Full Plate- With the first week of our camp complete and fall training coming soon,we are all loaded with soccer activities.
   Our camp is doing well and players are picking up on  a lot of the nuances we  are trying to pass on. Our camp staff has been very aware of the need of the player and taking the time to help develop each campers skill level.
    We have had a good turn out in spite of some bad weather. I think attendance has been about 150 per week. A good start for something we hope to build on each season. 
   We have also had several coaches earn their USSF D certificate. I will announce them as soon as  we have total results.
  Our Tournament is looking very good with 87 teams registered at last count. We hope to to constantly improve our tournament and invite even more teams to come out and compete.
   I will announce  soon the start of a weekly skills camp. The 1 hour sessions will focus on some advance moves and ball handling techniques for club players.
 More Later
 Kelly 

Hello all,
   Everyone should be looking to register on line for our summer camp. This process will help the club to communicate with all players and parents with items all should be aware of.
   I am enjoying the world cup games. It may be over simplistic but every goal scored cam be related to an error on the defensive side of the field. Watch for it.
   Teams of this caliber will not risk playng a lot of high pressure defence either. The talent is way to  evenly matched. I did expect and bet on the US team to win by one goal.
   I predicted to much emphasis on Rooney and not enough on combination play. We let a player be unmarked after a pass to Rooney and Rooney returned the ball and goal scored. Take the tie and move on. I did lose the bet I have a shaved head to prove it :(
 Kelly 

 Hello all, 

Hi Coaches,
 Reports are still coming in. We have had some great advances within the club. From President cup winners, great job guys and coach Nutley. To tournament and league wins. I am sure that all of the work that you the coaches have done this spring,will be what draws new members into this club.
  I have seen some really fun games this spring and the advancement from our players is awesome. I believe we have all done our part in taking our club forward and will continue to see it grow . We have added new board members. Scott Bowers will steer the club as our club president. Our summer camp will taking place end of July.
  Lets have a great try out week and add to the TUMFC family.
 Kelly  

Hello Coaches,

   This week I will be implementing the 6v6 modelin most of my sessions. This SSG model is a great teaching tool and can be altered to fit most tactical situations. A portable goal or drop goal is needed for this as well as minimum of 12 players.

    The u-10 boy’s team I train was active in this model last week. The guys were able to rehearse playing the ball to the keeper and counter attacking out of the defensive third.

     As a follow upgame related activity we are playing a lot of SSGs with two touch restrictions.Though some would argue it has players making unnecessary passes it does promote players having to get their heads up and actively look for the next safe and connecting pass. Usually about 20 min of this restriction then moving to unrestricted play will get noticeable results.

    Several coaches come out and watch these sessions then take some of these activities back to their own sessions..Great job..!

Kelly

    

    

 

Hi Coaches,

  Bad weather and re-scheduled games are really making a lot of your schedules difficult.

A busy as you are with your teams, I want to acknowledge those of you making time to attend the up-coming coach’s clinics. You guys are making the extra effort. The more coaches in our club that obtain these credentials the more credibility we gain as a club.

   Greg, Pasquale, Dave, Larry, thanks for your commitment to your players.

   I encourage all coaches to continue your education in coaching the great game. I have had several coaches ask for training ideas. I have answered some great questions both tactical, technical and on preparing a successful training session. If I do not have the answer I will find the correct answer and get back with you. We all must keep in mind that some day our players will be sought out by college coaches that know what a well trained soccer player looks like. Both USSF and NSCAA are dedicated to teaching training methodologies that will prepare your players for that day.

   I recently heard from one of my young trainees. She has graduated from college and is teaching elementary school in South Africa. She played four years at Taylor University.

  Christy is now teaching the game to South African children. It is very gratifying to have been a very small part of her journey.

  Christy I wish you all the best. I still have your team photo from the Tennessee tournament with the U-19s. Eight of you went on to play college soccer. Sherrice ended up at Grambling University! MB at college of MSJ.

   Coaches keep honing your skills; players keep listening to your coaches!

Kelly

 

   

 

Hi Coaches,

     Some years ago FIFA made a change in the laws of the game. The change was imparted in an attempt to add more action in front of the goal. Some of you may remember the ball being passed back to the keeper who then picked it up and stood with ball in hand until he felt like releasing it. Usually this was met by the crowd whistling in protest to this time burning tactic.

    With the new law well in place, the keeper’s ability to use his or her first touch ball control skills is a part of the game. Playing the ball back to the keeper (to his feet) is a part of the game. It is not a trick devised by a clever select coach. I had a brief conversation with a coach (not our club) about use of the keeper as a counter attacking tactic. He gave me his story of how this was dangerous and would never allow this in his game.

    The keeper is par tof the game and needs to be utilized in all facets of the game. Defending aswell as attacking. Just as dribbling and striking are practiced so is droppingto the keeper and distributing the ball out of the Defensive 3^rd.Whacking the ball down field is not always the best option. Coaches fee lcomfort in the GET IT OUT OF THERE approach to defending but the players never learn how to win the ball and control the ball out of the back and start a counter attack. The keeper should learn when to clear the ball, how to call the ball for a drop and how to distribute the ball as part of the attack. All field players need to get comfortable with playing the ball to the keeper (usuallythe unmarked man) and making a run that hopefully will be rewarded with a well played pass back to his lane.

    I train several U-10/U-11 Boys and Girls teams that already employ this tactical component as part of their game and do so with huge success. Yes they make mistakes and yes we have suffered in some scary play but the potential is more exciting and seeing the look on these players’ faces on a will executed play is worth the risk. Not to mention the look on the opponent’s coach’s face of disbelief as his goal scoring opportunity is stripped away.

    I urge all of you to make this tactic a part of your game. Learn it, teach it, and use it.

   There are some parameters that need to be learned here. A 2ft pass to the keeper may not be a good idea.Inside the 18 is not the best time to dump the ball to a keeper. Kicking the ball at the keeper is not good. Playing the ball to an unsuspecting keeper, not good.

    Just like any tactic it must be taught and rehearsed.

Kelly

   

 

    

 

 

Hello Coaches,

     Like you I am neck deep in soccer. Game day at our home fields was a great day to observe club games. In stead of reporting on all games, I will spotlight one. U-15G yellow.

   Yes I do train this team and have for several sessions. Ed Kenny has had an agenda that is long term and he constantly adjusts his training regime to stay focused on that agenda. I feel fortunate to be permitted to train these athletes.

     The team he challenged today was versed in direct soccer and had a forward that was accustomed to putting the ball behind the defense and then finishing with a break-away drive on goal. Thunder yellow plays a 3-2-3-2 system. This allows for a balanced field and takes a talented bench to play it well. The sweeper is constantly moving to mark a player on attack ( shut down passing lanes or to thwart a cleared ball counter attack)then becoming unmarked if the opponent is able to counter attack from midfield.To move back as an unmarked sweeper and assume 2nd defender role. The sweeper will also carry the ball up field if unmarked (this gives us numbers up on the attack) or play the ball back to the keeper to restart the drive up field. This high pressure defense is not for the faint of heart or those that are not willing to play the ball back to their keeper from 20 or even 30 yards out. The two stoppers have to be able to refuse to have the ball played behind them and be tireless in not allowing unmarked players to create passing lanes for balls being played through. Today that is exactly what they did.

      Ed’s team has trained in the indirect style of play and today was able to demonstrate a very well played match. His team has trained every player to do everything. All can defend and all can attack. The know when to strike and how, and when to redirect a well placed serve.

     The score was 5-0but it could have been closer were it not for the teams ability to play with composure,first touch ball control and in my opinion, spot on combination play.

      We all know that on any given day  a great team can have a bad game or a bad team can have a great game. I liked to think today a good team had a good game.

 

Yours in the Great Game

Kelly

 

 

Hello Thunder,

 

    I have been out on the fields and witnessed a lot of good training sessions. Chad and Toby are applying the lesson.  In the training I saw this week , the theme of the session was easy to identify. Everyone was moving and a great number of ball touches was very evident.

    I see fewer players running LAPS and more in the A-B’s getting ball touches and fitness requirements at the same time. Remember you get them 3 hours a week. You are challenged to get as many as the components of the game in that short time as possible.

    Next week I will be working on striking, mid-field play (playmaker) and some playing with back to the goal (technical) work. The majority of teams I train will always begin with the AB’s as a warm-up and to hammer the player’s first touch. We inject the dynamic stretching activities at that point to increase our productivity.
The club warm-up for games is useful as a training warm-up as well. But to be even “stingier” with your time, try adding the dynamic stretches into your topics warm-up. I will be demonstrating this methodology every night next week.
  Training methodologies are always changing but never seem to go back-wards. I like learning new ways to develop players as well as my own training methods. I have some activities I have employed for several years and some that I have altered to stay current. Some I have used once ..and that was enough.

  Feel free to observe my sessions; I will be looking to steal from yours stash of activities too!

 

Yours in the great game,

 Kelly

 

Hi Coaches,

 WOW what a weekend. Lots of good soccer, good fun and great people. I saw many of your games but some not at all. We were all so spread out it was difficult to be everywhere at once.

    For my U-17 team it was a wake up call. This team moves from D2 to D1. We were facing teams that play in different leagues than ours and reported to be stronger than CUSL.

    Though competitive we lost 1-2, 0-2 and tied 1-1. Our goal was to observe and move new players to see how they will work with returning players. Because we have a very deep and talented bench we are able to play 3-2-3-2. This system lends itself to total soccer concepts. All of our players can adapt to constantly changing dynamics of the game. We de-emphasize positions and stress responsibility of the player in response to phase of play and where the ball is on the field. So we get a few new players that get lost because they have learned to play a position and have a hard time adjusting to seeing defensive 3^rd players striking on goal.

   I hope all of you were able to analyze your games and are ready to plan your training sessions for upcoming league play.

    I would like to hear from you about your observations and plans for the season!

 

 Yours in the great game,

  Kelly

 

 

Hello Coaches,

   Most of you have made progress on your team pages .Its fun looking at your team’s accomplishments and great photos. Keep it up.

    I was on the field Thursday evening to watch training of several teams. Remember: Move towards the dynamic warm-up. This is more beneficial for you team than the static stretching. Fitness can be combined and rolled into your “economic” session. You can achieve better results by combining as compared to running laps.

 NO LINES

 NO LAPS

 NO LECTURES.

   Try the CMS approach. Constant Motion Soccer. Find ways to keep you players in motion even during your warm-up. Many years ago, during a U-9 game, a young player was starting in his first soccer game. After the usual swarming on the field this young player was able to win the ball and instantly but the ball between his feet and preformed (flawlessly) the bell. You know ball between ankles standing in place and knocking the ball ankle to ankle. The parents were amused. The coach was not. Try to make every activity look like the game. Remember your USSF training and keep it challenging and fun.

   I am adding the “Matthews “as a players challenge. You know, like a home work assignment. Somewhere in our warm-up I will show the move. Most times in a technical session. I allow a few minutes to practice it, and then challenge them to work on it at home and show it off next week. During our small sided games I will point out a situation where this move might have been beneficial. You tube has many videos demonstrating these fun fakes. Learn it, demo it slowly (walk through) find a player that is doing it well. Then use that player as a demonstrator. The U-8 coach snagged one of the U-17 Girls to demonstrate striking, Thursday evening. The U-8s saw a first rate demo, the U17 got a chance to share her love of the game. A win win situation!

   Keep it up coaches.

 

Kelly

 

Coaches,
 I just addedd a link to the Club warm-up, it is on You Tube.Look at the links on Coaches Page -Links . Or Try this link.
 Kelly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgrk9blTcKY 
 

Beautiful day for training.

 

  The number of quality soccer players within our club is very impressive. From U9 to the HS men and women we have a great player pool. This past weekend,March 6/7, we held training for over 150 club players. Several club coaches were on hand to assist in training as well. 

  My goal is to dust off the fundamental skill set and provide some general feedback to coaches. Some know that I train for other teams outside our club and this past fall was an ODP trainer. This allows me to compare our programs to those around us. Like I said over all we have a very talented group and a solid foundation.

  Next weekend sessions will include the balance of players and an extra session for the HS group. The HS sessions will focus on possession in the form of small sided games. Ritch is working on providing more goals to allow for more small sided games.

  Thanks Dave, Greg, Doug,Chris,Kevin,Steve, Eric, Tim, Ritch and others(still placing names and faces) for lending your experience.

  Remember the new website is up. We have provided a page for each team to share their team’ s activities and as a central communication point for families. Feel free to load it up. Add photos and your team endeavors.

  19 teams will be going to the Middletown Spring Blast. Looks like bad weather for that tournament..THUNDER  is coming!!!

  The business card program is an easy awesome way to help fund your team and the club. Check it out!

  Yours in the Great Game

Kelly

 

Coaches, 

Hi Coaches, 

 

Coming into the New Year and a fresh season, I wish all of you a great season of play.

 

As coaches, we watch and analyze our teams and players. The next step is to construct a 90 minute training session to address the needs. If any of you need a session plan or a few activities to support your topic please feel  free to call me or E-mail. What really helps build a session for advanced teams is a good match analysis, in younger, newer teams a training agenda seems to be more appropriate. Regardless, I have accumulated a trove of effective sessions and will happily pass them along.

 

I look forward to seeing you at the up-coming meeting. 

 

Yours in The Great Game,

 

Kelly Kalberer 

TUMFC DOC

 

Hello Coaches, 

  

February 26^th 7:30-8:30 at the Lebanon Y, TheThunder United U-17 Girls Thunderbolts, will be doing a real time demonstration of our club warm-up. This pre game activity is used at a very high level of soccer. It will prepare both mentally and physically, your team, for the game they are getting ready to play. As a bonus we get some club recognition through unity.    This will be 30 minute demonstration followed by an inter squad game. This is a great opportunity to see a full demonstration and explanation of this warm-up. Remember game time is too late to practice head balls, corner kicks and taking shots on goal.    I look forward to seeing all of you there.

 

 The last Month has been very busy.

The U-8 Academy Director, Lisa Cummins, has been training every Friday at the Lebanon Y. Thanks go out to some of our veteran coaches(Dick Miller) that have made them selves available and shared their knowledge of the game with this age group. Want to test your teaching abilities? Come on out.

I have been working with the U-17 Girls team and opened these sessions to club coaches that are looking to increase their training book. This will continue for 4 more weeks. By seeing these training methodologies carried out on a well rehearsed group of players it is easy to see how it will benefit a younger group. (Activities in these sessions are the same preformed by men’s teams)

We have successfully licensed twelve club coaches with E & F licenses. I congratulate you guys and look forward to see you implementing these concepts into your own teams. By completing these courses you have demonstrated to your players and their parents your dedication to taking each player to the next level. As you gain experience between your licenses you grow as a teacher of the game, a mentor to the players and a resource to younger coaches.

January 27: A meeting was held to inform players of college playing opportunities and strategies on gaining recognition from college coaches. Making them selves available to coaches is a very important part of being considered, not every player is actively recruited. The event went well and something we will build on for future players looking to play college soccer.  

 

The coaches’ lecture series is coming up…I will be attending. The series promises to be more informative with the inclusion of players doing actual demos at each session. I will admit missing the last two years, though I have attended most of the six before that. There is always something I can take away from the series; I hope to see you there.

You should also look for the Region II ODP symposium. I have attended two of these three day symposiums. You do not need to be a staff coach to attend. This is a great learning experience as well. This is normally late February. Anyone wishing to participate let me know ASAP

A reminder: It is easy to recruit strong players. The challenge is to build a player by teaching the skills a player needs to be a strong player. I urge all of you to Max out your roster. Get the kids on the field and put your self to the test.  I had a club coach working with a u-15 player indoor. Her abilities at striking are yet to be uncovered. He did manage to push her in the right direction and get a well deserved smile from her. Teach-don’t preach. .Show don’t tell.