Welcome to the 185th 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.
4. Weekend Men’s Doubleheader on NSCAA College Game of the Week
6. Oct. 1 Team Academic Award Nomination Forms Deadline Looming
9. Get Ready for the Season with NSCAA’s Quizzies
10. Take the Fundamentals of Soccer Coaching Course
11. Coaches Corner: Penetration and Possession (Part 1)
13. From the Director’s Desk: Dynamics of Dribbling
NSCAA Legend Shellenberger Passes Away
William H. "Bill" Shellenberger, the former Lynchburg College men's coach who received the NSCAA's Honor Award in 1989, passed away on Monday, Sept. 7, 2009. He was 88 years old.
YouTube Interview with NSCAA CEO Joe Cummings
At the end of his first week as NSCAA CEO and Executive Director, Joe Cummings sat down for an interview to discuss his goals and vision for the Association.
Check out the interview here.
Akron, North Carolina Stand No. 1 in Sept. 8 College Rankings
The Akron Zips vaulted from No. 3 to No. 1 in the first men's NCAA Division I regular-season poll while North Carolina remained the top women's Division I team with the release of the NSCAA National Rankings for Sept. 8.
Get links to the NCAA rankings here.
Weekend Men’s Doubleheader on NSCAA College Game of the Week
A pair of men’s interregional matchups are featured on this week’s installment of the NSCAA College Game of the Week on Fox Soccer Channel.
Rutgers (2-1-0) travels to Santa Barbara, Calif., for a Friday, Sept. 11 clash with the No. 6-ranked Gauchos of the University of California Santa Barbara (3-0-0) in the first contest. Kickoff for the game at Meredith Field at Harden Stadium is set for 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.
The doubleheader concludes on Sunday (Sept. 13) as the Flames of the University of Illinois-Chicago (0-1-1) head to Louisville, Ky., to face the 13th-ranked Cardinals of the University of Louisville (2-0-0). The match at Cardinal park Soccer Stadium gets underway at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.
Check your local cable or satellite listings for the channel in your area that airs Fox Soccer Channel.
See the full NSCAA College Game of the Week schedule here.
Price, Bulls Earn NSCAA Player of the Week Honors for Sept. 9
Jessica Price (Florida State/Libertyville, Ill.) and Andrew Bulls (UMBC, Millersville, Md.) both had prolific offensive efforts last week to claim NSCAA National Player of the Week honors for Sept. 9.
Price tallied six points on two goals and as many assists to help the Seminoles to a pair of home victories, including a 2-1 win over No. 10 Penn State. Bulls racked up 14 points (five goals, four assists) to help Maryland-Baltimore County to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2004, including a 3-1 win over Virginia Tech.
Read the rest of the story here.
Oct. 1 Team Academic Award Nomination Forms Deadline Looming
Time is running out for high school and college coaches to nominate deserving teams for the NSCAA Team Academic Award. The deadline for submission is Oct. 1. Why not take a moment now to ensure that your team makes the grade?
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.
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.)
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.
Get Ready the Upcoming Season with NSCAA’s Quizzies
The fall seasons are going full tilt, but are you really ready? 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 this season!
The interactive course features an engaging multimedia interface that incorporates audio, video and text to teach essential soccer coaching techniques and methods.
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 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 NFHSLearn.com.