COACH HOUSEMAN'S SOCCER SITE

Coaching Soccer - 3 Basic Goals

I started coaching soccer in 1973.  Over the years, I have worked with a wide range of ages (kindergarten - high school); coached both boys and girls; and been involved with town, school, and club teams.  Although a lot has changed in 3+ decades, I still try to accomplish 3 basic goals during a season:

1. Teaching kids soccer.  I believe learning the game is more important than winning the game.  In my opinion, this approach fosters better player development and a more relaxed team atmosphere. 

2. Encouraging positve social behavior, such as: making and keeping good friends; supporting teammates; respecting adults; sportmanship; plus many other "life lessons".

3. Having a blast!!! It's my bottom line and hopefully it's yours.

Learning - Values - Fun --- The combination of all 3 builds a solid foundation for a successful season.  Winning games is just an unavoidable by-product.

 The Outdoor Classroom (click pic on left to enlarge) Instructions from Coach Houseman before a 2008 VSA league match - Mountain U14G vs. Soccer United U14G.  Players often ask questions or make their own coaching points - a real interactive classroom atmosphere.

Rutland County Soccer Club - Start of a New Season

RCSC "kicked off" its 2010 season with Player Evaluation Day at the Polo Fields on August 16th.  The older boys and girls participated (U13 and up) while the young groups (U12 and under) got together on August 23rd.  Current RCSC president Steve Schindler and board member Craig Breslen (picture on the left - click to enlarge) were on hand to register kids as they came onto the field. 

On that August day, twelve of the sixteen U13/14 girls from the 2009 season were on hand (foot) during the 1 1/2 hour evaluation process run by Coach Steve Houseman.   Altough the morning was incredibly hot, the girls gave a "kool" performance with some dribbling, passing, and ball striking exercises.  

During the fall, Coach Houseman attended 18 middle school matches to watch past RCSC U14G players demonstrate their soccer skills under game pressure.  In addition, he was able to find a number of new players who were unaware of the RCSC program.  

On October 25th, 34 eigth grade girls came together at the RCSC club fields.  Only 4 girls were unavailable due to prior family commitments.  Unlike the August 16th Player Evaluation Day, the October tryout was sunny, breezy, and in the mid-50's - perfect soccer weather.  As Coach Houseman ran skill specific drills, players were observed by:  

. Beth Horton - 2010 U14G Assitstant Coach/Arlington varsity player 
. Craig Breslen - RCSC Board Member
. Dick Williams - Otter Valley Union High School girls' varsity coach
. Lori McClellan - Rutland High School girls' varsity coach

Final team selection will be made by early November based on each player's ability (athletic and soccer skills) plus commitment to the team for the 2010 spring season. 

Rutland County Soccer Club - U12 Girls 2009

RCSC U12G 2009 squad is made up of 25 players from Rutland and surrounding Vermont towns.  The girls practice every Sunday afternoon during the winter at the Rutland Middle School gymnasium. Later, they will play a brief indoor season at the Field House (March-April) followed by an outdoor season competing in the Vermont Soccer League.  In addition, the RCSC will host its own tournament over the Memorial Day Weekend plus participate in other non-league tournament(s).  Shown here is a team picture taken at an early January practice.  Additional pics can be found in the right margin under RSCS Photo Album.  To enlarge this pic, just click.

Good luck to both the Blue and White teams!!!

Dribbling Basics

Dribbling is the foundation of good soccer skills.  The other skills (passing, receiving, shooting, and heading) are important but good dribbling gives you the confidence to do everything else well.  Without good dribbling, soccer becomes an endless game of “kickball”.

Here are 5 components of good dribbling: 

 

1.      Control

2.      Shielding

3.      Change of Direction

4.      Change of Speed

5.      Rhythm

 

I’m sure there are other components or other names for the ones listed above, but these 5 do it for me.

 

CONTROL

Let’s face it; dribbling is all about ball control.  It’s your ability to keep the ball at your feet and not let it get away from you.  In order to do this, you need to be able to use every part of your foot (outside, inside, soul, heel, and instep).  You also need to use both feet ---- the good foot and the not so good foot.  One footed soccer players are about as effective as one handed basketball players.  Finally, when you really get good, you will be able to do all of this while looking up instead of down at your feet (pic #1 of Mia).

The best way to master ball control, like anything else, is to practice a lot.  However, there is one simple aid that can accelerate the learning curve if you have patience.  The smaller the ball, the harder it is to dribble it.  Therefore, practice dribbling with a size #1 ball or even a tennis ball ---- a golf ball would be overdoing it.  This is a perfect exercise for indoors.  A small ball is a lot less destructive inside the house than a regular size soccer ball.  It’s the same concept that baseball players use when swinging a lead bat just before they step up to the plate (or a normal bat vs. a corked bat).

Once you've mastered your "ground stokes", start practicing your ball control skills in the air via juggling.  Ball juggling is an excellent way to improve your 1st touch capabilities with all body parts (please no hands).  Add a little music and you'll become a real "soccer hamm"(pic #4 of Mia).

SHIELDING

You don’t have to be a fancy dribbler to maintain ball possession.  Just block your opponent from getting to the ball.  This is legal if you have the ball; it’s called obstruction if you don’t. In order to do this you need to keep a body part between the ball and your opponent; such as, dribbling the ball with the outside of your feet (pic #2 of Mia). Of course, that's easier said than done.

Using the outside of your feet seems so awkward because most kids (and adults) walk like ducks --- toes pointed outwards.  And, if you walk like a duck you will dribble like a duck.  Duck dribbling is bad for 2 reasons.  First, it’s a slower way of moving the ball down field --- I can show you why in practice.  Second, it leaves the ball more exposed to your opponent; therefore you lose it!!!  It would be a lot better if we all walked like pigeons --- toes pointed inwards.  And, if you walk like a pigeon, you will dribble like a pigeon ---- using the outside of your feet. Therefore, practice walking like a pigeon at home --- at least keep your toes pointed straight ahead at first progressing to the pigeon look later.  This will seem totally weird at first, but keep trying.  Once your pigeon walk has become comfortable, try dribbling a ball with the outside of your feet --- it should be easier.  Use the “not so good” foot as well as the “good” foot.  Remember, if it was easy to begin with, everyone would be a pro.

 

CHANGE OF DIRECTION AND SPEED

How do you beat an opponent off the dribble?  Once you have the ball under control and shielded, then what?  Probably if you were Pele (my generation) or Mia Hamm (your generation), you would dribble the ball directly at your opponent and do some incredible move to leave her in the dust.  Well, let’s put that method on the back burner for awhile.

The easiest way to beat an opponent is to run away from her --- not at her.  Football players do this all the time to avoid being tackled.  Therefore, make life easy on yourself - dribble toward open space.  If necessary, you might have to create this space by doing 2 things --- change direction and change speed --- they go together like salt and pepper. Changing direction and speed causes your opponent to become hesitant and unbalanced, giving you the edge.  And once you have the edge, fire your jets and leave your opponent behind (pic #3 of Mia).  IT REALLY WORKS!!! 

Dribbling moves like soul in and out, pullbacks, hooks, step overs, scissors, etc. are all about changing direction.  Practice at home by setting up an obstacle course (anything from socks to chairs) and do your moves --- accelerate coming out of each turn --- just like a NASCAR driver. However, avoid the crash and burn!!!

 

RHYTHM

The next time you’re riding a chairlift at Bromley, Stratton, Okemo, or Mount Snow, watch the skiers/snowboarders coming down.  The good ones have rhythm; the not so good ones battle the slope.  Michael Jordan (basketball), Tiger Woods (golf), and Alex Rodriguez (baseball), and Mia Hamm(soccer) are poetry in motion.   I have always enjoyed watching an ESPN clip of these great athletes while a contemporary tune is played in the background.  They dribble, shoot, swing, and catch without missing a beat.

A good way to develop rhythm is to play music while practicing your soccer moves or juglling (pic #4 o Mia).  “Soccer Aerobics” is fun and improves your coordination and rhythm.  So, start blasting Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus, or Frank Sinatra (?) as you do the soul, the step over, the pullback, the scissors, and the pigeon.  As you listen to the music, feel the ball rather than kick it --- don’t look at the ball as much as possible (pic #1 of Mia).  I guarantee, once you get that rhythm, your soccer ability will explode. 

That's it --- just 5 basic "steps" to good dribbling.  Master each one and you'll be "waltzing" your way around the soccer field.   Hey, with a lot of practice, you may start to look like you know who???  MIA AND I CAN HARDLY WAIT !!!

 

by Steve Houseman

 

Video Clips - Adrian Heath demonstrates the basics of dribbling (click dribbling basics ).  When you've nailed down these basics, try some of these combination moves shown on Inside Soccer.com:  body fake, scissor dribble, double scissor dribble, inside outside dribble, inside outside with a hop dribble, double touch dribble, Maradona dribble, Ronoldo dribble.

 

To return to this website, use the back arrow on your web browser.

 

 

AS ALWAYS - WATCH, PRACTICE, and have FUN!!!

 

by Coach Houseman

 

The Final Pass

David (Ginger) Baker (MLS instructor – not the drummer with The Cream) told me a few years ago that British coaches generally don’t teach shooting until the U14 level.  Why?  According to Ginger, shooting is nothing but the final pass into the back of the net.  Therefore, good passers make good goal scorers.  This parallels my thinking going way back to my college days.  Eric Luce, the goalie on that college team, told me ball placement rather than power gave him nightmares.  Here are some bullet points on how to score from an old time goalie (Eric) and old time striker (me).

1. When you’re inside the penalty box, shoot don’t pass to a teammate.  This is the scoring zone – not the passing zone.  Obviously, there are exceptions to this rule.

2. Take a peek at the goalie before shooting --- shoot past her rather than at her.

3. Go far post rather than near post.  A good goalie always has the near post covered + far post shots often lead to rebounds.

4. The goalie has one advantage over every other player on the field --- she can use her hands.  Ground shots minimize this advantage.  Ground shots also lead to a lot of rebounds.

5. Don’t blast the ball.  Power shots are usually inaccurate and unnecessary.  Remember, 100% of shots over the crossbar or wide of the goal posts are goal kicks rather than goals.  Also, shots directly at the keeper rarely go in.  I’ve never seen a goalie with a “ball hole” in her body.

6. Mentally stay composed.  Don’t rush your shot but don’t pose for pictures either. 

In summary, a good shot is nothing but a good pass.  Pretend you’re passing to a teammate who is standing behind the keeper.  You have played soccer monkey-in-the-middle many times in practice.  However, when that monkey becomes a goalie, our “passing composure” melts into “scoring panic”.   Try to stay cool.  Don't blast the ball (like the cartoon above) but pass the ball into the back of the net - like our little friend pictured on the right.

 

by Coach Houseman

 

Video Clip 

Building on the basics outlined above, click here to get some additional tips from RSL.  As always, WATCH - LEARN - HAVE FUN!!!

 

 

 

David (Ginger) Baker (MLS instructor – not the drummer with The Cream) told me a few years ago that British coaches generally don’t teach shooting until the U14 level.  Why?  According to Ginger, shooting is nothing but the final pass into the back of the net.  Therefore, good passers make good goal scorers.  This parallels my thinking going way back to my college days.  Eric Luce, the goalie on that college team, told me ball placement rather than power gave him nightmares.  Here are some bullet points on how to score from an old time goalie (Eric) and old time striker (me).

1. When you’re inside the penalty box, shoot don’t pass to a teammate.  This is the scoring zone – not the passing zone.  Obviously, there are exceptions to this rule.

2. Take a peek at the goalie before shooting --- shoot past her rather than at her.

3. Go far post rather than near post.  A good goalie always has the near post covered + far post shots often lead to rebounds.

4. The goalie has one advantage over every other player on the field --- she can use her hands.  Ground shots minimize this advantage.  Ground shots also lead to a lot of rebounds.

5. Don’t blast the ball.  Power shots are usually inaccurate and unnecessary.  Remember, 100% of shots over the crossbar or wide of the goal posts are goal kicks rather than goals.  Also, shots directly at the keeper rarely go in.  I’ve never seen a goalie with a “ball hole” in her body.

6. Mentally stay composed.  Don’t rush your shot but don’t pose for pictures either. 

In summary, a good shot is nothing but a good pass.  Pretend you’re passing to a teammate who is standing behind the keeper.  You have played soccer monkey-in-the-middle many times in practice.  However, when that monkey becomes a goalie, our “passing composure” melts into “scoring panic”.   Try to stay cool.  Don't blast the ball (like the cartoon above) but pass the ball into the back of the net - like our little friend pictured on the right.

 

by Coach Houseman

 

Video Clip 

Building on the basics outlined above, click here to get some additional tips from RSL.  As always, WATCH - LEARN - HAVE FUN!!!

 

The Instep Kick

Using Pics of Mia Hamm To Demo

UNDERSTANDING THE BALL

   - Equator - divides ball into top half and bottom half

   - Divider - divides ball into left half and right half

   - Sweet Spot - center of ball where equator and divider cross; strike the ball here and the ball will fly straight

         

UNDERSTANDING YOUR FEET

 

   Seven Main Foot Parts:

 

   1. THE INSIDE OF THE FOOT  

      - Most accurate

      - Largest surface area

      - Not the most powerful

   2. THE INSIDE TOP OF THE FOOT 

  - The top side where your big toe (knucle) joins your foot 

  - Used for chipping (leaning back) or a power shot (leaning forward) 

   3. THE INSTEP 

   - the top side of the foot (shoe laces)

   - most powerful for driving the ball      

   4. THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR FOOT

      - Excellent for push passing on the run

  - Also used for slicing/swerving power shots

   5. SOUL

  - Used for receiving (trap) or dribbling (e,g, pullback or soul roll)

   6. TOES

  - Used for poking the ball during a scoring opportunity or defending 1v1

   7. HEEL

  - Great for a well disquised back pass

 

UNDERSTANDING THE LEG SWING FOR AN INSTEP KICK:

 

1. Sit on the ground.

• Lift your right leg and point your right foot as much as you can.
• Really feel the stretch on the top of your foot.
• Make a fist with your foot. Do the same with your left foot.

2. Stand up with knees slightly bent (you may wish to use a wall or a chair to help you balance).

• Really point your foot.
• Keep your head forward over your knee.
• Take your thigh back and swing it forward. Your leg swings straight to the target and not across your body.
• Knee is bent and lifted. 
• Repeat several times with both legs.

When your foot comes through, brush the grass with the tip of your big toe. This is the point where your leg has maximum acceleration. This is where you want to contact the ball for the most power. If your foot is too high you will hit the ball with your toe which means less power. Swing from the hip and use your thigh muscles. Power comes from a good back lift and the leg swinging through.

 

WHAT ABOUT MOMENTUM?

 

Now we will add momentum for more power. Momentum is the force you get when traveling at speed in a certain direction and continuing to move in the same direction. Your body weight adds power.

- Stand in a ready balanced position with knees slightly bent

- Take the leg back and swings through

- Allow your body to follow your leg

- Knee lifts up toward the chest before coming down to the ground (this will help keep the ball low).

- Land on the kicking foot.

 

ADD THE RUN UP TO YOUR INSTEP KICK TECHNIQUE

 

Pick a spot on the ground to be your “ball” OR a light foam ball or balloon.

 

GOOD TECHNIQUE:

- Eye on the ball

- Head down and forward

- Good back lift - bringing thigh way back

- Toe pointed (push toes down inside show - make a fist)

- Toe down (brush the grass)

- Knee up and over the ball

- Body’s momentum traveling through the kick

- Land forward on kicking foot

 

BAD TECHNIQUE TO AVOID:

- Not looking at the ball when you kick it - makes it difficult to contact the sweet spot

- Head back, knee not over the ball - ball will not stay low and you will lose power

- Not bringing thigh way back

- Bending at the knee like a chip shot instead of swinging from the hip

-Toe comes up (not pointed)

- Leg staying straight instead of knee coming up toward chest

-Landing with weight back or not landing on kicking foot (you lose power - not taking advantage of body’s  momentum)

 

NOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND GOOD TECHNIQUE, WE CAN BREAK DOWN THE INSTEP KICK INTO 4 STEPS:

• Approach
• Foot Placement
• Contact
• Follow Through

APPROACH

• Come at the ball from an slight angle.
• Hips face target. If you swing around the ball, it’s hard to make good contact with the ball.
• Hips and momentum going toward the target.

FOOT PLACEMENT

• . Ankle next to the ball to allow down swinging leg to impact the ball at maximum speed.  If your foot is way behind the ball you will end up kicking with your toes
• If the ball is rolling forward, step ahead of the ball so your ankle is next to the ball by the time the shooting leg swings through.  However, if the ball is rolling toward you, plant your non-kicking foot early and behind the ball. 
• Just like making a push pass, the plant foot should be pointed at your intended shooting target.

CONTACT (The point at which your foot meets the ball) 

• Look at the ball.
• Keep your ankle locked and toes pointed down (make a fist with your toes).

FOLLOW THROUGH

• Keep the toes of your kicking foot pointed down as long as possible.
• Throw your kicking foot at the target - not across your body.
• Strike, land and just keep going without slowing down. This is important for two reasons: 1) You will get more power in your shot because your full body weight is powering through the ball. 2) You are following your kick to support your teammates or you are on your way to the goal for a rebound if the keeper pushes the ball away or if the ball hits the post.

 

NOW ADD A BALL:  You are ready to practice the complete instep kick technique from start to finish!

• Place a ball in front of your target.  As you are backing up, pick your target.
• Think of your technique.
• Run through, strike with momentum and continue running after the kick.
• Just look at Mia's follow through - body is erect; not leaning back - shoulders are square to the target - kicking foot is being "thrown" at the target (not across her body).  You can almost hear the sound of KABOOM (instep) rather than BOINK (toes).

  Remember, the instep kick is a very special kick that takes a lot of repetition and practice to learn. Don’t be overwhelmed. During the season, we will be taking lots of photos of each player making an instep kick.  These pics will be posted in an album entitled "In Step Kick - Mia and You (right margin).  By breaking down the kick you can practice one aspect at a time. You can also recognize both good and bad technique so that you can correct yourself. Afer a lot of practice, the basic leg swing with momentum will feel more natural and less awkward. Eventually it will all come together and you will have that great feeling when you send the ball sailing through the air!

by Coach Houseman and Allison Labate

Video Clip - Adrian Heath demonstrates the instep kick technique.  Please click the following link and enjoy. 

instep kick

 

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Learning To Juggle - Step By Step (Beginners)

Learning to juggle is not easy but “Bounce Juggling” is a great way to start! When you practice juggling, you are actually developing many very important soccer skills, so you will become a better player! These skills include:

·        good first touch and soft touch

·        eye/foot coordination

·        focus on the ball

·        ball control

·        good ball contact with foot

·        balance and body control

·        concentration

 

It is easiest to bounce juggle on a hard flat surface like a garage floor or a driveway, but if one of these is not available, pick the flattest area of ground you can. You may wish to start with a ball that is slightly under-inflated as it is a little easier to control.

Each time you practice juggling follow a sequence, such as the one listed below, where each step gets a little harder. Complete each step before moving on to the next. It may take a few practice sessions to move on to the next step.

                                                                                                                                                         

PHASE 1 (Practice):

 

Toss the ball in the air and let it bounce. Then tap the ball back up into the air with your instep (laces) and catch it. We will call this Bounce- Foot- Catch. First you will be counting catches, and later you will be counting kicks.

1. Good Foot --- Bounce Foot Catch --- 10 catches in a row (if you miss a catch, start over again)
2. Not So Good Foot (opposite foot)---- Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

3. Alternate Left and Right Feet--- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

4. Alternate Left and Right Feet --- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

5. Alternate Left and Right Feet --- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row.

  

LEVEL 1 (Competition):  Bounce Foot Bounce Foot … until you reach at least 10 “kicks” in a row, alternating feet, and ending with a catch.

                                                                                                                                                         

LEVEL 2 (Competition):  Bounce Foot Bounce Foot … until you reach at least 20 “kicks” in a row, alternating feet, and ending with a catch.                                                                                                                                                            

When you reach Level 1 and each consecutive level, show the coaching staff before or after practice.  Your picture and level of expertise will be posted on this website.

 

Tips:

 

·        Concentrate on making a good toss so the ball bounces straight up in front of you, about an arm’s length away and about waist height. A not so good toss makes it very difficult to complete a controlled first kick.

·        Use an athletic stance with knees slightly bent, head up and arms out for balance. Stay relaxed.

·        Move your feet to position your body so you are not reaching for the ball or crowding yourself by being too close to the ball. The center of your body should face the ball.

·        Bend the knee of your kicking foot and lock your ankle (keep it solid - don’t flick).

·        Use the center of your instep (laces) to tap the center bottom of the ball. The contact point on your foot should be parallel to the ground so the ball will go straight up into the air.

·        Try not to put spin on the ball.

·        Tap the ball up about chest to head high and about an arm’s length away.   

by Coach Houseman and Allison Labate

Learning to juggle is not easy but “Bounce Juggling” is a great way to start! When you practice juggling, you are actually developing many very important soccer skills, so you will become a better player! These skills include:

·        good first touch and soft touch

·        eye/foot coordination

·        focus on the ball

·        ball control

·        good ball contact with foot

·        balance and body control

·        concentration

 

It is easiest to bounce juggle on a hard flat surface like a garage floor or a driveway, but if one of these is not available, pick the flattest area of ground you can. You may wish to start with a ball that is slightly under-inflated as it is a little easier to control.

Each time you practice juggling follow a sequence, such as the one listed below, where each step gets a little harder. Complete each step before moving on to the next. It may take a few practice sessions to move on to the next step.

                                                                                                                                                         

PHASE 1 (Practice):

 

Toss the ball in the air and let it bounce. Then tap the ball back up into the air with your instep (laces) and catch it. We will call this Bounce- Foot- Catch. First you will be counting catches, and later you will be counting kicks.

1. Good Foot --- Bounce Foot Catch --- 10 catches in a row (if you miss a catch, start over again)
2. Not So Good Foot (opposite foot)---- Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

3. Alternate Left and Right Feet--- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

4. Alternate Left and Right Feet --- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

5. Alternate Left and Right Feet --- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row.

  

LEVEL 1 (Competition):  Bounce Foot Bounce Foot … until you reach at least 10 “kicks” in a row, alternating feet, and ending with a catch.

                                                                                                                                                         

LEVEL 2 (Competition):  Bounce Foot Bounce Foot … until you reach at least 20 “kicks” in a row, alternating feet, and ending with a catch.                                                                                                                                                            

When you reach Level 1 and each consecutive level, show the coaching staff before or after practice.  Your picture and level of expertise will be posted on this website.

 

Tips:

 

·        Concentrate on making a good toss so the ball bounces straight up in front of you, about an arm’s length away and about waist height. A not so good toss makes it very difficult to complete a controlled first kick.

·        Use an athletic stance with knees slightly bent, head up and arms out for balance. Stay relaxed.

·        Move your feet to position your body so you are not reaching for the ball or crowding yourself by being too close to the ball. The center of your body should face the ball.

·        Bend the knee of your kicking foot and lock your ankle (keep it solid - don’t flick).

·        Use the center of your instep (laces) to tap the center bottom of the ball. The contact point on your foot should be parallel to the ground so the ball will go straight up into the air.

·        Try not to put spin on the ball.

·        Tap the ball up about chest to head high and about an arm’s length away.   

by Coach Houseman and Allison Labate

Learning to juggle is not easy but “Bounce Juggling” is a great way to start! When you practice juggling, you are actually developing many very important soccer skills, so you will become a better player! These skills include:

·        good first touch and soft touch

·        eye/foot coordination

·        focus on the ball

·        ball control

·        good ball contact with foot

·        balance and body control

·        concentration

 

It is easiest to bounce juggle on a hard flat surface like a garage floor or a driveway, but if one of these is not available, pick the flattest area of ground you can. You may wish to start with a ball that is slightly under-inflated as it is a little easier to control.

Each time you practice juggling follow a sequence, such as the one listed below, where each step gets a little harder. Complete each step before moving on to the next. It may take a few practice sessions to move on to the next step.

                                                                                                                                                         

PHASE 1 (Practice):

 

Toss the ball in the air and let it bounce. Then tap the ball back up into the air with your instep (laces) and catch it. We will call this Bounce- Foot- Catch. First you will be counting catches, and later you will be counting kicks.

1. Good Foot --- Bounce Foot Catch --- 10 catches in a row (if you miss a catch, start over again)
2. Not So Good Foot (opposite foot)---- Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

3. Alternate Left and Right Feet--- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

4. Alternate Left and Right Feet --- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row

5. Alternate Left and Right Feet --- Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Bounce Foot Catch - 10 catches in a row.

  

LEVEL 1 (Competition):  Bounce Foot Bounce Foot … until you reach at least 10 “kicks” in a row, alternating feet, and ending with a catch.

                                                                                                                                                         

LEVEL 2 (Competition):  Bounce Foot Bounce Foot … until you reach at least 20 “kicks” in a row, alternating feet, and ending with a catch.                                                                                                                                                            

When you reach Level 1 and each consecutive level, show the coaching staff before or after practice.  Your picture and level of expertise will be posted on this website.

 

Tips:

 

·        Concentrate on making a good toss so the ball bounces straight up in front of you, about an arm’s length away and about waist height. A not so good toss makes it very difficult to complete a controlled first kick.

·        Use an athletic stance with knees slightly bent, head up and arms out for balance. Stay relaxed.

·        Move your feet to position your body so you are not reaching for the ball or crowding yourself by being too close to the ball. The center of your body should face the ball.

·        Bend the knee of your kicking foot and lock your ankle (keep it solid - don’t flick).

·        Use the center of your instep (laces) to tap the center bottom of the ball. The contact point on your foot should be parallel to the ground so the ball will go straight up into the air.

·        Try not to put spin on the ball.

·        Tap the ball up about chest to head high and about an arm’s length away.   

BBC Soccer Site

Here's a website that has some cool info and video clips on basic soccer skills.  If anything, the English accent is always entertaining.  Enjoy the

BBC Sport Website

 

Coach Houseman

As you know, I'm a big believer in keeping the lines of communication wide open.  If you have any questions, concerns, comments, etc., I can be reached as follows:

• email - steve@gatehousefinancial.com (this email address can be accessed on the main page -  left margin at the top)
• Business Phone Number (Monday - Friday; 8:30am to closing) 802-362-5544
• Home Phone Number (evenings and weekends) 802-362-5499
• In person - players get the "added bonus" of my clipboard and diagrams - ugh!

As you know, I'm a big believer in keeping the lines of communication wide open.  If you have any questions, concerns, comments, etc., I can be reached as follows:

• email - steve@gatehousefinancial.com (this email address can be accessed on the main page -  left margin at the top)
• Business Phone Number (Monday - Friday; 8:30am to closing) 802-362-5544
• Home Phone Number (evenings and weekends) 802-362-5499
• In person - players get the "added bonus" of my clipboard and diagrams - ugh!

VSL & VSA

The Vermont Soccer League (VSL) website is used for the following:

• Green Mountain League Outdoor Game Schedules
• League Standings
• Field Directions

The Vermont Soccer Associaiton (VSA) website is used to view the Vermont State Cup playoff brackets among other things.

The Vermont Soccer League (VSL) website is used for the following:

• Green Mountain League Outdoor Game Schedules
• League Standings
• Field Directions

The Vermont Soccer Associaiton (VSA) website is used to view the Vermont State Cup playoff brackets among other things.

2009 RCSC U12 Girls Blue Team

Shown here is a picture of the 2009 Rutland County Soccer Club U12 Girls Blue Team taken after their first outdoor Vermont Soccer League game at Tree Farm fields in Essex VT - Saturday May 2nd. 

To enlarge - click on the pic.

It was a sunny and breezy day in the high 50s/low 60s - perfect soccer weather.  The girls responded by posting a 3-1 victory over the Nordic U11 girls.  Regardless of the outcome, the team and parents quickly moved on to a more satisfying win - ice cream at Friendlies!!!  It all goes to prove that soccer (or any sport) is just a medium for having FAMILY FUN.

Lucky 13 - Although there are 14 girls in the picture, Ellie joins the RCSC White Team after this game.  Good luck Ellie!!! 

Coaching Staff (not shown in the picture) - Coach Houseman and Assistant Coaches Callie (BBA freshman) and Beth (Arlington High School freshman). This means that there is a coach for roughly every four girls - a player/coach ratio not seen at most summer soccer sports camps!!!