The Network, May 2018

Missouri Youth Soccer Association 926 Hemsath Rd, Suite 102 St. Charles, Missouri 63303

MISSOURI YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION

VOL 2 • NO. 2 • MAY 2018

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Permit 2397 Tampa, FL

ISSUE

THE

TRYOUT

Everything You Wanted to Know About Tryouts ...

But Didn’t Know Who To Ask

BY BRIAN BEAKY Editor, The Network Your local club’s tryouts are right around the corner, and you have questions — Where to go? What to bring? Do I have to say yes if my child makes the team? And, what was that I heard about changes to the tryout policies in the 2018-19 year?

Many of these questions can be answered online at the all-new MissouriSoccer.org, the official home of youth soccer in the state of Missouri — click on the “Player and Team Administration” box, then on “Tryout Dates: 2018/2019 Season” in the white box on the right-hand side of the page. The website is also valuable resource for parents with further questions once tryouts are over, including information on travel and insurance, and all the necessary forms your player, coach or team may need throughout the upcoming season.

Below, we’ll answer a few of the most common questions we receive. If you don’t see the answer to your question here, visit the website above, or contact the Missouri Youth Soccer office at 636-946-0958.

Also, don’t forget to check out the Tryout Survival Guide article in our May 2017 issue (accessible online at goo.gl/MYx7xB) for more insider tips from coaches who shared exactly what they look for at

tryouts, and how your player can stand out.

Whether you make the team or not, remember to have fun! We can’t wait to see you on the pitch.

When do tryouts begin?

Tryouts begin the weekend of June 8-10 for all age groups across the state. In the Western District, tryouts for ages U10 and below begin Friday, June 8, with U11 and above kicking off Saturday, June 9. In the Eastern, Southern and Central Districts, tryouts for all ages will begin Sunday, June 10. If you are not sure what district your club is in, visit MissouriSoccer.org and click on the “Club Locator” tab at the top of the page.

Do I need any special forms?

No additional form is needed to attend tryouts, beyond those specified by the club itself.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes. There is an additional evaluation period known as the “Open Contact Period,” which is designed to give players the opportunity to familiarize themselves with a club or team before committing to a tryout. Between the start of the Open Contact Period (May 27 in the Eastern, Southern and Central Districts and May 29 in the Western District), and the tryout

date for that age group in that district, any player may attend an organized soccer activity (practice, training, etc.) with another team or club without having to complete the “Permission to Participate” form. (Note: This does not apply to games or any other type of competition.)

Prior to Aug. 1, 2017, this rule only applied to Western and Eastern District clubs. It has been changed so that any player statewide can participate during the Open Contact Period of another club, without requiring consent from their current club in the form of a “Permission to Participate” form.

Am I or my player allowed to talk to other teams’ clubs or coaches prior to tryouts?

Coaches, clubs and teams are free to give out general information about themselves, including their philosophies, costs and requirements at any time — however, discussion of roster decisions or specific player evaluations are explicitly NOT allowed.

We encourage parents and players to fully investigate all options that are available to them at the competitive level. Parents should take the time to review all documentation required by the team or club and fully investigate what financial requirements are Continued on page 3

COACHES TOOLBOX 3v2

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Manage your tryout stress with these helpful tips

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FUN

GAMES

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Spring Brings Change to Missouri, US Youth Soccer The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted; all rights reserved. Articles may not be reproduced without written permission. The advertising space in The Network is purchased and paid for by the advertiser. None of the products or services are necessarily endorsed by Missouri Youth Soccer or its affiliates. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of its advertisers or Missouri Youth Soccer. Printed in the United States of America.

Official Publication of the Missouri Youth Soccer Association is published four times per year by Varsity Communications, Inc., and mailed to over 40,000 Missouri Youth Soccer families.

MYSA OFFICERS: Jim McCarthy — President Chris McDonough — Vice President Warren Brown — Treasurer Robyn Gross — Secretary Steve Pecher — Member-at-large

DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: Central — Amanda Blackburn Eastern — Mike Deane Southern — John Markey Western — Kenda Childers ALTERNATE COMMISSIONERS: Central — Justin Farrell Eastern — John Nohava Southern — V.A. “Sam” Samaranayake Western — Open

MYSA STATE OFFICE: Nik Bushell — Executive Director Jeff Muhr — Director of Coaching Kirk Nelson — Technical Director Kathy Arnold — Programs Coordinator Kelly Jenkins — Member Services Mitch Cissell — Communications

PRODUCTION: Varsity Communications, Inc. EDITOR: Brian Beaky PHOTOGRAPHY: Steve Ole Olson, soccerSTL.net GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Robert Becker • Katie Erickson ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Ian Civey (425) 412-7070 ext. 102 ian@varsitycommunications.com Varsity Communications, Inc. SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES: (636) 946-0958

PRINTING: NPC

www.missourisoccer.org

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

BY JIM MCCARTHY President, Missouri Youth Soccer Best wishes to all teams during this 2018 spring soccer season. The season started in late February in some areas, and the weather has been okay to date, with just a few cancellations for snow or rain here and there. Other than that, since it is the first day of spring as I write this and St. Paddy’s day has just passed, may “the luck of the Irish” be with you this season.

In the fall of 2017, our Director of Coaching, Denny Vaninger, retired from the Missouri Youth Soccer Association. In honor of his service, the 18U Boys State Cup has been named the Denny Vaninger Memorial Cup. Thank you, Denny, for all you have done for the youth in Missouri.

I wanted to take this opportunity to update the Missouri Youth Soccer Association community with some items that have already transpired, and others that will be coming our way.

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has a new president in Carlos Cordeiro. I am sure many of you followed the election process news reports through newspapers, Twitter and

Facebook. The US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) board of directors endorsed Carlos prior to the election, as they thought he had the best interests of soccer and youth soccer at heart.

It is now our job to help soccer in the United States grow through the youth program in our state by working with our new president the best that we can.

On Feb. 14, President Donald Trump signed into law Senate Bill 534 - Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. The bill was enacted immediately after the President’s signing it.

The bill passed the House of Representatives by a 402-3 vote and by unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate. That is called bi-partisan support. The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress, and was published on Mar 6, 2017.

“This bill amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to extend the duty to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, to certain adults who are authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes at a facility under the jurisdiction of a national governing body. A national governing body is an amateur sports organization that is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

An individual who is required, but fails, to report suspected child sex abuse is subject to

CONTENTS

criminal penalties.

“Finally, the bill amends the Amateur Sports Act of 1978: (1) to authorize national governing bodies to develop training, practices, policies and procedures to prevent the abuse of minor or amateur athletes; and (2) to require national governing bodies to develop and enforce policies, mechanisms, and procedures to prevent, report and respond to the abuse of minor or amateur athletes.”

What does this mean to our organization?

Any coach, administrator or team manager who has a Missouri Youth Soccer Association card and suspects any type of child abuse is required by law to report this to the proper authorities.

Missouri Youth Soccer Association is in the process of determining what type of training, policies and procedures we will institute, along with the USSF and USYSA. They are working with the U.S. Olympic Committee and other national governing bodies.

In late April and early June, our Presidents Cup and State Cup competitions will be held.

The number of teams participating this year is equal to 2017’s competition. The winning teams will move on to the regional competition in both events. Teams winning at regionals will then move into the National Championships.

Best of luck to all teams who have entered these competitions, and to everyone, have a great and successful season!

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 2 • MAY 2018

DEPARTMENTS President’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Coaches Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 From the Sidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ODP News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Referee Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tournament Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fun & Games. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

FEATURES Tryouts FAQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A parent’s approach to tryouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 All-new MissouriSoccer.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New US Soccer Grassroots Coaching Pathway. . . . . . . . . 4 Meet Missouri’s new Director of Coaching. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Register for a coaching course near you. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 New U.S. law makes coaches mandatory reporters. . . . . 6 Players, coaches rave about K.C.’s new National Development Center. . . . . . . . . . . 8 Three Missouri teams travel to National Championships. 9 Soccer Shots brings soccer education to pre-K . . . . . . . . 9 FCKC player raises $28,000 for leukemia research. . . . 9 Stay healthy at summer tournaments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

THANK YOU SPONSORS

WORLD CUP ANSWERS: 1. Russia; 2. Saudi Arabia; 3. Egypt; 4. Uruguay; 5. Morocco; 6. Iran; 7. Portugal; 8. Spain; 9. Australia; 10. Argentina; 11. France; 12. Iceland; 13. Peru; 14. Denmark; 15. Croatia; 16. Nigeria; 17. Costa Rica; 18. Serbia; 19. Germany; 20. Mexico; 21. Brazil; 22. Switzerland; 23. Sweden; 24. South Korea; 25.

Belgium; 26. Panama; 27. Tunisia; 28. England; 29. Colombia; 30. Japan; 31. Poland; 32. Senegal

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Check Out Missouri Youth Soccer’s New Digital Offerings!

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Tryouts, Cont.

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included in the document. Note that signing a player contract with a club does not guarantee you assignment to a particular team within that club unless it is specifically noted in the document. Read the Tryout Survival Guide linked above for more information on choosing the right club and team for your player.

The coach said that if we paid our fees before tryouts, we could guarantee our spot on the team next year. Is this true?

No, clubs and teams in Missouri Youth Soccer cannot collect fees or seek commitments prior to tryouts. Coaches may ask for a parent or player to give a verbal commitment, but this is not binding for the player. Of course, remember that this flexibility of commitment goes both ways — just as you cannot be required to commit to any one club prior to tryouts, a club has no obligation to a player or parents until a financial commitment is received and documentation is signed by the parent. Under Missouri bylaws, these binding events cannot happen until after the tryout, once a player has been evaluated and formally offered a position with a club or team.

The last year has brought a lot of change to Missouri Youth Soccer — not only have we moved to new offices in St. Charles, but we’ve also completely re-designed our website, MissouriSoccer.org, launched a new app for our Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams, and kicked off a digital version of The Network!

MissouriSoccer.org The all-new MissouriSoccer.org is your No. 1, mobile-friendly resource for any questions or information regarding Missouri Youth Soccer offerings.

Coaches — Learn about the all-new U.S. Soccer Grassroots Coaching Initiative, take online coaching courses, find in-person courses in your area, browse online resources, register for State Cup competitions, view a list of sanctioned tournaments and connect directly with Missouri’s technical director and director of coaching!

Parents — Whether you are trying to find a club in your area using the Club Locator feature, browse the latest soccer news from around the state, download important forms, register your child for ODP, find community service projects or browse the MYSA staff to find the right person to answer your question, the all-new MissouriSoccer.org has the information you need.

Others — Browse the MYSA calendar, or make plans to attend the Annual General Meeting. Learn about becoming a referee, sign up for futsal training, the Discover Soccer Project and more!

Missouri ODP TeamApp Want to stay up-to-date on all of the latest information regarding Missouri Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program? Then, be sure to download the all-new Missouri ODP TeamApp! The new TeamApp — available free to all Missouri Youth Soccer ODP players, coaches

and parents, will include information on tryouts and training schedules, maps to the fields, team rosters, important documents and even the ability to interact online with your fellow players and coaches.

To download the app, visit https://missouriodp. teamapp.com/ and start connecting today.

Digital Version of The Network In addition to two printed issues of The Network, the official newspaper of Missouri Youth Soccer, mailed each May and September, we are now producing two additional digital versions, delivered to your inbox the other two quarters of the year, in April and December. Packed with news and features from around the state; special-interest articles for coaches, referees and others; and deals to area soccer vendors, they’re a terrific resource for any member of the Missouri Youth Soccer family! Make sure your email address is up to date and watch your inbox for the next issue.

On The Team: A Responsible Sports Approach to Tryouts Courtesy USYouthSoccer.com Tryout season is about to begin across the state of Missouri. Tryouts can be tough not only for the athletes, but for their parents and coaches as well. Parents may find it difficult to console a child who has failed to make a team. Likewise, coaches often dread “the cut,” informing players that gave their all that they just didn’t make it.

So how do we as Responsible Sport Parents and Responsible Coaches help kids manage this process and stay positive regardless the outcome?

It’s true that tryouts can be tough on youth athletes, but it can also be a useful life lesson and preparation for circumstances many will face as adults, such as college applications, auditions or job interviews. Responsible Sport Parents and Responsible Coaches recognize that youth sports can help athletes learn valuable life lessons.

“Disappointment is a great opportunity to reinforce positive character traits like determination and resilience,” reminds Jim Thompson, Founder and CEO of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA).

The experts at PCA have a few good tips that could come in handy as you help your youth athletes process their tryout experience:

Focus on Effort As your athletes enter the tryout process, you might remind them that they can’t control the outcome – whether they make the team or not.

What they can control is their effort and attitude.

Remind your athletes to give maximum effort at all times and to focus on their own effort, as opposed to what other athletes are doing.

“You’re The Kind of Person” The team at PCA reminds us that “You’re The Kind of Person” statements can really help kids manage the disappointment of not making the team.

“I know it means a lot to you, but you’re the kind of person who doesn’t give up easily,” or, “You’re the kind of person who doesn’t let setbacks stop you from playing the game you love.”

Use these statements to help shape your athlete’s self image in the face of disappointment and to begin planning how to move beyond that disappointment.

Have Fun! Laughing, having fun and learning new things can all be part of tryouts. Regardless of the outcome, kids should have a good time during the tryouts themselves. Laughter can also really help young athletes let go of stress and stay relaxed. Responsible Coaches don’t purposely create a stress-filled environment if they want to elicit the best performance from athletes.

Tryouts are never easy – on athletes, coaches and parents alike! But with a little planning by both coaches and parents, and a mind toward

protecting our kids’ self-esteem and self-worth, we can together create an environment that fosters learning valuable life lessons.

To learn more about helping our youth athletes learn valuable life lessons, visit ResponsibleSports.com.

Can coaches or clubs recruit players from other teams?

No, recruiting is explicitly prohibited outside of the formal tryout environment. Recruiting is an attempt by any person (this includes club directors, coaches, trainers, managers and parents) to entice a player to move during the current or upcoming season to join a club or team that is outside of their current club or team affiliation. It is important to note that recruitment can happen anywhere — school, home, etc. — and is not restricted to soccerrelated activities.

Any individual or organization that is found guilty of recruitment by a hearing committee can face harsh suspensions and fines as allowed in the Registration Policy Manual. Note that recruitment rules still apply during the “Open Contact Period.”

What if we change our minds after signing with a club or team?

Once a document has been signed and the registration paid, the player and club are committed to each other for the length of the seasonal year (Aug. 1-July 31), unless specifically indicated otherwise in the player agreement.

Players may leave a club or team during the current season only under certain conditions.

The first, and easiest, is to transfer during the summer “transfer window,” June 1-July 31 (the day following the close of State Cup). Between these dates, players may speak freely to any other club or team, may try out for any other club or team, and many transfer to any other club or team, without having to complete a “request to transfer” form or pay any transfer fee.

Players may also transfer during the midseason transfer window, Dec. 1-Jan. 10, though the process is slightly more complex.

Players wishing to transfer must submit a “Player Transfer Form” request (found at MissouriSoccer.org) to their current club, at which point that club has 10 days to approve the request and collect any gear, loaned equipment and/or outstanding monetary commitments as spelled out in the signed player agreement.

If, at the end of that period, the club or team decides to approve the request, your player may transfer to another club or team for a fee of $175, paid when applying for the transfer in the player’s GotSoccer account.

Should the club or team submit an objection to the state within the 10-day evaluation period, the state will review the positions of both the player and club and make a ruling as to whether to allow the transfer to proceed.

Finally, players may transfer “out of process” — that is, outside either of the two windows above — via the same process as spelled out in the mid-season transfer section above. If approved by the club, the cost for an out of process transfer is $350, again paid when applying for the transfer in the player’s GotSoccer account.

It is important that players and parents have a full understanding of their membership within a club or on a team and the financial obligations and responsibilities that may surround it. We urge you to ask questions and seek opinions to make the best decision for your player for the upcoming 2018-2019 season.

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A Versatile 3v2 Game Keeps Players Moving COACHES TOOLBOX The Setup • Use cones to mark off a 25x30 field space (roughly 1/4 field), with small goals on each end • Split players into two even teams (ideal for 12-14 players) • Put ample balls in each goal to keep game flowing.

The Game The object of game is to score. Each team begins with two players on the field, and one outside the grid, with the rest off the field as indicated on the graphic. Attacking team starts play by passing to the outside player, who then joins play and attacks 3v2. If the attacking team scores, the three attacking players go off (one to each line) and two players that were resting for the offense join to become defenders.. The original defenders then play a ball out of their goal to their wide player and become attackers, playing 3v2 the other direction.

Likewise, when the defending team wins possession of the ball or the ball is shot over goal for goal kick, the defensive team should immediately pull a new ball from the goal, find target player out wide and go on the attack. The three that were attacking come off the field (one to each line) and two players that were resting for the offense now become defenders. If they win the ball, they find the wide target and play 3v2. Game is continuous.

shoot until beating opponent, etc.

Progressions You can put different restrictions such as one-touch shooting, two-touch maximum, can’t

You can use this game to coach almost anything.

Focus on one or two of your team’s deficiencies in the game and coach that in this session.

Coaching Focus • Communication • When defending, working on zonal defending due to numbers down • When attacking, working on using the extra man and creating space • When defending team wins ball, looking for target as quick as possible to counter-attack

KEY

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Pass Dribble

Five Things To Know About the New U.S. Soccer Grassroots Coaching Pathway Following the December 2017 announcement of the new Grassroots Coaching Pathway initiative, the U.S. Soccer Coaching Education Department began its Grassroots Pathway rollout through the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module, a cost-free, online experience available now via the U.S. Soccer Digital Coaching Center at www.ussoccer.com.

With in-person and online grassroots coaching courses beginning this spring, here are five things you should know about the Grassroots Coaching Pathway initiative: The New Grassroots Pathway In an effort to further improve the grassroots soccer environment for both players and coaches, U.S. Soccer has restructured the foundation of its coaching license pathway.

The new Grassroots Licensing Courses, which replace the “F” and “E” License Courses, offer an a-la-carte approach meant to empower coaches with education that is relevant to their specific coaching needs.

The Grassroots Licenses will help coaches ensure fun, enjoyable and developmentally appropriate environments for their players.

Prospective coaches will have the option to partake in any of these new courses – in any sequence – after completing a cost-free, Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module provided by U.S. Soccer.

The Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module serves as the first step in obtaining any one of the eight new Grassroots Licenses: four in-person courses and four online courses across the four grassroots levels: 4v4, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11. The eight course options relate

directly to small-sided games and the respective age-groups outlined in the U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives.

How to Advance in the Coaching Pathway A unique combination of three of the eight Grassroots Licenses (replacing the “E” and “F” Licenses) now formally represent the prerequisite to progress to the U.S. Soccer “D” License. New coaches will use the U.S. Soccer Digital Coaching Center to sign up for, and complete, a minimum of three grassroots courses, in the form of two in-person courses and one online course: • Two in-person courses (one of which must be the 11v11) • One online course across any of the four levels (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11) Coaching candidates who have already completed or begun to take the “E” or “F” License courses will have the following opportunities to use those certifications toward the “D” License prerequisites: • U.S. Soccer “E” License + Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module • U.S. Soccer “F” License + Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module + 11v11 in-person license + one other in-person license Online and In-Person Grassroots Course Availability The Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module is available to anyone interested in

starting, or continuing, their coaching license pathway, or anyone looking to learn more about grassroots soccer and coaching.

Of the eight new grassroots licensing courses at the base of the U.S. Soccer Coaching Pathway, the four in-person experiences were made available in February, while the four online courses will follow the rollout of the in-person opportunities in the coming months.

The Foundation of Grassroots Coaching While typically affiliated with younger age groups, grassroots soccer exists at every level.

Whether that is a youth environment where players are experiencing organized soccer for the first time, or adults who are looking to learn more and get into the sport, grassroots soccer continues to be the bedrock of the sport.

At its core, the philosophy of U.S. Soccer’s grassroots pathway initiative is Play-PracticePlay, a philosophy coaches learn about in the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module. This approach will focus on the player experiencing and learning through play, while also empowering the coach to support his or her player’s learning and developmental needs.

Easy Access, Low Barrier After completing the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module, candidates can progress to any of the eight Grassroots License course opportunities through the U.S. Soccer Digital Coaching Center (DCC). This varied approach to the foundation of the coaching education pathway allows coaches to seek out education related to the environment in which they coach.

U.S. Soccer member organizations, like US Youth Soccer and Missouri Youth Soccer, will organize and run in-person course opportunities for their coaches. These courses take place over four hours with two hours dedicated to classroom learning and two hours dedicated to field work. Coaches can contact Missouri Youth Soccer to inquire about scheduling and pricing.

Set to be released by U.S. Soccer in the coming months, the online Grassroots courses will be available for $25 in both English and Spanish on the DCC. This includes access to educational content, session plans and U.S. Soccer’s Planning Tool.

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5

Sideline Etiquette: Six Tips to Make Youth Soccer Better for Parents and Players FROM THE SIDELINES

Jeff Muhr Named Missouri Youth Soccer Director of Coaching Please join us in welcoming Jeff Muhr as the newest member of the Missouri Youth Soccer Association Staff. Jeff has assumed the role of Director of Coaching (DOC), and has been working hard for coaches throughout Missouri since January.

“It’s truly an honor and a privilege to be able to do something I’m passionate about at the state level,” says Muhr, who holds a USSF National “B” License and NSCAA Level II Youth Diploma, and was a finalist for NSCAA Coach of the Year. “As Director of Coaching, I will have the opportunity to influence and educate coaches around the state and help them to develop the future generations of great soccer players. I’m very excited to get started.”

Jeff offers over 20 years of coaching experience at various levels of the game, as well as a strong background in education. He

was previously the co-founder and Director of Coaching at St. Louis Hawks FC and was an integral factor in the club’s recent growth and success. Jeff has also worked Missouri ODP and Illinois ODP, plus numerous high-school and college teams.

“MYSA is very excited to welcome Jeff to our staff. His background and experience in education make him a perfect fit for our organization,” says Nik Bushell, executive director of Missouri Youth Soccer. “We believe Jeff is the right person to help us achieve our goals of creating the best possible environment for youth soccer in Missouri.”

For more about Jeff and/or to learn more about coaching opportunites and courses being held throughout the state, visit the allnew MissouriSoccer.org and click on the “Coaching” tab.

Register For a Missouri Youth Soccer Coaching Course!

BY JEFF MUHR Director of Coaching I hope the spring season has been good for all, despite the challenging weather.

There have been many updates to the youth soccer coaching curriculum, both in Missouri and across the nation.

Here at home, the Missouri Youth Certificate Course curriculum has been rewritten.The course is now a two-hour course that highlights risk management (including the new law that makes any adult working with or coaching children a “mandatory reporter”), the role of coaches, laws of the game, developmental characteristics for each age group, coaching philosophy and best practices for coaching and communication.

In addition to those topics, the course also introduces the new Play-Practice-Play coaching methodology that the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has pushed out.

On a national level, there is no longer a “F” or “E” License. These two courses have been replaced with the new Grassroots Licensing Courses, which focus on the coaching fundamentals that align with the USSF Player Development Initiatives.There are eight modules, including four, two-hour online courses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11) and four, four-hour in-person courses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11). Coaches have an opportunity to earn one certificate for each module completed. The focus of these modules is on players between 6-13 years of age, although, concepts and ideas can be applied to older children. We have received great reviews from the candidates that

have participated in these modules.

For coaches looking to further their coaching education beyond the Grassroots level, the National “D” course is offered. This course consists of two meetings. The first course meeting is on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the second on a Saturday and Sunday. Between the two meetings is a “development period” that is a minimum of four weeks. The developmental period is intended to let the candidates apply the new information they have acquired. This course is being taught by state instructors. In order to take the National “D” Course, you must have completed one of the online modules and two of the in-person courses, one of them being the 11v11 module.

The National “C” License is also being taught by state instructors and can be taken once you have had your National “D” License for 12 months. This course focuses on the Core Competencies of coaching U13-U19 in the 11v11 setting. This course includes two meetings (first meeting is 8 days and the second meeting is 3 days) with a developmental period between the two meetings.

Beyond the National “C,” the USSF offers a National “B,” a National “A-Youth” and a National “A-Senior.”

We will be updating the MYSA website with dates and locations for these state-level courses as they become available. If your club would like to consider hosting a course for your coaches, please feel free to contact me.

If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at doc@mnyouthsoccer.org, or 636-362-8452.

When playing in a game, youth soccer players’ minds are focused on making splitsecond decisions as they maneuver around and survey the field.

Every once in a while, however, a player’s attention may be drawn to his or her hyper parent yelling instructions or making a scene from the sideline. While parents’ actions may simply be the result of wanting the best for their child, their behavior can have a negative effect on their young athlete’s enjoyment of the game.

US Youth Soccer spoke to Dave Carton, the director of coaching for Discoveries SC in Rock Hill, S.C., to hear his opinion on some areas in which many parents could improve their sideline etiquette. Carton is no stranger to addressing adults on how to act while at games, and a letter he sent to parents of his club that cited their improper behavior was featured on the US Youth Soccer Coaches Blog.

Here are six things to keep in mind when attending your child’s game.

1

Avoid ‘coaching’ from the sideline while watching your child’s game A common problem in youth soccer is the impulse parents have to shout instructions to their young player from the sideline.

It’s especially difficult for a child because he or she has a tendency to refer to what a parent says, which often conflicts with the instruction from the coach. Carton said parents should imagine being in a room and having multiple people yelling instructions at them in order to see the confusion it could cause a child.

“Another thing about yelling instructions is that the tone a parent yells with is typically a lot more aggressive than the coach,” Carton said. “The coach is instructing with a teaching mentality — ‘This is what we have to do to improve. This is part of the process to get better and improve your level of play.’

“The instructions that the parents are yelling have an immediacy to it. They want it done now because they want the gratification of the instant result. It’s conflicting with what the coach is trying to do.”

2

Do not criticize the referee Carton said this is an epidemic, and spectators should realize that referees are people and will make mistakes — even those officiating at the highest levels of play.

When parents go after a referee for what they perceive as a mistake, it begins to make the game about the adults, rather than the kids.

“A referee is ideally going to make an objective decision on what he or she sees.

A parent is going to interpret that same situation through the prism of the team that their child plays on,” Carton said. “If it’s a decision that goes against their team, they’re automatically going to have a subjective view on it.

“The problem comes when there is an aggression to how the parents react to that.

The bigger problem is when the child sees that, the child thinks it’s accepted. Parents need to remember they always need to be a model for their child.”

3

Focus on the benefits of the game, rather than the score Far too often, parents worry about the numbers formed by illuminated lights on a scoreboard rather than the experience their

child has while playing youth sports. Carton said parents are naturally from an older generation in which there was a larger focus on the result of a game. While it’s natural for everyone to want to win, he said parents need to keep focus on the larger picture.

“It’s natural instinct to want to win. The key thing is to keep things in perspective,” Carton said. “If we didn’t win, how can we go into the next game to improve on what we did wrong? Coaches talk about the development process, and losing is part of that process. If your team always wins, their mentality won’t be able to handle setbacks.

It’s a big part of a child’s development.”

He went on to talk about a hypothetical 1-0 loss.

“Very few of the parents are asking their child if they had fun today. The child will take the parent’s reaction to the result of the game as the norm. They’ll then relate their experience to the result of the game, which is really counterproductive.

4

Think when interacting with opposing fans “This is one that should be common sense. Grown adults should be able to go and enjoy their child’s experience without having any confrontation,” Carton said. “We get that at our club, too. We always say, ‘Don’t forget, you’re not just representing the club, you’re representing your child. The way you’re acting right now — if you could see yourself through the eyes of your child, what would you think of yourself? Why are you making a public spectacle over a U-11 girls soccer game? Are you proud of what you’re doing right now? Would you allow your child to act like this?’”

5

Don’t stress out over the game Do you find yourself pacing up and down the sideline — anxiously following the action as it unfolds on the field? Stop it.

Breathe.

“Just calm down. Enjoy it. Stop being so attached to it. It’s not your game,” Carton said. “Don’t base your enjoyment or happiness on what is going on out there.

“Look at your child. Is he having fun? Is he active? Is he enjoying the social nature of the game? Is he getting as much out of this experience as he can? Don’t worry about the rest of it. Some parents just give themselves aneurysms pacing up and down the line.

Keep perspective. There are more important things.”

6

Save issues with the coach for the next day Maybe you don’t agree with how much your child played in a game or another decision the coach made during the match.

It’s important to take some time to think about it rather than confronting the coach in front of your child and the team.

“Directly after the game, the parents should not approach the coach. It’s an emotionally charged conversation and very little good can come from that,” Carton said.

“At that time, there’s very little a coach can say that will make the parent feel any better. Go home. Talk to your family. Sleep on it. Get in touch the next day, whether it be by phone, email, or even going for a cup of coffee with the coach and asking for feedback.

“If the coach communicates well enough, the expectation should be there and the parent should understand the situation. If that’s not the case, the parent is totally in his or her right to bridge that communication gap.”

6

MAY 2018

THE NETW RK

Safe Spor t Authorization ODP Camps Kick Off In June In St. Louis, Kansas City Act Makes Coaches Mandator y Repor ters On February 14, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law and became effective immediately. The entire law can be read online at MissouriSoccer.org, but we wanted to provide additional detail on the specific mandatory reporting of child abuse requirements included in the new legislation because these requirements may impact you immediately: The bill amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to extend the duty to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, within 24 hours to all adults who are authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes by a national governing body, a member of a national governing body, or an amateur sports organization that participates in interstate or international amateur athletic competition. These individuals are called “covered individuals” in the new legislation.

Child abuse is defined as physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child.

Per current federal regulations, reports of child abuse should be made to the local law enforcement agency or local child protective services agency that has jurisdiction to investigate reports of child abuse or to protect child abuse victims, or to the FBI. These regulations have not yet been updated to reflect

the recent change in the law. Until such time as the regulations are updated, U.S. Soccer will make reports to (1) local law enforcement where the alleged incident took place to the extent it can be determined and the incident occurred in the United States, (2) local law enforcement where the victim resides if different than (1), and (3) the FBI. An individual who is required, but fails, to report suspected child sexual abuse is subject to criminal penalties including fines and up to one year in jail.

These obligations are in addition to any State law requirements that an individual may have in a particular jurisdiction.

If you make a report of child abuse to law enforcement, please also communicate this report to the U.S. Soccer integrity hotline at www.ussoccer.com/integrity-hotline or (312) 528-7004, and the U.S. Center for SafeSport at safesport.org. As a reminder, as a member or affiliate of U.S. Soccer, you may be subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport under certain circumstances. The Center serves an important investigatory and remedial function where law enforcement may choose or be unable to act.

If you have any questions, you can contact either Lydia Wahlke (lwahlke@ussoccer.org) or Greg Fike (gfike@ussoccer.org) in the U.S. Soccer legal department.

Missouri Youth Soccer is happy to announce this year that players wishing to attend the annual Olympic Development Program (ODP) Summer Camp will have two opportunities to do so, including one each in St. Louis and Kansas City!

The purpose of Missouri Youth Soccer ODP is to identify and develop the top players registered within the state of Missouri, to promote development through quality coaching, and to help these players gain recognition on the regional and national levels. Benefits of participation in ODP include: • Development as a player by training with and playing against the best players in one’s age group.

• Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.

• Quality competition, including games against other state ODP teams.

• Exposure to collegiate, professional, regionaland national-team coaches.

• The opportunity to represent one’s state, region or country in competition.

We believe the Missouri ODP program can supplement a player’s development in conjunction with their affiliate club.

This year, there will two ODP Summer Camps, including one each in the St. Louis and Kansas City area. Both camps will be exactly the same.

The training staff will consist of USSF National Licensed Coaches and will follow the same format as the Region Developmental Camp. Coaches will focus on training development that is in accordance with the U.S. Soccer guidelines for the ODP program.

Camp will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day, and a catered lunch will be provided (if your child has special dietary needs, please let us know as soon as you register). The cost of each camp is $350.

This camp is only open to the 2005 and 2006 boys/girls that are currently in the ODP program.

We will also be inviting boys and girls from the 2007/2008 age group to introduce them to ODP. KANSAS CITY When: June 5, 6 and 7 Where: Swope Soccer Village Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., each day Who: Current boys and girls in the 2005/2006 age groups and interested players in the 2007/2008 age groups.

Cost: $350 Register: Visit MissouriSoccer.org and click “ODP” at the top of the page.

ST. LOUIS When: June 12, 13 and 14 Where: Lou Fusz Training Facility (formerly Rams Park) Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., each day Who: Current boys and girls in the 2005/2006 age groups and interested players in the 2007/2008 age groups.

Cost: $350 Register: Visit MissouriSoccer.org and click “ODP” at the top of the page.

If you have any questions about either camp, or want to register, please visit our website or email kelly@moyouthsoccer.org.

We hope to see you there!

SEND STORIES you’d like to read in future issues of The Network to Brian Beaky at brian@varsitycommunications.com FOR ADVERTISING inquiries, contact Ian Civey at ian@varsitycommunications.com

THE NETW RK

2018 MAY

TWO GREAT FALL TOURNAMENTS Played on Quality Grass Fields Gold and Silver brackets available

You Need Youth Soccer Referees — And Thus, Youth Soccer Referees Need You

BY LUIS FORERO Originally published to www.SoccerParenting.com

“Call it both ways!”

“You’re blind!”

“Blow your whistle!”

“Open your eyes!”

“You need glasses!”

Do these phrases sound familiar? They probably do if you’re a referee, or if you’re a parent trying to enjoy your child’s soccer game on the sidelines.

Contempt and disrespect towards game officials continues to plague both sidelines, from disgruntled spectators who feel that everything is being called against their team; to screaming coaches who seem to have a better view from 60 yards away.

Needless to say, there is a very high probability that the majority of these “sideline officials” have never bothered to take a referee class, or made an attempt to read the Laws of the Game.

Being a sports referee is not an easy task; it is something that requires concentration, patience, excellent communication skills, fitness and, most of all, judgement based on the rules of the sport. It is this judgement that usually comes under extreme criticism, often regardless of the level of competition.

Youth soccer referees have arguably one of the toughest officiating jobs as compared to basketball, football, baseball or hockey officials. This is due to the number of players involved (assuming an 11v11 game), the large area to cover, the low official-to-player ratio, the continuous action, and the need for splitsecond decisions.

Given these circumstances, one would think that both coaches and spectators would be more understanding when a call is either missed or judged incorrectly — especially by a young person who is learning on the job, just like the players themselves.

Youth soccer leagues all over the country lose referees, especially young referees, every year due to harassment and intimidation from spectators and coaches. Once the shouting and crude remarks aimed at officials begins from the sidelines, it is certain to be followed by the players on the field.

Referees are not perfect, and even though some may be assigned to officiate a game above their ability, no one deserves to be verbally or physically abused. Parents and coaches have a responsibility to teach their children the importance of being respectful to a person in authority, and in a soccer game, the referee is that person; regardless whether it is a 13-year old or a more senior person.

It is time for youth soccer leagues all over the country to take a stand against referee abuse, especially when the target is a young official.

I’d love for leagues to require persistent offenders (parents or coaches) to become certified and work several games before being

allowed to return to the field as a spectator.

Another suggestion is to implement a parent education program that requires parents to attend a preseason meeting where sideline behavior is addressed; including a no-tolerance policy towards referee abuse.

One other idea is to have parents officiate in-house games at the youngest ages where results really do not matter; this may even encourage them to work more competitive games later on. The more parents can see the challenges associated with refereeing, the more understanding they will hopefully be when, as spectators, a call does not go their way.

Ideas as those mentioned above may not lead to a large inflow of officials, but it might result in the recruitment of a few new officials for your league; not to mention the possible removal of a screaming parent from the sideline. If further encouragement is needed, consider the following reasons for becoming a referee: • Only job you’ll have where you’re the boss the minute you show up.

• Better understanding of the game.

• If you’re a parent of a child who travels frequently to out-of-state tournaments, it is a magnificent way to cover your travel expenses, including mileage, hotel and meals. Most tournaments are in need of referees and are willing to cover some or most of these expenses.

• Great way to save for the holidays or a family vacation, if you’re a parent.

• Excellent pay for kids and an perfect way to learn the game from a different perspective.

• Could your soccer league function without referees? Probably not!

Thus, it is critical for leagues to encourage their membership to learn all sides of the game.

The next time you reach your boiling point due to what you consider to be poor officiating, ask yourself the following questions: “Would I be yelling if my child or other family member was the referee?”

“Can I do better?”

I would like to say that in most cases, the answer to the first question will be “No.” If the answer to the second question is “Yes,” however, and you are not currently a certified official, then make sure to register for the next referee class, purchase the necessary uniforms and accessories, and become part of the solution.

If the answer is “No,” then do us all a favor and just keep your mouth closed.

TOURNAMENT IN THE WOODS Deadline 8/10/18

AUTUMN BASH Deadline 9/28/18

Please visit our website

www.raytownsoccerclub.org or call

816-313-7721

7

© SoccerSTL.net

Missouri Youth Soccer

ODP SUMMER CAMP KC Dates – June 5-7 @ Swope Park STL Dates – June 12-14 @ LFSC Rams Park More info & registration links at missourisoccer.org/odp Open to current ODP players and those considering ODP in the 05, 06, 07 & 08 age groups, both genders.

Limited spaces available... sign up today!

THE NETW RK

2018 MAY

9

Follow Missouri’s Top Teams at July’s US Youth Soccer Nationals!

Three teams. One goal – to return home to Missouri with the title of National Champions.

That’s the task ahead in July for Missouri Youth Soccer’s U17 FCKC Academy Blues Elite, U16B St. Louis Scott Gallagher SC Elite, and U17B SLSG Elite 01, each of whom won their respective divisions in the 2017-18 US Youth Soccer National League. By way of their success, the division winners in each age group, along with second-place finishers in the 14U and 15U age groups, have earned a direct path to the National Championships, July 23-29 in Frisco, Texas.

Annually, the final leg of the nation’s most elite and prestigious competition provides the opportunity for additional exposure to collegiate and national staff scouts and the chance to capture the National Championship title in their respective age group.

In the 17U Blue Division, FCKC Academy Blues Elite (MO) pitched a shutout during games at IMG Academy to win the group, while a late goal in its final victory allowed St. Louis Scott Gallagher SC Elite (MO) to secure a vital tiebreaker advantage over hard-charging Boca OC 02 White (CA-S) to finish on top of the 16U Blue Division. Meanwhile, in the 17U Blue Division, SLSG Elite 01 (MO) won its first five

games, which was enough to finish in first place.

The 40 Boys and Girls teams that qualified for the National Championships through the National League will be joined by 56 US Youth Soccer Regional Champions to complete the field of 96 teams this summer in Frisco, Texas.

The National League is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional League, Midwest Regional League, Southern Regional Premier League and Far West Regional League). The National League provides an avenue for teams to play in meaningful matches against top competition from across the country for continued development and opportunities for exposure at the national team, collegiate and professional levels.

The National League’s alumni have gone on to prove themselves at the collegiate and professional levels, with former players competing in NCAA Division I, II and III, Major League Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, the UEFA Champions League, the Olympics and the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The US Youth Soccer National Championships cap a yearlong series of competitions that comprise the US Youth Soccer National

Championship Series. Boys and girls teams in multiple age groups earn their way by competing against the top teams in their state and region.

US Youth Soccer State Champions and selected wildcard teams are eligible to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships.

The champions in the 13U through 19U age groups from each regional event will converge in the finals with the National League teams.

Be sure to follow our state’s National League champions this summer on USYouthSoccer. org, and through Missouri Youth Soccer’s social media pages. Good luck to these outstanding teams!

FC Kansas City Player Honored By Leukemia And Lymphoma US Youth Soccer Announces Partnership Society

With Soccer Shots For Pre-K Education There are nearly 30 million kids in the U.S. ages 2-6. What’s more, youth soccer loses 38.5 percent of children before they reach the age of 7.5 years old, and 50 percent before they reach age 10. A new partnership between US Youth Soccer and Soccer Shots — an engaging, pre-K program for kids ages 2-5 — however, seeks to stem this tide, and give kids of all ages the opportunity to share in the joy of the world’s game, while building character development and basic skills they’ll need to build a strong foundation for future success both on and off the pitch.

Soccer Shots is one of the fastest-growing franchisors in the nation and a recognized leader in child development soccer for boys and girls ages 2-5. Soccer Shots’ focus is on character development, while positively impacting children’s lives on and off the field through best-in-class coaching, communication and curriculum. Their coaches are among the besttrained in the business. Their expert-approved curriculum is age-appropriate and aligns with childhood education standards. In addition, they provide an exceptional customer experience and ongoing communication with parents.

Soccer Shots offers three different programs to meet the developmental needs of pre-K children. Their weekly, 30-40 minute sessions focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. Through fun games and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joys of playing soccer and being active. Each session also highlights a positive character trait, such as respect, determination and confidence.

Soccer Shots’ brand pillars are as follows: Coaching – Every coach must complete our comprehensive training program and meet our strict coaching standards, including a background check. The coach selection process evaluates not only the ability to coach soccer, but also the ability to engage and inspire children.

Communication – Families will always know what their child is learning in Soccer Shots, and can expect a responsive and professional experience from the staff.

Curriculum – The age-appropriate curriculum places an emphasis on character development and skill building, and aligns with early childhood education standards.

Soccer Shots’ curriculum-based program is currently offered through 112 franchises operating in more than 180 territories across nearly 40 states, and runs its programming in 6,000 childcare centers. In 2016, the organization

served over 335,000 children.

Soccer Shots and US Youth Soccer share a common mission, and believe there is a mutual benefit in working together to bring the game of soccer to more children throughout the United States at an early age.

This new partnership creates an opportunity for local Soccer Shots operators and US Youth Soccer state associations and clubs to form alliances and share resources, creating a participant pipeline that begins with Soccer Shots’ curriculum-based program, and help

States build participation and membership.

Over the long-term, we have plans to develop and create a dedicated US Youth Soccer preK/early childhood development platform to fill the first-time player vacuum. However, this opportunity to partner with Soccer Shots enables us to enter the pre-K space and accelerate our efforts by being the first national youth soccer organization to offer programming for kids at an early age.

For more information, visit the organization website at www.SoccerShots.org.

In 2009, when his younger brother, Trevor, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of three, it didn’t seem that there was anything Tanner Jolley could do.

Nine blood transfusions, five platelet transfusions, four bone marrow biopsies, 10 hospital admissions, 17 emergency room visits, 18 lumbar punctures, one bone scan, one feeding tube and 22 times under general anesthesia later, Trevor completed his treatment and was declared cancer-free in 2013.

And Tanner, now 16, knew exactly what he could do to make a difference.

The spring, Jolley was recognized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as its Student of the Year, following a whirlwind season that saw him raise more than $28,000 in just seven weeks through his organization, TJ4WC (Today We Join 4 Cures) — not coincidentally, a combination of his initials, and those of his high school, Independence’s William Chrisman, which gave significant support to his fundraising efforts.

“Trevor was the drive behind all of us — me and my whole family — to do this campaign,” Jolley told Fox4’s Zac Summers, in one of numerous interviews he has conducted this spring.

Jolley, who plays soccer for FC Kansas City and competes on his high school’s track and cross country teams, was one of many individuals nominated for the national award, from which 10 finalists were selected. Each finalist had seven weeks to raise as much money as possible for the foundation. Working with school officials, his family and others in the community, Tanner held several fundraisers including bingo, bowling and skating nights, held raffles at school events, and even organized a 5K race in Independence.

Tanner says his goal was to raise $10,000 — but it was clear early on, from the overwhelming support of the community, that the final number would be much, much higher.

In the end, Tanner raised $28,220, beating out all of the other finalists. Along with the honor of being named Student of the Year, Tanner received a $2,500 scholarship from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, while his school’s science program received a $2,500 grant as well.

“I’m very grateful to [everyone] for making that happen,” says Tanner, who adds that he wasn’t motivated by the money or the recognition, but rather by his brother’s courageous fight.

“Watching him beat it was a huge accomplishment,” he adds. “Hard work and effort will always give back to you.”

To learn more about Tanner’s organization, or to make your own donation, visit www.tj4wc. weebly.com.

10 MAY 2018

THE NETW RK

Stay Ahead of the Game at Tournaments This Summer!

Summer is nearly here! For many players, this marks not only the end of a busy season and a long school year, but the beginning of the exciting summer tournament season.

Tournaments are often exciting opportunities for players to showcase their abilities in front of a wide spectrum of coaches and fellow players, and a fun chance for teams to compete against others from different parts of the state, country — even teams from overseas.

However, the often rigorous schedule of tournaments — two, or even three games a day — can put a significant physical and mental strain on players, a strain only made greater by the increased heat of the summer months.

In order to help keep your player feeling, and performing, at their best this summer, here are some easy-to-follow tips to stay healthy, and keep fit, amid the busy tournament bustle: 1. Pack Your Snacks While just about every tournament venue will feature a concession stand, it’s there for the spectators — not the players. Sure, there might be a restaurant or two nearby, but it’s likely that their menus weren’t planned with highperformance soccer fitness in mind, nor is there a guarantee that your player will have enough time between games for a sit-down meal.

For that reason, it’s a good idea to bring your own food — snacks, drinks, even meals if necessitated by the tournament schedule — to the tournament site with you. Recommended snacks include fruit (oranges, grapes, apples), yogurt, bagels and cream cheese, carrots and celery sticks, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

For drinks, water is best for pre-game hydration, as it will restore fluids with overloading the body with sugar. During or in between games, sports drinks can help restore needed carbohydrates, while chocolate milk has been found to be an excellent source of proteins and fats to help your body recover at the end of a busy day. Avoid caffeine or carbonated beverages at all costs.

2. Don’t wait until the morning of the first game to start fueling your body.

What your player puts into their body in the

day or two before competing can have as much of an impact on their performance as what they eat and drink that day. Avoid too many fats and sugars in the days before competition, and focus on eating high-carb foods like pasta, rice, baked potatoes (without loads of butter and sour cream!), sandwiches or a non-sugared cereal like Corn Flakes.

3. Warm up and cool down One of the most common injuries during the summer tournament season are cramps.

Cramps are caused by fatigued muscles, and are exacerbated by heat.

One of the major causes of cramps is improper nutrition or hydration, both of which we’ve already addressed above. Another cause is overworking muscles that were not properly

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stretched or warmed-up before competition.

Spend 5-10 minutes loosening up your muscles with a mix of light jogging, dribbling, skipping or running backwards. When your muscles feel loose, take as much time as needed to properly stretch your calfs, hamstrings, lower back, hip, groin and side, finishing with your arms. It’s important to do the light jogging first, then stretch — stretching a cold, stiff muscle can lead to overstretching and injury.

Likewise, it’s just as important to cool down from competition as it is to warm up. A proper cool-down allows your body to begin recovery immediately, and keeps your muscles from stiffening up in the immediate time after competition. Your cool-down should be similar to your warm-up, about 10-15 minutes of light jogging and static stretching. And don’t

forget to replenish those proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

4. Beat the Heat One mistake that athletes commonly make at tournaments is to sit out in the sun between games, either relaxing or watching the other games. Heat drains energy from the body even when you’re not active, primarily by causing you to lose fluids through perspiration (thus leading to dehydration).

When you’re not competing, find a spot indoors, or in the shade, to rest between games.

Since not all tournaments will necessarily have such a location, bring a large umbrella or a small pop-up tent where you can sit out of the heat and make sure you’re ready to go for the next game.

Missouri Youth Soccer Sanctioned Tournaments LOCATION

DATES

EVENT

May 18-20

Sporting STL Premier Cup

May 18-20

H8 Cancer Classic

May 26-28

Gateway Memorial Classic

June 1-3

Salsa Soccer Tournament #25

Lee’s Summit

June 2-9

Missouri Summer State Cup

Creve Coeur

Aug. 10-12

Celtic Fall Pre-Season Kickoff

Cottleville

Aug. 17-19

Adam Ragsdale Memorial Cup

St. Charles

Aug. 24-26

NORCO Invitational

St. Charles

Sept. 1-3

Gallagher Friendlies

St. Louis

Sept. 7-9

Show-Me Showdown

O’Fallon

Sept. 14-16

20th Annual Tournament In The Woods

Raytown

Sept. 14-16

Mid-Missouri Classic

Columbia

Sept. 14-16

Missouri Invitational

St. Louis

Sept. 21-23

Panathinaikos International Super Cup

Sept. 28-30

Lou Fusz Fall Invitational

Oct. 5-7

St. Louis Scott Gallagher Fall Festival

Oct. 12-14

Sporting STL MetroFest 2018

Maryland Heights

Oct. 12-14

LCS Sport Shake Fall Classic

Springfield

Oct. 26-29

The Zombie Classic

Nov. 2-4

SLSG Girls Fall Classic & College Showcase

St. Louis

Nov. 3-4

Autumn Bash

Raytown

Nov. 9-11

Lou Fusz 7v7 & 9v9 Championships

St. Louis

Nov. 30-Dec. 2

Lou Fusz Winter Carnival

St. Louis

Maryland Heights Belton St. Louis

Maryland Heights St. Louis St. Louis

Sedalia

THE NETW RK

2018 MAY 11

FUN GAMES

WORLD

CUP

CHALLENGE 12

23

1

14

28

31

19 25

11

7 8

22

5

27

15

24 18

30

6 3

20

2

32 17

16 26

29

13

21

9

10

4

We’re just ONE MONTH AWAY from the most exciting sporting event in the world — the 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP! Before the tournament begins, we thought it would be fun to see how well you know the participating teams. Can you correctly identify the home countries of all 32 participating teams on a the world map? Use an atlas or globe if you need help! ___ Argentina

___ Egypt

___ Morocco

___ Senegal

___ Australia

___ England

___ Nigeria

___ Serbia

___ Belgium

___ France

___ Panama

___ South Korea

___ Brazil

___ Germany

___ Peru

___ Spain

___ Colombia

___ Iceland

___ Poland

___ Sweden

___ Costa Rica

___ Iran

___ Portugal

___ Switzerland

___ Croatia

___ Japan

___ Russia

___ Tunisia

___ Denmark

___ Mexico

___ Saudi Arabia

___ Uruguay

ANSWERS ON PAGE 3