| The Technical Area, August 12, 2009 |
| The Technical Area |
August 12, 2009, Issue No. 183 |
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| NSCAA News & Information |
Welcome to the 183rd 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.
8. Deadline Approaching for Team Academic Award Nomination Forms
10. Coaches Corner: Crossing Exercises (Part 1)
12. From the Director’s Desk: Transition Mentality for Goalkeepers
Nogueria, Cheney Lead 2009 Women’s Hermann Trophy Watch List
Returning 2008 finalist Casey Nogueira (North Carolina/Raleigh, N.C.) and 2007 finalist Lauren Cheney (UCLA/Indianapolis) highlight 45 of the best women's Division I intercollegiate soccer players that comprise the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy Watch List for 2009.
Dacy Becomes First Four-Time Men’s Hermann Trophy Watch List Selection
Senior forward Byron Dacy (Creighton/Omaha, Neb.) has achieved a first by earning a fourth listing on the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy Watch List. He is among 38 of the best men's Division I intercollegiate soccer players that comprise the 2009 Watch List.
2009 Preseason College Rankings Released
Defending champions are preseason favorites in the 2009 NSCAA College Rankings, which were released Aug. 11.
In NCAA Division I, Maryland (men) and North Carolina (women), winners of the 2008 NCAA College Cups, were picked as number one by a committee of rankers. Cal State Dominguez Hills (men) and Seattle Pacific (women) were the top choices in NCAA Division II, while Messiah College, winners of both NCAA Division III men's and women's titles in 2008, were the top selections in that division's respective men's and women's rankings.
In the junior college rankings, Yavapai College (men) and Lewis & Clark (Ill.) (women), last year's Division I champions, earned the No. 1 spot in their respective polls, while Herkimer County Community College (men) and Cerritos College (women) were the top choices in Division III.
Share The Membership Program Back in 2009
The NSCAA once again offers its Share the Membership program to renewing members. Each renewing member will have the opportunity to provide a coach who never has enjoyed the benefits of the NSCAA a complimentary one-year membership. To participate, download the Share the Membership Form as an editable PDF. (Remember, only one gift membership permitted per NSCAA member coach, and the recipient cannot have previously held an NSCAA membership.)
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 have received an electronic billing for the 2009-10 membership year. A paper billing has been mailed and should be in your mailbox. Renewals are being accepted online at this time. Go to http://www.nscaa.com/join.php and follow the Renew Online link to begin the process.
Nominations for 2009 NSCAA High School Scholar All-America Team Now Open
Nominations for the 2009 NSCAA High School Scholar All-America Team are now being accepted online through NSCAA.com. Current high school member coaches can log into the system using their NSCAA membership number to nominate deserving rising seniors for consideration. For full information on selection criteria and the NSCAA High School Scholar All-America program and to begin the nomination process, visit the program's page.
2009 NSCAA College Services Forms Reminder
As the days before the start of the 2009 college season dwindle, take a second to double check that your teams are enrolled in the NSCAA College Service program. A reminder that 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.
Deadline Approaching for Team Academic Award Nomination Forms
High School and College coaches—take a moment to fill out a form to nominate deserving high school and college teams for the NSCAA Team Academic Award. The deadline for submission is October 1.
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 Master Coach Diploma Applications Deadline August 14
Applications for the 2010 cohort of the Master Coach Diploma are being accepted until Friday, Aug. 14. 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.
Find out more here.
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| Upcoming NSCAA Courses and Events |
The fall season is almost here. Are you ready? Make sure your coaching methodologies are updated by attending 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.
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| Coaches Corner |
![]() Coaching Corner: Crossing Exercises (Part 1)
This week’s Coach’s Corner features the first of a progression of crossing exercises to help your team work on what is commonly called “the early cross” which has become the standard cross in many countries due to the adoption of the flat back fours almost universally. This first element focuses on a warm-up exercise. It is important to try to include your goalkeeper in the team’s warm-up exercises, either as a field player or – when possible – as a goalkeeper.
One of the key features of the early cross is the hooking of the ball away from the goalkeeper and the purposes of this exercise is to warm up using the technique of hooking the ball. In this exercise, six players (three pairs of two) circle the goalkeeper, passing between the pairs. When ready, the goalkeeper calls for the ball from one of the pairs. One player of that pair rolls the ball to the partner, who shoots the ball at the goalkeeper. The shot is a hooked shot – the pass from the partner is important because the hooking effect can be accentuated when the ball is rolling towards you.
The key elements for hooking the ball are:
- Hips facing forward.
- Striking the ball with the foot moving in an “in and out” fashion.
- Striking the ball on the outside with the big toe of striking foot pointing up.
- Accentuate the in to out follow through.
The players go through progressive variations where the non-shooting partner moves toward the goalkeeper as if to collect a rebound. Upon making the save, the goalkeeper tosses the ball to the oncoming player, who heads the ball back to the goalkeeper side volleys the ball to the goalkeeper,heads the ball back to the goalkeeper on a diving header, etc. After the second save, the goalkeeper distributes the ball to the pair. Finally, the players progress to the point where the ball is crossed directly from one partner to the other, who heads the ball at the goalkeeper. (The goalkeeper should not move out to challenge the ball due to the possibility of collision. On all crossing exercises the possibilities of collisions are significant. Although the goalkeepers should become live at some stage, they should hold their line for many of these exercises.
The next tip will feature a progression from the warmup going to goal.
Find out about TactFOOT discounts for NSCAA members. |
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| Soccer Journal Archives |
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Published eight times during the year (seven printed versions and one online), Soccer Journal is the Official Publication of the NSCAA and is one of the few publications in the world produced exclusively for soccer coaches. Each issue contains technical and tactical articles, news and updates on important events, thoughts from opinion leaders in the sport and features on the interesting people and issues of the game.
In each issue of The Technical Area, an article from the Soccer Journal archives will be featured.
In France, c’est la Technique (From the July/August 2003 issue of Soccer Journal)
The following is from a presentation made by Aime Jacquet, former French National Team coach and World Champion at the U.S. Youth Soccer Workshop in January 2001 in Las Vegas, Nev. Jacquet oversees the development program for 13- to 15-year-old players in France. He is in charge of 128 coaches split into six regions. Players are identified at age 11 through districts and then regional teams.
The best French players at age 13 go to the National Training Center in Clairefontaine. At this center, the players are educated with these concepts in mind:
- To forget what is at stake
- That results only come from the game
- To respect the principles of playing soccer and play within the structure the coach gives you
- Victory is the only goal
The first consideration is to be present (to become an impact player) in the game, to free yourself from your opponent, and to ask for the ball.
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| From The Director's Desk |
This installment features goalkeeping and is based upon an NSCAA Academy interview with Marcus Hahnemann. Goalkeepers must develop a transition mentality. They must look to start the attack as soon as they control the shot or cross, knowing where they plan to play the ball before receiving it. The exercises will aid coaches in developing the transition mentality.
Download the exercises here.
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| NSCAA Member Benefit Spotlight |
![]() Score Reporting Available with NSCAA College Scoreboard
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.
It is critical that all college teams load their schedules and results into this system since it will feed data to the NSCAA rankings and awards programs.
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| NSCAA Partner News |
![]() Get Free Soccer Drills and Small Sided Games from Better Soccer Coaching
Better Soccer Coaching is a free website dedicated to grassroots coaches. With Better Soccer Coaching’s free archive of skills, drills and small-sided games, you can take the best English Premier League Academy training ideas onto your training field
Sign up for our free weekly soccer coaching newsletter today to receive an free exclusive coaching report, 10 Proven Tips for a More Successful Season.
Click here to visit and sign up to get your free coaching e-mail delivered every Tuesday and Thursday.
![]() World Class Coaching Presents New DVD
Soccer games are often decided by a series of 1 v.1 contests all over the field. The world’s best players, both past and present, such as Ronaldo, Maradona, Cruyff, Zidane and Ronaldinho, all had legendary 1 v.1 moves that gave them the edge over defenders in 1 v.1 situations. The new DVD “Legendary 1 v.1 Moves” contains drills and exercises to improve 1 v.1 training. Click here for more information.
![]() Celebrating Soccer in America – Youth Soccer Month
US Youth Soccer, the nation’s largest youth sports association, is celebrating the seventh annual National Youth Soccer Month this September.
There are currently 50 college events scheduled as well as events slated with Major League Soccer, where US Youth Soccer serves as official grassroots partner to the league.
The Youth Soccer Month Giant Jersey Tour is ready to kick off its second year. A Youth Soccer Month branded SUV and trailer tour events across America share the excitement and promote the benefits of soccer. A life-size Stickley, the US Youth Soccer mascot, will be traveling on the SUV to take pictures and blog from major landmarks along the tour’s route.
Youth Soccer Month is a celebration for all soccer participants and those who would like to start playing soccer. The celebration highlights the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including the inner-city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer players.
![]() Premier International Tours – Customized, Professional International Soccer TravelTake your team abroad and combine training, friendlies and/or top European tournaments with visits to professional games and training sessions as well stadium tours.
Soccer travel highlights:
- Coach travels for FREE
- Compete against teams from around the world
- Build team unity
- Player development on and off the field
- Available for all levels of teams; recreational – ODP
- Tours sanctioned by NSCAA
Book by October 1 and receive:
- Additional FREE trip to Amsterdam
- Set of team jerseys
Give your players this soccer experience of a lifetime!!
![]() MLS Game of the Week
Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire host David Beckham, Landon Donovan and the rest of the Los Angeles Galaxy in one of the most anticipated matches of the remaining regular season next Wednesday (Aug. 19). The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes at 9 p.m. (EDT). Currently, both teams occupy second place in their respective conference standings and are separated by just one point in the overall table. The Galaxy is coming off a 2-1 victory against New England, while the Fire dropped a 3-2 decision to league-leading Houston in its last match.
For more MLS news, information and a complete schedule, go to www.mlsnet.com.
![]() The UEFA Champions League Comes to Fox Soccer Channel Beginning August 18
Starting Tuesday, Aug. 18, Europe’s biggest teams will compete in the world’s most prestigious club soccer tournament, live on Fox Soccer Channel! FSC – in conjunction with sister networks Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports en Espanol – brings you the most comprehensive coverage of the UEFA Champions League with up to three live games per match day. For a complete telecast schedule, visit championsonfox.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 helped teams raise funds for travel, equipment, uniforms and more. Through the ESPN Coaches Fundraising Program teams and organizations have raised more than $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 two-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.
Coaches can sign up and receive their FREE personalized fundraising kit by going on line HERE or by contacting Pete Bryden (407-938-3423 or Pete.bryden@espn3.com) or Jessica O'Neal (407-938-3879 or Jessica.oneal@espn3.com). |
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| The Technical Area, NSCAA eNewsletter |
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| Soccer Journal - Published seven times a year in print and once annually online, Soccer Journal is the Official Publication of NSCAA and is one of the few publications in the world produced exclusively for soccer coaches. learn more |
| Insurance - Members in the United States automatically receive $1 million in professional liability insurance, providing coverage for most soccer-related activities. learn more |
| Academy Programs - The benchmark of soccer coaching education is the NSCAA Coaching Academy program. learn more |
| Convention - The NSCAA Convention is "The World's Largest Annual Gathering of Soccer Coaches." Held each January learn more |
| Awards and Recognition - The NSCAA administers an outstanding awards and recognition program which includes Coach of the Year, All-America, long-term service and special recognition awards, designed to recognize excellence in soccer, academics and service to the game. learn more |
| Licensed Apparel - A full line of distinctive coaching gear sets you apart as a member of the NSCAA through our licensed apparel program with adidas. learn more |
| For more details, please proceed to the Benefits of NSCAA Membership Page |
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