick off.

 




Preliminary Round
3:00 A-B
3:20 C-D
3:40 A-D
4:00 C-B
4:20 B-D
4:40 A-C

Knockout Round
5:00 Seed 4 V Seed 3
5:20 Winner V Seed 2
5:40 Winner V Seed 1--Final




Women's Bracket
Women's March 22 Schedule
A-- Black
B--Orange
C--Purple
D-- Gold
Please arrive 20 minutes before your kick off.
Preliminary Round
Prelims
A-B--300
C-D--3:20
A-C--3:40
B-D--4:00
A-D--4:20
B-C--4:40
Knockout Round
5:00 Seed 4 V Seed 3
5:20 Winner V Seed 2
5:40 Winner V Seed 1--Final
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Sign Your Team up For Metts #2 on April 4!!!

Kicks For a Cause Bradley Metts 3v3 Soccer Tournament April 4

Registration forms for Individual Players and Teams Here--
https://sites.google.com/a/athenssocceracademy.com/www/home/forms

April 4 Brackets

Under 8   Under 10   Under 12  Under 14   High School Girls
High School Boys