E Coaching Magazine Written by: Steve Franklin, Director of Coaching Education
HEADS UP! May-June 2012
Contents 1. Welcoming Message From Your DOE 2. George Perry Named ISL Commissioner 3. Ease tryout stress with cooperation 4. National Youth License 5. U.S. SOCCER TRAINING CENTER 6. “Blast” From the Past 7. Training Activities: 8. 4v4 Playing Out of Defense 9. Indiana ODP Recognizes Two for Honors 10. Photos of The Month
“Center of Excellence” Soccer Camps Week Time Location June 18 4pm-7pm NYSL - Lawrence Park (North fields), Indianapolis, IN
Click here to register June 25 4pm-7pm Indy Sports Park, Bluff Rd, Indianapolis, IN
Click here to register July 9 4pm-7pm YMCA Geist Community Church 116th St Fishers, IN
Click here to register July 23 9am-12pm NYSL - Lawrence Park (North fields), Indianapolis, IN
Click here to register
Greetings Membership of Indiana Soccer I usually refrain from writing to much of my own thoughts when putting together these eNews Magazines. I figure people hear from me enough on a daily, weekly or monthly basis as it is. However, I wanted to point out a major change for the betterment of Indiana Soccer: the hiring of George Perry III as our new Indiana Soccer League Commissioner. A few months ago, I took it upon myself to call a meeting of a majority of the DOC’s through the state in an effort to find out the general feeling of “how we were doing business” and “serving our customers – you the membership of Indiana Soccer. Many comments were quite favorable, yet an underlying them emerged: DOC’s wanted a greater say in how business was done, as well as a need for a “one league structure”. The desire was to have someone who was knowledgeable about the game; held strong communication and administrative skills; would be considerate of differing opinions – yet skillful enough to negotiate resolutions for the betterment of the game; and had a reputation which no one could find holes in. The group also wanted someone who didn’t have a skin in the game per their association with a particular club. Dave Guthrie, our Executive Director, heard your message and made a promise to the entire assembled body: He boldly said he would get it done and that was a promise! Less than six weeks later we had the privilege of announcing George as our NEW ISL Commissioner. What a huge accomplishment!! I personally have had the pleasure of working alongside George for over 30 years (yeah – I’m old). I cannot think of too many people who could step into this position, with the credentials he has earned, and get the immediate respect of our 60,000 players and 8,000 coaches the minute he walked into his office. I applaud the DOC’s for the courage to stand up and tell Indiana Soccer what it needed to do and Dave Guthrie for getting it done as promised. Mission Accomplished. I truly believe Indiana soccer once again is a leader in progressive thinking as to how we can serve our membership in the best fashion possible. I sincerely am thrilled with the hire and look forward to working with George on many tasks for the years to come.
George Perry Named New ISL Commissioner Indiana Soccer is proud to announce that George Perry has accepted the position of ISL Commissioner. Indiana Soccer’s planned expansion of its state league from 200 teams to over 1,000 teams in the fall of 2012, required a uniquely experienced individual. This individual needed accomplished coaching credentials and a demonstrated commitment to player and coaching development Dave Guthrie, Executive Director of Indiana Soccer stated, “I am thrilled that George is now a part of Indiana Soccer’s staff. George is a giant in the world of coaching education and player development and it will be a privilege to support George in his new role.” Guthrie also stated “Angel Hall, the current administrator of the league, is such an efficient administrator that coupled with George as commissioner; I expect this league to quickly become the most effective soccer league models in the US.” Murray Clark, president of Indiana Soccer stated “George has demonstrated his strong commitment to the soccer community for decades. Indiana Soccer is privileged to have a person of George’s reputation as a member of the Indiana Soccer staff.” Perry, through his service in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), chaired numerous committees, developed curriculums, and developed and implemented strategic plans. George has served as a college coach, State Director, State Director of Coaching, and an Intramural Director of a college where he developed leagues, and league schedules. His career has taken him to almost every state in the Union. Perry stated that “I have learned that there are many ways to arrive at right solutions. It is important to listen to what everyone has to say and ultimately, and hopefully with the support from others, come to conclusions that will help the growth of soccer and the development of the players”. Perry further stated “Working with the NSCAA I have learned that cooperative work makes for better work”. Perry looks forward to returning to Indiana, the birthplace of his wife and the state that he has called home more often than not. George plans to continue in his current role with the NSCAA as Vice President of Education and plans to fulfill his role as president of the NSCAA beginning January of 2014. Perry can be reached at his new email account george@soccerindiana.org.
National Youth License 2012 Indiana Soccer, along with US Youth Soccer, is pleased to offer the National Youth License course this summer. The curriculum of the course is based in proper educational methods for coaching children twelve years old and younger. Coaching Coordinators, Directors of Coaching, Coaches, and Administrators involved with children’s soccer should attend the course. *This course is also good for CEU’s with US Soccer. A total of 8 CEU’s are given upon successful completion of the course. Dates: July 9-13th, 2012. You must attend all dates in order to complete this course . A detailed schedule for the course is below. Location: The course will be held at the Karst Farm Park in Bloomington. For a map – click here Address: 2450 S. Endwright Rd., Bloomington 47403 Website: www.soccerindiana.org Accommodations: Candidates arrange for their own lodging. A block of rooms has been set up at the Holiday Inn Express in Bloomington - www.hiexpress.com/bloomingtonin. This is located just off of the 3rd street exit on SR37 in Bloomington so only about a 5-10 minute drive to Karst. The rate for the rooms (2 queen beds or 1 king) is $109/night and this rate will be available until June 9th. I was told the normal rate is between $140-150. The name of the block of rooms is "Cutters Soccer - National Youth License". (We can help with setting up roommates to split costs). What to Bring: You will participate in this course on the field. Please bring proper (indoor and outdoor) shoes and proper attire to play in. Please bring your own ball. You will be given the course manual, t-shirt, and other handouts. Please bring your own notebook for notes. Course Description: This course is a tested course and you will be evaluated 3 ways. Written, Verbal and Coaching Practical. Indiana Youth Soccer will provide the players in each age group (U6/U8 & U10) for the practical testing. Each coach will be videotaped during a practice session and evaluated prior to testing. Meals: Lunch will be provided for you. Costs: The course fee is $600.00. (Note: $150 of the amount is a non-refundable deposit for this course) Checks or Visa/MasterCard will be accepted. If there is a cancellation within Course application will be available online. The application is also included in this document. Applications can be mailed to: Steve Franklin Director of Coaching Education - Indiana Soccer 5440 Herbert Lord Road Indianapolis, IN 46216
This course usually fills up quickly, so do apply right away. Please do not hesitate to contact the Indiana Youth Soccer office (Steve Franklin) at 1-800-347-4972 extension 101 for questions or to apply. You can also email at steve@soccerindiana.org To apply online, visit the Indiana Youth Soccer website at: www.soccerindiana.org
2012 ERUO Schedule
Ease tryout stress with cooperation By Tyler Isaacson Coaches, parents, administrators and players often dread this time of the year. Rumors are flying of who is leaving, where they are going and why they are leaving. Parents are dragging their child from tryout to tryout to make sure they have a team to play on. It is utter chaos for administrators who are trying to figure out if there will be enough players to form a team. Coaches are wondering "what did I do wrong to cause these players to look elsewhere?" Unfortunately, this is what is going on now at many clubs throughout the country. All these factors work against youth soccer players and soccer clubs. Here are some ideas to help make this a better experience for everyone involved. U8-U10. This is a critical age for learning and development. If you provide good training and a fun team atmosphere more often than not the majority of the team will stay together. Of course you will get parents who feels their child is the next Messi -- let them go. Your team will be better off in the long run. U11-U13. All hell breaks loose. State-cup winning teams break apart and mid- to lower- level teams cannot seem to find enough players to keep the team together. In my opinion this is where surrounding towns need to work together in a collaborative effort so that travel players have a proper place to play based on their ability. Most towns cannot offer a variety of different level teams in each age group to support the varying skill levels of every player. A town may have a strong team in one age group leaving out a few mid-level players that have been pulled along on this team for a few years getting minimal playing time. There is a good chance a surrounding town has an appropriate level for the mid-level players to join. It is not about poaching players, it is about providing the correct fit for the player. I feel it is the responsibility of each club to make sure they help every interested player find a place to play. U14 & Up. Middle school and high school soccer starts to interfere with the travel team’s fall season. Don’t fight it -- embrace it. The players love playing for their school team. Cut your travel practices down during the school season and limit tournament play. At this point you should be working with other towns to keep the team together as players begin to focus on one sport or lose interest so you may need an influx of out of town players to keep the team together. You may even be joining forces with your archrival? The tryout process will never be easy. By working together with the surrounding clubs in your area to provide the opportunity for players to play at an appropriate level, both the club and the player will benefit. (Tyler Isaacson is a club president, travel coach, recreation coach, youth player, college player and dad. He has 30 years of playing and coaching experience and is founder of youthsoccer101 a coaching development tool used by over 15,000 coaches.)
U.S. SOCCER TRAINING CENTER On May 3rd, boys in the 1998-99 age groups from around Indiana gathered for a Market Training Center event held at the Carmel Community Soccer Complex Shelbourne Fields. Lead trainer Carson Porter, Technical Advisor for US Soccer, along with Indiana University Assistant Coach Brian Maisonneuve, Indiana Soccer Director of Education Steve Franklin and Indiana ODP Goalkeeping Trainer Mile Milovac assisted in the training. “A main goal of US Soccer is to create a better connection between the top young players in our country and our youth national teams. The state of Indiana has long been a place that has produced national team players and our hope is that this continues. The Market Training Center concept collects the top players in the area and brings them together to work with youth national team coaches and staff. This helps US Soccer with the identification and tracking process, while also giving the young players an idea of a national team training setting and the qualities we are looking for in a player.” Carson Porter, Technical Advisor – US Soccer U.S. Soccer Training Center Purpose U.S. Soccer Training Centers are single day, invitational training sessions run by U.S. Soccer staff for elite players in key soccer markets. Training Centers are open to the top players from any team, club or organization at no cost to the player. The purpose of the Training Center program is to identify the best players for the U.S. Soccer Youth National Team program. Player Pool
Gender: Boys and Girls Ages: 12 to 18 years old o Each session will feature a mix of ages depending on ability level Number of Players: 22-26 players per session Level of Player: o Elite players with National Team potential o Player recommendations provided by top local coaches National Team scouts Academy clubs State Associations Local clubs Leagues College coaches o Final Roster selected by U.S. Soccer National Team Staff
“The US Market Training Centers are a great way to train with the best players in the area as well as play in front of the US National Team coaching staff,” stated Maisonneuve. “Market Trainings are a tremendous opportunity for the coaching staff to see the best play with and against the best. For the kids, whenever you can train with the best players you have the opportunity to grow as a soccer player. Ultimately, the Market Trainings are a great way for soccer to continue to grow and develop in this country.” Training Session
Local youth clubs, professional clubs, leagues or state associations provide the facility U.S. Soccer National Staff run the Training Center session with the assistance of host site staff Sessions last approximately two hours
Coaches/Visitors
Area club and college coaches are welcome and strongly encouraged to attend and observe the session Similar to Youth National Team training environments, attendance by parents and non-coach spectators is not permitted
U.S. Soccer Training Center Schedule
Approximately 200 Training Center sessions are scheduled for 2011-12 in over 30 soccer markets around the country o Frequency of Training Centers varies between one per month in bigger soccer markets to two per year in smaller soccer markets
“Blast” From the Past They had Professional Soccer in Indianapolis?? We sure did!! Still skeptical - enjoy a look at the 1997 team when defeated the Tulsa Roughnecks 3-0 in a US D3 Pro League (USISL) match on June 6, 1997. Check it out: http://youtu.be/N0yhk1Qta38. The Indiana Blast were an American soccer team, founded in 1997. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues, and played in the D-3 Pro League, the A-League and the USL Premier Development League, until folding at the end of the 2004 season. The Blast played their home games at Kuntz Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team's colors were white and blue for its last four years after four years with red and black as its colors.
The Background and History of the “Blast” Officially announced a press conference on September 30, 1996, the Blast signed its first player that November in goalkeeper Mile Milovac and signed its second star player in Marc LeBere who came over from the Philadelphia Freedom after tallying 13 goals for the Freedom. The club played its first match at Kuntz Stadium
on April 25, 1997, a 2-0 loss to eventual A-League champion Milwaukee Rampage in front of 2,886 fans. The team claimed its first victory on May 9, beating the Cincinnati Riverhawks 4-0. By August, the team's original owner, businessman Ferid Poturkovic, had sold the club to MorSports, Inc. On the day the sale was announced, the Blast beat the Chicago Stingers 2-0 to clinch a playoff berth with their fifth consecutive victory to end the regular season. Two weeks later, the Blast came from 2-0 down to defeat the Cleveland Caps 3-2 and win a first-round playoff game. The Blast would then defeat Chicago 1-0 on August 22 to make it to the D3 Pro League quarterfinals, where they fell 6-0 to the Charlotte Eagles. The 1998 season was the best in the club's history, as the Blast went 15-3 in league play (17-4 overall) and won the North Central Division's regular-season championship. The Chicago Stingers would exact their revenge for 1997's playoff defeat, though, as they would beat the Blast 3-0 on August 21, 1998 in a first-round playoff match. The year would end with the Blast winning "Organization of the Year" honors from the USISL and earning promotion to the A-League. In its first A-League game, the Blast won away to Tennessee Rhythm 3-1, but would finish a mere point out of the playoff race with a 13-15 record, having lost the final postseason spot to the El Paso Patriots by virtue of a tiebreaker. Though the Blast struggled to a 9-15-4 record in 2000, they qualified for the playoffs and absorbed a 7-0 pounding at the hands of the Minnesota Thunder in the first round. The club would never qualify for postseason play again. Original coach Jimmy McDonald stepped down after the 2000 season and was replaced by Bret Hall, who had coached the Chicago Stingers and Sockers to three consecutive championships. For health reasons, Hall was forced to relinquish his duties before ever coaching a game and he was replaced by assistant Ian Martin, the former head coach at Butler University in Indianapolis. Martin's only season at the helm resulted in an 8-18-0 record in 2001. Former French professional and Mauritanian international Eric Descombes took over as player-coach for the 2002 season, which saw the team go 6-18-4, including a stretch of 16 games over two months in which it won just one match. A highlight was a 2-2 draw against Rochester Raging Rhinos in a nationally-televised game on August 17 that drew a then-clubrecord 4,557 fans (a figure that would be topped on July 13, 2003 when 5,140 saw a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds). McDonald returned to the sidelines for the 2003 season, but it would be the worst in the club's history, as they continued losing and controversy dogged the Blast from the season's start. McDonald resigned for the final time after a horrendous start and was replaced by assistant Mike Sanich. Before the 3-23-2 season was over, player Peter Baah had taken the reins. It would be the Blast's last season in the A-League. A move to the Premier Development League for the 2004 season infused the club with young talent, but the results weren't much better as the Blast finished 5-12-1 under coach John Dolinsky (who was first replaced by player Mark Allen and then by Baah before the season's end). The team's final match ever was a 3-2 loss to the Kalamazoo Kingdom at home on July 17, 2004. The final victory in club history came the night before, a 7-3 home decision over the Kansas City Brass. In its history, the Blast established quite a rivalry with the Cincinnati Riverhawks, as the teams met 25 times. Indiana won 12, Cincinnati 11 and there were 2 draws in the series. At the other end of the spectrum, Indiana went just 2-15-1 in 18 matches against the Minnesota Thunder. In eight seasons, the club won 67, lost 114 and tied 11 in league play.
Notable former players
Mark Allen Jamar Beasley Jeffrey Dresser Aleksey Korol Chris Lemons Jon Pickup Mark Phillips Steve Weiger
Peter Baah Eric Descombes John Michael Hayden Marc LeBere Amarildo Oliveira Nick Pasquarello Godfrey Tenoff
Coaches
Jimmy McDonald 1994-2000, 2003 Eric Descombes 2002 Peter Baah 2003, 2004 Mark Allen 2004
Ian Martin 2001 Mike Sanich 2003 John Dolinsky 2004
Indiana Soccer Olympic Development Program would like to recognize two female players for their outstanding accomplishments this month.
Lisha Murphy awarded the fourth annual US Youth Soccer William J. “Billy” Goaziou Scholarship US Youth Soccer players Lisha Murphy, Newburgh, Ind., and Andrew Delarosa, Boise, Idaho, are the recipients of the fourth annual US Youth Soccer William J. "Billy" Goaziou Scholarships. Both teens play key roles on their soccer teams as well as in their communities. The scholarships are awarded for post-secondary education. The two $1,000 scholarships are awarded based on community service, giving back to the game of soccer and to honor the memory of William J. "Billy" Goaziou for his outstanding services for soccer and US Youth Soccer. The scholarships are awarded annually through the US Youth Soccer Foundation to one male and one female recipient. Lisha Murphy plays for the SWISA SC Rush who is advancing to next month’s Indiana State Cup semifinal. She is also the team captain of her Reitz Memorial High School (Evansville, Ind.) team. Murphy was named to ESPN’s Top 150 Class of 2012. She is a member of the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Girls Indiana 1994 team and has attended the Region II Camp as well. Murphy uses her soccer skills to help others and has volunteered as a youth soccer camp coach the past three years. Outside of soccer, Murphy is active in community as well as academic and faith-based clubs. She looks forward to being a pediatric psychologist and helping children in need. This fall, Murphy will play for the University of Michigan.
Alia Martin Named to U-14 Girl’s National Camp Alia Martin (98 Girls) will be traveling to the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA this weekend for the first U14 Girl’s National Team training session of the season. This is a new format for this age group, and Alia is one of 48 players in the country that has been awarded this honor. Read More.
Photo of the Month
Indiana Soccer had the privilege of hosting a group of coaches from Jordon as part of a cultural coaching exchange program titled – “Soccer for Peace and Understanding in Jordon”. Above is the group after visiting the US Soccer Federation headquarters in Chicago. Below is the group after a training session here at Lawrence Park.