Too many coaches line players up to shoot at the goal and expect players to be able to adjust to the many situations they find themselves in when shooting in a real game. A far better and more realistic approach would be for coaches to use penalty box exercises in which players in and around the penalty box receive balls under pressure, frequently facing the wrong way and off balance and are expected to swivel and get a shot off. The following exercises are a good way for coaches to put players in more realistic shooting situations.  

Three attackers are situated in the penalty box just off the 18-yard line. There are flank players on both sides of the box near the touchlines and a central midfield player 10-15 yards off the top of the box. The ball begins with the central midfield player who can either feed the ball into the forwards or play the ball to the flank players. If the ball goes to the forwards, they must shoot on the second touch. If the ball goes to the flank players they must serve the ball in and the forwards must shoot the ball first time.  

The second stage is that the forward inside the penalty box who takes the first touch cannot score, which means that the ball must be laid off to another one of the forwards to shoot. The coach keeps track of how many goals the unit of three can score in a minute.  

The third stage is adding three defenders to mark the three forwards. The forwards can score any way they wish. In this particular exercise when the defenders win the ball or the goalkeeper saves it, the ball goes back to the center midfield player and the players’ roles in the penalty box switch (Attackers become defenders, defenders become attackers).  

The major benefit to these penalty box exercises is that they replicate what really happens in a game with balls being played into forwards where they have to receive them at numerous angles. It is a much more realistic environment than simply lining players up outside the penalty box to take shots.

For more information including responsibilities, requirements, status and hours, download the complete .pdf job advertisement.

Download the Petition Here

Dear Soccer Enthusiasts:

We are starting an indoor/outdoor soccer facility by McInnis Park in San Rafael and are asking for your support to make sure it will be built. The facility will consist of two full size indoor soccer fields with an all-weather outdoor field and bleachers. It
will include a concession stand that overlooks the indoor fields and an outdoor deck overlooking the outdoor field. The facility will have an arcade room for kids, a business with training programs for individuals and teams, and a soccer shop. There will
be lockers, showers, offices, banquet/party rooms and meeting rooms. This first class soccer facility will host indoor and outdoor leagues, soccer camps, coaching clinics, referee clinics and tournaments. This facility will provide much needed fields for the continued growth of soccer in Marin. With this new soccer complex and the proximity of existing McInnis
outdoor fields, Marin may finally be able to host State Olympic Development Program tryouts and State Cups. The facility will be for all ages and will be the first of its kind in Northern California. There will also be a baseball training center and possibly
basketball and tennis courts on site.

The soccer complex is being developed and will be managed by Andrew Rowley and myself. Andrew, a former “Marinite,” started “Sports City,” a successful indoor soccer business in Santa Rosa in 1996 and expanded it to Cotati in 2002. Sports City is currently one of two successful indoor soccer complexes in Northern California, this bodes well for the success of the Marin complex. As many of you already know, I grew up in Marin and have coached, played soccer and managed teams for years here. I have also run my own successful business building/remodeling homes and investing in real estate for over 10 years.

Drawings for the new complex have been submitted to The City of San Rafael and are in the design review process. As with any project of this magnitude there will be opposition and this is why we need your help. Our first meeting with The City of San Rafael Design Review Board went well but people opposing the project came in full force. Aside from our presenters, there
was only one person there to support the project and about 40 neighbors who were against it. The next meeting is mid-August so this will be your opportunity to make your voice in support of soccer heard. If we do not get approval at this next meeting the project will not pass and the dreams of having this soccer (sports) facility will end. We need to show The City of San Rafael that an indoor/outdoor soccer facility is truly needed and wanted in Marin. Your voice must be heard! We need our soccer fans, kids, moms, dads, coaches, referees, and players to come to the next meeting, sign and pass around petitions (see attached) and send emails or write letters in support of this project. Please act now to make sure this dream will come true!

We really need the support of everyone in the soccer community, so please print out the petition and get as many people as possible to sign it and write a letter or an email saying you support “The Marin Indoor Soccer Complex.” If you are writing an email or letter, please include your name, where you live and your club or team affiliation, if any. Signed petitions and letters can be mailed to 280 Cardinal Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941. If you prefer email, please send your letters of support to imanchip@yahoo.com. If you have any questions or would like more information on the project, you can reach me via the above email address or call me at (415) 383-6430.

Note: these letters can be short and to the point. The main thing is to show support for the project. Below are some suggestions on what you might refer to in your letter:

*facility will support continued growth of soccer in Marin
*will provide more fields, which are lacking in Marin, especially in Winter
*will give kids a safe place to play year round
*will enable more people to enjoy the general health benefits of soccer
*will enhance the existing soccer community by providing a central place for meetings and all soccer related activities
*will promote further cooperation between clubs and give all clubs access to state of the art facilities
*will provide sport specific speed and agility training for soccer players
*will give soccer players access to physical trainers, therapists and other related practitioners
*will provide educational opportunities for coaches & players by providing access to games on tape, coaching videos, books...

Please get your support document(s) in as soon as possible so we have them in hand for the design review meeting that is slated for mid-August. If you are interested in attending this meeting, please let me know, so I can send you the details as soon as they
are set. We appreciate your work on behalf of soccer in Marin and thank you in advance for your help and support in making the Marin Indoor Soccer Complex a reality. I look forward to hearing from all of you and will keep you updated on how things are going.

Sincerely,

Ivan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ivan Manchip
Tel/Fax:(415)383-6430
email: imanchip@yahoo.com

Download the Petition Here

Spaces are still available for the August Hamlin Soccer Camps.

 Download the flyer here.