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June 30, Day 6

Warm-up, step on, side to side, sole to sole, on toes, dynamic stretching, always moving 5
Passing grid 12
2/3-Nets WC 12
Attack: use sidelines, support, spread out , open space 12
Defense 12


Olympics 10
Short game 10

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Brazil vs Chile


An extra home work for the players: to watch potentially the best match of the 2010 World Cup: Brazil vs Chile on Monday at 2:15PM. (CBC). It is rather unfortunate that these two teams are playing each other so early in the cup, but it is what it is.

Brazil and Chile were the top two qualifiers in South America. Brazil and Chile have played each other 65 times, with 46 victories for Brazil, 7 for Chile, and 12 draws. Brazil scored 152 times, Chile 55. History clearly favors Brazil, but this is the best Chilean side ever. What they lack in skills, they more than make up for with their hearts and they only know how to attack. Brazil knows how to defend and how to attack so it should be the best match.

Players to watch for skills:
  • Chile: Sanchez, Valdivia
  • Brazil: Kaka, Lucio (defense), Maicon (defense), Robinho, Elano

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Post Match, June 23

Blue Lightning players did well. Once again, goalkeepers were outstanding.

A few things to work on:

- increased use the sidelines/wings (not the crowded center)
- players without the ball should move into open space
- forwards should run faster
- more passing, less crowding of the ball
- forwards not coming back to help defense. Sometimes forwards go to attack and they forget to come back

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June 23, Day 5

After a 5.5 earthquake this afternoon, for a change, the forecast is for rain only after 8PM!


Warm-up, step on, side to side, sole to sole, on toes, dynamic stretching, always moving 5
Protect & Pass Deep, Center 15
Defending, positioning drill 15
Fake, Turn around and shoot 7
Passing, cone grid 12
Photo 10
Small Game 10
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Denilson Move

Shall we dance? This is the Denilson Move. 6 out of 7 are doing it correctly!



The move was used later during the match! These moves are constantly used in Brazilian players - on moving balls, you can see them in the South Africa Cup.

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Robinho Pass, Elano Run

In our practice the players did the Robinho pass and the Elano Run.





Beautifully done!

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June 16, Post Match Notes

That was a fantastic performance from the team. Our players were really running hard and helping the defense. We also had a very good practice session in which we introduced tactical concepts which were used during the match.

The great stuff:

  • Great running and disposition, great attitude
  • Awesome goal keeping
  • A lot more use of the sidelines

Areas for improvement:
  • Faster speeds in running forward, 
  • More use of sidelines (wings)
  • More passing, with more accuracy and more power
  • Defensive organization
  • A few players still using toes
  • Still have many players not paying attention during practice forces us to repeat explanations and wasting time

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Day 4, June 16

Forecast is for rain, yet again.


Warm-up, side to side, sole to sole, on toes, dynamic stretching, always moving, no flat feet 5
Attack, basic, pass along sidelines, score 15
Attack, pass along sidelines, center 10
Sidelines defending 15
Maicon move 8
photo 10
Short small game 15
Juggle challenge update 1
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June 9, Post Match Notes

A great effort by the team; it was a tough match. The goalies were great and prevented many goals.

Areas of improvement:

- Ball clearance from defensive zone: at least 2 goals were given to the opposition by our defenders shooting the ball towards the middle, where the ball can be easily intercepted by the opposing attackers. Defenders must use the sidelines instead
- Forwards should use the sidelines, and should run fast
- Forwards must come back running really fast to help defense when they lose the ball and the other team is attacking (on several occasions this did not happen)
- Some players are not in good shape and were tired
- There is too much chatting during practice; players must pay attention to what the coach is saying


We will work on all these things next weeks.

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Day 3, June 9

Warm-up, side to side, sole to sole, on toes, dynamic stretching, always moving 5
WC pong, individual shots 15
PKs 8
Receiving ball: passes side by side, both feet 6
Kicking the ball Part II, side foot, instep (laces), New: pass with outside of foot 7
Spot the coach, wp 7
Juggle results 3
Team formation defense 3
Team formation attack 3
Throw-ins 1
Substitutions 0.5

58.5

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Jairzinho Move

Players practiced variants of the Jairzinho moves. They are like sponges and have already nearly mastered the move. In fact, one of the players used it during the game afterward.

Peter does a very good demo of the Jairzinho move (ballless variant):

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Power Shot Video Analysis

Gustavo shows a great backswing and great ball contact. Follow-through and balance could be improved and his chest should be a bit more forward over the ball. Note how he lands backwards, he should land forwards on his kicking foot to increase the power of the shot.




Peter shows a very good shot as well, good backswing and good contact and some follow-through. His chest should also be a bit more over the ball at contact:



Tristan shows good backswing and follow-through; his non-kicking foot is a bit too far back from the ball, and his chest and kicking knee should be over the ball. Being behind the ball they force his body to drop a bit too much. Left arm should be forward for balance:





Thomas shows good backswing and solid ball contact with the laces. His left foot is well placed beside the ball. His left arm is correctly upfront but moves back too early; it should remain forward to help complete the follow-through, stepping forward after the ball is hit.




For a  good professional explanation, please see this post in the Resources section.

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Saturday Fun Game

Turned out to be a beautiful day. Some great passing can be seen.

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Blue Lightning

The players have voted. The name of their team is Blue Lightning.

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June 2nd, Post Match

The match itself was a wash-out as it was canceled only 2 minutes in due to lightning. At least we got some practice going, although under not very pleasant conditions and many players being late.

It is crucial that the players practice those skills: hard shots with the laces part of the shoes and accurate shots with side of the foot, with both the strong and the weak foot, and never using toes.

The players also got their health check from the referee :-)

Players have a juggling challenge to practice as well. They all can succeed at it if they practice every day (if they have time!). It helps if they practice facing a wall to stop run away balls. It also helps to deflate the ball a little and use regular sports shoes. The players were show how to progress with this exercise.

Parents may wish to wipe clean the inside and outside of their soccer cleats. This exercise we did yesterday is an eye-opener for the kids on how to strike a ball.

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Day 2, June 2nd

Tentative.

Warm-up, side, sole, dynamic stretching 5
Kicking the ball, shoeless, side foot, instep (laces) 15
Take shots, instep, long 10
Take shots, inside, short 10
Juggle challenge 7
Always moving (no flat foots) 3
Free kick, Indirect kick 5
Team name 5
Basic team formation, defence 5
Throw-ins 1
Substitutions 1
Spot the coach 7

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