Technical Report ‘86-‘87 Region 1 Girl’s ODP Team

2004 Orange Classic, Florida

Administrator: Charlotte Moran

Coaches: Sue Ryan, April Kater

Team administrators: Alex Gellately, Flo Egan

Athletic Trainer: Chris Haverty

Team Roster

Kathryn Alario NJ

Carly Dieter PA

Lauren Gamble MD

Sara Gully VA

Tami Krzeszewski PA

Ashely Lunemann NJ

Brynn McGrath NY

Lauren McAdams CT

Jamie Mize VA

Sarah Peteraf NH

Kelly Rozumalski NY

Michele Scifo NY

Hayley Siegel MD

Jesstine Wolfe MD

We arrived into Fort Lauderdale on Friday December 26, 2003. Players arrived throughout the day and we had our first group meal with both teams at 5:00 pm. Note: A ‘88/’89 team attended the event as well. After dinner Charlotte secured a field with lights so both teams could train and loosen up.

Friday Evening Training Session 7:30 pm- 9:00 pm

We started with a technical warm-up in groups of four, passing, moving and stretching for about 30 minutes. The players were a little tight after a long travel day.

We then asked the players to self-select positions for our first game. This would be the first in a series of questions we would pose throughout the weekend. April and I decided to dedicate the weekend to allowing the players to “self-coach” themselves with parameters from us.

We then played a 7 v 7 possession game where we did not allow any tackling. We focused on keeping the ball and communication.

We finished with a shadow training exercise to work on our shape. We gave the players a 4-4-2 formation and allowed them time to determine how they wanted to play within this system. They met in small groups and then came together to give us their decision. April and I then worked on this shape within the 4-4-2.

Setting the Stage

· We then went back to the hotel for a quick meeting to outline our expectations for the weekend. Our goal was to teach with a guided discovery and problem solving approach for the entire weekend. We organized the environment to allow the players to take more control and ownership over their own destiny. The following was our game plan.

· We would have a pre-game meeting prior to each game. I would give specific instructions and parameters and then leave. The team was then required to come up with team goals for the game, key points to focus on and the starting line-up.

· We would have a post game meeting after each game. The team was expected to come up with two or three things they did well and two or three things we needed to improve upon. We asked them to share with us their process of decision-making as it pertained to key adjustments in the game.

· We would have an individual conference with each player after the third game. Each player could ask for confidential feedback about the tournament or her soccer career at this time.

· The players would be solely responsible for their collective warm-up and cool-down before and after each game.

· The players would be responsible for their on time attendance at all meals, meetings, curfews and departure times.

· It was immediately apparent that some players were very excited about this approach and that others were suspicious of our motivation. Some were unfamiliar with taking more ownership over their growth and development.

· I also felt it would be a challenge for me to allow them to learn for themselves without constantly jumping in to “fix” things.

Game # 1 versus Greece Cobras

Key Points

Communicate with each other and rely on each other

Be willing to take risks

Accept new challenges

Be comfortable being uncomfortable

Act as a unit

Goals

Do not allow any goals

Score off a restart

Maintain more than 60% possession

Have each player contribute

We started the game in a 4-4-2. The field was a narrow field and not very long. We seemed a bit over anxious in the first 20 minutes. We were forcing the play and had trouble getting players forward and in the box. We found a better rhythm in the last part of the half but we were losing 1-0 at that point. We had many opportunities and could not finish.

My halftime talk concentrated on relaxing the players in this new environment. I asked them to have more patience and to weight their passes better. We discussed ways to use the flank more often. I tried to convince them to concentrate on the little things not the score or the final outcome.

We scored 5 goals in the second half and won 5-1. With 20 minutes left to play we switched to a 3-4-3 line-up. We expected the players to make adjustments on their own.

They did very well and April and I took note of who looked to the sideline for help versus who looked to their teammates. Our post game meeting dealt primarily with the 3-4-3 formation and how they adjusted to that change.

Game# 2 versus Team Boca

Key Points for the Game (as designed by the players)

Find Rhythm sooner

Move as a unit

Switch point of attack more often

Communicate

Get more numbers in the box on corners

Goals

Have 1 Goal after every 4 corners

Stop 80% of long balls by Boca

Score first

Win 85% of head balls

Win 75% of 50/50 balls

We started this game in a 3-5-2. The players made great adjustments to the shape and concentrated more on playing the game in a good shape then on positions. We were getting better with every half we played and the players were buying in to our approach. You had the sense this was a make it or break it day. We were getting very good leadership and communication and therefore the team was bonding well and relying on each other. Team Boca is a good team. They were hard and played with great energy.

My half time talk centered around how to prevent the Boca defenders from attacking from the back. I gave the team some input and allowed them time to talk. We had a great second half and won the game 1-0. Our post game meeting dealt mostly with their decision to switch back to a 4-4-2 in the second half. They felt the middle was too clogged on such a small field.

Game #3 versus Colorado Academy

Key Points

Dominate 50/50 balls and air balls

Play simply

Move the ball around more

Relax

Don’t force the play

Switch the point of attack to open up the field

Keep Balance

Do quick re-starts

Goals

Win 80% of all air balls

After every 3 corners score a goal

Score first

April and I gave the team the instruction of starting in a 3-4-3 in the first part of the pre-game meeting. We then left and they decided who would play where and who would start. A very interesting thing occurred early in this game. The other team came out in a 3 front. It was the first team to play with 3 forwards against us. After 4 ½ minutes, our team decided to switch to a four back system. This occurred with no input from the coaches. They had clearly decided to work together and accept our conditions.

We scored on a corner, which was something we had listed as our goal. They clearly were taking ownership over the goals they had decided upon on their own. This was not one of our best efforts. We were a little sluggish in this game and the three games in three days were starting to show. My halftime talk dealt mostly with defensive effort, which seemed to be the first thing to go when we started to get tired. Our post game meeting covered their decision to switch to the 4-4-2. We also talked about what it means to wear a Region1 uniform and the responsibilities that go along with it.

Game #4 versus Real Colorado

Key Points

High pressure defending

Moving off the ball

Communication

Goals

Convert on every 3 corners

Track all players on defense

Score first

We had made it into the semi-final and we were playing Real Colorado. We had not seen them play but understood that they are a very good team. We played in a 4-4-2, which now seemed to be the shape we were most comfortable in. The first half was played at a blistering pace. We were outplayed in the first 20 minutes and wrestled control of the game for the last 15 minutes of the half. I was very proud of our player’s effort. April conducted the halftime talk and we talked a lot about the physical nature of the game. It was very hard and intense.

We tied the game in the second half and went straight to penalty kicks. In their self-coaching style, the players took a piece of paper and decided on the kickers and the order.

We lost 4-3 in penalty kicks. Our goalkeeper gave a great effort and one player hit the post!

I was satisfied with the results for the weekend. I feel the players learned many valuable lessons which will continue to serve them throughout their soccer career. I also feel it was a very enjoyable weekend for all involved. I would like to thank Charlotte, Alex and Flo for doing a great job as the administration team for the event.