Kid’s Corner Kicks

eNews Magazine for Youth Soccer Players

INDIANA SOCCER

October 1, 2011

Authored by: Steve Franklin

Kid’s Corner Kicks

Official eNews Letter of Indiana Soccer Youth Players October, 2011

The purpose of this eNews Letter is to allow me, as your State Director of Coaching

Education, to provide you with monthly tips on training; fitness; recruiting; cool videos; news

about you (which you pass along to me) and other interesting tidbits. I hope you enjoy it.

Training Activity for ALL Ages:

Partner NUMBER Juggling

With a friend or two or three, start

juggling. Before you pass to your friend,

call out the number of touches they get

to take before passing it to the next

friend. They repeat. You get a letter

each time you take more or less touches

than your friend called out. The first

person to spell out the word

“S O C C E R” loses.

“Goal To Goal”

Two-Three players can play this game.

Each player sets up a goal with cones,

towels, etc. Two players play against each

other. The game is very simple. Each

player gets to shoot at the other player’s

goal. Each player is in goal with the only

rule is that you can’t use your hands to stop

the ball. A variation is to add that each

time a player shoots the ball; they have to

run around one cone before jumping into play goal keeper.

L A N D O N’ S H Y D R AT I O N P L A N Staying hydrated is important for athletes of all ages, not just superstar athletes like Landon. Research shows that sweat losses during a soccer match can be as great as 3 quarts or more when temperature and/or humidity are especially high1. In addition, a recent study shows that more than two-thirds of young athletes show up for practice already significantly dehydrated2. This puts them at increased risk for more serious heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hydration can also have a tremendous impact on performance, especially late in the game — when 30 percent of total goals are typically scored. Impaired performance, especially during the second half of a soccer match, is primarily related to fatigue, which is associated with dehydration. Sweat loss equivalent to as little as 2 percent of body weight can impair performance. However, such problems are avoidable, so long as athletes remember to stay hydrated before, during and after physical activity. “I think dehydration is easily preventable, if you’re smart about it,” Landon said. “A good hydration plan can be the difference between having enough energy to score that winning goal in the 90th minute or lying on your back and watching the other team run victory laps around the field. So, it’s crucial.” Easy tip: Learn to drink for individual needs. One or two gulps typically equal an ounce of fluid.

Drink to Replace Fluid Losses Weight lost during exercise (in ounces)

+ Fluid consumed during exercise (in ounces)

= The amount you SHOULD be drinking

NOTE: 16 ounces of fluid equals 1 pound of fluid los

WHEN Body weight = less than 90 lbs.

Body weight = more than 90 lbs.

1 hour before activity5 3 – 6 oz. of fluid 6 – 12 oz. of fluid

During activity, every 20 minutes6 3 – 5 oz. of fluid 6 – 9 oz. of fluid

After activity, to replace fluids lost through sweat5

Up to 8 oz. of fluid per ½ lb. lost Up to 12 oz. of fluid per ½ lb. lost

The above equation does not account for any urine loss.

Crossword Puzzle for Youth Soccer Players

Simply read the clue and then once you think you know the answer, write it in the

appropriate box, either across or down.

Meet LAUREN CHENEY

U.S. National Team: WNT

Position: Forward

Date Of Birth: Sep. 30, 1987

Height: 5-8

Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.

Club: Boston Breakers

Full name is Lauren Nicole Cheney … Majoring in sociology

… Has an obsession with shopping … Enjoys watching

movies … Is one of the WNT’s best dancers … If she

could, she would eat Mexican food or sushi every day …

DID YOU KNOW: Lauren had open heart surgery at the age of three to correct a heart

defect.

The USA’s best post-up player has shown an ability to impact the game off the bench

and in a starting role, which gives Pia Sundhage flexibility in choosing lineups. Cheney is

strong into physical battles, but also an excellent passer in the attacking third and has

shown the ability to partner well with whoever is on the forward line with her. Nine of

Cheney’s 13 career goals have come over 2010 and 2011.

2010: The first round pick of the Boston Breakers and second overall player taken in the

2010 WPS Draft … Played in 23 games for Boston in 2010, starting 21 and scored five goals

with two assists … Helped Boston to a playoff berth and scored her team’s lone goal in the

playoff match … Named as a starter in the WPS All-Star Game … 2009: Signed to play with

the Pali Blues of the USL W-League in the summer of 2009 … Youth: Played on boys’ teams

from the age of six until 12, before moving to Carmel United Heat … Won five state

championships with the Heat.

You probably know that asthma can cause breathing problems. So can kids with asthma play sports? You bet

they can! Being active and playing sports is an especially good idea if you have asthma. Why? Because it can

help your lungs get stronger, so they work better.

Some athletes with asthma have done more than develop stronger lungs. They've played professional

football and basketball, and they've even won medals at the Olympic Games!

Some sports are less likely to bother a person's asthma. Golf and yoga are less likely to trigger flare-ups,

and so are sports like baseball, football, and gymnastics.

In some sports, you need to keep going for a long time. They include cycling, long-distance running, soccer,

and basketball. Cold, dry air can also make symptoms worse, so cross-country skiing and ice hockey might be

difficult for people with asthma. But that doesn't mean you can't play these sports if you really like them.

In fact, many athletes with asthma have found that with the right training and medicine, they can do any

sport they choose.

But before playing sports, it's important that your asthma is under control. That means you aren't having

lots of symptoms or flare-ups. To make this happen, it's very important that you take all asthma medicine

just like your doctor tells you to, even when you are feeling OK.

Your doctor will also tell you some other things you can do to avoid flare-ups, such as:

• skipping outdoor workouts when there's lots of pollen in the air

• wearing a scarf or ski mask when you play outside during the winter when it's very cold and dry

• breathing through your nose instead of your mouth while exercising

• making sure you always have time for a careful warm up and cool down

Make sure your coach and teammates know about your asthma. That way, they will understand if you

need to stop working out because of breathing trouble. It's also helpful if your coach knows which steps to

take if you have a flare-up.

Listen to your body and follow the instructions your doctor gave you for handling breathing problems.

And if you keep your asthma in good control, you'll be in the game and not on the sidelines!

Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD

Date reviewed: October 2010

Recruiting Q & A’s for the High School Student-Athlete

You, as a high school student, can take an active role in soliciting information from schools that interest you. At ANY point in your high school career you can send information to schools and you can go to summer camps at colleges. You can telephone college coaches at your expense any time. You can go to visit colleges at your own expense. Once you are on a college campus you can talk with the coaches, meet student athletes, tour the facilities, meet academic advisors, and watch training sessions or games. Coaches can put you on a pass list to get into home athletic events. You can provide coaches with video tapes or DVDs of you playing so they can evaluate your abilities. You can send them your upcoming game schedule so they can come watch you play. The following should provide you a general understanding of how the NCAA rules work, and give you a general idea of what they allow in terms of recruitment. The rules regarding phone calls, letters, and contacts apply to you and your parents, and you both may want to familiarize yourself further with them. A good source of information is the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete. (http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html ) Your high school guidance office should have copies of this. Please pay special attention to the rules regarding contacts. Often coaches must avoid engaging in conversation with players and parents of players. Please remember they are not being rude, they are merely abiding by the rules.

High School Freshmen and Sophomores

Telephone: You may call college coaches to speak with them as often as you like. However, college coaches may not telephone you at all. Not even to return a call from you or your parents.

Evaluations: College coaches may watch you play a limited number of times during the academic year. They may watch you play an unlimited number of times during the summer.

Off-Campus Contact: College coaches may not have any off-campus contact with you or your parents other than a civil exchange of greeting.

On-Campus Contact: You may visit college campuses as often as you like at your own expense. When you are on a college campus you may meet with the coach. Please note there is a five day period around the signing date, (in early February), when you can’t visit a college campus and have any contact with the coaches or players.

Written: College coaches may only send you a questionnaire, a letter explaining the rules, information on NCAA rules, a referral to admissions, and a camp brochure. This is all they may send you. You may write to college coaches as often as you like.

E-Mail, Text Messages and Faxes: E-mail and faxes are treated the same as written correspondence. Basically college coaches can't send you any e-mail or faxes except if they were to send a questionnaire, camp brochure or explanatory letter. College coaches may NOT Text Message you at all.

High School Juniors, (Year 11)

Written: Starting Sept. 1 of your junior year in high school, college coaches may begin to send you recruiting letters and information on the school and the soccer program.

Telephone: You may call college coaches to speak with them as often as you like. However, college coaches may not telephone you at all. Not even to return a call from you or your parents.

Evaluations: College coaches may watch you play a limited number of times during the academic year. They may watch you play an unlimited number of times during the summer.

Off-Campus Contact: College coaches may not have any off-campus contact with you or your parents other than acivil exchange of greeting.

On-Campus Contact: You may visit college campuses as often as you like at your own expense. When you are on a college campus you may meet with the coach and players. Please note there is a five day period around the signing date, (in early February), when you can’t visit a college campus and have any contact with the coaches or players.

E-Mail, Text Messages and Faxes: E-mail and faxes are treated the same as written correspondence. College coaches may send you faxes and e-mail messages as often as they like starting September 1st of your junior year in high school. College coaches may NOT Text Message you at all.

High School Seniors, (Year 12)

Written: College coaches may continue to send you recruiting letters and information on the school and the soccer program.

Telephone: You may call college coaches as often as you wish. College coaches may telephone you or your parents one time per week beginning July 1 prior to your senior year in high school.

Evaluations: College coaches may watch you play a limited number of times during the academic year. They may watch you play an unlimited number of times during the summer.

Off-Campus Contact: College coaches may have a limited number of off-campus contacts with you or your parents in addition to civil exchanges of greetings.

On-Campus Contact Unofficial Visits: You may visit college campuses as often as you like at your own expense. When you are on a college campus you may meet with the coach. These visits are termed: “Unofficial”. There is a five day period around the signing date, (in early February), when you can’t visit a college campus and have any contact with the coaches or players.

On-Campus Contact Official Visits: You may visit 5 institutions on official visits. An official visit is a visit where the school pays all or part of your expenses. You may only take one official visit per school. You may make official visits beginning the first day of class of your senior year in high school. There is a five day period around the signing date, (in early February), when you can’t visit a college campus and have any contact with the coaches or players.

E-Mail, Text Messages and Faxes: E-mail and faxes are treated the same as written correspondence. College coaches may send you faxes and e-mail messages as often as they like. College coaches may NOT contact you until after you have signed the National Letter of Intent.

SMALL Players Make BIG Plays.

What do all the world class players (both past and present) mentioned

below have in common?

You would probably not connect that question, as they all come from

different countries and generations. These are all great players and most are

unbelievable goal scorers.

Pele (Brazil), Maradona (Argentina), Hamm, Xavi, (Spain), Johan Cruyff

(Holland), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cheney, Andres Iniestra (Spain) and

Wayne Rooney (England).

Not one of these players is over six feet, and most of them not even

close to that mark. Yet these are all famous worldwide names that were not

judged by their size and were able to make their mark in this great sport.

Here are the height stats:

Pele (5ft /8ins)

Diego Maradona (5ft/5ins)

Mia Hamm (5ft/5ins)

Xavi (5ft/7ins)

Lauren Cheney (5ft /8ins)

Johan Cruyff (5ft/11ins)

Messi (5ft/7ins)

Andres Iniestra (5ft/7ins)

Wayne Rooney (5ft/10ins)

Sometimes when we coaches are looking at adding players to our club

teams, we tend to go for the big powerful athlete, rather that the small

technical player.

Is power and strength more important than technique?

That is a question that has surrounded youth soccer in this country since

day one. Even at the higher levels: National, Professional leagues, ODP levels, the

coaches are looking for that special athlete, “comments like, well he may be on

the small side” or “don’t think he will be able to handle the physical side of the

college game” are quite common remarks I hear around high profile games.

Of course, we would all love to be able to pick up the good sized athletic

players with great technical skills, but we have to understand that skill and

passion comes in all shapes and sizes. All kids do not develop in the same time

frame.

An example I can give you, and I was right there to experience it. When I

was 14 years old, and one of the players was George Best he was 14 also, we were

trying out for the Nr. Ireland National BU15 team, and after the final selection

process, we were told to get together as a group and the coach would name the

team to play in the British Championships, against England, Scotland and Wales.

I thought I had done ok in the tryouts, but the smallest and lightest

player just happened to be George. When the list was named I was fortunate

enough to be named, but George was not. I asked him why, and they told him he

was too small!

I think most of us, at least the older generation, know what happened

after that. George Best went on to become the best player in the world in the late 60s/early 70s.

Even the great Pele said George was the best.

So when you watch a tryout session, or get a player recommendation, take a look at the big

picture, know what you are looking for, always remembering the growth and maturity levels of

young players does not always happen at the same time. Decision making is crucial at the youth

level, being able to judge natural talent in any youth sport is an art. It is hard to visualize what a

10 year old will be capable of doing at age 13.

The great Pele was only 5ft/8ins but scored over 1,000 goals in his professional career.

Hugo Sanchez was 5ft/10ins played in 769 professional games and scored 477 goals, which is an

unbelievable statistic.

Other great players through the years such as Alfredo Di Stefano who was a hero at Real

Madrid for many years, was 5ft/10ins, scored 374 goals in 521 games at the top level. Scottish

International and former Manchester United great Dennis Law was 5ft/9ins scored an

unbelievable 237 goals in 404 games for them. Probably the biggest giant in terms of goal scoring

was German International Gerd Muller who scored 365 goals in 427 games in the German

Bundesliga, and added another 66 goals in 77 International games for Germany.

All of the above are staggering statistics, which may never be repeated anywhere in the

world.

We all know what young players like Messi and Rooney are capable of doing in today’s game,

but they will have to be consistent and injury free for many years to compare with some of the

greatest goal scorers in soccer history.

Coaches: So next time you as a soccer coach are out there looking to add to your team, look

for technical ability as your leading component.

Naturally talented kids in any sport are a gift, size should not matter, (maybe in other

sports yes), but then again look at Darren Sproles of the San Diego Chargers, he is 5ft/6ins and

what he does in his position as a running back is incredible.

We as coaches can teach many things, but with the natural ability every child brings to the

start of their sports life should not be the deciding factor as to where they end up. Will this be

the only component? Absolutely not! It takes effort and training to not waste the natural ability

that may have been a DNA gift. How many times have we heard the saying “Tiger has had a golf

club in his hands since he was 5” and “Peyton could throw a spiral when he was 6”. Did they become

great players in their chosen sport? Yes, and we could all see the pattern of dedication develop

even in those early years. “Many sports legends will tell you they were not blessed with the natural

abilities of their sports and how hard they had to work at the game.”

Play the game! Learn the game! Love the game! Above all play with passion!

Photo of the Month