Welcome to The Technical Area – November 5, 2008
Welcome to the 163rd issue of The Technical Area. Inside you'll find information on the NSCAA and its educational offerings. Each biweekly issue offers the latest news and information from the NSCAA and its partners.
In this issue:
- Register Now for the 2009 NSCAA Convention
- AirTran Offers Convention Discount
- Take the Fundamentals of Coaching Soccer Course
- NSCAA Winter Residential Academy Applications Available Online at NSCAA.com
- Support the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Give Back to the Game You Love
- Service Academy Rivals Square Off on This Week’s NSCAA College Game of the Week
- 2009 NSCAA Foundation Grant Application Form Available
- Sign Up for the 2009 Algarve Cup
- 2009 NSCAA Board of Directors Election Underway
- November Kwik Goal Training Tip
- Sign Up Now for NSCAA Women’s and Men’s Championship Symposiums
- Talonen, Gross Named NSCAA Players of the Week for Nov. 5
- NCAA College Cup Information
- Upcoming Non-Residential Courses
- MLS Playoffs Heat Up
- US Youth Soccer ODP Thanksgiving Interregionals Kick Off Nov. 22
- Fox Soccer Channel – Your Home for Everything Soccer in the United States
- ESPN Coaches Fundraising
- Coaching Corner – Penetration and Possession (Part 3 of 3)
As a reminder, we welcome your feedback. If you have any ideas or suggestions for The Technical Area or have any coaching tips that you would like to share, please send them to feedback@nscaa.com.
Register Now for the 2009 NSCAA Convention
Registration for the 2009 NSCAA Convention in St. Louis, Mo., is now open.
We urge you to use the step-by-step online process to ensure the fastest, most accurate registration possible.
It begins with the hotel reservation process and continues with registration for the Convention itself. If you're more of a traditionalist, you still can download and print out housing and registration forms using the links below. These files are editable PDFs, meaning you'll be able to type all of the information into the form before you print it out. However, you can save $5 by registering online.
CLICK HERE TO GO THE HOUSING AND REGISTRATION PAGE!
AirTran Offers Convention Discount
The NSCAA has registered with the AirTran Airways EventSavers Program to offer discounted air travel and unique benefits for the 2009 NSCAA Convention in St. Louis. Among the benefits you will receive is a 10% discount on the lowest available one way airfare.
CLICK HERE for all the details and to sign up for the discount.
Take the Fundamentals of Coaching Soccer Course
The NSCAA and the National Federation of High School Associations have teamed up to create an online course titled the Fundamentals of Coaching Soccer. This introductory course is perfect for high school and youth coaches who want to establish a solid foundation for their coaching knowledge.
The interactive course features an engaging interface that incorporates audio, video and text to teach essential soccer coaching techniques and methods.
To learn more or to enroll in the course, go to NFHSLearn.com.
NSCAA Winter Residential Academy Applications Available Online at NSCAA.com
The NSCAA is now accepting applications for the 2009 NSCAA Winter Residential Academies in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Cupertino and Santa Clara, Calif.
Academies at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Fort Lauderdale include the National, Advanced Diploma, National Goalkeeping and Premier Diplomas. The National Diploma course will be offered at DeAnza College in Cupertino, Calif., while the Advanced National Diploma course is being offered at Santa Clara University.
For more information and to download applications for any of the winter residential academies, CLICK HERE.
Support the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Give Back to the Game You Love
Have you ever wanted to break a world record but didn’t know where to start (or how to jump on a pogo stick for 23 miles)? Now you can be a part of history by helping the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Eurosport break the world record for the Longest Chain of Shoes!
In an effort to collect new and gently used equipment for soccer players in need, we are planning to build the longest string of shoes at the 2009 NSCAA Convention in St. Louis, Mo., January 14-18.
Give the gift of soccer. A soccer ball. A safe place to play. An opportunity to fulfill dreams both on and off the field. The U.S. Soccer Foundation is proud to provide less fortunate children with the opportunity to play The Beautiful Game. This is your game. Please give back so a child can make it theirs. Visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org/give.
Service Academy Rivals Square Off on This Week’s NSCAA College Game of the Week
A men’s battle between service academies is the featured game in this week's edition of the NSCAA College Game of the Week on Fox Soccer Channel.
Patriot League foes get together as Navy takes on long-time rival Army at West Point, N.Y., on Friday (Nov. 7). The game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on America’s soccer network.
Check your local cable or satellite listings for the channel in your area that airs Fox Soccer Channel.
NSCAA Foundation Grant Application Form Available
The NSCAA Foundation invites charitable 501(c)3 organizations to submit an application for a grant from the Foundation during its 2009 grant cycle. The form is available as a downloadable Microsoft Word file. All applications must postmarked no later than Nov. 30, 2008, for consideration in the 2009 fiscal year. For more information on the NSCAA Foundation and to access the link to download the 2009 Grant Application Form, please
CLICK HERE.
Sign Up Now for the 2009 Algarve Cup
Come cheer on the 2008 Olympic gold medal-winning US women’s team as it participates in the 2009 Algarve Cup. The tournament takes place in March 2009 in the Algarve region of Portugal. The NSCAA and the NSCAA Women’s Committee are hosting a symposium in conjunction with the games. Cost is $695. For more information, CLICK HERE.
2009 NSCAA Board of Directors Election Underway
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America at present has 17 members on its Board of Directors. There are six officers (President, three Vice Presidents, Secretary and Immediate Past President) and eight constituent representatives serving membership in the youth (boys and girls), high school (boys and girls), college (men and women) and professional coaches (men and women) categories and three at-large positions. Additionally, the NSCAA Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
The election of members of the Board of Directors is held prior to the annual meeting of the members in conjunction with the annual convention. This year’s election involves two officer positions (Vice President for Conventions and Awards and Secretary). The Nominations Committee, which is chaired by the Immediate Past President, presents the candidates listed below for your consideration.
November Kwik Goal Training Tip
Coach:
With the launch of the new Infinity® goals, Kwik Goal is offering training tips geared toward small sided play and finishing. Kwik Goal has two sizes of the Infinity® for you to use in training. This month, we offer six drills, three for each size. To view the drills, click on the links:
For more information on either size, click on the following links:
As with all Kwik Goal products, we offer a lifetime guarantee. For information on this offer, please CLICK HERE.
Thank you for being a valued member of the NSCAA.
Sign Up Now for NSCAA Women’s and Men’s Championship Symposiums
Come join the NSCAA for a weekend of great soccer and coaching education at the 2008 NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Cups.
The Women’s Symposium will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 6, in Cary, N.C., in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women’s College Cup, held at the WakeMed Soccer Park Dec. 5-7. The Special Topics course will focus on functional training with an emphasis on optimum player development with Emma Hayes as the featured instructor. Hayes is coach of the Chicago Red Stars of the Women’s Professional Soccer League.
The Men’s Symposium will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13 in Frisco, Texas, in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Men’s College Cup at Pizza Hut Park Dec. 12-14. The Special Topics course centers on functional training with an emphasis on optimum player development with Binghamton University men’s head coach and NSCAA National Staff Coach Paul Marco and FC Dallas head coach and NSCAA Director of Coaching Emeritus Schellas Hyndman as featured instructors.
Sign up for the particular course only or register for the weekend package, which includes tickets to the NCAA Women’s or Men’s Division I College Cup, in-stadium hospitality at the College Cup matches and a Saturday evening social.
To download a Women’s Symposium Registration Form, CLICK HERE.
To download a Men’s Symposium Registration Form, CLICK HERE.
Talonen, Gross Named NSCAA Players of the Week for Nov. 5
Sanna Talonen (Florida State/Tampere, Finland) and Warren Gross (Penn State/Greenfield Center, N.Y.) have earned NSCAA National Player of the Week honors for Nov. 5.
Talonen earns her second honor of the season after scoring two goals against No. 2 North Carolina to salvage a draw on the road for Florida State. She was the NSCAA National Player of the Week on Oct. 22. Gross allowed only one goal while helping Penn State to a tie and a win against a pair of Top 20 teams.
Each week, a male and female player will be selected by a committee from a nomination pool comprised of players of the week from each NCAA Division I soccer conference. The players will be announced each Wednesday afternoon from now until Nov. 10 through NSCAA.com, the official website of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
NCAA College Cup Information
NCAA® Women’s College Cup®
Dates: December 5 and 7
Site: WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.
Hosted by North Carolina State University, Town of Cary and Capital Area Soccer League
Match Times: Dec. 5 – Semifinal No. 1 at 4:30 p.m. ET; Semifinal No. 2 at 7 p.m. ET;
Dec. 7 – Championship at 2 p.m. ET
Television Information: For the most up-to-date and complete 2008-2009 NCAA TV schedule, visit www.NCAA.com/broadcast (all air times subject to change):
Nov. 10 – Selection Announcement live on ESPNews between 8-8:30 p.m. ET
Dec. 5 – Semifinal No. 1 live on ESPN2/ESPNU/ESPN360.com simulcast at 4:30 p.m. ET
Dec. 5 – Semifinal No. 2 live on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET and tape delayed on ESPN2 Dec. 7 at Noon ET
Dec. 7 – National Championship live on ESPN/ESPN360.com simulcast at 2 p.m. ET
NCAA® Men’s College Cup®
Dates: December 12 and 14
Site: Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas
Hosted by Southern Methodist University and FC Dallas of Major Soccer League
Match Times: Dec. 12 – Semifinal No. 1 at 5:30 p.m. ET; Semifinal No. 2 at 8 p.m. ET;
Dec. 14 – Championship at 1 p.m. ET
Television Information: For the most up-to-date and complete 2008-2009 NCAA TV schedule, visit www.NCAA.com/broadcast (all air times subject to change):
Nov. 17 – Selection Announcement live on ESPNews between 5:30-6 p.m. ET
Dec. 12 – Semifinal No. 1 live on ESPN2/ESPNU/ESPN360.com simulcast at 5:30 p.m. ET
Dec. 12 – Semifinal No. 2 live on ESPNU at 8 p.m. ET and tape delayed on ESPN2 Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. ET
Dec. 14 – National Championship live on ESPN/ESPN360.com simulcast at 1 p.m. ET
Upcoming Non-Residential Courses
The leaves are falling from the trees and the air feels a bit chillier. It can only mean that winter is on its way and fall soccer schedules are nearly concluded. Don’t let the change of seasons keep you from an opportunity to continue to update your coaching methodologies. Attend an NSCAA Coaching Education course. Keep checking NSCAA.com for the latest list. If you don't see a course near you, contact the State Technical Coordinator or Regional Technical Director for your area to schedule one. A complete list can be found HERE.
State Diploma
Tucson, Ariz. – Nov. 8
Moyock, N.C. – Nov. 15
Leander, Texas – Dec. 6
Hurst, Texas – Dec. 13
Lawrence, Kan, - Dec. 13
Regional Diploma
Omaha, Neb. – Nov. 7-8
Moyock, N.C. – Nov 15-16
Hanover, Pa. – Dec. 5-6
Royal Palm Beach, Fla. – Dec. 12-13
Advanced Regional Diploma
Clermont, Fla. – Nov. 21-23
Winchester, Va. – Nov. 28-30
Hanover, Pa. – Dec. 5-7
Greeneville/Morristown, Tenn. – Dec. 5-7
Advanced Regional Supplement
Hanover, Pa. – Dec. 7
State Goalkeeping Diploma
Nampa, Idaho – Nov. 14
Winchester, Va. – Dec. 6
Columbus, Ohio – Dec. 6
Hurst, Texas – Dec. 13
Regional Goalkeeping Diploma
Nampa, Idaho – Nov. 15-16
Winchester, Va. – Dec. 7
National Goalkeeping Diploma
California, Pa. – Nov. 8-9
Raleigh, N.C. - Dec. 12-14
Advanced Youth Diploma
Dallas, Texas – Nov. 21-23
MLS Playoffs Heat Up
After a heated opening weekend of playoff games, the second leg looks to be more exciting. Chicago and New England look to break their stalemate and live to see the next round as they battle at Toyota Park on Thursday (Nov. 6) at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN Deportes. Other highlights include Real Salt Lake’s attempt to pull off an upset over Chivas USA (FSC, FSE); Columbus fighting to continue its dream season against Kansas City; and defending MLS Cup champion Houston playing the Red Bulls. For more information on playoff dates and matchups, please visit www.mlsnet.com.
US Youth Soccer ODP Thanksgiving Interregionals Kick Off Nov. 22
The US Youth Soccer Boys Interregional Thanksgiving Event will take place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex. Teams will practice on Friday, Nov. 28, with competition taking place Nov. 29 through Dec. 1. The event will feature the 1994 and 1995 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Boys regional teams and the U.S. Under-14 National team.
The girls event is scheduled at the North Community Park and Coral Glades High School Sportsplex in Coral Springs, Fla. Teams arrive on Nov. 22 for training with games slated for Nov. 24-28. The US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional spotlights teams in the 1992-1994 age groups, including the U.S. Under-16 National team.
Fox Soccer Channel – Your Home for Everything Soccer in the United States
Fox Soccer Channel offers the most comprehensive coverage of world-class soccer available in the United States, including Major League Soccer, England’s Barclays Premier League, Italy’s Serie A and the Argentine First Division. In addition, Fox Soccer Channel broadcasts global tournaments and competitions such as the UEFA Cup, UEFA Women’s Championship, English FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and FA Community Shield. The Official Broadcast Partner of the US Youth Soccer, Fox Soccer Channel also televises the United Soccer Leagues, Major Indoor Soccer League and NCAA Division I college soccer matches through a partnership with the NSCAA. For a complete schedule of this week’s live and premiere match telecasts, please visit foxsoccer.com.
ESPN Coaches Fundraising
The ESPN Coaches Fundraising Program is a grassroots magazine fundraising program targeting sports associations and teams across the United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam. Established in 2000, the program has assisted teams raise funds for travel, equipment, uniforms and more. Through the ESPN Coaches Fundraising Program teams and organizations have raised over $15 million by selling magazine subscriptions.
The ESPN Coaches Fundraising Programis as easy as the players selling a few subscriptions to ESPN The Magazine. Every time a 2-year subscription is sold for $40, the team keeps $30 from that order. 75% of the total sale goes directly to the team. Each $30 raised from every order really adds up. If just 20 players sell fivesubscriptions each, the team will earn $3,000.
It’s a Win-Win situation!
When the team has completed the program, they just return $10 per order with the order forms. It’s that simple.
Coaching Corner: Penetration and Possession (Part 3 of 3)
By Dr. Doug Williamson, NSCAA Assistant Director of Coaching Education and Development
The ultimate goal for any soccer team in attack is to penetrate an opponent’s defense and deposit the ball in the opponent’s goal. When immediate penetration is not possible, a team will endeavor to possess the ball until an opportunity for penetration arises. One of the most important lessons for a coach to help a team learn, therefore, is to recognize opportunities to penetrate an opposing defense while also recognizing the need for possession when penetration is not “on.”
In the accompanying exercise, a field 60 yards long by 30 yards wide is utilized, along with full-size goals and goalkeepers. All players except the goalkeepers begin off the field. The coach stands at the half field, off to one side, with the soccer balls.
Upon the call of “play” from the coach, eight players run around 4 cones, each 15 yards away from a goal on the touch lines and enter the field of play, with the players from one team given a 5-yard head start. A neutral player, who will always play with the team in possession, enters from half-field opposite the coach.
The coach plays the ball to one of the two back players on the team given a head start. The back players may not cross the half-field line until they have passed the ball to one of their two front players successfully (which means the front two players must gain possession of the pass). If the back players cannot penetrate immediately, they join the neutral player and their goalkeeper in possessing the ball until they can find an opportunity to penetrate across the half-field line. Two lines 15 yards from goal function as both as offside lines for the attacking players and as the top of the penalty area. The back receiving the ball initially may not play a pass forward on his or her first touch.
Once the ball has been played across the half-field line, the game is played “live,” 5v5+1. When the ball goes out of bounds, play for that round ceases. After a set number of serves from the coach (usually 6-8), the players switch starting points and the coach serves the backs on the opposite end for an equal number of opportunities. The objective for each team is to score on the full-size goals.
Key coaching points include encouraging players to recognize the earliest possible penetration without losing possession of the ball. Once the ball is played across half-field, the coach helps players create and maintain width, depth, and mobility in attack while recognizing opportunities to penetrate. As one might imagine, this exercise contains a significant fitness component—a bonus for coach and player alike!
For more information on TactFOOT discounts for NSCAA members, CLICK HERE.
