Dear Team:

We have a special practice planned for this Saturday, September 25 at Spring Road (Large Field).  Practice will begin with a skull session at 8:30 a.m. and will last until 10:00 a.m.  Please plan to have your player at the pitch by 8:30 a.m.  (I will bring some breakfast treats for the players.  Please make sure they bring their water bottles and soccer balls.)

The skull session will involve sitting in a circle to learn about the rules of the game, the various positions and ways in which a team can be deployed on the field (2-3-2, 2-2-3, 3-3-1, etc.), how the game is played, strategies for keeping the shape (i.e., remaining spread out) and techniques for moving the ball downfield wide before centering.  Additionally, as an introduction to the drills planned for the physical part of the practice that will follow from 9-10, I would like to review with the players the three basic forms of tackling.  Of course, all parents are welcome at the skull session and the practice that follows.

During the drilling part of the practice, we will focus (though not exclusively) on teaching the players to challenge more aggressively during the games.  In our season opener, both teams backed off of too many tackles.  Occasionally, in fact, both the attacking and the defending players backed off at the same time leaving the ball sitting momentarily.  I have assembled a set of fun drills intended to teach more competitive challenges.

Our match this week is against Liverpool at Glover Road Field in the Glover Complex at 1:00 p.m.  Please have your player at the pitch by 12:45 p.m. for warm-ups (which are important) and have your player wear blue.

Please reply and confirm your player's availability for the match so I can develop the lineup.

Best regards,

 

Blake