Update #1 from Milan!

Fun or Fear?

What motivates young players?

In a recent issue of Soccer Journal magazine Terry Michler wrote a compelling article titled “Fun or Fear? What motivates young players?” The article has provoked some serious thinking amongst the coaching world. Mike Freitag our State of Colorado Executive Director of Coaching also felt compelled to share his thoughts on the article in the states recent issue of Goal Post Scripts, The official publication of Colorado Youth Soccer.

In a recent blog, I wrote about mental toughness, in which I explained how kids feel undue pressure from coaches, teammates, and more often their own parents when it comes to performance. I explained how this pressure results in them quitting before their soccer career ever gets an opportunity to really start. “Seventy percent of the 20 million children who participate in youth sports will quit by age 13 because of bad experiences- damaged feelings of self worth- frozen by fear of making a mistake” Terry Michler

We need to ask ourselves as coaches and mentors how are we measuring success? If the answer is by wins and losses and how many trophies you can dust off at the end of the day, you may be the reason why the statistic is as high as seventy percent.

Recently I was on my way to our U-17 girls gold State Cup game and as I walking past a couple of fields that happened to be at half time it was easy to hear exactly what one particular coach was saying to his team. The players were no more than 5 yards from their coach, seated on the ground; however the coach felt compelled to stand over and scream at his players. I stopped to watch, as most people that were around me did. He continued to point at one particular player, asking her repeatedly what she was doing on the field. My first thought was, obviously she wasn’t doing what the coach wanted her to, to warrant such a verbal attack in front of her peers at half time. I decided to watch a little of the second half to see how this player would respond to her coaches delivery. The response wasn’t what the coach was looking for; the player seemed riddled with fear of making a mistake and in fact did make mistake after mistake which cost her a one way ticket to the bench.  I began to ask myself if the coach had changed his delivery would that player have gone out on the field with the confidence needed to succeed.

“Training in the early years is heavily focused on outcomes (winning) rather than the process (overall development).” Terry Michler I agree that we as coaches need to value the process, not the product. If we can do this the process will last much longer than the product, which will result in more people paying it forward and giving back to the game in a constructive way long past their playing career ends.

Jayme Halsey – Assistant Director of Coaching

Update from Nationals – August 1

Hey bloggers!
I hope that you all have enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it! It has been my pleasure keeping all of you, our loyal fans, informed!
That being said… Today was the final day of the 2011 National Championship tournament. We played our last game ever as a team this morning at 8:45 a.m. in 108 degree weather against the Dallas Texans. It has been an astounding journey and it was incredible to finalize it with playing in a National Championship Final!!! It was an exhilarating game and to say it was challenging would be an understatement. Unfortunately, due to some questionable calls by referees, we lost because of a PK in overtime. To give you the play by play… We came out and had a shot on goal in the first five minutes but it was knocked away by the goalie. Then about fifteen minutes in they got a free kick on top of the 18 due to a hand ball  by one of our girls. Scoring gave them a one zero lead which they maintained until there was 15 minutes left in regulation time. With the clock ticking ominously we received a free kick. After bobbling around in the box Laura Feehs netted a goal. Time expired and we entered into two fifteen minute overtimes. With about six minutes left before entering into a shoot out a questionable call was made rewarding the Texans with a PK. After scoring this we kept the pressure high, holding onto the hope that we could remain in this game. Sadly the whistle blew ending the game before we could even out the score. It was a heart breaking loss and a devastating end to an incredible journey. We received our silver medals graciously and gratefully, though the sting of losing was obvious. We were also rewarded with the “Fair Play” award and one of our two goalies, Megan Thomas, received the “Golden Glove” award.
Now we all head out to our respective schools anticipating big things for this college season!

Looks like we survived the heat!!! Over and out-
Jess

Update from Nationals! – July 30

Hey Blog Followers!
Yesterday was probably the hardest day of the tournament thus far. We
ended up losing to the Texans 1-0. Their lone goal came off of an
awkward mis-clear which one of their speedy forwards picked off. Overall
we just didn’t play well. Our passes weren’t connecting, we struggled to
win balls out of the air, and we only had one or two shots on goal.
Thankfully, since we put away games early on in this tournament we will
still be advancing to the finals Sunday morning! Today we had practice
this morning, grabbing some food, hitting the showers, watching a movie
or two and just enjoying being a team. What an incredible blessing. This
has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life… Good thing
it is far from over!

Until tomorrow, stay cool… It is 102 here! At nine in the morning!

Jess

Update from Nationals! – July 29

Hello blog followers!

Last time we chatted we had begun another day of rest and relaxation. Yesterday we enjoyed way too much food, icy hot, Advil and television for anyone’s good! Once again we headed for the fields at 7pm and listened to our pump up jam on the way. As we pulled into the parking lot a neon screen read 96 degrees… Not too shabby for seven at night! We unloaded the cars and booked it to the bathroom! (All that water comes back to bite ya sometimes!) Focused and determined we pulled up our socks, slipped in our shinguards and laced up our cleats. Game time.

The whistle blew and the battle began. Fighting hard until half-time we found ourselves with a nil-nil game against the Inferno from Minnesota. The game wore on and twenty five minutes into the second half Ali Stone, one of our solid center midfielders dropped a perfect ball just outside of the 18 yard box. My foot connected and the ball sailed. I looked up to see it slide off the goalies hand and shimmy down the back of the net! GOAL! Or in the words of the Mexican soccer channel GOOOOOAL! We continued to hold our win and just a few minutes later Cassie, who scored in the first game, slotted the ball across the six and Lauren Coviello snuck the ball in near post! We finished the game with a 2-0 victory!

We made our way back home and enjoyed some late night snacks and ice baths! Another successful day and we are all wiped out.

Now it is Friday and we face our third opponent, the Texans, tonight. I’ll let you know results ASAP!

Until next time, stay cool… We’re trying!

 Jess

 P.S. Shout out to Brittany Lott… She told me I was going to score before the game!

Update from Nationals! – July 28

Hey Bloggers!

As you know we played our first game last night against the PDA Tsunami from New Jersey. Just to give you the setting it was 8:00pm, the sun had just lowered behind the mountains, the temperature was 102 degrees and the air was still. We began with an international start, which just means that both teams walk out together and line up to wave to their fans. There were four games all commencing at the same time so all of the players, coaches and fans in the complex turned toward a waving American flag for the national anthem! Hearing that powerful song and looking around at everyone, eyes locked on the flag, was really incredible!

Then we huddled together for a cheer and took the field. It was a long hard fought game from both teams but… WE WON!!! WOOT WOOT! We defeated them 1-0. Our goal came with four minutes left in the game from our speedy outside midfielder Cassie (she is from the Real side of the team and is currently playing for Gonzaga!) She beat a player on the left sideline and then cracked a sick, left-footed shot to lead us to victory! We left the fields and returned to our resort for some salad and chocolate milk, yummy! Then some girls did a relaxing cool down in the pool and others braved the dreaded ice bath! Now we repeat yesterday’s glorious routine!

 Until later, stay cool… And we’ll try to also!

Jess

At 9:50 on Thursday it is 93 degrees here!

Update from Nationals – July 27

Hey Blog Followers!

                Arizona is actually turning out to be quite a beautiful state and the heat is not living up to all of the expectations that I had… THANKFULLY! Yesterday we practiced from six to eight and got to watch a stunning desert sunset with gorgeous streaks of pink and orange framing the rugged Arizona terrain. Thankfully it was only in the 90′s and there was a pleasant breeze so it was not miserable. Hot and sweaty we jumped in the cars and headed to a delightful dinner at Macaroni Grill. Carb loading commenced as well as drawing crazy self-portraits on their table cloths and chugging water. Got to stay hydrated! We finished up there around ten and headed back to the hotel. At which point it was 101 degrees! Crazy, huh!? After showering (Well at least most of us) we hit the sack. Let me tell you… I slept like a rock!

                Earlier today we had breakfast in the chaperones room and spent the remainder of the morning just relaxing in our HUGE hotel rooms. Then we reconvened for an epic game of “catch-phrase” and some snacks. Now we continue to lay low while beginning to mentally prepare for tonight’s match. We will be facing PDA Tsunami from New Jersey at eight o’clock. It is extremely exciting and I am anticipating a competitive game! I’ll let you know how it goes!

Until then, stay cool… we actually aren’t too bad ourselves! AZ temperature is 102 degrees at 2:27 p.m. AWESOME!

Jess