Moving Up to Division 2.
From the latest email ...
Hi All,
So some good news ... we have been moved up to Division 2 for this next season! That means a few things including a change in our weekly schedule. This week will remain the same ... practice today at 4:30pm AT EAGLE BAY ELEMENTARY. Practice again on Saturday at 10:00am AT OUR GAME FIELD.
But starting soon (maybe next week) we'll have to go to a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule. This will be the schedule for the season ... Tuesday practice, Thursday game, Saturday game. So a quick question ... I NEED A RESPONSE FROM EVERYBODY ON THIS. What time works best for practices on Tuesday and Thursday? Darren and I will have to make a final determination, but we'd like some input.
On a strategic note for this season ... this move up is a BIG DEAL. I believe this will be our first taste of real competitive soccer. If we can win half of our games I will count it a blazing success (don't tell the boys that, athletes have a way of living up to expectations and who says they can't go undefeated? They certainly have the skills). I think our biggest problem will be self-confidence. One of the things that we hear before every game or practice drill is ... "I won't do well at this because ... [insert lame excuse here]". Please be positive with and supportive of them. Don't use phrases like ... "you didn't look good out there" ...
-----Or even "you were the best kid on the field out there" ... too much pressure for the next game. Try "I could tell you were really working hard out there, way to go" ... this is something they have control over (their effort) ... but they will never have control over whether they are the best on the field or not.-----
... Instead, substitute with, "what do you think you could do to improve on this game for next game?" It should be something incredibly specific (like, practice my passing while running at a full sprint) ... and then help them do it. We are not concerned with perfection ... just growth and development, getting better.
I fully believe we are skilled enough to compete in Division 2, but we really do lack self and team confidence because we don't yet have a developed, mature club with tons of success history behind us. We can develop that ... but it will begin with baby steps and not crushing their competitive desires before they've even turned twelve.
Anyway, please don't take this as preaching:) It's just some things we've noticed at practice and during games and something THE ENTIRE TEAM (including the coaches) needs to overcome. Thanks for all of your support and ...
But starting soon (maybe next week) we'll have to go to a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule. This will be the schedule for the season ... Tuesday practice, Thursday game, Saturday game. So a quick question ... I NEED A RESPONSE FROM EVERYBODY ON THIS. What time works best for practices on Tuesday and Thursday? Darren and I will have to make a final determination, but we'd like some input.
On a strategic note for this season ... this move up is a BIG DEAL. I believe this will be our first taste of real competitive soccer. If we can win half of our games I will count it a blazing success (don't tell the boys that, athletes have a way of living up to expectations and who says they can't go undefeated? They certainly have the skills). I think our biggest problem will be self-confidence. One of the things that we hear before every game or practice drill is ... "I won't do well at this because ... [insert lame excuse here]". Please be positive with and supportive of them. Don't use phrases like ... "you didn't look good out there" ...
-----Or even "you were the best kid on the field out there" ... too much pressure for the next game. Try "I could tell you were really working hard out there, way to go" ... this is something they have control over (their effort) ... but they will never have control over whether they are the best on the field or not.-----
... Instead, substitute with, "what do you think you could do to improve on this game for next game?" It should be something incredibly specific (like, practice my passing while running at a full sprint) ... and then help them do it. We are not concerned with perfection ... just growth and development, getting better.
I fully believe we are skilled enough to compete in Division 2, but we really do lack self and team confidence because we don't yet have a developed, mature club with tons of success history behind us. We can develop that ... but it will begin with baby steps and not crushing their competitive desires before they've even turned twelve.
Anyway, please don't take this as preaching:) It's just some things we've noticed at practice and during games and something THE ENTIRE TEAM (including the coaches) needs to overcome. Thanks for all of your support and ...
GO HYDRAS!