Youth Soccer 360

We are still regrouping after a few nights in Philadelphia. Everything worked out well for us with one highlight being the 4-on-4 Adidas Tournament on Saturday night. Usually the highlight of this night is the free beer from its sponsor Budweiser and some spirited soccer by a collection of teams comprised of all ages, both men and women. However, this might the soccer was a little different when we recognized one team was suiting up Preki -- yes THAT Preki. Once they started playing we realized that one of his teammates was Eric Wynalda -- yes THAT Eric Wynalda. The big surprise was that they were eliminated by a group of players from the Rochester, NY area that went on to win the championship. (Sorry we didn’t catch there name, and I as I mentioned above there was free beer.)

Overall the exhibit hall seemed to be filled with fake grass companies or software analysis tools. However there were some good causes represented, and over the next two weeks I will add some updates about some of the people and organizations that I met at the exhibit hall that are helping people and doing it around the youth soccer movement.

Posted by Tim at 04:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's a list of the NSCAA training sessions that I am looking to attend. I have a few vender meetings scheduled in here too, and it could change because things are always coming up.

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THURSDAY
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9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Regaining Possession: Organization of Forwards and Midfielders 3-5-2 - Kendall Reyes, Women's Coach, USC Upstate, Sponsored by the NSCAA Black Soccer Coaches Committee; OR
Finishing in the Penalty Area" - Mike Barr, Director of Coaching EPYSA tomorrow at same time

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Current Trends in Fitness Training for Soccer - Chris West, Associate Head Strength Training Coach, University of Connecticut; OR
World Class Skill: Development from Mind to Match - Rob Kehoe, Performance Coach, Winning Ways Team Training

12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Functional Dynamic Warm-up: Building Athleticism via the Warm-up - John Cone, Assist. Coach Kansas City Wizards; OR
Performance Testing and Training: A Team Approach - Shad Forsythe, Performance Specialist, AP Los Angeles, MA, ATC, CSCS

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Games for Possession, Recognition, and Quick Play - Tony DiCicco, Tech Director FSASoccerPlus, George Kostelis, and Janusz Mihallik, SoccerPlus Camps

4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Pressure Football Practice - Ruud Dokter, Ruud Kaiser, Dutch U16 and U17 National Team Coaches; OR
Creative Passing with a Means to an End - Shaun Gore, Football in the Community Director, Chelsea FC

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FRIDAY
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9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
"Coaching Through the Thirds of the Field" - Paul Marco, Paul Payne, Doug Williamson, NSCAA Academy Coaching Staff

10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Transition From Midfield to Dual Strikers - Todd Wawrousek, Head Women's Coach Gettysburg College, Adrian Cox, Steve Frey, Sponsored by US Club Soccer, OR
"1 v 1: Attacking Skills in the Final Third" - Simon Clifford, Southampton FC

12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Developing Expertise and Creativity in Soccer - Darren Treasure, PhD, Head of the NSCAA Sports Psychology Division, Or
Get in the Box! - Roy Millar, Director of Coaching, Irish FA, NSCAA Featured Clinician

2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Penetrating Passing for U14 Players - Sam Snow, Director of Coaching Education, US Youth Soccer
OR
Forward Touch, Forward Play, The Arsenal Way - Emma Hayes, Head Women's Coach Iona College, Steve Davis, Werner Dasbach

4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
Team Training for Strikers and Goalkeepers - Sue Ryan, Head Women's Coach, SUNY Stony Brook

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SATURDAY
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9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Advances in Technical Training: Coaching Technique in the Game - Lauren Gregg, Two-time World Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist
OR
Possession for Attacking Purposes - Sigi Schmid, Columbus Crew

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Speed of Play: Combining Technical and Tactical Development - Jay Miller, Executive Director of Coaching, Atlanta Fire United

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
The Connection Between Good Defensive Skills and the Start of Efficient Attacks - Even Pellerud, Canadian Soccer Assocaition, NSCAA Featured Clinician

Posted by Tom McGuinness at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am heading to Philadelphia tomorrow night for a weekend of soccer immersion therapy at the NSCAA Convention. I plan to hit the convention hall early on Thursday and take in a couple of sessions. The best part about the first day is just seeing everyone again. I have attended this convention for over 15 years so this is a great chance to see some familiar faces. Check in over the weekend, we should be able to do some updates right from the convention floor.

Posted by Tom McGuinness at 08:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)