Welcome to the 180th issue of The Technical Area, the NSCAA’s biweekly electronic publication that offers the latest news and information from the NSCAA and its partners.
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.
Take the Fundamentals of Coaching Soccer Course
Team Academic Award Nomination Forms Now Available
Refresh Your On-Field Thinking with NSCAA’s Quizzies
Coaches Corner: Developing Players in the Attacking Phase (Part 2)
From the Director’s Desk: Brazilian Four-Whistle Drill
NSCAA Membership Fees Increase for 2009-10
The fees for NSCAA membership have increased $15 at all levels, effective with the beginning of the 2009-10 membership cycle on Sept. 1.
The standard membership fee, most commonly associated with high school and collegiate coaches, will be $95 for the coming year. Youth coaches will see their fee increase to $75.
The fee increase is only the second by the NSCAA since 2001. The Board of Directors weighed all options before choosing to approve the increase, realizing that it was necessary to keep pace with rising operational costs and maintain the current level of member service.
Current members who have valid email addresses on file with the NSCAA already have received an electronic billing for the 2009-10 membership year in the coming days. A paper billing will be distributed later this month. Renewals are being accepted online at thi s time. Go to http://www.nscaa.com/join.php and follow the Renew Online link to begin the process.
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Theresa Echtermeyer Appointed to NSCAA Board of Directors
Theresa Echtermeyer has been named to the NSCAA Board of Directors as Youth Girls Representative, effective immediately. She was appointed to the Board of Directors by President Randy Waldrum to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Charlotte Moran on May 17.
2010 Master Coach Diploma Applications Available
Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 cohort of the Master Coach Diploma. Part of a growing trend in coaching education of continual self-improvement, the Master Coach diploma extends the 150 hours of field instruction currently offered through NSCAA Academy courses with an 18-month, self-paced curriculum of study that is tailored to the unique issues that soccer coaches in America must address on a daily basis.
Take the Fundamentals of Soccer Coaching Course Online
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 multimedia 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.
Team Academic Award Nomination Forms Now Available
Forms to nominate deserving high school and college teams for the NSCAA Team Academic Award have been updated and now are available as editable PDFs through NSCAA.com.
To be eligible for the High School Team Academic Award, the varsity squad must have a minimum 3.25 GPA for the 2008-09 academic year. For the College Team Academic Award, the squad must carry a minimum 3.0 GPA for the year. PLEASE NOTE: You must have grades from the entire academic year (two semesters or three quarters) to complete the nomination.
The forms are set up as editable PDFs, so you will be able to use your computer to type the information into the appropriate blanks; however, you will not be able to save the completed form. Please print the form out, get the necessary signatures and mail the hard copy to the address on the form. We recommend that you retain a copy for your records. College forms are available in both a semester and quarter format.
Download a College Team Academic Award form for schools on the semester system.
Download a College Team Academic Award form for schools on the quarter system.
Download a High School Team Academic Award form.
2010 NSCAA Foundation Grants Available
The NSCAA Foundation annually conducts a grant application process to reward grants to underserved programs and clubs. Grant applications are due to the NSCAA by November 30, 2009. All recipients will be notified following the NSCAA Convention in January 2010.
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Big 3 Enshrinement Weekend Set for July 31 – Aug. 2
Gene Chyzowych and Cliff McCrath, the two newest members of the NSCAA Hall of Fame, will be enshrined in the NSCAA display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame during Big 3 Weekend festivities July 31-Aug. 2 in Oneonta, N.Y.
Refresh Your On-Field Thinking with NSCAA’s Quizzies
The time to be thinking ahead to and making preparations for fall seasons is now in the heat of summer. Although the physical aspects of training are likely not to be overlooked, the mental part of the game may be neglected. Help your players sharpen their minds and their decision-making skills on the pitch by encouraging them to take the NSCAA’s Tactical Situations Tests (“Quizzies”) on NSCAA.com. These interactive web-based tests encourage quick thinking skills that potentially translate into positive game management habits. Why not have your team try all 16 sessions? It could pay off next season!
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NSCAA, GoCollegeSoccer.com Create Score Reporting Partnership
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America and GoCollegeSoccer.com have entered into a partnership designed to provide the most current and up-to-date scores for intercollegiate soccer in the United States.
2009 NSCAA College Services Forms Now Available
Changes are in store for the 2009 NSCAA College Services season. Beginning with this year, your team must be a member of College Services to be eligible for NSCAA recognition through the national rankings, All-America and Scholar All-America programs, Coach of the Year and Team Academic and Team Ethics awards.
