Sunset Soccer Newsletter

By  Toby Rappolt

Sunset Soccer Supply

www.sunsetsoccer.com

toby@sunsetsoccer.com

Order Office

Toll Free Phone 866-447-9000

Toll Free Fax 866-467-8000

info@sunsetsoccer.com

Stores

San Francisco

415-753-2666

San Rafael

415-460-5425

"Please Shop At My Stores"

Please forward any comments, criticisms, suggestions or items you would like to have inserted into this newsletter to toby@sunsetsoccer.com 

FAQs

I'm looking for a coach for my team?

I'm a coach looking for teams to coach?

Where can I sell my used portable goal?

Where can I find an adult male soccer player to play with my team in an upcoming tournament?

Where can I find another team to play in my U-14 girls tournament?

Where can I find a ride to the US National Team game in Los Angeles?

ANSWER

Advertise in the Sunset Soccer Newsletter!!!!! 

I will put your advertisement in my newsletter and in the front windows (soccer community bulletin boards) of both my stores.  I will also make numerous copies of your advertisement and display them on the literature rack in both stores.  Cost?  NO CHARGE

 

Simply email (see address above) me the finalized document you want to advertise.  Your advertisement will be posted exactly as you send it to me.

In This Issue (Click on article of interest to be taken directly to it)

1. Sunset Soccer Items
2. Soccer Playing Opportunity For Jewish Youth
3. Coaching Resources
4. Pacifica United No Rules is looking for players to fill up their roster as they are moving to CYSA Class 1 play
5. Making Speed of Play More Tangible and Specific
6. Bloomfield Hills Soccer Club (Michigan) is looking for experienced coaches
7. Santa Cruz Six on Six Tournament Series
8. U.S. To Face Wales at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on May 26 In Teams First-Ever Meeting
9. Refereeing Opportunities in SSF
10. Promising soccer candidates (girls, age 9-10) who are looking to join a competitive team?
11. Sport4Good Coed Soccer
12. Basic Training
13. USF Camps Information
14. Manchester United Coaching Symposiums Will Be Offered to U.S. Coaches During the Team's American Tour This Summer
15. America Scores Concert
16. Kristine Lilly
17. Referees Wanted for the San Francisco Cup and International Youth Festival
18. Looking for Women Coaches for Girls Teams in the East Bay
19. Food, Wine & SF Bay Lover!

Best suggestion of the month gets a $25.00 dollar gift certificate

ANY suggestions you may have that will help me improve this newsletter, and the quality of products and services in my stores, are always welcome.  I will give a $25.00 gift certificate, once a month,  to the suggestion I feel will have the greatest positive impact.  Simply email your suggestion to toby@sunsetsoccer.com .

 

Sunset Soccer Loaner Items

Listed below are goods we loan to our customers at NO CHARGE.

 

-         Jerseys (to get your team through games until we can deliver ordered jerseys or to wear for the “one off” tournament)

-         Corner Flags (to use at your annual tournament or friendly game)

-         Goal Nets (to use at your annual tournament or friendly game)

-         Portable Full Size Goal

-         Portable Wall (for free kick training)

 

Call Order Office (toll free 866-447-9000) to reserve

Craig Salgado the athletic director of the Jewish Community Center asked I contact everyone I know in the soccer community regarding the Maccabi Games.  The Jewish Community Center is forming a team for Jewish boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 16 as of August 1, 2003.  If you or someone you know is interested in competing please contact Craig Salgado at (415) 292-1242.  This year's games will be in Houston. Texas having known players who have competed they all higher recommend participating.

3. Coaching Resources

Following are links to some helpful articles from within the soccer community.

Teacher, Role Model, Facilitator

Managing Substitutions

4-4-2: The Attacking Strategy

3-5-2: Examining the System

4-4-2: A Balanced Attack

4-4-2: The Defensive Strategy

Coaching the Czech Way

YOUTH SCENE – How to Make Drills Work

The Complete Player

4. Pacifica United No Rules is looking for players to fill up their roster as they are moving to CYSA Class 1 play

5. Making Speed of Play More Tangible and Specific

As part of our continuing effort to service and educate our membership, each Thursday the U.S. Soccer Communications Center will send out an informative article from one of its departments.  Once a week, you will receive an article/paper/essay in your inbox that will hopefully enhance your enjoyment and knowledge of the game of soccer - on and off the field.

This month, with the assistance of U.S. Under-19 WNT head coach Tracey Leone, we introduce a variety of exercises that coaches can use in ...

Making Speed of Play More Tangible and Specific
By Tracey Leone, U.S. Under-19 Women’s National Team Head Coach

When we as coaches want our players or teams to improve their speed of play, the common thing coaches say is, “Play quicker!” But, I feel there are more clear and specific pieces of information we can communicate to our players that will help them actually accomplish this feat. We started this progression with the U19 Women’s World Championship Team, and it proved to be beneficial.

We came up with, in chronological order, a series of things a player can do to contribute to the team’s speed of play. They are as follows:

1. Get in early shape; have good, sideways-on body positioning; then move from that shape
2. LOOK!  We must make this a habit, which takes time, practice, and consistency in teaching
3. Solve the pressure. Play one-touch or move with your touch.  Have deception when needed to buy time and space
4. Play off of that quickly and don’t relax
5. Move immediately

These 5 components will be used in training and touched on repeatedly in this session. Remember, improving speed of play takes time because the players have to form good habits, which doesn’t happen overnight.

Warm Up Activity
Set up: see diagram above (four players – x1, x2, x3, x4)
Groups of 4 – each group with a ball
Each group is in a 15x25 yard grid

Activity: Technical patterns, incorporating habits

    1. x2 checks at an angle and looks over his/her inside shoulder 2-3 times. x1 plays his/her the ball on the ground. X2 opens up, after a deceptive lunge, with the inside of his/her furthest foot, plays x3 and then moves and follows his/her pass (hopefully, in the same stride). x1 also follows his/her pass. Repeat in the other direction.  EXERCISES RUN THE SAME WAY FROM HERE. PASSER AND MIDDLE PLAYERS FOLLOW THEIR PASS.
    2. Similar to #1 but after x2 opens up, he/she fakes a pass down the flank, (hips open up, head goes up; then swivel the hips to cut in) cuts in off the dribble, and then plays x3 and moves
    3. x2 checks and LOOKS; x1 plays him/her a ball on the ground; x2 self passes back and at an angle, and then plays x3 and moves.
    4. If time, you can repeat #3, but have x2 do a wall pass with x3 before going the other direction.

There are many more patterns you can do than these. You can do double passes, etc.

Important coaching points:
a. Body positioning is sideways on, and he/she MUST look over his/her inside shoulder to get a sense of pressure. The first two patterns simulate that pressure is off of him/her, so he/she can open up. The last two simulate that pressure is on his/her back, so he/she must self-pass away from pressure and move with his/her touch.
b. I feel coaches have to teach deception. Teach players to lunge before they receive it (1st two patterns). Teach players to fake pass (2nd pattern). Deception buys players time and space and thus helps an individual’s and team’s speed of play.
c. After the player receives the ball, he/she must play out of that quickly.
d. Then he/she must move after he/she plays the ball. He/she starts his/her movement in the same stride in which he/she passes.
e. All players play precise, clean balls. They should start to get in a rhythm.
 

“Conditioned” Games

GAME 1:
Set up: 4v4+1 or 5v5+1, based on your numbers. You can even have 2 plus players.
Tight space. About 15-18x15-18 yards, based on numbers and skill level.

Activity: Competition (can have the same teams stay together and have a tournament)
Possession games with different restrictions-5 passes=goal (can change this based on skill level)
1. All players must play two-touch
2. Plus player plays one-touch, all else play two-touch
3. Plus player plays two-touch, all else play one-touch
4. All players play one or two-touch

Important coaching points:
a. Attacking team must get in early shape and have support/depth, width, and penetration.
b. Body positioning of all players must face the game. Tilt the hips. Getting in early shape helps this.
c. Early movement by the team while the ball is played and movement from the player playing the ball.
d. Taking looks, having deception.
e. Proper solving of pressure-when to play one-touch (perfect pass; or poor pass and the player does not have time to clean it up) and when to play two-touch (poor pass and the player has time; or to control the tempo)
f. Playing away from the numbers

GAME 2:
Set up: 5v5 (can have a plus player)-can play a 3-2 system or a 2-1-2 system
Size of area: 30x35 or 40 yards
Four small goals-two on each endline

Activity:
One team attacks two goals on their attacking endline; the other attacks the other two goals on their attacking endline. Once a team scores, they have to get 6-8 passes (whatever you determine, based on your team’s skill level) before that team can go to their goals again. You can also run this in a tournament format if you want.

Important coaching points: Same as in previous activity. Encourage the defending team that if the attacking team cannot go to their goals (because they’ve scored) until they get a certain number of passes, that they need to implement high pressure and do all they can not to allow them to get the number of passes they need. There is not a risk of giving up a goal unless they get the number of passes. This forces your attack to play against a team who’s defending hard and they have to be able to possess under tremendous pressure. I like this game because it’s directional part of the time and also a grid possession game part of the time as well.

Final Activity
8v8, or 8v8 with 1 or 2 plus players, or even 9v9
Large four-goal game (using regulation size goals) with goalkeepers
Playing area: half a field (can alter based on skill-level and numbers); can bring in the width a little if playing 8v8 plus goalkeepers

Activity:
One team attacks 2 goals on their attacking endline; the other team attacks the other 2 goals. You can have a goalkeeper in each goal –  if you have 4 goalkeepers – or you can have 1 goalkeeper for each team defend the 2 goals their team is defending.

The team can score in either goal that they are attacking. If you only have 2 goalkeepers, they have to run back and forth and defend 2 goals a piece so if you’re speed of play and possession are good, the opposing field players can beat them across the field and score in an open goal.

Important Coaching Points:   The components listed at the start of this article:
1-Get in early shape; have good, sideways-on body positioning; then move from that shape
2-LOOK!  We must make this a habit, which takes time, practice, and consistency in teaching
3-Solve the pressure. Play one-touch or move with your touch.  Have deception when needed to buy time and space
4-Play off of that quickly and don’t relax
5-Move immediately

Improving habits and speed of play take time. The coach must be willing to constantly remind players of the habits of getting in early shape, their body positioning, looking, having deception, playing off their first touch quickly, and then moving after they play the ball.  Demand that your players “look” in everything you do with them. It’s unnerving for the players at the beginning to take their eyes off the ball for a moment to look, so the players must be encouraged to do this and not worry about potential mistakes with their touch.

It will not become a habit unless they spend time doing it without the pressure of a defender to get comfortable and then with the pressure of a defender to make them look under pressure.

The coach must be positive, patient, and persistent in developing good habits. When your players do, you will see a huge difference in their ability to sense and solve pressure and in their speed of play.

6. Bloomfield Hills Soccer Club (Michigan) is looking for experienced coaches

Bloomfield Hills Soccer Club (Michigan) is looking for experienced

coaches.  Applicants must have a minimum of a USA "C" license. Please

forward details & resume to: Gary French 4111 E.Andover Rd, Suite

206, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48302 or e-mail details to

mjhart56@aol.com Subject: Coaches.

***************** WANTED: HEAD SOCCER COACH ********************

 

Private Maine children's camp with exceptional facilities seeks Head

Soccer Coach for summer employment. Prior High School/College

coaching a plus. June 14-August 15, $4,000-$5,000 salary, room and

board included, travel reimbursement.

 

Oversee staff of 6 People. 2 beautiful fields, great facility,

instructional-based program, skill level will range from rec players

to ODP.

 

For more information: contact Jem at 1-800-327-3509,

jem@camplaurel.com or http://www.camplaurel.com

7. Santa Cruz Six on Six Tournament Series

Orca Sports Newsletter    March 24, 2003

 

Hey folks, here’s the update and the latest on what is going on with Orca Sports. Check it out and if you are a manager or a person that wants to be informed, we need you to reply to this newsletter. We welcome your suggestions and input, especially on our new events, like the Six On Six Masters and the Co-Ed Seven On Seven, and tips on any other leagues or tournaments where we can let people know about Orca events. 

FACTS FIRST

SANTA CRUZ SIX ON SIX TOURNAMENT SERIES:

• Six on Six Masters (Men Over-40, Women Over-35), Scotts Valley,  June 28-29
• Co-Ed Seven on Seven, (Open and Over-30), Skypark, Scotts Valley,  July 26-27
• 16^th Annual Six on Six Open, Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz, Aug. 9-10
• 14^th Annual Six on Six Over-30, Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz, Aug. 23-24
• Adult Beach Soccer, Main Beach, Santa Cruz,  (July date TBA)

Golf Tournament and Sunset Sailboat Cruise on the Friday before these events.

 

NEW ADVENTURES!

• Snow Trip – March 30-31, North Lake Tahoe
• Mountain Biking – In May, trips planned to Tahoe & Santa Cruz.
• Fishing Trip – Salmon Charter Boat out of Santa Cruz Harbor in June.
• Fly Fishing – Anyone interested in going to Alaska or the Bahamas?
• Oktoberfest – A beer and sports thing hosted by Santa Cruz Seabright Brewery.
• Puerta Vallarta Tournament, Winter 2003.

     

Keep Soccer Fun!

  Troy

www.orcasports.com     orcatroy@cruzio.com    (831)429-5464

Mountain Biking Trip: May 2003

Tahoe, Santa Cruz Mountains

 

Fishing Trip: June 2003

Charter boat Salmon fishing out of Santa Cruz Harbor

 

Six on Six Masters: June 28-29, 2003

Men Over-40, Women Over-35, Skypark, Scotts Valley

 

Adult Beach Soccer Tournament: July TBA, 2003

Main Beach, Santa Cruz

 

7 on 7 Co-Ed: July 26–27, 2003

Skypark, Scotts Valley

 

16^th Annual Six on Six Open: August 9–10, 2003

Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz

 

Six on Six Over-30: August 23–24, 2003

Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz

 

Oktoberfest in Santa Cruz: October 2003

It’s more than just beer and pretzels, it’s a sports thing too.

Hosted by the Santa Cruz Seabright Brewery

 

Puerta Vallarta Soccer Tournament: Winter 2003

 

 

 

If you would like to be off this e-mail list, or if you have updated information for our database, let us know!

( Please print this 2003 schedule and put it on your refrigerator! )   updated 3/24/03

 

From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center -- March 26, 2003

8. U.S To Face Wales at Spartan Stadium In San Jose On May 26, In Teams' First-Ever Meeting

Memorial Day Match-up Will Be Shown Live on ESPN2 and Will Continue U.S. Preparation for FIFA Confederations Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup this Summer

          CHICAGO (March 26, 2003) — The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Wales on Memorial Day, May 26, at Spartan Stadium in San Jose in a historic first-ever meeting between the two countries. Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and the Radio Unica network. Fans can also follow live online via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker, presented by Philips Electronics. The game will serve as continued preparation for the U.S. before it plays in the FIFA Confederations Cup in France in June.
          Wales has been one of the sport’s biggest stories in qualifying play for the 2004 European Championship. After three games, the small country of 2.9 million people has gone 3-0, outscoring Finland, Italy and Azerbaijan by a combined score of 6-1. On Oct. 16, 2002, Wales shocked three-time World Cup champion Italy with a 2-1 win in Euro qualifying that put them in control of their group. On the field, the Welsh are led by legendary Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs, who has amassed 39 caps and 7 international goals for Wales.
          In their current run, the Welsh have gone unbeaten in their last nine games, compiling a 5-0-4 record dating back to a 3-2 defeat to Norway on Sept. 5, 2001.  In addition to their perfect qualifying record, their unbeaten streak also includes a 1-1 draw with Argentina on Feb. 13, 2002, and a 1-0 victory over Germany on May 14, 2002, just prior to the 2002 World Cup. Before facing the U.S., Wales will put their undefeated start in Euro qualifying on the line with a March 29 match against Azerbaijan and an April 2 game against Serbia and Montenegro.
         "The match against Wales represents an important opportunity to help finalize our team prior to the Confederations Cup," said U.S. head coach Bruce Arena. "Wales are traditionally a strong side with some great individual talent, and will provide a great challenge as we prepare for the difficult matches ahead."
          The U.S.-Wales contest will mark just the third-ever match for the U.S. Men in San Jose, where the team will be looking for their first goal at the 26,000-seat Spartan Stadium.  In their two previous matches, the U.S. has played to two 0-0 draws, one against FYR Macedonia just prior to the 1998 World Cup and one against Australia on Nov. 16, 1998, in Arena’s head-coaching debut with the MNT.
          Advance tickets ranging in price levels from $25 to $70 go on sale starting Monday, April 7, at 10 a.m. PT at all Ticketmaster outlets (including Tower Records and Rite-Aid), by phone (San Jose 408-998-8497; San Francisco 415-421-8497; Oakland 510-625-8497), and on-line at www.ussoccer.com.
          After the most successful year in U.S. Soccer history in 2002, the U.S. MNT has opened 2003 with a 2-1-0 record, collecting shutout victories against Canada and Jamaica. In June the U.S. will square off against Brazil, Cameroon and Turkey in the FIFA Confederations Cup from June 18-29 in France, and the USA will defend its regional championship in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup to be held from July 12-23 in Boston, Miami and Mexico City.
          In addition to a game this Saturday against Venezuela in Seattle (1 p.m. PT, live on ESPN2), the U.S. is also slated to face Mexico on May 8 at Reliant Field in Houston, and will host Paraguay in a preparation match for the Gold Cup on July 6 at Columbus Crew Stadium.

- ussoccer.com -

9. Refereeing Opportunities in SSF

Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 2:48 PM

Subject: Refereeing Opportunities in SSF.

 

 

The South San Francisco United Youth Soccer league is

hosting Spring League for U10's and U12.

 

Teams are CYSA Class 4 - Recreational.

 

Our season begins April 5 and ends on June 7th.

All games are on Saturday's and played in So. San Francisco.  There will be some u12 games played some Friday evenings.  These are solo games.  No assistants. You may choose to

get club assistants to help with out-of-bounds (especially for the U12's)

 

 

If anyone is interested, please e-mail me your availabilty.

Rules of play and game schedules posted on our website.

Please feel free to browse any part of our website. There

is a questionaire form for referee availabiltiy as well.

 

U10's - Payment  $15 per game

U12's - Payment $20 per game.

 

Dave Lucha  - SSF United Youth Soccer League Coordinator/Referee Assignor

 

http://www.socceronline.com/clubs/ssfuysl

10. Promising soccer candidates (girls, age 9-10), who are looking to join a competitive team?

Dear Soccer Leader:

 

I am contacting you to ask if you might know of promising soccer candidates (girls, age 9-10), who are looking to join a competitive team?

 

The Stanford Blaze, a CYSA U10 girls' team based in Palo Alto, seeks one or two "impact" players.

 

Overview of team:

 

-    the Stanford Blaze was established two years ago

-    our (woman) head coach played division-1 college soccer in North Carolina

-    we play/practice 9-10 months of the year

-    expectations are generally rigorous, and include off-season conditioning and skill development

-    the team is very stable; for example, over 90% of our girls have returned from season to season

-    we are based in Palo Alto, associated with the Stanford Soccer Club

 

Overview of opportunity:

 

-    we seek one or two girls who have played competitive soccer successfully; we will also consider candidates with excellent soccer potential (speed, aggressiveness, ability to learn, etc.)

-    if the girl is unable to make the CYSA deadline for spring registration, she can still practice with the team and prepare for the fall

-    practices take place on Tuesday and Thursday, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m., at JLS in Palo Alto (see links below); most games take place on Saturday

-    fees each season run around $300 per family; scholarships are available

-    since we have already 15 girls (14 or 13 after this spring season), our focus is on outstanding candidates

-    in summary, this is a great opportunity for a girl who loves soccer and excels at it

 

Candidates should be born after July 31, 1992, which will generally mean that they are currently in 4th grade (or young 5th graders), ages 9 or 10.

 

If you know of a family that may be interested in this opportunity, please forward this email to them, or send their coordinates to me.

 

Interested families should contact me; alternatively, interested girls may show up at any practice, though advance notice would be appreciated.

 

Feel free to contact me if you have comments, questions, or candidates.

 

Thank you for considering this opportunity, and best of luck for your spring soccer season.

 

Mark Homnack

Manager, Stanford Blaze

 

650-323-1336 (home office)

650-614-3010 (work)

 

MarkH@simultrans.com (email)

 

+++++++++++

 

Map Links - to practice field in Palo Alto

 

JLS 3 (spring practices on Tuesday and Thursday, from 4:15 to 6 p.m.): http://www.ayso26.org/jls.gif and http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?BFCat=&Pyt=Tmap&newFL=Use+Address+Below&addr=480+East+Meadow+Drive&csz=Palo+Alto%2C+CA&Country=us&Get%A0Map=Get+Map

11. Sport4Good Coed Soccer

Registration is now available for our Wednesday outdoor soccer league at Mission High School. The level is intermediate and it is a minimum of 3 women on the field at all times. The season will start on April 16 and will last 7 weeks plus single elimination playoffs for the top 8 teams. Spots tend to go fairly quickly so be sure to register ASAP.

 

All details and registration are available at http://www.sports4good.org or at http://www.sports4good.org/pages/851486/page851486.html#outdoorleagues

 

See you out there on the fields!

 

Leslie & Paul

(415) 320-7996

 

PS Next Monday (competitive) & Thursday (recreational) soccer leagues will be announced soon.

Since our Tuesday indoor spots at Mission High School filled up quickly, we opened our Thursday recreational league to teams as well. If you are an individual player, this is a good opportunity to sign up as we only sign up individual players on an occasional basis.

 

All details and registration can be found at http://www.sports4good.org.

 

Deadline to register is this Thursday. 4 out of 8 team spots are taken.

 

Thanks,

 

Leslie & Paul

(415) 320-7996

 

Here is the list of upcoming leagues and when registration will be available. If you've never played in the leagues and are wondering what the rules are, pls go to http://www.sports4good.org.  Mission HS is located at 3750 18th St and Lowell HS is located at 1101 Eucalyptus Dr. All outdoor games will be at 6 & 7pm and then switching to 6:30 & 7:30pm as soon as there's enough daylight available.

 

Pls email info@sports4good.org if you have any questions.

 

- Sports 4 Good

http://www.sports4good.org

(415) 320-7996

 

Flag Football:

 

Men's (or optional co-ed- meaning you're welcome to have women players on your team as well): Tuesdays @ Mission High School

    starts April 22nd. You can register here: http://www.sports4good.org/pages/851487/page851487.html#registration

Co-ed (min. of 2 women on the field): Thursdays @ Mission High School

    starts April 24.  You can register here:  http://www.sports4good.org/pages/851487/page851487.html#registration

 

Soccer:

 

Indoor:

 

Thursdays @ Mission High School. We have 2 team spots left. We also have individual spots available.

    starts April 10. You can register here: http://www.sports4good.org/pages/851486/page851486.html#indoorleagueregistration

 

Outdoor:

 

Competitive Co-Ed: Mondays @ Lowell HS. Team signups only.

    starts April 21 or 28. Registration will be available on Monday, April 9

Intermediate Co-Ed: Wednesdays @ Lowell HS. Team and individual players signups available.

    starts April 16: Registration available NOW. You can register here: http://www.sports4good.org/pages/851486/page851486.html#outdoorleagueregistration

Recreational Co-ED: Thursdays @ Lowell HS: Team signups only.

    TBA. Won't begin until ~May

 

 

Pls email info@sports4good.org if you have any questions.

 

- Sports 4 Good

http://www.sports4good.org

(415) 320-7996

12. Basic Training

RESOURCE CENTER
Sports Medicine – April 3, 2003

As part of our continuing effort to service and educate our membership, each Thursday the U.S. Soccer Communications Center will send out an informative article from one of its departments.  Once a week, you will receive an article/paper/essay in your inbox that will hopefully enhance your enjoyment and knowledge of the game of soccer – on and off the field.

This month, Dr. Don Kirkendall, who works with our National Teams on a regular basis, examines the year-round training that athletes must go through and the best way to make sure players are fit and able to keep their fitness throughout the season.

Basic Training

As the new season approaches, players often need as much work on their fitness as they do their touch.  There are a number of training concepts that need to be considered when a program is under development. When dealing with the fitness of a team, the following five concepts should be considered – specificity, overload, reversibility, rate of improvement and training tailored to the time of the year (periodicity of training).

Concept 1 - Specificity - This concept actually has 3 subsections: specificity of exercise, specificity of training and specificity of fatigue.  Each will help you as you learn which exercises help to produce which results.

Specificity of exercise means that a specific exercise leads to a specific response by the body. For example, the heart rate response of weight lifting is different than the heart rate response of a five-mile run.

Specificity of training is the extension that describes how specific means of training lead to very specific adaptations by the body. Repeated weight lifting leads to specific adaptations that improve the body’s ability to lift weights while distance running leads to adaptations that improve the body’s use of oxygen.

Specificity of fatigue is the reason people fail to continue their exercise. Most people define fatigue in humans as the failure to maintain an expected power output. In a 400m sprint, the last 100m is the slowest; the runner wants to maintain their speed, but can’t. So when a weight lifter is unable to push that last repetition, fatigue has prevented it. The marathoner wants to maintain his/her pace, but the longer the race goes on, the slower he/she goes. They all fail to maintain what they wanted to do, but the reasons are very specific to the type of exercise.

Concept 2 - Overload - Simply stated, to improve fitness a person must continue to increase one of the three main factors of training – frequency, duration or intensity. To get more fit, add to the number of days in a week that your train (frequency), or minutes a day (duration), or train harder (intensity). Most coaches can’t change frequency or duration because their practice times are fixed based on school, family, or other schedules, so that leaves intensity as the factor that must be pushed to improve fitness. Intense drills should be chosen, or current drills should be modified to increase intensity. In designing training programs, only change one factor per week.  Changing two or all three factors at a time is not recommended and is a straight road to overuse injuries.

Concept 3 - Reversibility - This is the opposite of overload (concept #2).  If you cut back on the amount of training in the week, minutes spent training each day, or intensity, over time fitness will be lost. The fastest way to lose fitness is to reduce training intensity.

Concept 4 - Rate of improvement - The body can adapt pretty quickly. Can you get a bunch of out of shape kids in shape in 2 weeks? Somewhat, but the amount you can improve their fitness in two weeks is limited.  The shorter the training period, the lower the ultimate level of fitness that can be achieved and the less time that fitness can be maintained. However, a longer training period will bring the players to a higher level of fitness that can be maintained for a longer period of time.

Concept 5 - Periodicity of training - This advanced concept divides a season into four different segments, each one with a different emphasis.

Periods: Most training periods have four segments (Active Rest, Preparation, First Transition and Competition) based around a competitive focus (season). The first period right after the season is called ACTIVE REST, meaning little if any specific sport training should be done, but the player should still be active. PREPARATION is the training period just before the competitive season begins.  For most, this means the period of time when the player is on his/her own, before more formal training sessions begin. FIRST TRANSITION is the actual competitive season, and COMPETITION is the immediate period following games. The variables are then manipulated based on the season – training volume, training intensity and technique emphasis.

 During active rest, the emphasis on all three is low. Be active, but don’t do soccer related things. In the preparation period, the training emphasis is on volume, but the intensity is low (think distance running at a comfortable pace), but as time passes, the volume is slowly reduced but the intensity is raised (such as fartlek running where you run shorter distances at a much faster pace). As the first practice or training camp approaches, volume is further reduced and intensity is raised even more (interval and repeat training).  A player shouldn’t arrive in camp ‘match fit.’ Reaching that level comes in the competition period when players are doing sport-specific training. Right before a game, volume is further reduced, as is intensity because these two periods are filled with lots of technique and tactical training.

If this seems confusing, consider a typical club or high school week with a game on Saturday. Sunday is off. Monday is a long, but typically not a demanding day. Tuesday, the work is a little less, but harder. Wednesday is less still, but pretty darn hard. Thursday the intensity backs off and on Friday the length and intensity of practice is light as the team may work on specific situations. Then the game on is Saturday.

What if you play twice a week, typically on Thursday and Saturday?  You take Sunday off and practice light on Monday. Go very hard on Tuesday, but very light on Wednesday. Play the game on Thursday, go very light on Friday, and then play a game again on Saturday.

 There are two challenges for the coach now. First, deciding how long should these periods last, and second, getting the players to actually do the first two phases (active rest and preparation) on their own. There is no firm answer to the first challenge. The longer the season (e.g. European professionals), the shorter the active rest period will be before starting all over again. Clubs or schools might have a longer active rest period, as there is more time between seasons. The important thing is not to ignore the active rest and pre-competition phases. As for the second, it is well known that the longer the build up, the better the fitness, the fewer injuries, and the more you can delay fatigue in the game. For this reason, many coaches set fitness test standards that players should meet upon arrival to camp.

Soccer coaches, players and parents know that the game of soccer is played on a field that can be as long as 130 yards, but much of what happens between those lines is decided by what players do away from the field and away from their teams.  By putting together a committed workout plan in the off-season, and following all four of the above training concepts, players can put themselves into a much better position and will be able to succeed on the field during the season – when it matters most.

www.ussoccer.com

Donald T. Kirkendall

13. USF Camps Information

Men's Basketball Team Camp
2003 Summer High School Team Camp Dates:
Team Camp I:
Friday June 6 - Sunday June 8

Team Camp II:
Friday July 11 - Sunday July 13
Cost: Commuter Teams: $450.00 Resident Teams: $130.00 per person (no team fee)

• Baseball Camps
• Men's Soccer Camp
• Stephen Negoesco Soccer Camp Brochure 
• Women's Soccer Camp for Boys and Girls
• Philip Mathews Basketball Camp
• Mary Hile Women's Basketball Camps
• Men's and Women's Volleyball Camps
• Kids Camps
• Youth Programs

From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center -- April 4, 2003

14. Manchester United Coaching Symposiums Will Be Offered to U.S. Coaches During the Team's American Tour This Summer

Participants Will Have the Chance to Learn How Manchester United’s
Coaches Develop Some of the Top Players in the World

CHICAGO (April 3, 2003) - When Manchester United comes to four U.S. cities this summer, soccer fans around the country will not only get a chance to see one of international soccer’s legendary teams, but coaches of all levels will have a unique opportunity to learn directly from the Man United staff.

As part of U.S. Soccer’s continuing coaching education programs, two of Manchester United’s top coaches will take part in special gameday sessions before and after each match. The symposiums will give coaches the chance to see exactly how Manchester United develops some of the top players in the world.

Before the match, you'll learn how Manchester United selects youth players and coaches and how the club implements a progressive, challenging and creative training program. The coaches will also explain how to apply Manchester United's philosophy to every coaching situation.

After taking your seat and enjoying the game, you will top off the day with a match analysis and question-and-answer session with the Manchester United coaches.

The cost of the symposium – which includes admission to the game and a genuine Manchester United Nike jersey – is just $195. Registration is open to all coaches and “A” licensed coaches will receive one U.S. Soccer Continuing Education credit for attending this session.

The 2003 Manchester United Coaches Symposiums take place at four sites:
    Seattle             July 22        Manchester United vs. Celtic
    Los Angeles     July 27        Manchester United vs. Club America
    New York        July 31         Manchester United vs. Juventus
    Philadelphia     August 3      Manchester United vs. Barcelona

For detailed information and applications forms visit the official website: www.manutdsoccerschools.com/usatour, e-mail to Lvanzijl@esrusa.com or call 800-790-NIKE.

- ussoccer.com

15. America Scores Concert

 Even if you’ve passed this email on before, do it again!  We want to make sure people remember to come out and support SCORES!

 

Hey SCORES Fans,

 

Do some good while you do some shopping!  Shop at Whole Foods on California and Franklin from April 7-11 and 5% of the profits will benefit Bay Area SCORES. 

 

Want to know where everyone you know will be on April 24^th? This is the concert of the year you don’t want to miss.

 

 

 

 

Kenwood Vineyards                                      Townsend and Townsend and Crew

 

Morrison & Foerester Foundation                      Latham & Watkins                 LAB21

 

Not all authors are confirmed.

16. Kristine Lilly

This week's installment of U.S. Soccer's ongoing 90-Year Anniversary Articles Series is a look at the "Ironwoman" of U.S. Soccer, Kristine Lilly.  Lillyhas amassed a record 249 caps, by far the most ever - male or female - in the history of international soccer, since debuting in just the 16th game in Women's National Team history.  And if it seems like Lilly has almost always been on the field for the U.S., that's because she almost has been - missing a mere 31 games in the 280 games played since her debut in 1987.

Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly celebrated her 100th cap for the United States in the second-floor lounge of a second-rate hotel in Campinas, Brazil, surrounded by 1970s décor and several greasy sacks full of McDonald’s hamburgers and french fries, which in Campinas, a non-descript city about 60 miles north of Sao Paulo, might have been the high-end option for American cuisine.

But her teammates were there (they got her a cake) and that’s all that Lilly has ever really needed.

Even though she was the first U.S. player to reach 100 caps, there wasn’t much reason to celebrate.  After all, she would get 100 more.  And she's almost got 50 more after that.

When she got her 200th cap, the scene was a bit different, as she was carried off the field in front of a screaming crowd at Civic Stadium in Portland, Ore., on the shoulders of her teammates after becoming the first soccer player in history, man or woman, to play 200 times for her country.  Her amazing accomplishment can partly be attributed to the fact that she started playing international soccer at age 16, but the roots of her amazing longevity, almost ridiculous durability and super-human consistency are to be found in the years before she first played for her country, in the small town of Wilton, Conn.

Lilly was never what you would call a big girl.  She was tiny when she was younger and today, she’s still just 5-4, evoking more “you look MUCH bigger on TV” comments than any of her teammates when fansmeet her in person. But she is now, and has always been, the toughes