Our Game Extras
Aug. 28, 2011
Youth soccer players turned reporters: Interviews with the Philadelphia Independence
A number of youth soccer players get their chance to interview members of the Philadelphia Independence, including Amy Rodriguez, Lori Lindsey, Joanna Lohman, Tasha Kai, Val Henderson, and Nikki Krzysik.
Mia Shute, 7 years old, interviewing Amy Rodriguez
Q: What is the most important soccer skill you think a youth player should know?
Amy Rodriguez: Practice is what is going to make you as a player. I think that for me I have always put a lot of effort into practice. I train really hard so that way when it comes to a game – it’s not as hard. It’s actually easier for me.
Q: Please tell me three important things that you focus on each and every time you practice?
Amy Rodriguez: Each practice is different. Sometimes I am focusing more on shooting; sometimes it is passing or dribbling. I can tell you what I focused on in today’s practice. And that was making sure I am shooting all my shots in the corners – away from the goalie.
Q: What are the important ways you communicate with your teammates during practice and games?
Amy Rodriguez: I do a lot of talking in practice. It is important to make sure you are connected with your teammates and you’re telling them where to pass it to you. I also use my hands a lot - you know. I want them to say – hey pass it to my left foot or play it in this space. I would say body and your mouth are both two ways to communicate well.
Q: In your opinion, what is the best way to master new tricks and skills?
Amy Rodriguez: Mastering new tricks takes a lot of practice. I think that you’re not going to get it – you’re not going to master a skill in one practice. It’s going to take
multiple practices and you’re going to have to do it all the time so that your movements feel natural.
Q: When you were a youth player – were you always aggressive and tough?
Amy Rodriguez: No not always. I think it is something you learn and can develop over time. I was always a fast little player so I would just run around everybody and try not to get touched by any of the other players. But I think that you can learn to be more aggressive and players should do that as they get older because the game gets more physical.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you could give to inspire youth soccer players?
Amy Rodriguez: Like I said earlier – practice is so important. If you want to play a sport and you have a passion for it – go out and practice. That’s how you are going to be the best player in the world.
Q: When you were a youth player – what was your toughest challenge?
Amy Rodriguez: I have had a lot of challenges in my career, not just when I was younger but even as an adult. Now that I’m a professional I have challenges. I think that I’ll go through droughts when I’m not scoring or playing well. But for me I always focus on the next play, the next game or the next practice. Always looking forward to the next task and what I have to do.
Q: My favorite soccer move is the Maradona – what is your favorite soccer move?
Amy Rodriguez: Ooooh soccer move. I like the Stop and Push. Like – I’m trying to beat a defender – I’ll stop it really quickly and then immediately take a touch past them.
Q: How do you stick with the ball so well every time you get the ball?
Amy Rodriguez: I think that the way I train, I train a lot with dribbling and keeping the ball really close to my foot – taking touches every time I step. That makes me have good ball control and I’m able to keep it as I dribble.
Q: Do you remember your first youth soccer coach?
Amy Rodriguez: My first soccer coach was probably when I was six years old. I joined an AYSO team which is a recreational league out in California. My team was called the Little Rascals.
Q: Tell me about your favorite game or activity you used to play?
Amy Rodriguez: I remember playing games like steal the bacon. That was always fun because I always liked to chase after the ball and score goals.
Molly Green, 7 years old, interviewing Tasha Kai
Q: How old were you when you first played soccer?
Tasha Kai: I started playing soccer when I was seven. So about 21 years ago.
Q: Did you have fun coaches?
Tasha Kai: Yes. Growing up, my Dad was my coach. He knew nothing about soccer so he went to the store and bought all these books and videos and taught himself how to play soccer and then he coached me.
Q: How many days and hours a weeks do you practice playing soccer?
Tasha Kai: Professionally we train six days a week. We have one game every week and have one day off after the game. So technically six days a week we train.Q: What do you eat before games to give you energy?
Tasha Kai: I have a Venti ice non-fat caramel macchiato from Starbucks and a peanut butter and honey sandwich with no crust.
Q: Growing up was soccer the only sport you played? If not, what other sports did you play?
Tasha Kai: Growing up in high school I played basketball, volleyball, track and field, softball, cross country, and soccer.
Meghan Decker, 8 years old, interviewing Nikki Krzysik
Q: How old were you when you started playing soccer?
Nikki Krzysik: I was four and I played in a Rec league in Clifton, New Jersey.
Q: What is your favorite drill?
Nikki Krzysik: My favorite drill has to be something with defending because I’m a defender. Definitely 1 v 1 defending drills are always my favorite but then also I like to shoot because I don’t get much opportunity to do that in games. So shooting games are awesome.
Q: What do you do to prepare for a game?
Nikki Krzysik: Sometimes we play on Sunday. So I usually go to church in the morning. Then after church I usually have a pre-game meal. Then I get to the stadium like an hour and a half before the game. Then I stretch, heat my muscles, listen to music and then go out for a warm up.
Q: What college did you attend?
Nikki Krzysik: I went to University of Virginia.
Q: Was it hard playing soccer and keeping up with your studies in college?
Nikki Krzysik: I think that even when you are younger now. Like your age – you have school, homework, soccer practice and maybe other activities. How old are you – 8? So when I was about your age was when I started to learn how to balance things. I had to do my homework in the car. I had to do my homework before practice or else I couldn’t go to practice. So, learning from when you’re younger and then in high school, you’ll be ready for college.
Mackenzie Moyer, 7 years old, interviewing Lori Lindsey
Q: How long have you been playing soccer?
Lori Lindsey: I have been playing soccer for about 27 years. A long time.
Q: Who is your favorite coach?
Lori Lindsey: Well fortunately I have had quite a few good coaches. Steve Swanson from UVA. April Heinrichs from UVA. They were both my college coaches for a little bit. The Freedom coaches Jim Gabarra and Clyde Watson. And then here at Philly - Paul Riley. So they have all brought little things to help me improve my game. They have all been influential.
Q: Who is your favorite player?
Lori Lindsey: Who is my favorite player? Well male favorite player would probably be Paul Scholes, he’s from England and he just retired. He played for Manchester United. He was probably my all-time favorite.
Q: Do you practice on your own or only on set practice days?
Lori Lindsey: Yeah, I have worked a lot on my own. I love soccer so anytime I have free time I go outside and practice whether we have team training or if it is individual on my own.
Q: How long do you plan on playing soccer?
Lori Lindsey: I’d like to continue to play. I feel good so I’d like to continue to play as long as I can. We’ll see. See how long the body holds up and move forward.Hannah
Kuleba, 8 years old, interviewing Joanna Lohman
Q: What does trust mean to you when you're on the field?
Joanna Lohman: Trust to me on the field is – I think - watching out for your teammates and always playing for the team and not for yourself. I think it is also trusting that your teammates will make the right decision, and make the tackles and make the runs that will make the team win the game.
Q: What moves did you have trouble learning when you were young?
Joanna Lohman: That’s a good question. I would say the moves I had trouble learning were probably the step over and the scissors where you have to really move your body a lot. I am not a flashy, fast player but more of a steady and consistent player. So I think some of the more dynamic moves I had problems with.
Q: Why do you think it is important to start playing while you are young?
Joanna Lohman: I think it is very important to start playing when you’re young. I actually wrote an article for Our Game Magazine called the “Talent Myth”. It all comes down to putting in a certain amount of hours into a sport. It takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert. So for you to become an expert at soccer you have to practice for 10,000 hours. That’s a lot of hours. So the younger you start playing the earlier you’ll accumulate those hours. So if you start playing when you’re four you can accumulate them by your 20’s instead of starting later and accumulating them later in life. I think it is really important to start young and to also start in the right ways and have the right coaches around you and have the support of your parents.
Q: What does fun mean to you when you are on the field?
Joanna Lohman: On the field? I always have fun when I play because I am very competitive. Keeping score and trying to win fairly and trying to win with my teammates – that’s fun to me and just practicing and always trying to be the best player I can be. Not comparing myself to anyone else but trying to reach my own potential and goals.
Q: How does it feel when you're playing a game and everyone in the stands is watching you?
Joanna Lohman: I think it’s a great feeling because you have so much support and you realize that you are helping to impact the community because people are watching you. I can be a role model in the community and help kids. Help people to aspire and give them someone to look up to. I think it’s a great thing. I love signing autographs and I love talking to the fans and meeting them after the game because it’s the best job in the world.
Hannah Sheffield, 8 years old, interviewing Val Henderson
Q: How long have you played soccer?
Val Henderson: I played for one year when I was five years old. Kind of like the soccer where everyone runs to the ball. But I started playing competitively when I was 12.
Q: How much running do you do in practice?
Val Henderson: It depends on the day and the coach’s mood and maybe how we did the game before but, normally we have one real running day a week. Every day we’ll do some sort of keeper fitness or footwork but it’s not usually just straight running.
Q: How many hours a week do you practice?
Val Henderson: Well if we have one game we’ll have one game day, one off day and then five days of practice. So probably about 10 hours of practice.Q: How many goals have you scored this season?
Val Henderson: Since I play goalie – the answer is zero. But I almost had a couple of assists that Tasha cheated me out of by not scoring a break away.
Q: What is your best quality?
Val Henderson: Being aggressive so I am ready to come out when it’s on a cross or during a break away. That’s a big quality for a keeper.
Youth soccer players turned reporters: Interviews with the Philadelphia Independence
A number of youth soccer players get their chance to interview members of the Philadelphia Independence, including Amy Rodriguez, Lori Lindsey, Joanna Lohman, Tasha Kai, Val Henderson, and Nikki Krzysik.
Mia Shute, 7 years old, interviewing Amy Rodriguez
Q: What is the most important soccer skill you think a youth player should know?
Amy Rodriguez: Practice is what is going to make you as a player. I think that for me I have always put a lot of effort into practice. I train really hard so that way when it comes to a game – it’s not as hard. It’s actually easier for me.
Q: Please tell me three important things that you focus on each and every time you practice?
Amy Rodriguez: Each practice is different. Sometimes I am focusing more on shooting; sometimes it is passing or dribbling. I can tell you what I focused on in today’s practice. And that was making sure I am shooting all my shots in the corners – away from the goalie.
Q: What are the important ways you communicate with your teammates during practice and games?
Amy Rodriguez: I do a lot of talking in practice. It is important to make sure you are connected with your teammates and you’re telling them where to pass it to you. I also use my hands a lot - you know. I want them to say – hey pass it to my left foot or play it in this space. I would say body and your mouth are both two ways to communicate well.
Q: In your opinion, what is the best way to master new tricks and skills?
Amy Rodriguez: Mastering new tricks takes a lot of practice. I think that you’re not going to get it – you’re not going to master a skill in one practice. It’s going to take
multiple practices and you’re going to have to do it all the time so that your movements feel natural.
Q: When you were a youth player – were you always aggressive and tough?
Amy Rodriguez: No not always. I think it is something you learn and can develop over time. I was always a fast little player so I would just run around everybody and try not to get touched by any of the other players. But I think that you can learn to be more aggressive and players should do that as they get older because the game gets more physical.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you could give to inspire youth soccer players?
Amy Rodriguez: Like I said earlier – practice is so important. If you want to play a sport and you have a passion for it – go out and practice. That’s how you are going to be the best player in the world.
Q: When you were a youth player – what was your toughest challenge?
Amy Rodriguez: I have had a lot of challenges in my career, not just when I was younger but even as an adult. Now that I’m a professional I have challenges. I think that I’ll go through droughts when I’m not scoring or playing well. But for me I always focus on the next play, the next game or the next practice. Always looking forward to the next task and what I have to do.
Q: My favorite soccer move is the Maradona – what is your favorite soccer move?
Amy Rodriguez: Ooooh soccer move. I like the Stop and Push. Like – I’m trying to beat a defender – I’ll stop it really quickly and then immediately take a touch past them.
Q: How do you stick with the ball so well every time you get the ball?
Amy Rodriguez: I think that the way I train, I train a lot with dribbling and keeping the ball really close to my foot – taking touches every time I step. That makes me have good ball control and I’m able to keep it as I dribble.
Q: Do you remember your first youth soccer coach?
Amy Rodriguez: My first soccer coach was probably when I was six years old. I joined an AYSO team which is a recreational league out in California. My team was called the Little Rascals.
Q: Tell me about your favorite game or activity you used to play?
Amy Rodriguez: I remember playing games like steal the bacon. That was always fun because I always liked to chase after the ball and score goals.
Molly Green, 7 years old, interviewing Tasha Kai
Q: How old were you when you first played soccer?
Tasha Kai: I started playing soccer when I was seven. So about 21 years ago.
Q: Did you have fun coaches?
Tasha Kai: Yes. Growing up, my Dad was my coach. He knew nothing about soccer so he went to the store and bought all these books and videos and taught himself how to play soccer and then he coached me.
Q: How many days and hours a weeks do you practice playing soccer?
Tasha Kai: Professionally we train six days a week. We have one game every week and have one day off after the game. So technically six days a week we train.Q: What do you eat before games to give you energy?
Tasha Kai: I have a Venti ice non-fat caramel macchiato from Starbucks and a peanut butter and honey sandwich with no crust.
Q: Growing up was soccer the only sport you played? If not, what other sports did you play?
Tasha Kai: Growing up in high school I played basketball, volleyball, track and field, softball, cross country, and soccer.
Meghan Decker, 8 years old, interviewing Nikki Krzysik
Q: How old were you when you started playing soccer?
Nikki Krzysik: I was four and I played in a Rec league in Clifton, New Jersey.
Q: What is your favorite drill?
Nikki Krzysik: My favorite drill has to be something with defending because I’m a defender. Definitely 1 v 1 defending drills are always my favorite but then also I like to shoot because I don’t get much opportunity to do that in games. So shooting games are awesome.
Q: What do you do to prepare for a game?
Nikki Krzysik: Sometimes we play on Sunday. So I usually go to church in the morning. Then after church I usually have a pre-game meal. Then I get to the stadium like an hour and a half before the game. Then I stretch, heat my muscles, listen to music and then go out for a warm up.
Q: What college did you attend?
Nikki Krzysik: I went to University of Virginia.
Q: Was it hard playing soccer and keeping up with your studies in college?
Nikki Krzysik: I think that even when you are younger now. Like your age – you have school, homework, soccer practice and maybe other activities. How old are you – 8? So when I was about your age was when I started to learn how to balance things. I had to do my homework in the car. I had to do my homework before practice or else I couldn’t go to practice. So, learning from when you’re younger and then in high school, you’ll be ready for college.
Mackenzie Moyer, 7 years old, interviewing Lori Lindsey
Q: How long have you been playing soccer?
Lori Lindsey: I have been playing soccer for about 27 years. A long time.
Q: Who is your favorite coach?
Lori Lindsey: Well fortunately I have had quite a few good coaches. Steve Swanson from UVA. April Heinrichs from UVA. They were both my college coaches for a little bit. The Freedom coaches Jim Gabarra and Clyde Watson. And then here at Philly - Paul Riley. So they have all brought little things to help me improve my game. They have all been influential.
Q: Who is your favorite player?
Lori Lindsey: Who is my favorite player? Well male favorite player would probably be Paul Scholes, he’s from England and he just retired. He played for Manchester United. He was probably my all-time favorite.
Q: Do you practice on your own or only on set practice days?
Lori Lindsey: Yeah, I have worked a lot on my own. I love soccer so anytime I have free time I go outside and practice whether we have team training or if it is individual on my own.
Q: How long do you plan on playing soccer?
Lori Lindsey: I’d like to continue to play. I feel good so I’d like to continue to play as long as I can. We’ll see. See how long the body holds up and move forward.Hannah
Kuleba, 8 years old, interviewing Joanna Lohman
Q: What does trust mean to you when you're on the field?
Joanna Lohman: Trust to me on the field is – I think - watching out for your teammates and always playing for the team and not for yourself. I think it is also trusting that your teammates will make the right decision, and make the tackles and make the runs that will make the team win the game.
Q: What moves did you have trouble learning when you were young?
Joanna Lohman: That’s a good question. I would say the moves I had trouble learning were probably the step over and the scissors where you have to really move your body a lot. I am not a flashy, fast player but more of a steady and consistent player. So I think some of the more dynamic moves I had problems with.
Q: Why do you think it is important to start playing while you are young?
Joanna Lohman: I think it is very important to start playing when you’re young. I actually wrote an article for Our Game Magazine called the “Talent Myth”. It all comes down to putting in a certain amount of hours into a sport. It takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert. So for you to become an expert at soccer you have to practice for 10,000 hours. That’s a lot of hours. So the younger you start playing the earlier you’ll accumulate those hours. So if you start playing when you’re four you can accumulate them by your 20’s instead of starting later and accumulating them later in life. I think it is really important to start young and to also start in the right ways and have the right coaches around you and have the support of your parents.
Q: What does fun mean to you when you are on the field?
Joanna Lohman: On the field? I always have fun when I play because I am very competitive. Keeping score and trying to win fairly and trying to win with my teammates – that’s fun to me and just practicing and always trying to be the best player I can be. Not comparing myself to anyone else but trying to reach my own potential and goals.
Q: How does it feel when you're playing a game and everyone in the stands is watching you?
Joanna Lohman: I think it’s a great feeling because you have so much support and you realize that you are helping to impact the community because people are watching you. I can be a role model in the community and help kids. Help people to aspire and give them someone to look up to. I think it’s a great thing. I love signing autographs and I love talking to the fans and meeting them after the game because it’s the best job in the world.
Hannah Sheffield, 8 years old, interviewing Val Henderson
Q: How long have you played soccer?
Val Henderson: I played for one year when I was five years old. Kind of like the soccer where everyone runs to the ball. But I started playing competitively when I was 12.
Q: How much running do you do in practice?
Val Henderson: It depends on the day and the coach’s mood and maybe how we did the game before but, normally we have one real running day a week. Every day we’ll do some sort of keeper fitness or footwork but it’s not usually just straight running.
Q: How many hours a week do you practice?
Val Henderson: Well if we have one game we’ll have one game day, one off day and then five days of practice. So probably about 10 hours of practice.Q: How many goals have you scored this season?
Val Henderson: Since I play goalie – the answer is zero. But I almost had a couple of assists that Tasha cheated me out of by not scoring a break away.
Q: What is your best quality?
Val Henderson: Being aggressive so I am ready to come out when it’s on a cross or during a break away. That’s a big quality for a keeper.
August 27, 2011
Inspiring Female Youth Soccer Players
By: Bill Shute
To say that being a youth soccer coach is like a part-time job would be an understatement. Some days it feels like a full-time job. I have come to realize that in order to do it correctly, a coach should make a full commitment to all parts of the game including planning, organization, and a well constructed lesson plan. Even before completing my E license course, I was dedicated to drawing up lesson plans for each practice and conducting a systematic approach toward training the kids. After all, how can you know where you are going if you don’t map out your route to get there? Many fine youth coaches all across the country are doing the same things for their kids each day. But as coaches, what are we doing in the way of inspiration and motivation? I asked myself this question several months ago and wanted to share the answers I have discovered. I have been a youth soccer coach for four years and I have found it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I currently coach my son’s U7/U8 recreational league team while at the same time coaching my daughter’s U-9 team which is entering its first year of travel soccer. One of my biggest goals has been to inspire the children to be the best they can be. Coaching both teams has their own challenges; however, I have found that inspiring my boys’ team is much more easily accomplished than inspiring my girls’ team.One of the biggest reasons is that young boys have no shortage of inspiring role models when it pertains to sports. Whether they play football, baseball, or basketball, male youth athletes can choose from many different media outlets, including all the major networks, ESPN and similar sports channels to watch their idols. Even soccer in the United States, which is growing in popularity but is still not as widely accepted by American television viewers as the other aforementioned sports, affords the male youth soccer player with the opportunity to watch MLS games and English Premier League soccer broadcasted from Europe. All of these athletes can be watched and emulated by young boys. Also available to youth players is the opportunity to assume the role of their favorite male athletes by playing X-Box, Playstation 3 or Wii. Games for these systems, such as Madden 2011, MLB 2011 or FIFA 2011, allow children to assume the roles of their favorite players or moreover create their own player in the likeness of – once again – a male. Young girls are not afforded those same opportunities. As a youth coach of girls and a father of two young daughters, I want to see chances for girls to be inspired by same sex role models. If a young female soccer player wants to watch a Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) game on television, they can; but these games are often televised at off-peak times. Additionally, if a young girl wants to play FIFA 2011 in order to play the role of a professional soccer player, they would have to create a male character or assume the role of a male professional athlete, such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. And although these two players are two of the very best in the world and worthy of emulating – they are still not female role models for the female youth soccer player. Attempting to inspire female youth soccer players therefore has been a little more challenging. I recently read The Talent Code, Greatness Isn’t Born It’s Grown, by Daniel Coyle. I found it to be easily one of the best books I ever read. And although it puts a new twist on what was called in my youth – muscle memory – the book does an excellent job of blending science and other factors together to explain the creation of skill. One of the best parts of the book is the chapter on “primal cues”, which according to Coyle is essential in building expert skill. Coyle refers to it as means of “ignition” or “motivation”. Primal cues can be in the form of an event that occurs, the ways children are encouraged, the words used to motivate them or by an inspirational person who achieves great things. Many coaches are technically sound and can teach the game, but not all know how to motivate their kids in a way that the motivation is sustained over time.
To say that being a youth soccer coach is like a part-time job would be an understatement. Some days it feels like a full-time job. I have come to realize that in order to do it correctly, a coach should make a full commitment to all parts of the game including planning, organization, and a well constructed lesson plan. Even before completing my E license course, I was dedicated to drawing up lesson plans for each practice and conducting a systematic approach toward training the kids. After all, how can you know where you are going if you don’t map out your route to get there? Many fine youth coaches all across the country are doing the same things for their kids each day. But as coaches, what are we doing in the way of inspiration and motivation? I asked myself this question several months ago and wanted to share the answers I have discovered. I have been a youth soccer coach for four years and I have found it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I currently coach my son’s U7/U8 recreational league team while at the same time coaching my daughter’s U-9 team which is entering its first year of travel soccer. One of my biggest goals has been to inspire the children to be the best they can be. Coaching both teams has their own challenges; however, I have found that inspiring my boys’ team is much more easily accomplished than inspiring my girls’ team.One of the biggest reasons is that young boys have no shortage of inspiring role models when it pertains to sports. Whether they play football, baseball, or basketball, male youth athletes can choose from many different media outlets, including all the major networks, ESPN and similar sports channels to watch their idols. Even soccer in the United States, which is growing in popularity but is still not as widely accepted by American television viewers as the other aforementioned sports, affords the male youth soccer player with the opportunity to watch MLS games and English Premier League soccer broadcasted from Europe. All of these athletes can be watched and emulated by young boys. Also available to youth players is the opportunity to assume the role of their favorite male athletes by playing X-Box, Playstation 3 or Wii. Games for these systems, such as Madden 2011, MLB 2011 or FIFA 2011, allow children to assume the roles of their favorite players or moreover create their own player in the likeness of – once again – a male. Young girls are not afforded those same opportunities. As a youth coach of girls and a father of two young daughters, I want to see chances for girls to be inspired by same sex role models. If a young female soccer player wants to watch a Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) game on television, they can; but these games are often televised at off-peak times. Additionally, if a young girl wants to play FIFA 2011 in order to play the role of a professional soccer player, they would have to create a male character or assume the role of a male professional athlete, such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. And although these two players are two of the very best in the world and worthy of emulating – they are still not female role models for the female youth soccer player. Attempting to inspire female youth soccer players therefore has been a little more challenging. I recently read The Talent Code, Greatness Isn’t Born It’s Grown, by Daniel Coyle. I found it to be easily one of the best books I ever read. And although it puts a new twist on what was called in my youth – muscle memory – the book does an excellent job of blending science and other factors together to explain the creation of skill. One of the best parts of the book is the chapter on “primal cues”, which according to Coyle is essential in building expert skill. Coyle refers to it as means of “ignition” or “motivation”. Primal cues can be in the form of an event that occurs, the ways children are encouraged, the words used to motivate them or by an inspirational person who achieves great things. Many coaches are technically sound and can teach the game, but not all know how to motivate their kids in a way that the motivation is sustained over time.
I feel that in order for a child to build expert skill, they have to be motivated. Therefore, if you motivate a child long enough and consistently stimulate their desire to achieve great things, they will work harder, practice deeper, and commit themselves to eventually become great.
This season I have dedicated myself to finding ways to inspire my U-9 girls’ team to be the best that they can be. As soon as the team was formed I first set up a time at the local library to have all of my team and their parents together. At this pre-season meeting I spoke of our pyramid of success, edited together and played inspirational video clips and along with my assistant coach and team manager, laid out the plan for the year. This was intended to be a motivational meeting where I lit their fire for the upcoming season. Next, primal cues – and lots of them. We had a team swimming party in order to get all of the girls together and spend some time bonding in a non-soccer environment. At this party, I showed up with pieces of wood cut about 20 inches wide, with yellow and black paint (our team colors), as well as some brushes and stencils. Each child was asked to choose a word – one word – that motivated them in some way. Some great words like perseverance, determination, focus, and courage were chosen by the girls. My idea was to create an entrance way into their practice area lined with these inspirational words in order to stir emotion in them each time they came to practice. I wanted them to feel as if each and every time they showed up for practice, they were entering a different place, where fun and hard work go hand in hand. I wanted it to be special for them. I obtained permission from the head of the club and set posts in the ground. Together, the girls painted their signs. We waited until our “team building day” which was another idea geared toward bonding and motivating the girls before the start of the season. I have seen it done in corporate settings and retreats, so I thought, why not my youth soccer team? The kids had a great time, playing trust games and learning to work as a team. For some it was an opportunity to overcome fears - such as heights - when we did a ropes course. All-in-all my goal was to focus on two main topics, support and communication, both of which I felt would be critical during this year of development at U-9. At the conclusion of that day we ceremonially hung our signs. These signs are affixed to two large poles that line our entrance way into our practice area. I constantly remind the girls that they should look at these words and remember who put the signs there and why they chose the words they did.
Team building events and activities can build motivation and team spirit. This activity served to teach the children the importance of support.
Words and phrases used to motivate female youth soccer players must be delicately chosen. Here the girls from Rage FC Premier display the motivational words they chose. The coaches use this walkway as a reminder of hard work the importance of staying positive.
All of these things have been great motivators for my girls. I worked hard and in just one month they received more motivational cues than most kids will experience in one year. But while I was working on being super coach and a part-time motivational speaker for my girls, something wonderful happened that would magnify all of my effort 100 times: The Women’s World Cup. Instead of the games being broadcast at odd hours – the World Cup games were aired during good time slots on ESPN. Suddenly my girls had an opportunity to be the ones to get inspired during prime-time television. I immediately requested a get together for all the girls to watch the United States’ first World Cup game against North Korea. The Americans’ convincing win peaked the girl’s interest and with a few email blasts to my parents I managed to get most of the families to tune into the next few games. But then something happened so special that it will forever define the beginning of an inspirational era in my home where it pertains to soccer development. Quite simply - the U.S./Brazil game happened.
I will never forget what an awesome experience it was to watch this game with my daughter. Throughout the game I texted all of my parents, and asked them if they had the game on. Most did. A last-minute cross from Megan Rapinoe to Abby Wambach’s head gave the U.S. the tie as the second overtime ran out sending the game to penalty kicks. The rest is history. I was going nuts screaming at the television to the likes that my children had never before seen. I don’t normally make a big deal about televised sports in my home – but this was different. This was not just a sporting event and a spectacular win. This was one of those events that Daniel Coyle wrote about. This was a huge primal cue. I was so emotional because I recognized the moment for what it was – an unplanned and unmanufactured chance to inspire. Watching this one game did more to inspire our girls than any amount of practice, team building days, or motivational speeches for one simple reason – they were able to watch women succeed in a grueling sporting event that showed women leaving it all out on the field. Those amazing players gave a gift to my daughter and to all of our daughters that day. In fact, the gift was also for all of us youth coaches. It is my sincere wish that all the youth soccer coaches out there who have the pleasure of training young girls took full advantage that day of exactly what was offered to us – an opportunity to show our girls pure and unadulterated magical inspiration.
Since I learned that primal cues can be in the form of an event that occurs (Women’s World Cup), the ways children are encouraged (my efforts and activities with the team), the words used to motivate them (our sign project) or by an inspirational person or persons who achieve great things (the women’s national team), I felt like I was doing pretty good at touching every component. But I still wanted more. Even with all that we have accomplished I still thought something was missing. It quickly dawned on me that we were missing the personal connection and the answer was not only right in front of my face but it was only a short distance away. Fortunately, living in Southern New Jersey offers one the opportunity to be fairly close to many significant places. For my purposes of being a motivating youth soccer coach, the place where I would find the personal connection I was looking for was at Widener University’s Quick Stadium, because it is the home field for the WPS team, the Philadelphia Independence.
To establish the personal connection for my girls, I immediately took full advantage of being close to one of the best women’s professional soccer teams in the country and involved my team in the Philadelphia Independence club affiliate program. The club affiliate program is an incredible opportunity that affords youngsters with that personal connection I was looking for. It provides increased chances to interact with the professional players through in-game opportunities such as being a ball girl, playing a halftime game on the field, participating in the high-five tunnel, or being a player escort and walking hand-in-hand with one of the players onto the field. I challenge you to think of any other men’s professional sport that allows so much access to a child’s professional hero? And how do the players handle their role? Absolutely fantastic!
I have taken my girls to three games since the Women’s World Cup and each time the players of the Philadelphia Independence were extremely gracious with their time. The players were so kind to all the kids that they made sure they stayed until every last child received an autograph or picture. These women clearly get it. Some may say it’s because women’s professional soccer teams need their fan base more than a men’s team and therefore must cater to fans. But I don’t believe that for a second. Hopefully, WPS will eventually rise to the popularity of the MLS in this country and my guess is that even when that evolution occurs, these women will still stay until every little kid has been properly greeted.
Taking female youth players to see and experience same sex role models is crucial to motivating young girls. U-9 girls from RAGE FC Premier in South Jersey enjoy themselves at the Philadelphia Independence game, while members of the Harrison Soccer Club fill the role of player escorts.
In a few short games, my girls had opportunities to participate in the high-five tunnel, play a game on the field at halftime and get numerous autographs from the players (because one just isn’t enough). The other exclusive opportunity that the club affiliate program offered was the ability to take the girls to watch an Independence practice. This was great because the setting was very intimate and offered the girls an exclusive opportunity to sit along the sidelines and watch the intensity of a professional team’s practice. The important point is that it was not just any practice; it was a professional women’s team practice. Afterwards, the players once again greeted the kids, signed autographs, and provided the girls with an opportunity to be personally inspired by the women they eventually want to become someday.
I know that I worked very hard over the last few months to find ways to motivate the girls on my team but there is still much to do. I will continue to do that throughout the entire fall and spring season. Inspiring young female athletes like the seven and eight year old girls on my team has been challenging. Although the opportunities afforded to boys still outweigh those afforded to girls, I take solace in the fact that the WPS organization exists to not only promote the women’s game, but also to inspire my daughter and her friends. As youth coaches, we must continue to think outside the box to find ways to inspire young girls to be the best they can be. We also must take full advantage of the opportunities right in front of us. If possible, try and get that personal connection. Take them to a game – you’ll be glad that you did.
Since I learned that primal cues can be in the form of an event that occurs (Women’s World Cup), the ways children are encouraged (my efforts and activities with the team), the words used to motivate them (our sign project) or by an inspirational person or persons who achieve great things (the women’s national team), I felt like I was doing pretty good at touching every component. But I still wanted more. Even with all that we have accomplished I still thought something was missing. It quickly dawned on me that we were missing the personal connection and the answer was not only right in front of my face but it was only a short distance away. Fortunately, living in Southern New Jersey offers one the opportunity to be fairly close to many significant places. For my purposes of being a motivating youth soccer coach, the place where I would find the personal connection I was looking for was at Widener University’s Quick Stadium, because it is the home field for the WPS team, the Philadelphia Independence.
To establish the personal connection for my girls, I immediately took full advantage of being close to one of the best women’s professional soccer teams in the country and involved my team in the Philadelphia Independence club affiliate program. The club affiliate program is an incredible opportunity that affords youngsters with that personal connection I was looking for. It provides increased chances to interact with the professional players through in-game opportunities such as being a ball girl, playing a halftime game on the field, participating in the high-five tunnel, or being a player escort and walking hand-in-hand with one of the players onto the field. I challenge you to think of any other men’s professional sport that allows so much access to a child’s professional hero? And how do the players handle their role? Absolutely fantastic!
I have taken my girls to three games since the Women’s World Cup and each time the players of the Philadelphia Independence were extremely gracious with their time. The players were so kind to all the kids that they made sure they stayed until every last child received an autograph or picture. These women clearly get it. Some may say it’s because women’s professional soccer teams need their fan base more than a men’s team and therefore must cater to fans. But I don’t believe that for a second. Hopefully, WPS will eventually rise to the popularity of the MLS in this country and my guess is that even when that evolution occurs, these women will still stay until every little kid has been properly greeted.
Taking female youth players to see and experience same sex role models is crucial to motivating young girls. U-9 girls from RAGE FC Premier in South Jersey enjoy themselves at the Philadelphia Independence game, while members of the Harrison Soccer Club fill the role of player escorts.
In a few short games, my girls had opportunities to participate in the high-five tunnel, play a game on the field at halftime and get numerous autographs from the players (because one just isn’t enough). The other exclusive opportunity that the club affiliate program offered was the ability to take the girls to watch an Independence practice. This was great because the setting was very intimate and offered the girls an exclusive opportunity to sit along the sidelines and watch the intensity of a professional team’s practice. The important point is that it was not just any practice; it was a professional women’s team practice. Afterwards, the players once again greeted the kids, signed autographs, and provided the girls with an opportunity to be personally inspired by the women they eventually want to become someday.
I know that I worked very hard over the last few months to find ways to motivate the girls on my team but there is still much to do. I will continue to do that throughout the entire fall and spring season. Inspiring young female athletes like the seven and eight year old girls on my team has been challenging. Although the opportunities afforded to boys still outweigh those afforded to girls, I take solace in the fact that the WPS organization exists to not only promote the women’s game, but also to inspire my daughter and her friends. As youth coaches, we must continue to think outside the box to find ways to inspire young girls to be the best they can be. We also must take full advantage of the opportunities right in front of us. If possible, try and get that personal connection. Take them to a game – you’ll be glad that you did.
Just when I thought I had considered all possibilities, I had one more idea. I reached out to Our Game magazine which graciously allowed me to write this article. Fortunately, Our Game Magazine as well the Philadelphia Independence shared my sentiments for motivating the children and afforded my girls the chance to participate in this article. To enhance that personal connection, the girls had the rare opportunity to have even greater access to the Independence players and were each given the chance to interview an Independence player for this article. I want to personally thank both Our Game Magazine and the Philadelphia Independence, especially Amy Rodriguez, Tasha Kai, Joanna Lohman, Val Henderson, Lori Lindsey, and Nikki Krzysik, all of whom were absolutely fantastic with the girls. Below are some great questions asked by six of the girls. They represent sincere questions asked by 7- and 8-year-old girls and reflect genuine things that interested them. The answers have left a lasting impression on my
girls that will continue to inspire them for years to come. We wanted to share them with the readers of Our Game Magazine.
(The interviews will be posted later today)
Bill Shute is a recreational youth soccer coach at the Harrison Soccer Club and a U-9 girls travel soccer coach for RAGE FC Premier in Southern New Jersey.
girls that will continue to inspire them for years to come. We wanted to share them with the readers of Our Game Magazine.
(The interviews will be posted later today)
Bill Shute is a recreational youth soccer coach at the Harrison Soccer Club and a U-9 girls travel soccer coach for RAGE FC Premier in Southern New Jersey.
Interviews with Emma Part 13: A Conversation with Western New York Flash Midfielder McCall Zerboni
By David Bayer
I hope you didn’t think we would go through a whole season without interviewing a certain favorite player of ours. When the Flash came to Atlanta in August, we surprised McCall by meeting the team at the airport. The slow-motion video of her, spotting us and running through the airport yelling “shut up!” is priceless.
McCall Zerboni – Midfielder – WNY Flash
Birth date: December 13, 1986
Hometown: San Clemente, CA
Nicknames: “MZ”, “Cally”, “Callz”
Age she started soccer: 4
College: UCLA (History major)
Career goals after soccer: Mentoring/training/coaching/starting an academy
Why she wears number 7: It’s her favorite number, and there are 7 kids in her family.
Favorite pregame foods: Tuna sandwich
Workout music: "Anything that makes me feel confident, happy, and blessed."
Superstitions: Before kickoff, she always does two jumps up and a faith salute.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Cinderella
Favorite Movie: Hitch or Dumb and Dumber
Favorite Actress: Christina Aguilera
Mentor: Her trainer Almon “G-Man” Gunter – “The best trainer and mentor an athlete could ask for. He takes my game to the next level physically and more importantly, mentally. He not only improves my game, but improves my life. I consider him family.”
Favorite Charity: Breast cancer awareness
Favorite Quote: “You only give when you love.”
Surprising Facts About McCall: There are two sets of twins in her family, including herself and her sister Blake. McCall’s worst habit as a roommate, according to Brittany Bock: “Lately, she has been making these crazy concoctions for the team with melted chocolate, pretzels, M&M’s, and peanut butter, and she always leaves leftovers at our apartment. I tell her, ‘You’re killin’ me McCall. You know I can’t resist’.”
Results time….and more!!!
Most of you have probably heard about our “MZ & Emmers – Soccer Kicks Breast Cancer” event. We collected 84 autographed sports bras from women’s soccer players around the world and put them up on eBay for a week. The bids came in fast and furious, especially at the end. When all was said and done, EVERY SINGLE ITEM was sold. We had buyers from Canada, Iceland, Germany, Japan, and all over the U.S. With a couple extra donations added in, we raised a total of…drum roll please…$4,400 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We consider this a huge success, and we’re very appreciative of all the help we received. The enthusiasm that the players showed in embracing this project was very inspiring.
In fact, we were so inspired that we are going to do this again, but this time we’re shooting even higher! We were successful in uniting the soccer world, and now we plan to unite the entire women’s sports world. We will be soliciting requests from women involved in all aspects of athletics. We’ve already had positive responses from World Cup players, pro softball players, a WNBA team, two sportscasters, a coach, and a jockey.
You can help! Do you know someone who would be a great fit for this awesome event? PLEASE send them our way! Are you a soccer player who contributed this year? Please contribute again. We can be reached at [email protected] for any questions or ideas. THANK YOU!!
I hope you didn’t think we would go through a whole season without interviewing a certain favorite player of ours. When the Flash came to Atlanta in August, we surprised McCall by meeting the team at the airport. The slow-motion video of her, spotting us and running through the airport yelling “shut up!” is priceless.
McCall Zerboni – Midfielder – WNY Flash
Birth date: December 13, 1986
Hometown: San Clemente, CA
Nicknames: “MZ”, “Cally”, “Callz”
Age she started soccer: 4
College: UCLA (History major)
Career goals after soccer: Mentoring/training/coaching/starting an academy
Why she wears number 7: It’s her favorite number, and there are 7 kids in her family.
Favorite pregame foods: Tuna sandwich
Workout music: "Anything that makes me feel confident, happy, and blessed."
Superstitions: Before kickoff, she always does two jumps up and a faith salute.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Cinderella
Favorite Movie: Hitch or Dumb and Dumber
Favorite Actress: Christina Aguilera
Mentor: Her trainer Almon “G-Man” Gunter – “The best trainer and mentor an athlete could ask for. He takes my game to the next level physically and more importantly, mentally. He not only improves my game, but improves my life. I consider him family.”
Favorite Charity: Breast cancer awareness
Favorite Quote: “You only give when you love.”
Surprising Facts About McCall: There are two sets of twins in her family, including herself and her sister Blake. McCall’s worst habit as a roommate, according to Brittany Bock: “Lately, she has been making these crazy concoctions for the team with melted chocolate, pretzels, M&M’s, and peanut butter, and she always leaves leftovers at our apartment. I tell her, ‘You’re killin’ me McCall. You know I can’t resist’.”
Results time….and more!!!
Most of you have probably heard about our “MZ & Emmers – Soccer Kicks Breast Cancer” event. We collected 84 autographed sports bras from women’s soccer players around the world and put them up on eBay for a week. The bids came in fast and furious, especially at the end. When all was said and done, EVERY SINGLE ITEM was sold. We had buyers from Canada, Iceland, Germany, Japan, and all over the U.S. With a couple extra donations added in, we raised a total of…drum roll please…$4,400 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We consider this a huge success, and we’re very appreciative of all the help we received. The enthusiasm that the players showed in embracing this project was very inspiring.
In fact, we were so inspired that we are going to do this again, but this time we’re shooting even higher! We were successful in uniting the soccer world, and now we plan to unite the entire women’s sports world. We will be soliciting requests from women involved in all aspects of athletics. We’ve already had positive responses from World Cup players, pro softball players, a WNBA team, two sportscasters, a coach, and a jockey.
You can help! Do you know someone who would be a great fit for this awesome event? PLEASE send them our way! Are you a soccer player who contributed this year? Please contribute again. We can be reached at [email protected] for any questions or ideas. THANK YOU!!
Interviews with Emma Part 12 – A Conversation with Western New York Flash midfielder Brittany Bock
Brittany Bock, left, with Manya Makoski
By David Bayer
Okay, obviously the photo isn’t Emma and Brittany. We actually didn’t have one, so I thought I’d go with the next best thing…Brittany and Manya Makoski, a close friend of ours and fellow Our Game writer. Brittany is my “partner in crime.” She secretly passed me information about the recent Flash arrival at the Atlanta airport, so we could surprise a special friend. Anyway, on to the B. Bock Q & A …
Brittany Bock – Midfielder – WNY Flash
Birth date: April 11, 1987
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Nicknames: “Bubbles”, when she was younger. This season, it’s “Bocky”.
Age she started soccer: 5 “I loved playing all sports, so my parents put me into anything and everything I was interested in…basketball, volleyball, baseball, track.”
College: Business degree from the University of Notre Dame
Career goals after soccer: “I would love to be a personal fitness trainer. I could live in a gym 24/7. I am also a rep for Premiere Designs Jewelry, doing it part-time and loving every second of it! After my career, I will pick up my jewelry business more.”
Why she wears number 21: It’s all that was left. “My favorite is 11, and I was 10 for college, so I guess you could just add my favorites together.”
Favorite pregame foods: “I don’t have a favorite/norm, because I just love food so much that I mix it up.” Right after games it’s a protein shake.
Workout music: “I need some hip-hop, rap, up-beat music for a good hard workout. When I go on longer runs, I love chill and uplifting music like Amos Lee, Bon Iver, Joshua Radin and Christian music.”
Superstitions: Calls her dad and talks to him right before stepping into the locker room, home or away.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Bart Simpson
Favorite Movie: “Gladiator”
Favorite Actress: Sandra Bullock and Rachel McAdams
Favorite Actor: Bradley Cooper, Mark Wahlberg and Tom Hanks
Mentor: “Even though this might sound cliché, it’s my family: my dad, mom, sister, and brother. They know me better than anyone and have always supported me, through thick and thin. I look up to all of them, and they inspire me more than they could ever imagine.”
Favorite Charity: Alzheimer’s Association. “Dementia has affected many dear to me.”
Favorite Quote: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding, in all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6
Surprising Facts About Brittany: “I’m a little kid at heart. I can be tough and fierce on the field, but off the field I’m harmless. I’m obsessed with holidays, love cooking/baking, and playing games.”
Brittany’s worst habit as a roommate, according to McCall Zerboni: Hanging her pull-up bar in the bathroom doorway so the door doesn’t shut.
Our thanks to Brittany for EVERYTHING. And since she was so nice, how about a plug? www.premierdesigns.com. If you call ask for Brittany, not “Bubbles.”
Interviews with Emma Part 11 – A Conversation with Western New York Flash defender Whitney Engen
Emma with Whitney Engen
By David Bayer
Have you ever met someone for the very first time, and felt instantly at ease with them? That’s how
we felt with Whitney. “Genuine” is the word that comes to mind right away for me. We sat down in the
middle of the field for our questions.
Whitney Engen – Defender – Western New York Flash
Birth date: November 28, 1987
Hometown: Rolling Hills Estates, CA
Nicknames: “Whit”, “I know I’ve done something really good in practice when I hear McCall yelling ‘Whitness!’”
Age she started soccer: 3 or 4 “I was such an active kid. My parents put me in every sport possible
…anything to tire me out at the end of the day.”
College: University of North Carolina…Political Science degree.
Career goals after soccer: Go to law school, and possibly get involved in environmental or business law.
Why she wears number 23: She wore 9 for years. Of the available Flash numbers, she chose 23 to “shoot high.”
Favorite pregame foods: Pancakes, eggs, turkey sausage, and a big glass of milk
Workout music: “I like anything that calms me down…Fleetwood Mac, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Pink Floyd.”
Superstitions: None
Favorite Cartoon Character: “Carl” – the dog in Up
Favorite Movie: Up
Favorite Actress: Emma Stone
Mentor: “I don’t really have a mentor, but I do have people in my life that I trust with major decisions. Anson Dorrance (UNC head coach) has always been there for me. All I have to do is pick up the phone, day or night, and he’ll be there for me. I speak to Yael Averbuch (roommate) a lot, when I’m having soccer problems. She has a very grounded head when it comes to the sport of soccer. She’s very understanding and she ‘gets it’. She sees sides of it that I can’t see.”
Favorite Charity: Habitat for Humanity
Favorite Quote: “In the end it will be OK, and if it isn’t OK, it’s not the end.” (unknown)
Surprising Fact About Whitney: She loves to bake. Her perfect day off is in the kitchen, baking cookies and cakes.
Whitney in the words of teammate Yael Averbuch: On the field…”leader, inspiring.” Off the field…”conscientious, funny.”
After answering all of our questions, Whitney asked if she could ask a few of Emma. They discussed Em’s hairdo, favorite colors, the upcoming start of kindergarten, and horses. Our thanks to Whitney for the chat…a reeeeally (not a misspelling) nice young woman.
Interviews with Emma Part 11 – A Conversation with WNY Flash defender Whitney Engen
Emma with Sinead Farrelly
By David Bayer
Did you miss us? A minor thing called the "World Cup" interrupted our interview process. But we’re back, and we had a great time watching the games. We had a special treat this time … an interview with not only a player with our old hometown team, but an actual Philadelphia native!
Sinead Farrelly – Midfielder – Philadelphia Independence
Birth date: November 16, 1989
Hometown: Havertown, PA
Nicknames: “Shin”, “Nade”, “Shinbad”. “Shay” is the newest one from her teammates.
Age she started soccer: 5
College: University of Virginia. She will be finishing electives in the fall towards a degree in sociology.
Why she wears number 14: It was the only number left. She originally wanted #17 – her college number.
Favorite pregame foods: Usually something high in carbs (chicken & pasta), but she loves sandwiches (chicken breast, spinach, tomato and onion…toasted)
Workout music: Anything upbeat (Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj)
Superstitions: She doesn’t have any, but her trainer insists on always taping her right ankle first.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Not a fan of cartoons, but she does like reality TV. Keeping up with the Kardashians is a favorite. “When I don’t want to do anything, and I don’t want to think, I like to just sit down and watch something that will make me laugh.”
Favorite Movie: “Notting Hill” with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. She likes romantic comedies.
Favorite Actress: She has a “girl crush” on Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl)
Mentor: Her family has always supported her soccer playing. She’s had some great coaches, including Steve Swanson at the University of Virginia.
Favorite Charity: She and her family have done walks for breast cancer.
Favorite Players from the 1999 U.S. World Cup team: Shannon MacMillan & Michelle Akers
Surprising Fact About Sinead: Her family recently had a house built in Ireland, and she’ll be heading over there after the Fall. She lived in Ireland for three years.
Our thanks to Sinead for talking to us. You’ve heard about the typical Philly fan, right? Rude, crazy and obnoxious? (I can say that because I was one of them). Sinead was nothing like that at all.
July 27, 2011
Coaching in the Women’s Game
By: Karl O’Shaughnessy
I dislike the term “the women’s game.” I do use it often though when describing working in women’s football or talking in general terms. It is an accepted normality within the football world. It is, however, incorrect. There is just one game, played by both sexes, “the beautiful game,” or simply “Our Game”, as this magazine is so aptly titled. This, for me, was the most important lesson I learned when I first got involved in coaching female players. There is absolutely no difference between the men’s and women’s games. When I coach, for example, wide attacking play with female players, it is coached in the exact same way as it would be with male players.
The only aspect that should and does change for us coaches is the ability of the players we work with, and our coaching sessions are, as a result, adapted accordingly.
Of course, I am preaching to the already converted here. You most likely understand this already, but I believe if women’s football is to improve even more than it already has in the last few years, then the most talented coaches in football need to understand this also, and be attracted into working with the best players in the game.
As any coach worth his/her salt knows, coaching sessions should be “ALL” about the players. And by that I mean, specifically, that sessions should be based upon ability of the players at your disposal alone and not what sex they are. You only need to take a quick look at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and the technical quality of so many of the teams featured to get the picture that female footballers can be exceptionally gifted players to work with just like their male colleagues.
At the very top level today, female players are hugely dedicated to improving, hard working, and most importantly, love the game. I’m very privileged and proud to currently work as a coach with the Republic of Ireland U-17 Women’s National Team, and in the last few years I have seen many players that fit these characteristics exactly, players who have gone on to represent Ireland at the highest levels and excel at the major tournaments, even reaching the quarterfinals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010.
These major tournaments are the type of wonderful opportunities available within modern women’s football for players and indeed for coaches. I have no shame in admitting that I watched with great envy last month as coaches pitted their wits against each other in Germany in front of sellout crowds. It must have been a special moment within their coaching careers, and it is something I’d love to experience.
Of course, it would be wrong of me to leave out some of the challenges of working with female players, similar in many respects to working with male players. I’ve found out that the best female players are in high demand from other sports. Here in Ireland that would include sports such as Gaelic football, rugby, basketball, handball, hockey, etc. Knowing my players and managing them athletically to avoid burnout is essential. There can be a lot of good achieved by players training in other sports, but it’s important that’s there is two-way communication between the coach and the players to deal with any potential issues – fitness related or otherwise.
Outside of the sporting issues, I also know many parents for instance who will testify to how difficult it is to deal with one teenage girl, let alone a squad of 18. Also, it’s imperative that coaches are aware of all the various other outside influences on the lives of their players both socially and academically. I genuinely care for the players I work with and make it my business to get to know them and their personal situations. I am extremely lucky to have had some excellent female assistant coaches who have filled the “buffer” role between staff and players to great effect for me and believe having a talented female coach on the staff is essential.
The situations described here are not intended to frighten any coach interested in coaching female players, rather merely to point out that managing/coaching players of any sex brings about a unique set of dilemmas and issues that must be managed effectively. And ironically enough, through all the non-sport specific issues, one constant remains - our beloved game stays the same. Never changing, still two teams, two goals, and one ball. This is the true beauty of football.
Like any sport, the elite level, which I’ve spoken about a bit here, is only the tip of the iceberg. The future of the women’s football will live or die on the quality of the players produced. Women’s football desperately needs the best coaches possible, taking our game seriously and working with the youngest girls playing the game. Developing players of high technical quality that can push the game on to even greater levels is paramount to our future successes.
To sign off, as coaches, many of us often use the phrase, "let the game be the teacher." If we practice what we preach and follow that idea through without prejudice, the growth of women’s football will continue for a very long time. Our game is football, and our game is for everyone.
Karl O’Shaughnessy is a UEFA Qualified Soccer Coach. Karl works full time for the Football Association of Ireland as Coach Education Officer and is current Republic of Ireland Women’s U-17 Goalkeeping Coach. He is also a Coach and Manager on the Elite Women’s Emerging Talent programme in Dublin, Ireland and has developed elite female players who have represented the Republic of Ireland at U-16, U-17, U-19 and Senior International Level.. Follow Karl on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OShaughnessyK and/or his website http://www.KarlOShaughnessy.com.
Coaching in the Women’s Game
By: Karl O’Shaughnessy
I dislike the term “the women’s game.” I do use it often though when describing working in women’s football or talking in general terms. It is an accepted normality within the football world. It is, however, incorrect. There is just one game, played by both sexes, “the beautiful game,” or simply “Our Game”, as this magazine is so aptly titled. This, for me, was the most important lesson I learned when I first got involved in coaching female players. There is absolutely no difference between the men’s and women’s games. When I coach, for example, wide attacking play with female players, it is coached in the exact same way as it would be with male players.
The only aspect that should and does change for us coaches is the ability of the players we work with, and our coaching sessions are, as a result, adapted accordingly.
Of course, I am preaching to the already converted here. You most likely understand this already, but I believe if women’s football is to improve even more than it already has in the last few years, then the most talented coaches in football need to understand this also, and be attracted into working with the best players in the game.
As any coach worth his/her salt knows, coaching sessions should be “ALL” about the players. And by that I mean, specifically, that sessions should be based upon ability of the players at your disposal alone and not what sex they are. You only need to take a quick look at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and the technical quality of so many of the teams featured to get the picture that female footballers can be exceptionally gifted players to work with just like their male colleagues.
At the very top level today, female players are hugely dedicated to improving, hard working, and most importantly, love the game. I’m very privileged and proud to currently work as a coach with the Republic of Ireland U-17 Women’s National Team, and in the last few years I have seen many players that fit these characteristics exactly, players who have gone on to represent Ireland at the highest levels and excel at the major tournaments, even reaching the quarterfinals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010.
These major tournaments are the type of wonderful opportunities available within modern women’s football for players and indeed for coaches. I have no shame in admitting that I watched with great envy last month as coaches pitted their wits against each other in Germany in front of sellout crowds. It must have been a special moment within their coaching careers, and it is something I’d love to experience.
Of course, it would be wrong of me to leave out some of the challenges of working with female players, similar in many respects to working with male players. I’ve found out that the best female players are in high demand from other sports. Here in Ireland that would include sports such as Gaelic football, rugby, basketball, handball, hockey, etc. Knowing my players and managing them athletically to avoid burnout is essential. There can be a lot of good achieved by players training in other sports, but it’s important that’s there is two-way communication between the coach and the players to deal with any potential issues – fitness related or otherwise.
Outside of the sporting issues, I also know many parents for instance who will testify to how difficult it is to deal with one teenage girl, let alone a squad of 18. Also, it’s imperative that coaches are aware of all the various other outside influences on the lives of their players both socially and academically. I genuinely care for the players I work with and make it my business to get to know them and their personal situations. I am extremely lucky to have had some excellent female assistant coaches who have filled the “buffer” role between staff and players to great effect for me and believe having a talented female coach on the staff is essential.
The situations described here are not intended to frighten any coach interested in coaching female players, rather merely to point out that managing/coaching players of any sex brings about a unique set of dilemmas and issues that must be managed effectively. And ironically enough, through all the non-sport specific issues, one constant remains - our beloved game stays the same. Never changing, still two teams, two goals, and one ball. This is the true beauty of football.
Like any sport, the elite level, which I’ve spoken about a bit here, is only the tip of the iceberg. The future of the women’s football will live or die on the quality of the players produced. Women’s football desperately needs the best coaches possible, taking our game seriously and working with the youngest girls playing the game. Developing players of high technical quality that can push the game on to even greater levels is paramount to our future successes.
To sign off, as coaches, many of us often use the phrase, "let the game be the teacher." If we practice what we preach and follow that idea through without prejudice, the growth of women’s football will continue for a very long time. Our game is football, and our game is for everyone.
Karl O’Shaughnessy is a UEFA Qualified Soccer Coach. Karl works full time for the Football Association of Ireland as Coach Education Officer and is current Republic of Ireland Women’s U-17 Goalkeeping Coach. He is also a Coach and Manager on the Elite Women’s Emerging Talent programme in Dublin, Ireland and has developed elite female players who have represented the Republic of Ireland at U-16, U-17, U-19 and Senior International Level.. Follow Karl on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OShaughnessyK and/or his website http://www.KarlOShaughnessy.com.
July 22, 2011
Show Me the Money!
By Dan Hajducky
“You play ball like a GIRL!”
I’m sure all of you reading this remember the mother of all “disses” from when The Sandlot was at the height of its popularity. To the young kids in the movie, a lack of masculinity was the pinnacle of embarrassment. Of course, it wouldn’t be embarrassing at all if we were talking about American soccer. The entire world is aware of the United States Women’s Soccer Team’s international presence. On a global scale, the USWNT has been demolishing opponents for as long as I can remember in my 21 years. Even taking the loss to Japan last week in the World Cup Final into consideration, the USWNT’s all-time record is 369-52-56 - a winning percentage of almost 83 percent, despite seven different coaches at the helm spanning 26 years. So in a country where our female soccer players are, and have consistently been for decades, the best players in the world - why is there a Grand Canyon-sized gap between what professional American men’s soccer players earn in comparison to their female counterparts?
From May 2010-May 2011, David Beckham earned $40 million in salary and endorsements. Thierry Henry…$21 million. According to Jeff Kassouf’s “Player Wages - The Hot Topic in WPS” article posted in December 2010 on Sports Illustrated, the average salary of a WPS player in 2010 was around $27,000 - a barely manageable living for a college graduate on their own and abhorrent for an American professional athlete. One saving grace for the MLS here is that their minimum contract in 2011 is $32,604. However, there is reportedly a $565,000 salary cap on WPS teams; there are 12 players in the MLS who make $565,000 a year individually in salary alone.
Some people will inevitably argue that the female game is less entertaining than the male game. To those people I ask, “Where have you seen more thrilling, edge-of-your-seat soccer than the 2011 Women’s World Cup? Because I’d like to see that.” Not only was the USWNT’s World Cup thrilling, but the sheer quality and pace of play, tactical execution, and coaching of all of the teams playing were better than most of the professional male American soccer I’ve seen.
In an Time article entitled ”Is Women's Pro Soccer Really Coming Back Now?”, it is reported that Mia Hamm’s salary was $93,000 when she was playing - and she was the best of all time. Some players who will make $93,000 or more in salary in the MLS in 2011 include: Dominic Oduro, Logan Pause, and Jackson Goncalves. With all due respect to these players, none of them will ever be as much of a household name as Mia Hamm, yet they make more money in salary per season than she ever did.
It’s clear that quality isn’t really the issue. The problem really is that we live in a country where the average woman makes $36,278 a year compared to $47,127 a year for males according to “Women’s Earnings and Income” on www.catalyst.org. We are a country that prides itself on the ideal of true freedom and that everyone is created equally. Yet, an American woman can only make 77 percent of what an American man can?
Me personally? I played Division 1 soccer for two years at Fordham University and Division 2 soccer for a year at Southern Connecticut State University, so I know my way around a soccer pitch. To be totally honest, the USWNT plays some of the best soccer I’ve ever seen…despite their loss in the World Cup Final. They have no exploitable weak link. They can win by demolishing their opponents or by coming from behind in the clutch. They play collective defense and fast-paced offense. They can beat you with wing play or passing through the middle. For the most part, usually, everything from the beginning whistle until the final whistle is carefully orchestrated and immaculately executed. For me, they are the best at what they do.
So why has there been such a struggle to keep a professional women’s league alive in America, a country where soccer is growing ever so popular. I blame poor advertising choices, and misuse of funds. The Los Angeles Sol disbanded and so has St. Louis Athletica. We live in the greatest country on planet Earth for women’s soccer, and we aren’t taking advantage of it. There is probably a WPS team somewhere near you, and you probably haven’t gone to a game. These women are simply incredible soccer players, giving their bodies and hearts to the sport, for the sheer love of the game.
In a country whose athletic reputation is soiled and tarnished with steroid use, doping allegations, and HGH accusations seemingly daily, shouldn’t God-given talent and dedication be rewarded anymore?
I’ll tell you what, I’d much rather spend my money watching Amy Rodriguez dance effortlessly around defenders or Alex Morgan try to burn a hole in the back of every net, than fork over my hard-earned income watching cheaters try to belt a baseball 500 feet. I’d much rather pay to watch people play the game they love, for less than a respectable living, than watch Lebron and DWade fighting at midcourt during the NBA Finals, trying to decide who’s the bigger chump.
Soccer is a beautiful game, and the players in the WPS play it beautifully. So the next time you tell someone they “play ball like a girl”…be aware of how much of a compliment that truly is.
Dan Hajducky attended Fordham University and Southern Connecticut State University, playing on the varsity men's soccer teams at both schools. He has a BA in Liberal Studies with Concentrations in Professional Writing and Media Studies. He has had articles published by the New Haven Register and the Connecticut Post. Hajducky currently lives in Trumbull, CT. He can be reached at [email protected] (email), @MrDuckus (Twitter), or on his blog at http://letsalllaughattheduck.tumblr.com.
Show Me the Money!
By Dan Hajducky
“You play ball like a GIRL!”
I’m sure all of you reading this remember the mother of all “disses” from when The Sandlot was at the height of its popularity. To the young kids in the movie, a lack of masculinity was the pinnacle of embarrassment. Of course, it wouldn’t be embarrassing at all if we were talking about American soccer. The entire world is aware of the United States Women’s Soccer Team’s international presence. On a global scale, the USWNT has been demolishing opponents for as long as I can remember in my 21 years. Even taking the loss to Japan last week in the World Cup Final into consideration, the USWNT’s all-time record is 369-52-56 - a winning percentage of almost 83 percent, despite seven different coaches at the helm spanning 26 years. So in a country where our female soccer players are, and have consistently been for decades, the best players in the world - why is there a Grand Canyon-sized gap between what professional American men’s soccer players earn in comparison to their female counterparts?
From May 2010-May 2011, David Beckham earned $40 million in salary and endorsements. Thierry Henry…$21 million. According to Jeff Kassouf’s “Player Wages - The Hot Topic in WPS” article posted in December 2010 on Sports Illustrated, the average salary of a WPS player in 2010 was around $27,000 - a barely manageable living for a college graduate on their own and abhorrent for an American professional athlete. One saving grace for the MLS here is that their minimum contract in 2011 is $32,604. However, there is reportedly a $565,000 salary cap on WPS teams; there are 12 players in the MLS who make $565,000 a year individually in salary alone.
Some people will inevitably argue that the female game is less entertaining than the male game. To those people I ask, “Where have you seen more thrilling, edge-of-your-seat soccer than the 2011 Women’s World Cup? Because I’d like to see that.” Not only was the USWNT’s World Cup thrilling, but the sheer quality and pace of play, tactical execution, and coaching of all of the teams playing were better than most of the professional male American soccer I’ve seen.
In an Time article entitled ”Is Women's Pro Soccer Really Coming Back Now?”, it is reported that Mia Hamm’s salary was $93,000 when she was playing - and she was the best of all time. Some players who will make $93,000 or more in salary in the MLS in 2011 include: Dominic Oduro, Logan Pause, and Jackson Goncalves. With all due respect to these players, none of them will ever be as much of a household name as Mia Hamm, yet they make more money in salary per season than she ever did.
It’s clear that quality isn’t really the issue. The problem really is that we live in a country where the average woman makes $36,278 a year compared to $47,127 a year for males according to “Women’s Earnings and Income” on www.catalyst.org. We are a country that prides itself on the ideal of true freedom and that everyone is created equally. Yet, an American woman can only make 77 percent of what an American man can?
Me personally? I played Division 1 soccer for two years at Fordham University and Division 2 soccer for a year at Southern Connecticut State University, so I know my way around a soccer pitch. To be totally honest, the USWNT plays some of the best soccer I’ve ever seen…despite their loss in the World Cup Final. They have no exploitable weak link. They can win by demolishing their opponents or by coming from behind in the clutch. They play collective defense and fast-paced offense. They can beat you with wing play or passing through the middle. For the most part, usually, everything from the beginning whistle until the final whistle is carefully orchestrated and immaculately executed. For me, they are the best at what they do.
So why has there been such a struggle to keep a professional women’s league alive in America, a country where soccer is growing ever so popular. I blame poor advertising choices, and misuse of funds. The Los Angeles Sol disbanded and so has St. Louis Athletica. We live in the greatest country on planet Earth for women’s soccer, and we aren’t taking advantage of it. There is probably a WPS team somewhere near you, and you probably haven’t gone to a game. These women are simply incredible soccer players, giving their bodies and hearts to the sport, for the sheer love of the game.
In a country whose athletic reputation is soiled and tarnished with steroid use, doping allegations, and HGH accusations seemingly daily, shouldn’t God-given talent and dedication be rewarded anymore?
I’ll tell you what, I’d much rather spend my money watching Amy Rodriguez dance effortlessly around defenders or Alex Morgan try to burn a hole in the back of every net, than fork over my hard-earned income watching cheaters try to belt a baseball 500 feet. I’d much rather pay to watch people play the game they love, for less than a respectable living, than watch Lebron and DWade fighting at midcourt during the NBA Finals, trying to decide who’s the bigger chump.
Soccer is a beautiful game, and the players in the WPS play it beautifully. So the next time you tell someone they “play ball like a girl”…be aware of how much of a compliment that truly is.
Dan Hajducky attended Fordham University and Southern Connecticut State University, playing on the varsity men's soccer teams at both schools. He has a BA in Liberal Studies with Concentrations in Professional Writing and Media Studies. He has had articles published by the New Haven Register and the Connecticut Post. Hajducky currently lives in Trumbull, CT. He can be reached at [email protected] (email), @MrDuckus (Twitter), or on his blog at http://letsalllaughattheduck.tumblr.com.
July 15, 2011
MZ & Emmers – Soccer Kicks Breast Cancer……It’s Time!
By David Bayer
MZ & Emmers – Soccer Kicks Breast Cancer……It’s Time!
By David Bayer
It’s been an exciting and busy week for me. The excitement has come from watching the World Cup games, my wife and I jumping out of our seats and screaming, and then being told by Emma to use our “inside voices.” The busy part has been loading each sports bra onto eBay, in preparation for Sunday’s auction. But it’s been a labor of love.
As I mentioned in an earlier article (see below), this project has really taken off. I wish I had thought of it sooner, to make it even bigger. But there’s always next year. In going through all the items, what I’ve found is that besides having a really cool, unique event, we also have something that has “hit home” with many of the players. Besides the autographs and some very artistic drawings, there are many inspirational quotes, and names of loved ones who are both survivors and victims of breast cancer. It feels like a real team effort.
I have many people to thank for helping me with this project, and I will be thanking them numerous times. But what I’d like to do here is list the names of those who have been mentioned by the players on their items. We do this for them, and the millions of others affected by this disease…Jessica Brooks, Gloria Carrasco, Mary Davidson, Doreen Majorie Davis, Robin Gray, Lynda Hernandez, Stephanie Huffaker, Grandma Joe McCormick, Irene Radchuck, Auntie Terri & Lesley Zurrer.
The inscription on Kristine Lilly’s sports bra is so very fitting, for her 1999 World Cup championship team, the current U.S. team, and the men and women touched by breast cancer … “Always Believe.”
And now the logistics…the items will start posting on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (Pacific time). Every five minutes, a new one should pop up, all 83 of them. You can search eBay under “sports bra” or the player’s name you are interested in. The auction will run until the same times on July 24. Please place a bid for these great one-of-a-kind items and help a great cause!
Any questions, please email me at [email protected].
The autographed sports bras that will be available in the auction came from teams in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), as well as the Canadian Women’s National Team, Thor/KA in Iceland, the Atlanta Silverbacks, and from 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup champions Kristine Lilly and Sara Whalen.
Canadian Women's National Team.
The Bayer Family.
June 14, 2011
The World Cup of Charity Events – MZ & Emmers Goes Global
By David Bayer
It’s exciting when a really good idea becomes great. On May 11th, I introduced “MZ & Emmers – Soccer Kicks Breast Cancer,” a project to raise funds for breast cancer awareness by auctioning sports bras autographed by WPS players. Since that time, we’ve made some great progress. The emails and Facebook messages started rolling right in.
From Carolyn Blank (Sky Blue FC): “That sounds so awesome. I am in, and I am SURE the girls would go for it. It sounds so fun.”
From Kia McNeill (Philadelphia Independence) – “Sounds awesome…I will definitely reach out to my teammates and see if they want to participate in the cause.”
From Lauren Sesselmann (Atlanta Beat) – “I think it’s a brilliant idea. Please let me know what you need from all of us, and I will make sure it gets done!”
And Lauren made sure it got done. We’ve already collected 16 sports bras from the Beat players. Then there was a new development. A message arrived from Manya Makoski, former WPS player, now playing for Thor/KA in Iceland’s professional league. She said, “I love the idea! I would definitely love to participate…awesome stuff.” I immediately accepted Manya’s offer, and I started thinking…why stop there? Why not include any of her teammates who might want to participate? So, Manya worked on putting together a collection from Iceland!
That got me thinking of what other areas we could conquer. Aha! Our Editor-in-Chief, Tiffany Weimer, plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Canada! I reached out to her. Her response, “I like this idea, and of course it’s for a great cause.” So, why not more from Canada? I contacted Stephanie Labbe and she and some of her Canadian national teammates are on board. And thanks to Rebecca Nolin, we are working on English and Welsh National Team players, as well as Atlanta Silverbacks.
With more than a month to go before the auction starts, there is plenty of time for soccer players from anywhere and everywhere to get involved. Please join us!
If you’d like to be included, or need any information, please contact me at [email protected].
The World Cup of Charity Events – MZ & Emmers Goes Global
By David Bayer
It’s exciting when a really good idea becomes great. On May 11th, I introduced “MZ & Emmers – Soccer Kicks Breast Cancer,” a project to raise funds for breast cancer awareness by auctioning sports bras autographed by WPS players. Since that time, we’ve made some great progress. The emails and Facebook messages started rolling right in.
From Carolyn Blank (Sky Blue FC): “That sounds so awesome. I am in, and I am SURE the girls would go for it. It sounds so fun.”
From Kia McNeill (Philadelphia Independence) – “Sounds awesome…I will definitely reach out to my teammates and see if they want to participate in the cause.”
From Lauren Sesselmann (Atlanta Beat) – “I think it’s a brilliant idea. Please let me know what you need from all of us, and I will make sure it gets done!”
And Lauren made sure it got done. We’ve already collected 16 sports bras from the Beat players. Then there was a new development. A message arrived from Manya Makoski, former WPS player, now playing for Thor/KA in Iceland’s professional league. She said, “I love the idea! I would definitely love to participate…awesome stuff.” I immediately accepted Manya’s offer, and I started thinking…why stop there? Why not include any of her teammates who might want to participate? So, Manya worked on putting together a collection from Iceland!
That got me thinking of what other areas we could conquer. Aha! Our Editor-in-Chief, Tiffany Weimer, plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Canada! I reached out to her. Her response, “I like this idea, and of course it’s for a great cause.” So, why not more from Canada? I contacted Stephanie Labbe and she and some of her Canadian national teammates are on board. And thanks to Rebecca Nolin, we are working on English and Welsh National Team players, as well as Atlanta Silverbacks.
With more than a month to go before the auction starts, there is plenty of time for soccer players from anywhere and everywhere to get involved. Please join us!
If you’d like to be included, or need any information, please contact me at [email protected].
Atlanta Silverbacks
Manya Makoski, second from right, with her Thor/KA teammates (left to right): Arna Sif Asgrimsdottir, Eva Hafdís Ásgrímsdóttir, Karen Nóa, Marisha Schumacher-Hodge, and Rakel Hönnudóttir
