Game Day 09/09/06- with Coach Dave Rice

DR - First game- the girls were awesome. Dribbling, passing, shooting, positioning they did quite well. We all had a great time (well, the coach did after he got past his nerves). 

KD – Oh, Oh, do I smell a victory in the works? I am hoping that the girls had a great time because they did their best and did not concern themselves over the result. I am a little worried about your being proud of them ‘positioning’ themselves real well. I would like for you to keep focus on their technical (dribbling, passing, shooting) development and let’s get to the tactical (positioning) next year when they are comfortable with their techniques.

DR - They are clearly benefiting form the ‘9-Step Practice Routine’ that they have had. Thanks. 

KD – Actually, I should and am ‘thanking you’ for getting back into the routine. As I stated many times before … you will see success with patient, consistent application of the routine. And I am very happy that you are seeing the results this early.

DR - I took the opportunity of the game to emphasize team spirit - if you recall there has been some infighting -they handled this great. We all spent the game cheering our teammates on no matter what they did. I even noticed some of the more advanced girls helping some of the others out during the game. Super!

KD – Super!

DR - Oh - we won, 4-1.

KD – Now how did I guess that? You need to make sure that you receive this kind of response from your players after every game. It is nice to get this response after a win (in this case a wipe-out) but how will they respond if they are at the other end of this kind of score. I encourage you to keep reminding them of your ‘emphasize on team spirit. This is another great beginning that you can build on … Make this emphasis a part of your future Practice Routine.

Alright Karl, a couple of questions - first, the usual- what do I do for my practices this week - theme wise? Any suggestions??? 

KD – Yes, the suggestions is ‘Don’t Make Any Changes!’ Just because you saw good results in one game does not guarantee the same results in future games. For you to stray away from what is starting to work for you would be very foolish. Believe me that even though you think the practice is exactly the same …It is not! It is impossible for you to duplicate any previous practices and here are just a couple of reasons:

• 1.   They just came of a big win and they are flying high
• 2.   They obviously have learned something in previous practices that work
• 3.   They are a little older and a little more mature which makes them better players
• 4.   Some may have grown a couple of inches since the last practice/game
• 5.   etc. etc. etc. In other words these are not the same girls you had several practices ago

One more time – Don’t Make Any Changes!!!- Oh, you might want to ask them to:

Step 2. Warm-up at a faster pace (Fakes/feints at faster pace)

Step 3. One+ One at a faster pace (Fakes/feints vs. cooperative opponent at pace)

Step 4. One vs. One – This will take care of itself

Step 5. Drink more liquid and listen closer to your instructions

Step 6. Add more opponents to the Small Sided Game

Step 7. Add more speed to your Shadow Training

I hope you are getting the idea that it is not variety which makes the practice different … But, the maturation of the players and the addition of more opponents. Keep It Simple!

It has worked for you so far and it will continue to work for you – Be patient!!!

DR - Also, two of the better girls on the team are really close friend and tend to play with each other during the game - pass to each other, etc., at the expense of some other teammates. How should I handle this? Please advise.

KD – Just as you had them do in the game helping their teammates verbally. Now, ask them to help their teammates physically. Let them know that they are, two of the better 1^st Attackers and they will be responsible to Help/Mentor their own 2^nd Attacker. That is, each one of the girls will be asked to teach another girl how to combine with them. Use the fancy term, ‘Combination Play’ and that they will be the only Two-Pairs in the League to be able to perform a Give-Go Pass or Wall-Pass. What you are really asking them to do is Pass the Ball to another player on the team Who simply gives the ball back to them.   But you want them to believe that they are becoming responsible for technical and tactical development of another teammate. Give it a try and let me know the outcome.   

Your FUNdamental, Koach Karl