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The Technical Area September 9, 2009
The Technical Area September 9, 2009, Issue No. 185
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NSCAA News & Information
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.
 
1. NSCAA Legend Shellenberger Passes Away
2. YouTube Interview with NSCAA CEO Joe Cummings
3. Akron, North Carolina Stand No. 1 in Sept. 8 College Rankings
4. Weekend Men’s Doubleheader on NSCAA College Game of the Week
5. Price, Bulls Earn NSCAA Player of the Week Honors for Sept. 9
6. Oct. 1 Team Academic Award Nomination Forms Deadline Looming
7. Share The Membership Program Back in 2009
8. Nominations for 2009 NSCAA High School Scholar All-America Team Now Open
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)
12. Soccer Journal Archives: A Good Coach and Manager
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.
 
Read more about Shellenberger.
 
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 Quizzies.
 
 
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. 
 
Upcoming NSCAA Courses and Events
Although the fall season is underway it’s not too late to keep your coaching methodologies 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.
 
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special Topics Diploma
 
Coaches Corner
Penetration and Possession (Part 1)

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.”
 
The accompanying exercise is the first in a series of three designed to assist players in recognizing when penetration is “on” and when possession is necessary. On a field 40-45 yards long and 25 yards wide, two teams play 4v4, with four neutral players outside the field in playing in support of the team with the ball. Two neutral players are on the end of the field, in “gates” four yards wide. The other two neutral players are on opposite touch lines and may move anywhere on those touch lines.
 
To score, the team with the ball must play the ball to the neutral player in the gate at one end of the field and receive the ball back from that player. The team with the ball may use the neutral players on the sides as passing options to assist in keeping possession when penetration is not possible. When a team scores a goal it immediately changes direction and attempts to score a goal at the other end of the field.
 
Primary coaching points include helping players recognize when and where to penetrate by both passing and dribbling, and to possess the ball not as an end in itself, but only until a new penetrating opportunity emerges.
 
For drill animation, CLICK HERE.
 
For more information on TactFOOT discounts for NSCAA members, CLICK HERE.
 
Soccer Journal Archives
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.
 
A Good Coach and Manager
 
Player management
Individuals within the team structure - Remember that all players are different. Each has strengths, weaknesses, personalities, come from different backgrounds, etc. Coaches must adjust to each person on the team. Find out what each person reacts to best and coach accordingly. Remember, people first want to know that you care.
 
Motivation and coaching styles - The first thing to determine is why is this person turning out for soccer? What is each individual's expectation of the experience? What coaching style does each player best respond to?
 
CONTINUE
 
From The Director's Desk

As we kick off the fall season, the 2010 NSCAA Annual Convention is just around the corner. Among the options for coaches at the Convention is the opportunity to learn from some of the best coaches in the United States and around the world. Check out NSCAA National Academy Staff Coach and former Nigerian U-20 manager Sam Okpudu’s session – “Dynamics of Dribbling” - on the NSCAA’s YouTube channel.

Okpudu was one of several top-level coaches at the 2009 Convention, and the lineup for 2010 promises to be even better, including Dick Bate of the English FA. Pre-registration for the 2010 NSCAA Annual Convention in Philadelphia is coming soon, so visit www.nscaa.com for details.

NSCAA Member Benefit Spotlight
Sports Logic is the Official Service Provider of Online Player Registration and League and Team Management Solutions of the NSCAA. Powerful web-based applications allow you to manage and communicate all your important organization, league or club information from anywhere you have Internet access.
 
NSCAA Members receive a FREE Season Trial! Use reference code: SLTQ1. www.sportslogictech.com
See all of the NSCAA Member Benefits and Resources here.
 
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 www.bettersoccercoaching.com and sign up to get your free coaching e-mail delivered every Tuesday and Thursday.
 
 
 
Performance Conditioning Offers New Newsletter
 
Read a sample article from Performance Conditioning Soccer. An officially licensed publication of the NSCAA, this newsletter is designed for the soccer coach responsible for conditioning. The latest soccer-specific information is provided in an easy-to-read newsletter published seven times a year. Charts and illustrations cover all 14 critical areas of soccer conditioning. Among the topics are improving the seven speeds of soccer, explosive power and endurance and combining technical and tactical with player development.
 
A portion of your subscription directly benefits the NSCAA and its educational efforts. All for $26 ($31 in Canada and $36 international).
 
To subscribe, click here.
 
 
US Adult Soccer Association Men’s Select National Team to Face Ireland

The United States Adult Soccer Association kicks off its 2009-10 season on Saturday, Sept. 26 as the Men’s National Select team plays an international match against Ireland at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, Calif. The match gets underway at 7:30 p.m. (PT).
 
The game will also be available as an audio webcast
 
More information here.


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, CONCACAF Gold Cup™, English FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, CONCACAF Champions League™ and FA Community Shield. The Official Broadcast Partner of the US Youth Soccer, Fox Soccer Channel also televises the Uni ted Soccer Leagues,NCAA Division I college soccer matches through a partnership with the NSCAA, and Women’s Professional Soccer. 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 helped 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 Program is 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 five subscriptions 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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