SoccerTech
New York
This is where I take a shot from my own angle (perspective). Sometimes indirect and sometimes very direct, but the goal here is to share my observances, experiences and ideas to motivate others.
Al Angelo
The "WHAAAT" of playing UP
As our travel teams close out the spring season, parents are scheduling the summer activities such as camps, SoccerTech, etc.., and thinking about next year. Tryouts are earlier in an attempt to be organized and prepared to offer the players the most of a 10 month soccer season. We also begin to hear the grumblings of moving up in playing division....to that I say....not so fast!
Playing up in the Colonie Club is something that has been decided, not a good thing overall. That being said, we have many situations where it can be beneficial for the club, the team, and the player to have them move up a division to play. First off, it is a club decision, not a parent decision. I love it when a parent tells me that their child will play up or they will move on to another club.....REALLY? You will take your child out of his/her home club so they can play up??? and just who is it that they are going to go to in order that they, the parent....dictates that they child plays up? Are they going to the Alleycats and telling them that their child will play up a division? I have to get a chuckle from that notion.
I am not sure if there is a notion that playing up is a stylish thing, a developmental thing, or what. What I do know is that this club does not operate that way.....anymore.
Our Varsity coaches have appealed to the club to adopt the policy that in most all cases, players play at their age level. Age level training goes hand in hand with player development both on the skill end of things as well as the age and maturity end of things. Players playing up tend to struggle more than they need to in the game itself.....they are often smaller and are playing catch up almost continuously. And what about the player who is really skilled and can match up against the bigger players......is it worth a silly injury? I really think that a player can develop much faster when they can, at least in every other year, actually be a dominant player....why not boost their confidence and love of the game?
As I watch professional training sessions and see that the same techniques are happening in varying degrees at all levels, it wonder just what it is that appeals to people to want their child to play up. I don't get it and I also love to sit back and wish those well who take their child elsewhere to find out that they are not going to play up, because coaches and club administrators decide if players play up or not.
Exceptions, and there are many include; late registrations who play up because of roster spots availability, is the player at the top of the age group to which they are playing up?, does the club needt o move players up in order to maximize roster availability and to avoid making cuts?, moving a player up must never hinder or deplete an age level, do all coaches, Varsity coaches, and administrators agree that playing the player up is in the Club's and the Player's best interest?, and after that is all figured out, and only when all that is figured out, the parents finally get their say to agree or disagree with their child playing up.
So, let us all put that worry away and deal with it when the club brings it up. At Colonie, it is not a parents decision.
Economy proof soccer…(April 2011)
As we navigate the most trying of economic times, I am amazed at the way the game of soccer continues to become more expensive…and yet, remains more popular than ever. I have seen expenses grow 10 fold over the past 20 years. One reason why popularity remains high is that the quality of the kid’s soccer experience is better than ever. Training methods and facilities are two expenditures which, while substantial, worth every penny.
I am seeing U10 players playing the game in very advanced ways. Training sessions are shorter and more productive, and competition is top class. A 14 year old player could be travelling like a minor league ball player and may have played 500 games in their lives. Of course this is the extreme, but I have to take a pause at how far this game has come in a short period of time.
One the considerations club administrators have to make is how to keep mom and dad from going broke, while running a programs spanning 3 seasons (10 months) with indoor and outdoor competitions. At Colonie, a huge effort is put forth in getting the best for less, and spreading out the $$hurt over the course of the program. My teams usually have a full agenda of 10 – 12 events a month. I spare no opportunity, while pinching every penny. Still, my budget for next season is almost $1000 per player. Astonished by this, I ask around to the other programs and find that other community clubs are up to almost $2000 and premier clubs could have an expense of $4000 per player…….so I don’t feel too bad.
What can parents do? Well, I enlist my parents to become part of the solution……fund raise, or at the very least, help plan the activities and have a seat at the table. Afterall, it is their money. I think parents should budget $100/month for their players sports. I think being a cohesive unit will also make your dollars go further. The more that is donated and the more volunteers do, the less it costs everyone. Facilities cost more, but are better……gear cost more, but is better…..coaching cost more, but is WAYYYYYY Better, so feel good about the fact that you are getting more “Kick” for your money!~
Raise the bar in 2011 (11/10)
It has been almost a year since I sat and spilled my thoughts on the condition of Colonie Soccer. It's been a busy year, coaching and training players of all ages and genders. I enjoy the field time with the players and leave each session knowing that at least one of the players gained something from their time with me....hopefully many did.
As a student of the game, I am in a constant state of study. I study the game, the players, the environment, our competition, other coaches, parents, and club administrators.....I am always observing behaviors, trends, and attitudes. This awareness helps me better understand the big picture so that I can have a vision for the club, and its players and coaches that they may not even have themselves. This vision has a standard that I don't think we, as a soccer community, have reached yet. I am not perfect and don't pretend to be "all that". What I am is a consumate hard worker. I believe 100% that if we strive to improve and be better, eventually we'll get there.
I coach a lot of different youngsters from all different age and skill level. last year I worked with 4 year olds and I worked with 19 year olds....but I continue with a common theme......WE HAVE TO GET BETTER!
A coach that I worked with used to beat himself up over the performance of the team....and we all understand that is a natural feeling of a coach. But I have to throw some (a lot) of responsibility at these players. Believe me, I am not passing the buck, or making excuses. What I am doing is saying "hey! we are all in this together." (players, friends, parents, coaches, club). WE, the group, cannot improve properly unless every single member of this circle raises the bar in doing their part. I put most on the players because above all, it is the player who can overcome all of the above and achieve. It is the player who is the greatest stakeholder in this thing....they are the beneficiery of all the work of the rest of the group.
I work with many players who go through the motions....and parents who feel that, if the player goes through the motions, the spoils and rewards are there for their child....NOT!
It is the player who works hard at their game. Watches the game on t.v., goes to camps, works on their own, gives 100% all the time....not to mention, do their homework, chores, and all their other responsibilities....It is this player who will raise the bar! And if there are a number of players, perhaps even a team of players who buy into the investment of themselves....This will be a great team and a team that achieves much, AND RAISES THE BAR!
Let's all take a moment to evaluate what our role is in this and how we can Raise the Bar for ourselves and each other.
Where we want to be....(12/09)
Colonie Soccer Club is a buzz of late with new coaches, fresh ideas, and the largest committment to player development in history.
Walk into most any training sessions and you will see coaches that keep the group moving, often 2 or 3 coaches working together and demands like never before. Coaches are not just showing up at practice and running through activities either. A good lesson plan is born from the coaches observance of the team's abilities and skill level. How they train and how they play are the core subjects to which they base their training sessions. If the team is playing too slow, or not defending well, we use the off days to develop a plan to work on those items.......It truly is not a random act anymore. I know that I discuss training sessions in great detail with coaches...it's that important.
Afrim's indoor facility is almost $200. per hour. Players and coaches must take the field very very prepared......walking in the door at practice start time is a huge waste. Players should be there 15 - 20 minutes in advance and have their personal warm up and stretching done by the time the whistle blows. This goes for coaches as well.......no lines and no lectures! We don't have time for that. Field time is too costly, and we need to get our game plan executed efficiently and effectively the first time.
The club has raised the bar for their coaches and trainers. The players must also raise their own personal bar to improve and be a valuable part of our teams. While winning is not a core value of our club, it is an expected result of the hard work we are all putting into this. We've had pockets of great success from time to time and now is the time that we are devoted to building on these success stories and enjoying sustainable success from age group to age group, year in and year out.
Coach Trimarchi always reminds us that "If you're not getting better, you're getting worse". I invite everyone in Colonie Soccer to get better~!
Al
Back to Basics...(09/09)
As long as I've been in this club, one thing that is the constant in the ingredients to success....Volunteers.
In today's environment with paid staff due to increased demand of coaching education, we seem to have lost the value of our volunteers. To be successful, our club depends on our core of parents to provide their talents in many ways to fill the voids. Even our paid staff work for the club at rates well under their market value. But we often find ourselves without the very important volunteers to help with organizational skills, hard work, and dedication. Whether it is administrative, uniform coordinators, or field work, it is all important in providing the very best for our kids and keeping the costs low for everyone.
I find myself writing this message at least once a year. But it is so important that we recruit our parents to get involved at many levels. Offer to help the coach or the team manager......keep records, keep the funds straight, or any administrative work. We really, really need everyone's help and be involved. I often hear folks say things like "why can't we have that?", or "why can't we do that?"....and all I have to say is....well, dig in and DO IT! The only thing that keeps the Colonie kids from having all the best, is the parents to dig in and help make things happen. We need your efforts, talents, and hard work........
Let's get back to our core value.....volunteerism! and make it happen for our kids.
Al What????? A merger with another Club?? ARE WE CRAZY???? Things I am not sure that I would ever have considered here at Colonie. But, I will tell you that soccer is an ever growing and evolving sport here in the In this area, communities organize their own soccer programs to compete with one another. Most of the rest of the country have community based REC programs, but competitive soccer teams take a more regional line. Almost always a professional program, since the demand to have trained and licenses (and talented) trainers, and coaches has skyrocketed. We have a great REC program and a pretty good competitive program. But, as we look to further improve our position competitively, we knew we needed to broaden our base of players. Having considered becoming an “underling” to a Premier program, but ultimately not wanting to lose our control and identity, we started looking for another program, similar to ours that we may be able to create something special. Providing qualified coaching, a broad base of players to form a higher level team, while continuing to provide a developmental team option as well. We started talking with With Change Comes Fears…… We knew that there would be questions and concerns from our parent base. We knew that there were players who left our clubs for the premiers and for whatever reason, were looking for just such a change in order to come back. We also knew that we wanted to create this program without the expense that go along with the premier programs. We held “town hall” type meetings at both clubs to answer questions and hear the concerns. I was a bit surprised at the meek attendance, but the parents who did show up, had some very solid points and concerns to be heard. We were happy to have had the meetings and made adjustments as needed. Onward… So now, Tryouts for this new arrangement are scheduled and plans are rolling out. We have dubbed the program Mohawk United, and are looking for the creative types to design the uniform, logo, etc… I proposed a resolution to the club’s Executive Board for the creation of the position of Director of Coaching. After some wrangling over the necessity of such a position, its purpose and level of relative authority, the Board passed the resolution on an 8 ye, 0 nay vote with one member abstaining. I have to say, that some of the Board members fully understood the concept, while others put their trust in me that if I am asking for it, we must need it. Either way, I appreciated the Boards support in this position and will work to complete the comprehensive scope of work for this paid (albeit nominal pay) position.
A little help from my friends...
Yes, it's been a while and you haven't seen the SoccerTechny website so dormant in the past. This spring and summer for me have been a testament to how I've come to depend on the coaches who work with me. Some "off the field" challenges have taken over my focus these past few months....some good, some not so good. Either way, I have to confess that I have had less focus and motivation for the soccer programs than ever. No, my love to the game and teaching it to the youngsters hasn't gone away.....but this is a passion of mine, a pastime, if you will.....family and job are most important! ...and lately, they've had to take center stage.
What amazes me is that my programs went on...and were better than ever. My coaches picked up the slack for me in every way.....almost to shore things up on the soccer side for me while I adjust to some major changes (and challenges) off the field. I am very grateful to all the coaches and parents, and volunteers who stepped up to pick me up through it all.
The important thing is that I am here. I am in good shape and have a great program to continue to work with. As things settle down off the field, I am sure I will regain the motivation and focus that fuels my commitment to this soccer community. I know this isn't much of a Corner Kick, but I had to call my own number on this one, and take the shot myself.
Now, on to continue the good work with a most excellent group of individuals whom I depend on very much.
Al
previous Corner Kick
This program will instill a greater level of competitiveness, and better opportunity for the players to progress in their skills and abilities. As with most of our kids activities, parental support is critical and I urge all parents to support these players through the transition period.
Creating this position allows Colonie, who has just recently began paying some coaches for their expertise, to have a supervised direction in the manner in which our coaches train and develop our most important commodity…..your kids, our players. As important as it is that we have created this position, is the person who is planned to accept this position, Mike Trimarchi. Mike has been the Head Coach of the Colonie Boys
Not only will we, the Colonie Soccer Community be served well by the implementation of a development “system”, our coaches will have the resources and support they deserve and need to execute the overall plan. Coaching forums, continued education and informal coach’s gatherings will promote a quality level of cooperation and unity among our coaching staff. The direct benefactor of this will be the kids.
I am happy that the Club has taken yet another huge step in improving what is already a sound and viable soccer program here in Colonie. I look forward to nominating Mike at the next meeting and welcoming him into the management ranks.
For copies of previous Corner Kicks, please contact me at coachal@nycap.rr.com
