The Values of Coaching for Arsenal Colorado

As we take time around the holidays to slow down and appreciate the little things in life, I wanted to take the time to share the value of coaching this great game; for your great club.

What can soccer give a child who first steps onto our field at the age of four or five?

It goes without saying that soccer can teach valuable life lessons in fairness, sportsmanship, and grace under pressure, respect for your teammates, coaches, opponents and officials. Also sports can teach kids how to recover from setbacks and give the ability to solve problems and face challenges.  Of course many parents will believe, and will in effect lead their children to believe, that winning sets you apart from your peers. No matter if you are 5, 15 or 25, first is everything and anything else means you have failed. However, what we soon forget is that our children are not signing multi-million dollar contracts to play for Arsenal.

As a club, we want our coaches, our parents, our volunteers and our players to think wider and bigger than what the scoreboard says each week. We need to measure performances individually and collectively to give our children and players a sense of worth no matter if they played on a winning or a losing team. Our coaches are tasked with not just developing the player, but developing the person and getting them to constantly think outside the box and evaluate situations and challenges differently. Educating our players on how to set measurable goals, unique to each individual is paramount to building on the foundation of a love for the game, which most if not all children have. Where we come in as coaches is to make them see their successes, and help them work on their weaknesses. This will only be achieved through educating ourselves to do this. As a club we are making positive strides in this direction. We have coaching tools which will allow every coach access to training sessions which are designed for a specific age-group and can be modified to fit the ability of the players involved.

As coaches once we have this foundation in place, we can begin to educate the parents on how their journey will take form, reminding them that development and passion always need to be at the forefront of their child’s voyage, when parents will begin to understand this is when the chance of success begins to cultivate. We want our teams to have a unique style of play; we want the players within our club to have the confidence to try new things without fear of failure. We want any child that plays here to take confidence and belief into other areas of their life, where it will serve them well today as a young person, and tomorrow as an adult. It’s about the understanding that team is more important than self, which can hold endless possibilities to those in the work place later in life. Those players who, while being the most gifted of athletes or soccer players to begin with, grasps that through hard-work and perseverance they can reach their goals by developing their strengths and being able to overcome their perceived weaknesses, is that same person who needs to pass their Biology exam and uses that experience of working hard on their own to get a good grade. The child who played on a team that lost all of their recreational games finds themself on a State team at U15 and is constantly hungry for more success because he/she haven’t been spoiled by ‘over-winning’ at a young age as well as they were taught it was more important to learn to pass the ball with both feet than worry whether their team was winning or not.

If we can give these gifts to our children today, then no matter if they were winning or losing on an Arsenal team, they will look back and say “I really loved my time when I was here and I really learned something about life,” then we will all be winners. They may even come back and coach our next generation of players.

We want our kids to LOVE soccer, we want it to be a big part of their families’ lives, something they can do and enjoy together. Whether watching games on TV or following the Men’s and Women’s University teams or simply just being out at city fields or the complex. . We want them to wear their jersey with pride and believe that they are part of something unique and special. It is no accident that soccer is the most popular game in the world and it is a gift that we can all enjoy together, every day at Arsenal Colorado.

Thank you for allowing me to do what I love and to be a part of your child’s memories

Have a wonderful holiday season and we will see you in the spring!

-Jayme “Beamer”Halsey – Assistant Director of Coaching & Player Development

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Update from Presidents Cup Nationals (Day4)

Day 4 Blog 1

We woke up at 7:30 and went to get breakfast from the lobby then meeting in a room to talk about the day ahead of us and our breakdowns yesterday.  After eating together as a team, we went back to our rooms to prepare for the game. We knew that we had to come out ready to play hard because this was the game to get us to the championship. We went to the cars and headed to the fields to stretch well and warm up. Our warm-ups were focused and we were ready to play knowing how much tis game meant to us. The game started and you could tell from the whistle that we were on. Our passes were to feet, our movements were quick into space, and we were playing for each other.  After our outside mid, Kait Eden, scored from a through ball, our defensive mid, Kat Bossenbroek, went down with what we later found out to be a sprained ankle.  We still continued to play strong and at half, we talked about our strengths and the few things we needed to fix to seal the win.  We went into the second half just as strong as the first and we got a PK and Jordan Paulson finished it for a 2-0 lead. As the game continued, we didn’t let up and Kait Eden scored again from the top of the 18. We continued to hold them and the game ended in a 3-0 win against Libertyville Chicago, Illinois sending us to the Championship game tomorrow.  After the game, we went to the hotel as a team to eat lunch celebrating our win. We got ready quickly to go to a movie, Ice Age 4, where we relaxed and stayed out of the heat. We went back to our hotel and relaxed for a couple hours then headed to the chaperone’s hotel to eat tacos for dinner. After dinner, we split off with some girls going to the mall and some going back to the hotel to play games and relax. We are heading off to bed tonight realizing that we have a big game tomorrow and mentally preparing ourselves for the important battle tomorrow.

-Joanie Ellis and Kait Eden

Day 3 Blog 2

We began our warm up shaky due to one of the girls forgetting a cleat, the problem was later resolved. During the warm up the team got into game mode, we all focused and made sure our touches were down. We then took the field determined to leave it all out there. We began rough and it seemed that neither team was getting much work done. We connected a few good plays but it still hadn’t gotten us far. Finally after a great free kick by Jordan Paulsen, Alex Klema finished it off with a header goal. At half time our coaches let us in on what we needed to fix and we again took the field. After a hard fought half we finished the game with a 2-1 loss. After getting our lunch and regrouping we are now getting ready to pay a visit to the Jelly Belly factory. We are all in our cute matching purple shirts and excited to tour the factory.  Until tomorrow, so long.

Adria Davis

Day 3 Blog 1

The team woke up this morning and came down to the meeting room for breakfast. We had a box of a bagel, juice, fruit, yogurt and a granola bar. We were all ready as ever. We headed back to the rooms and suited up to play, then hopped in the car to go to the fields. Check back after the game for the update.

– Kat Bossenbroek

Update from President’s Cup Nationals Day 2

Day 2 Blog 2

After coming back and winning 4 to 2, the team was in very good spirits. We all received water bottles that had special gifts inside them from the other team. After taking off our soccer gear and going through our gifts, we all packed into the cars to go to lunch, which is kind of strange because we eat most of our meals at a hotel that is about a mile away from the hotel that all the teams, including us, are staying at. But I like it because it gets us away from all the chaos and distractions. Our lunch was sandwiches, chips, fruits, brownies and juice, which were all very yummy! One of the cars didn’t show up for like 45 minutes because they got lost which was hilarious because they did the same thing for dinner the day before. Finally everyone had eaten and we all went back to the hotel. We had about 4 hours of free time where some girls went to the pool, some went to the mall and some just slept! I love this team because you can truly be with anyone and trust them with your deepest darkest secrets and know that they will love you and support you no matter what. So after all of us chilled out, we went and had dinner and then got froyo for dessert, which we all stuffed ourselves to the brink! Today also happened to be one of the girl’s, Abby Zimmerman, birthday and so we celebrated that by surprising her with a giant cookie at the team meeting tonight!! So glad we have the opportunity to be here! Check back for more tomorrow! Night!

– Cassie Florentin

Day 2 Blog 1

This morning we got up for breakfast at the hotel with all the girls. After getting ready for the game we all loaded up in the cars then headed to the fields. We had a strong focused warm up and all the girls were very ready to get on the field for our first nationals game against Miami Lakes SC. We started off the game with a quick play that almost ended with Alex Klema scoring but after a few more minutes we started to play worse as nerves got to us, missing the possession our team is known for. We would have bursts of controlled play throughout the first half but mostly the opposing team was winning balls out of the air, physically stronger on every challenge and passing around us. We were down twice in the first half with them scoring first us second, by Alex Klema, and then them again. At half time the whole team was upset with the way we had started the game. Our coach, Adam Bauer, talked us through our nerves throughout half time, pointing out even though we are in another state we are still playing the same game and if we played how we could, we would blow this out of the water. Second half started off well. Alex Klema scored two minutes into the second half. Having our confidence back we started to play more possession. And Alex ended up scoring again… the last twenty minutes of the game was stressful because we knew the one goal lead could be taken away easily. With three minutes left in regulation Jordyn Seidel score our last goal calming the team. After the game was over we got lunch then headed back to the hotel to relax. Good start to the tournament and excited for our next game!

– Jordan Paulsen 

President’s Cup Nationals here we come!

Day 1

To start off the tournament, the entire team had an early start catching two planes to get to Sacramento for Prez Cup Nationals!  First thing we did was get some food at the local mall before resting for practice.  As practice came around, we showed off our new Adidas shirts and came ready & focused.  The point of the practice was to get used to the fields and the heat.  We worked hard in every drill and we were determined to not leave the field until we had perfected each element of the game to the best of our ability including our touches, passes, shots, cornerkicks and free kicks.  After practice we did some team bonding over dinner, then left for the hotel to get a good nights sleep for tomorrows big game.  We’re going to bed tonight really determined to win tomorrow & really having a shot to name our team the best team in the nation.  Check back tomorrow for our new blog

– Izzy Engeman

Nationals Preview – U17 Girls Royal, Alex Klema

Arsenal CO:

Tell us a little bit about your Arsenal experience.

Alex:

I started playing U12 on the red team then I moved up to white and eventually to Royal. I always felt welcome on my Arsenal team although I was from Windsor, except when they would make fun of our high school program that is actually pretty kick-ass today.

Arsenal CO:

What are some of your favorite memories?

Alex:

Punching the watermelon, staying in hotels with the team, when the bird pooped on shortstop, playing truth or dare, car rides in Canada

Arsenal CO:

What was it like playing six games in five days with two going into overtime to win the Region IV Presdients Cup tournament?  

Alex:

Any time you put your body through such a demanding experience, you definitely feel it. All of us were sore. Although we were lacking subs we showed we had enough heart to not focus on the physical pain we were feeling but to focus on the victory that we were so close to. It shows we were the team with the best endurance by winning two games in overtime.

Arsenal CO:

As team head captain, how do you or did you help prepare your team to win Regionals? Do you have any rituals that help bring you good luck? For example, do you put your helmet on exactly the same way every time?

Alex:

Well, as team head captain, I knew the other players on the team look to me for leadership. I always try to bring a relaxed and fun feeling to every game, yet when we get going I give my all and become intense. Warm-ups have to be taken seriously or we will not start strong. I believe in three of our six games we scored in the first ten minutes; our opponents then didn’t stand a chance. We have a strong front line to get goals, and a strong back line to stop goals, the two ingredients needed to win. Also, after we win big games we do this kitty-lion thing…it’s pretty weird.

Arsenal CO:

This U17 Royal team has something special.  What or how do you think (what does your team or coach do) that gets you all playing as a team so well? For example, you guys have an amazing passing game. You could talk about team unity, all the team bonding things you do or did in the past few years…..give examples because I know you have done some silly things.

Alex:

When a player makes a Royal team she is being told she isn’t the best. The Gold team is the best. This feeling can linger in the minds or players and coaches. There are two ways a player can take that. She can say, “Everyone is right. I’m not as good and never will be.” If you do that you will just coast, missing opportunities to become the best player you can be. The other choice is to say, “I just need to work a little harder on this.” Then you can improve on what you are lacking and battle your hardest at every opportunity you get. This last year the spark was lit for this team where we realized that we are all great players, no matter which team we are on. During high school these girls battled girls from other teams and often came out on top. Cassie Florentin (Shortstop) was voted Fossil Ridge’s MVP. This Arsenal Royal team has the drive and heart necessary to be a successful team and we have shown that. There is a closeness on this team I have never experienced anywhere else. We all know we can trust each other with anything.  We care immensely about each other and it shows on the field.  Players don’t win games, teams do, and that is what makes us special.  We have that unity, and we compete for each other.  Our coach Adam believes in us and told us the potential we possessed.  He knew we had so much to offer and through challenging trainings and hard work he has gotten that out of us.

Arsenal CO:

In just 20 days you’re heading to the Presidents Cup National Tournament in Sacramento, CA. What do you most look forward to? What have you and the team been doing to prepare for Nationals?

Alex:

To prepare for Nationals we are just going to continue to do our thing. We will train just as hard and continue to push one another. We know we can be national champions if we show up to play our game. We can’t take this lightly. We just have to be ready to go.

Home From Regionals

As most of you may already know the U17 Girls Gold were knocked out of the Far West Regional’s in their semi-final game. The girls were defeated by Cal North Chilipeppers. The girls played well but unfortunately could not come away with the win.

It was not easy for the girls to go as far as they did and fall just short. The girls competed all week long and showed that they are capable of playing with some of the best that our region has to offer. The team is looking forward to the fall in defending their state cup championship and getting back to Regionals next year. The experience was beneficial for everyone involved and I believe that this group of girls can achieve great things in the future if they continue to push themselves.

I enjoyed getting the opportunity to coach the girls and watch them succeed. Thanks to everyone who followed and supported the girls while they were in Phoenix!

-Kris Banghart

Updates from Far West Regionals! June 22

Day 6

This morning we started off early with a 7:00 AM breakfast in preparation for a 9:00 AM game.  We had a solid warm up and started the first half excited to play.  At the end of the first half the score was tied 0-0.  About three minutes into the second half Legends FC scored.  Luckily, we answered with a goal by forward Koree Willer about ten minutes later.  The rest of the half our team worked hard despite the heat and the game ended with a score of 1-1.  We began overtime which was two fifteen-minute periods and neither team was able to score forcing the game into a shootout.  The shootout then began and we chose Koree Willer, Kaelin Trippe, Katy Couperus, Haley Murphy and Zola Owsley as our five designated shooters.  We ended PKs with a 3-2 victory after keeper Kaeli Schmidt came up with two big saves.  We celebrated the win with smoothies at Jamba Juice then returned to the hotel for ice baths and food.  We plan on spending the rest of the day relaxing, going to see a movie, and having Olive Garden at the hotel for dinner.  We are very excited about tomorrow’s semifinals game, which will be against Chili Peppers of Cal North.  We will update you with the final score soon!

 

-Madi Ott

Updates from Far West Regionals! June 21

Day #5

Last night we played our final pool play game against the #1 ranked team in the region and #2 in the nation, Legends Breakaway.  We played hard the first half and finished the half 0-0.  About half way through the second half forward Koree Willer scored off a perfect through ball from midfielder Lauren Roeling.  After the goal was scored we shifted into defensive mode.  Luckily, keeper Kaeli Schmidt came up with countless big saves to prevent a goal from Legends attackers.  At the end of the game we were exhausted, but very excited to away with the win. The final was 1-0.

 This morning we woke up around 7:30 AM adjusting our sleep schedules in order to wake up early for our 9:00 AM Quarter Final game tomorrow.  After a quick breakfast the entire team headed down to the pool for some water volleyball, light swimming, and a few rides down the slide.  We spent the rest of the day relaxing in the rooms, watching the Portugal vs. Czech Republic game, and playing some Mario.  The majority of the team went to the mall for some shopping and then a team dinner at Olive Garden.  We are very excited about the upcoming game and will update you with the final score as soon as possible. 

Madi Ott, Katy Couperus & Haley Murphy

Updates from Far West Regionals! June 20

Day #4

Hello again bloggers! I hope all you guys are enjoying the blog as much as we are! The game last night went well with us winning 3-1 against New Mexico AUFC. We scored two early goals in the first half.  Other than our two goals in the first half we were on our heels and forced to play a lot of defense.  At the start of the second half Katy Couperus hit a bullet that put us up 3-0. Not too long after that New Mexico was able to score to make it 3-1. Again, we were forced to play tough defense as New Mexico made a strong push to get back in the game. Our four defenders; Madi Ott, Kaelin Trippe, Taylor Nelson, and Ashley Evans, were vital to our win as they turned away every opportunity that New Mexico was able to create. Kaeli Schmidt came up with some big time saves as well. Although we didn’t play our best that win automatically put us into the quarterfinals on Friday. 

Today, we have game against Legends from Southern California. They are currently ranked 1^st in Region IV. If we win the game we will get first in our pool and will play a second place team from another pool. If we lose the game we will get the second seed in our pool and will play a first seed team from another pool. Tomorrow will be our day off before the quarters. Right now we are all hanging out watching TV and playing Mario getting focused for the game tonight at 7pm!

-Haley Murphy