Do you believe you have what it takes to play division one college soccer? Are you willing to put forth the time and the effort to get there? If you have the desire, the belief, and the willingness to work, I may have a proposal for you!

The first of the year, January 1, 2010, The Ultimate Internet Marketing, Training and Services Company and The Ultimate Athletic Training Company will offer The Ultimate Package! The Ultimate Package is designed for the best of the best…or those who see themselves in that light and are willing to commit the time and effort to get there. We are going to select a very small and exclusive group of soccer athletes, male and female, work with them mentally and physically, and then walk our clients, the best of the best, through the entire recruitment process, from first contact to signing day.

The Ultimate Package is just that, the ultimate program for the ultimate soccer athlete, and only serious athletes and serious inquiries will be considered. The ultimate package includes a soccer-specific, sex-specific strength and fitness program, a soccer-specific endurance program, a mental preparation program, including goal setting and time management, and a DI college and university soccer recruitment program.

The Ultimate Soccer Training and Recruitment Program, its actual name, will take you through the entire process and, if you follow our process to the letter, your chances of winning a soccer sholarship and playing DI college soccer will be enhanced many times over!

We feel we must focus on the younger soccer athletes because the reality is that by the junior year, and certainly by the senior year, most soccer athletes have already been identified and contacted. We hope to offset this by starting early and initiating contact with the goal schools.

We will go into greater detail once we establish an application pool and begin to interview prospective clients. I look forward to revealing more in the coming days and hope to see your application soon!

Happy Holidays!

Coach Z

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr.
216-712-6526 (home)
216-539-7412 (office and voicemail 24/7)
Skype: johnzajaros1
coachz@ultimatesoccertraining.com
excellencepaidforward@gmail.com (application email)

PS, I have been training top-tier amateur and professional athletes for 30 years. I will only consider totally committed athletes, as anything less than the ultimate commitment guarantees only one thing…failure! Get an application in and we will discuss what it will take to make it, and take it, to the next level!

Tags: college soccer, sex-specific soccer-specific strength and fitness training, soccer-specific fitness training, soccer-specific strength training, Soccer-Specific Training & Building a Champion, The Ultimate Package

An adequate warm-up program is an important part of any stretching and flexibility regime. The right balance of warm-up and stretching an integral part of any soccer-specific strength and fitness training program. Injury prevention is a crucial consideration and and important reason for an individualized warm up, stretching, and flexibility program. Prior to initiating a workout program, a routine soccer practice or a match, the soccer athlete must be warmed up and have stretched for a period of between 15 and 30 minutes, not only to reduce the risk of injury, but to improve training results and match performance.

The proper warm-up routine has several important elements. The elements of a properly structured warm-up and stretching regimen must be integrated into a holistic strategy designed to properly engage all of the various muscles of the body in such a way as to be ready for peak performance prior to the workout, practice or competition. Every muscle and muscle group must be working together and fully warmed up in order to reduce the chance of injury, regardless of whether it is due to stress, strain or trauma.

Why is warming up so vital to the overall success of a training program?

Proper warm-up before training is important for a number of reasons and is responsible for a myriad of benefits. The properly designed warm-up routine prepares the athlete, physically and mentally, for peak performance and for strenuous, physical and mental exertion. While there are many reasons for this, the most important may be the fact that warm-up increases the body’s metabolism and core temperature. As a consequence of an overall increase in temperature, there is accordingly an increase in the temperature of the various muscles involved in training and competition. Increased muscle temperature, and the associated increase in blood flow, allows for muscles that are ready for strenuous activity, being oxygenated, fully fueled, and supple. Additionally, the warm-up will also have a positive, overall cardiovascular effect, increasing both heart and lung function and allowing for more complete delivery of oxygen and energy-providing nutrients to the musculature during periods of peak demand. Once again, this has a ripple effect and the connective tissue, so at risk during periods of strenuous activity, to be warmed up and prepared for activity prior to the workout or competition. The latter is vitally important, as many sports-related injuries are connective tissue based, as in ACL injuries!

How to Develop a Warm-up Program for a Soccer-Related Strength and Fitness Training Program

There are several factors and considerations that come into play when designing a soccer-related strength and fitness training program. Along with diet and nutrition, warm-up, stretching, and flexibility are crucial to the overall success of the program. For that reason, we will spend quite a bit of time on the proper warm-up design and integration in this article.
It goes without saying, or should anyway, that it is very important to begin with the simplest and gentlest movements and tasks first. The idea is to move from one motion and movement to the next, an overall build taking place, and once again a ripple effect leading to a fully engorged and oxygenated musculature prior to strenuous activity. The process of easy to difficult, slow to faster motions and activities, each building and compounding upon the other, fully engaging the athlete’s body and optimizing performance regardless of the task involved.

The body, if properly engaged and warmed up, will be at its mental and physical peak prior to strenuous activity and the demands of soccer-related performance, whether for strength and fitness training, practice or match play. With the body at peak readiness, optimally engaged mentally and physically, the likelihood of soccer-specific, sports-related injuries will have been minimized and the soccer athlete can continue into the training or the competitive area fully prepared. The next step, now that we understand why…is how!

The Four Components of an Effective Soccer-Specific Strength and Fitness Training Warm-up

The first stage is a general, overall warm-up program. The second stage is static stretching and differs from the third stage, that of soccer-specific stretching and warm-up. The fourth stage is dynamic stretching, stretching used to engage and involve the entire musculature, synergistically. The four components are equally crucial to the overall success of the program, one building upon the other, all equally vital. The components come together, in very much the same way as muscles do, synergistically, all four working in unison to prepare the body, physically and mentally; and, also preparing the soccer-athlete for whatever is to come. Once again, this process is designed to ensure the soccer-athlete has minimal exposure and consequently risk of sports-related injuries.

Stage One: Overall and General Strength and Fitness Training Warm-up

The overall, general warm-up consists of mild, minimally demanding physical activity. I recommend jogging, no faster that a brisk walk, generally for 400 meters or one-quarter of a mile. We then jump on the stationary bike, increasing the intensity and duration from a low tension setting and a duration 2 minutes, to a high of medium range tension for up to 20 minutes; and, in winter we start off with the stationary bike. The level of difficulty and the length of time on the bike is usually determined during testing and is determined by the soccer-athlete’s overall level of fitness. A good indicator that the athlete is starting to warm-up is a moderate sweat and perhaps an elevated heart rate and respiration. The heart rate and respiration are usually tracked by chart at the onset of the program and then weekly; this will help in establishing overall training results, and also will aid in watching for signs of overtraining.

The primary goal of stage one is to increase the pulse and respiration, an indication that blood and oxygen are being moved at a faster rate through the body. As stated, increased heart rate and respiration will thus increase blood flow to the muscles and provide for oxygenation and energy supply to the muscles during strenuous physical training. The increased blood flow and nutrients to the muscles also helps elevate the overall body and muscle temperature; and, this in turn will provide for a better static stretching stage.

Stage Two: Stepping it Up and Static Stretching

Stage two is the static stretching phase and is really the basis for overall flexibility. Given the importance of the static stretch, and of flexibility in general, it is always interesting how few soccer-athletes engage in it…or any other stretching routine for that matter. Static stretching is slow, easy, and constant stretching of the various muscles groups and is usually quite safe; and, it is a very efficient and effective means of achieving overall flexibility. The biggest issue with stretching is in the form and the carry out, how the stretches are actually carried out. The proper way is in a long, ballistic-free motion, one of constant and applied pressure to a specific muscle or group of muscles. If done properly, the static stretch is very safe and quite beneficial. During the second stage of the warm-up and stretching program, the static stretch must include the various major muscle groups, working from largest to smallest muscles groups and then back again. The entire regimen will generally last from five to fifteen minutes, at first; and, taking somewhat less time as training progresses.

In order to properly stretch the muscles during the static phase of stretching, the athlete’s body must be in a position in which the muscle or muscle group is under constant, applied tension. To begin with, the muscle or muscle group to be statically stretched is relaxed. Additionally, the opposing muscles are also relaxed. The opposing muscles consist of those muscles “in front of” and “behind” the target muscle or muscle group. Then, carefully and with deliberation, the athlete slowly and carefully places the body under pressure, with emphasis on the area to be stretched, increasing overall tension to the muscle, or muscle group. At the point of greatest tension, the stretch is held in place, allowing the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to stretch and, when possible, to lengthen. This stage of the soccer-related, strength and fitness training program is extremely effective in advancing flexibility. Stage two assists in lengthening muscles and tendons, and in a synergistic fashion impacts ligaments too. The static stretching allows for a greater degree of movement and range of motion. This stage is crucial in sports-related injury prevention, as it, once again allows for a strengthening, as well as the aforementioned lengthening of muscles and tendons.

Stage one and stage two form the foundation for what will follow. The first through fourth stages form an overall and effective soccer-specific warm-up and stretching program. The overall warm-up and stretching program thus laying the basis for the training to follow. It is crucial that the first two stages be completed completely and in the proper fashion before increasing the intensity and moving into stages three and four. The correct implementation of stages one and two will provide for safe and effective exercise in stages three and four.

Stage Three: Soccer-Specific Stretch and Warm-up

Generally, if the focus of the warm-up and stretching was on practice and match play, we would now move to paired stretches and various warm-ups designed to be competition-specific. However, because this is primarily focused on strength and fitness training for soccer-athletes, we usually up the level of the stretching to include another round of static stretching, followed by a number of isotonic-related stretches. The primary focus in stage three must be inside out, largest to smallest and back in. That is, for the upper body a series of stretches including the back, chest, shoulders, triceps, biceps, forearms, wrists, and hands. The neck is very important and great care must be taken when stretching the neck for obvious, and not so obvious reasons. The neck has a number of very small muscles and muscles groups but, as Woody Hayes once pointed out to me, “as the neck goes, so goes the body.” While Coach Hayes is obviously a legendary football coach, but his lesson was not lost on his student (your’s truly). The neck should always get special attention and, as a soccer player, the neck plays so many roles, its importance cannot be overstated. After the upper body and the neck, the lower body is next. Included in the lower body are stretches for the gluteus maximus and minimus, the hips, quadraceps, hamstrings, calves, ankles, and feet. Finally, the abdominals must be focused on, and they get special attention because, like the neck, they are a determining factor in the overall performance of the body.

Obviously, the stretching program can and often does take up an entire workout session, particularly at first and until the routine is set. There are myriad stretches available and any number of them will suffice. However, if you would like to have a personalized program, one effective and designed just for you, you must engage the services of an experienced, and knowledgeable (they are not always the same), strength and fitness coach, one experienced in dealing with soccer-athletes, in particular.

By the time the athlete has completed stage three, he or she should be perspiring and their heart rate and respiration should be significantly elevated. The idea is to integrate the warm-up and stretching into the overall conditioning program is such a way that it has a number of cascading affects and effects on the body of the athlete, all with one thing in mind, optimizing overall development and match performance gains. In other words, it is my desire to see them be able to put it on the pitch!

Stages Four: Soccer-Related Strength and Fitness Training, Warm-up and Dynamic Stretching

Ultimately, the proper warm-up must culminate in a series of exercises known as dynamic stretching exercises or simply as dynamic stretches. Significantly, dynamic stretches often result in injury. The main reason for the high incidence of injuries due to dynamic stretching has to do with athletes who are not trained properly by coaches who are experienced in working with soccer athletes, or athletes in general, or the athletes themselves simply do not adhere to training guidelines. For the reasons stated above, dynamic stretching should only be engaged in when training with a competent strength and fitness instructor; and, not just someone who likes to work out and thought it might be a great business to get into! Dynamic stretching has to do with what I refer to as neuro-muscular coordination and is about muscle conditioning, rather than simply flexibility, as the name would seem to imply. The dynamic stretch regimen is usually designed and best suited for top-level amateur and professional soccer-athletes, those individuals who are well-trained, and are highly-conditioned, competitive athletes. A dynamic stretch routine is usually implemented as a final, ultimate step in a flexibility program adhered to for quite some time and it is obvious to trainer and trainee that the “next-level” is appropriate.

Dynamic stretching usually involves controlled movement, a bouncing or pendulum motion, forcing the muscle beyond its normal range of motion. Gradually and over time the degree of bounce and the range of the swing is heightened and increased to achieve an exaggerated range of motion and enhanced flexibility. The best example of this done in an incorrect fashion may be when young athletes attempt to stretch their hamstrings, one foot crossed in front of the other, bouncing up and down to stretch the biceps femoris. Done in this fashion, the young athlete may cause a micro-tearing of the hamstring and risk serious injury. But they see others do it and they model the behavior. A recipe for disaster…or at the very least a blown hamstring! During stage four, it is crucial that the athlete integrate dynamic stretches that are soccer-specific. Stage four the culmination of the soccer-specific, warm-up, stretching and flexibility program and will result in the soccer-athlete achieving peak mental and physical preparation prior to training and/or match play. At this point in the training session, the trainee is prepared for the what will come next, the rigors of an intense soccer-specific, strength and fitness training program.

Finally, the most neglected aspect of any training regimen, the warm-up and stretching, must come first. Without adequate preparation, both physical and mental, the soccer-athlete cannot hope to achieve peak performance and optimal training gains. The four stage training program is a workout in and of itself and will generally take between twenty-five and forty-five minutes to work through. As the trainee becomes used to the routine, its system and its rigors, the amount of time it takes to get through it is lessened. Interestingly, as time lessens, intensity increases…but so does the fitness level of the athlete. So, when integrating and off-season, soccer-specific strength and fitness training program into your training routine, it is imperative you recognize the importance of diet and nutrition, combined with a proper warm-up and flexibility regimen. With the above two components in place, we are ready to move on to the next ingredient, the actual soccer-specific strength and fitness training program.

Should you desire more information or a consultation, please contact me via email, phone or Skype. Leave a detailed message and I will get back to you within 24 hours.

CoachZ
John Zajaros
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
coachz@ultimatesoccertraining.com

Tags: boy's soccer training, girls soccer training, Soccer and Flexibility, Soccer and Stretching, Soccer Warm-up Flexibility and Stretching, soccer-specific fitness training, soccer-specific strength and fitness training, Soccer-specific Strength and Fitness Training and Warm-up, Soccer-Specific Strength and Fitness Training: Warmup Stretching and Flexibility, soccer-specific strength training, Soccer-specific training, Soccer-Specific Training & Building a Champion, Sport-specific strength training, Ultimate Soccer Training

The key to an effective soccer-specific, sex-specific strength and fitness program is planning. A well constructed training regimen will yield greater results in a shorter period of time. Additionally, a well planned and well-thought out program will make it easier to track progress throughout the season. As noted in the previous article on this topic, soccer-specific strength and fitness training is quite a bit different from training programs for other sports and/or activities. It is widely known that the average soccer athlete may run several miles during the course of a match; and, goalkeepers being the exception, of course. Proper nutrition is vital for success, both in training and in competition. Dietary habits, combined with proper nutrition can make or break a program. This article, the second in a series will deal with diet and nutrition for an off-season, soccer-specific, sex-specific strength and fitness training program.

3 Components to Success

The key to an effective soccer-specific, sex-specific strength and fitness program is planning. A well constructed training regimen will yield greater results in a shorter period of time. Additionally, a well planned and well-thought out program will make it easier to track progress throughout the season. As noted in the previous article on this topic, soccer-specific strength and fitness training is quite a bit different from training programs for other sports and/or activities. It is widely known that the average soccer athlete may run several miles during the course of a match; and, goalkeepers being the exception, of course. Therefore, it is assumed that running and running alone is the secret to effective training. It is not unusual for other training methods and considerations, even diet and nutritional requirements particular to soccer athletes, male and female, to be totally ignored for this reason. In fact, one only has to watch top level amateur or professional soccer match to get a sense for just how physical, and physically demanding, “The Beautiful Game” can be.

On the Ball or Off?

For this reason, and for a myriad of others, a complete, soccer-specific, sex-specific strength and fitness program must be followed. The proper training routine will be one that takes into account diet and nutrition, stretching and flexibility, and strength and overall fitness. It is true, much of soccer training, particularly in-season training, should be done “on the ball;” and, this is not at issue. Yet, even in-season a suitable strength and fitness program should be adhered to, not only to maintain strength levels, but for flexibility and tone, as well.

Diet and Nutrition

The initial focus and primary stages of any off-season program, as noted above, should cover three factors: nutrition and diet: stretching and flexibility: and, the third stage is aerobic conditioning. This article will cover the first of the three stages, diet and nutrition in some detail. Nutrition and diet play a central role in any fitness program, particularly during periods of peak, strenuous training; and, for that reason, we will address nutrition and diet first. Diet, dietary habits, and nutrition are inextricably linked. Dietary habits, particularly when the athlete is involved in a strenuous strength and fitness training program, will make or break your results, determining the success or failure of your overall program. For a number of reasons, including how your body is able to break down and metabolize nutrients, meals should be taken in every two and one half to three hours, give or take a few minutes. The old days of steak and eggs before football and basketball games, and huge amounts of pasta the night before soccer matches and endurance events have made way for balanced, well-thought-out meals, planned at regular intervals. While carbohydrate loading is still used and may still have valid applications, that strategy is not applicable for our purposes.
Carbohydrates are extremely important as they provide immediate and intermediate range fuel for the body. Carbohydrates are made up of simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are generally made up of sugars and starches; and, they break down into glucose molecules as they are metabolized by the body. If the body does not have a need for immediate energy, glucose is converted to glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles for future energy needs.

Carbohydrates: Go Fuel!

The average athlete who weighs between 155 and 165 pounds, which may be a little, needs approximately 2400 calories, carbohydrate calories, to fully supply his glycogen tanks. To take in 2400 to 2500 carbohydrate calories requires 600 grams of carbohydrates. It should be obvious to anyone reading this that the body cannot take in and metabolize that sort of volume in one, two or even three sittings. It generally takes a day and one-half to three days to consume that many carbohydrate calories (approximately 40 pieces of whole wheat bread!). For that reason, and for others, carbohydrate loading is not only ill-advised, it is impractical. When the body uses up most of its store of glycogen, it will begin to burn fat for fuel. While fat may be a good fuel source, it is not optimal for our purposes and should be avoided at all costs. Ultimately, if the body depletes both glycogen and fat stores it will begin converting and consuming amino acids from proteins into fuel. This can be particularly problematic if dietary protein is not readily available because the body will begin to cannibalize itself, using muscle for fuel. Additionally, if the body must use amino acids, taken from ingested protein, this may weaken your immune system and inhibit muscular development.

Carbohydrates, particularly complex carbohydrates, are the best source of fuel for your muscles, as well as for the brain which is a voracious carbohydrate consumer. Keeping in mind that a strenuous, soccer-specific strength and fitness training program will deplete glycogen stores, as well as fluids from the body, lost as sweat, it may take between one and two days for the body to fully recover. It may take longer if you’re not eating a high quality diet made up of complex carbohydrates, plenty of fluids, and easily digested, high-quality proteins. You should be able to see why, if you do not adhere to the proper dietary and nutritional guidelines, you may go into nutrient debt, and stay, there in a relatively short period of time.

Vegetarians Beware!

I am assuming, for the course of his program, that the reader is not a vegetarian. The vegetarian dietary requirements are very complex and may not be conducive to this sort of a training regimen. While I am not making a value judgment, a vegetarian diet and optimal soccer performance may not coincide, unless of course an incredible amount of forethought and planning, particularly as it relates to combining the necessary proteins in the proper ratios to make available all of the necessary amino acids for easy assimilation and metabolism.

Protein Intake

Protein intake, like carbohydrate intake, is central to a good overall program. The average male, at 5’ 10” and an ideal body weight of 165 to 175 pounds, depending on musculature, must take in between 50 and 60 grams of protein per day. Protein, in large quantities and in one sitting, is very difficult for the body to completely digest, meaning much of it may go to waste. However, if the protein is broken up into five, even six smaller meals, the body will have little or no trouble using most, if not all of the protein taken in. There are approximately 28 grams in an ounce, and since there is not a precise one to one ratio of ounces to protein, even in the leanest meat, it will usually take between two and 4 ounces of lean meat per day for the average person, twice that if you are involved in a strenuous training program. For a female, 5’6” tall, protein intake should be between 40 and 50 g per day, with the same sort of meal schedule.

Fats

Fats are also very important, not only for nutrition but for nervous system health; and, for other reasons beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say, and diet high in quality carbohydrates, a moderate level of high quality proteins, and low to moderate fat content will keep the body fueled and the athlete engaged in a strenuous, soccer-specific strength and fitness training program fueled and lean. The proper balance will ensure the development of the musculature and endurance for optimal performance by the time the season rolls around.

Hydration!

For all of the above reasons and many more, it is extremely important to eat smaller meals, at regular intervals, and as well balanced as possible. In addition to the above carbohydrate, protein, and fat considerations, hydration must play a central role. Carbohydrates are crucial for holding water in the body until needed. Water consumption also plays a vital role in dietary role when it comes to nutrient intake and digestion. While sports drinks have been shown to have some use, water is the training beverage of choice, period! Vitamins should also be considered, particularly if life events and/or work or school prohibit you from taking in all of the proper nutrients. Ultimately, a well thought out, daily and weekly plan for nutrient consumption, including what you are going to eat and when, is as important to the overall success of your program.

In Conclusion!

Nutrition is as important to the success of the program as any exercise or group of exercises you may do. If you do not provide your body with the necessary fuel, it will soon revolt, and you will go into a state known as overtraining, something we will cover in an upcoming article. Overtraining is a condition no athlete can long endure and still perform at peak levels. In the next article we will discuss stretching and flexibility, followed by an article on the aerobic foundation. Do you think you are flexible and aerobically fit? We will see soon enough! For now know this, a soccer-specific, sex-specific strength and fitness training program, properly design and fueled by the proper dietary habits and nutritional guidelines, will make you into a different athlete, a formidable presence on the pitch by the next season.

Junk Food is Out!

Oh yeah, one last thing! Cut out the junk food. That’s right, cut it out! How bad do you want it? Do you think your competition for the spot you envision yourself playing next season is pigging out on Big Macs and fries? Or buttered popcorn and nachos? Carbonated beverages and Kool-aid? If you are going to be a top-level athlete, start acting like one, training like one, and eating like one! If you want garbage? Give yourself a cheat day one day every couple of weeks, as a reward. You will find you enjoy the reward more and, after a while you will crave the junk less and less. But again, it’s up to you, you will get out of this what you put in. Garbage in, garbage out…just like a computer!

Coach Z, John Zajaros
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
coachz@ultimatesoccertraining.com

Tags: boys soccer strength coach, fitness, girls soccer strength coach, girls soccer training, men's fitness, men's soccer training, men's training, sex-specific soccer-specific strength and fitness training, soccer, soccer fitness, soccer training, soccer-specific fitness training, soccer-specific strength and fitness training, Sport-specific strength training, sports success, training, Ultimate Soccer Training, women's fitness, women's soccer training, women's training, youth strength and fitness training, youth strength training

“Dear Forum,”

“I have a daughter who plays U12 soccer and she was placed on the bench for an entire soccer game. What do I say to the coach?

Our daughter plays U12 Travel Soccer. She joined this team this year. This team has had the same core players for about 3 years.

At a game this past week, the coach sat [our daughter] on the bench for the entire game. There were times when she was the only child sitting on the bench, and it was humiliating for her. I questioned the coach after the game, and his response was that he did not feel her skill level was up to that of the other players. Having been a part of the soccer community for over 20 years, and having attended all their games and all their practices, I do not see any difference in skill. They are 10-12 year olds who are just beginning to get the feel for controlling the ball and field position. No one child on this team, including the coach’s daughter, stands out as a stellar player.

One of the problems we are having is that there is no sense of team, and our daughter stands as an outsider much of the time. In retrospect, I can see how this effects her play and perceived desire to play. The coach did say he would work harder to promote the concept of “team”, but I feel this was a comment made to appease my discontent with his coaching choices.

There is a large tournatment coming up which requires a substantial amount of money to play, as well as time to travel and participate. At this point, I am not sure if it is in [our daughter's] best interest to participate. On the flip side, I do not want her to believe it is okay to quit when things don’t go the way you have hoped they would. [My daughter] even expressed that she has joined this team to play as part of team, and she has been given very little opportunity to do so. She is discouraged!

As a parent, I am so torn. There are very few other opportunities for her to play travel soccer in our area. I want my daughter to learn the right lessons. I want her to love the sport for all the right reasons.

Anyone have any advice? What do I do if this continues?

Next, an answer from a concerned coach

This is a typical reaction from an inexperience [soccer] coach…I am not surprised of his response to your concerns.

Having 35+ years coaching and training youth soccer players….your concern is legitimate….My recommendation would be to approach the coach and ask him the folowing:

a) What’s the clubs rule on Travel playing time ?… in most cases the standard rule is that a travel player must play 25% of the total season….this does not mean every game. If this is applicable – what this is saying is that a travel player may not play every game..but there should be some consideration from the coach as to allowing your daughter to play at some point during the game, even if it is just for 5-10 minutes….on the other hand, If this was a State Cup game….the coach has the right to keep the strongest and most skilled players on the field. NOT..knowing your daughter’s skill level, I cannot comment where she is in relation to the other players on the team.

b) Ask the coach…what skills is your daughter LACKING! and what can she do to improve.

e) If this situation does not improve….it’s time to look at what other options your daughter may have.

In closing I am hoping that the coach is honest with you and more importantly….that your daughter does not lose interest in Soccer. Please let me know how it works out.

Yours in Soccer,

Coach James

My First Response: CoachZ
Answered a day ago

Get a new coach or put him on a new team! This coach has shown a complete absence of heart! What a jerk! I know the type, they think winning is about them! You can hide a player on the pitch for a few minutes, even if they are completely left-footed! Wow! Your son is going to quit anyway if treated like this, the damage that coach is doing to your son will stay with him a long time! Get him out of that situation now, today! If you have some power in your community and with your soccer organization, try to get this person, they are NOT a coach, removed! They will be mean and passive-aggressive if you try to usurp their authority, your son will suffer. Be careful but get going, fix this before any more psychic damage is done!

CoachZ
coachz@ultimatesoccertraining.com

A follow up answer after a “thumbs down” from someone who rated the responses!

CoachZ
Answered about 6 hours ago

Well! Someone didn’t like my answer! Probably the coach! Ha! I posted this line on facebook and the response was 100% approval! You have to remember that a U12 player is 11 years old! That’s a little boy! He is just entering puberty. His self-esteem and self-confidence are being shaped and his self-perception linked to the approval of others, particularly a coach or the friends on the team he can no longer faced because he is “riding the pines.” You may be the most supportive parent in the world but at that age outside forces are crucial to a child’s self-perception. That’s why peer pressure is so very key and everyone recognizes it as a central component in behavior.

I have coached athletes of every kind, from professional football players to ODP level soccer players making regional teams and national pools, here and in Canada! I have worked with female athletes who went on to play on national championship division one basketball teams, male athletes who have played for national championship football teams, also DI, and I have trained 12 year old boys and girls just trying to “get better.” I have witnessed the damage “bone-headed, self-centered”coaches can do. I have spent months, and in one case two years, getting a child to believe in himself again after such an incident.

I have coached soccer teams that went from being the bad news bears at 0-8, with exactly two players who had ever played the game before (my daughters), to a team that dominated their division the next season 8-0, not the next year, the very next season, and went on to play in the top division out of eight divisions the very next year, going 6-2! So, I have coached every level and virtually every sport. I have trained the games and I have trained the athletes preparing for the games, as a strength and fitness coach. I have NEVER sat a child the entire match! And let me tell you, there were matches I wanted to win as bad as the kids did, but they never knew that and it is a team sport, everyone plays!

Finally, I have witnessed this sort of thing on other teams and do you know what? The other players, the ones who played, get angry with the coach for doing that to one of their friends and teammates! Additionally, if the coach were smart enough to know kids, he or she would have sat down with the kids, in a team meeting, and asked them this very simple question: “If you have a choice between winning a game (match) and everyone playing, which would you prefer?” In EVERY instance when and where I have asked that question, I have received one response in unison: “Play everyone!”

Thats says it all! The kids get it, even if we adults do not!

So, I reiterate my point…find him a new team or make a formal complaint and the watch the coach carefully, because someone insensitive enough to ride an 11 year old boy on the bench the entire match is not beneath taking any action YOU take out on the child.

Harsh words? Yes! Do I care that someone didn’t like my answer? Not in the least. I care about your child, I hope you do something before he quits organized athletics altogether! I’ve know many who have, and it is a shame.

CoachZ
coachz@ultimatesoccertraining.com

I got a heartbreaking letter from the boy’s mother today!

Coach Z,

Thank you for your passionate posts on [the forum]. Never in all of my years of participating with my children in recreational and travel soccer have I come across a situation quite like the one we are faced with now with my U12 player. I was at a complete loss as to how to handle things, and the responses I got on [the forum] from you and [the other coach] were both very helpful. I had already asked my U12 player’s coach the questions that [the other coach] suggested, and the response was inadequate. After a nice discussion with my daughter, we came to the conclusion that it would be best if she no longer participated with this team. Unfortunately, the damage was done on Saturday when the coach sat her for the entire game. Thanks again for your advice, it is greatly appreciated.

Of course, I responded!

Dear “MOM,”

When I read Coach Bob’s response I knew from your description of events that you would find that discussion woefully inadequate.

You see, coaches like that are in it for themselves, for their win, not the kids’ enjoyment and development as children, and ultimately as adults.

Unfortunately, coaches like that are the rule rather than the exception. I have spent years trying to undo the damage that sort of coach does to children.

The worst part is that even the best player on the pitch will probably never play soccer above the high school level, regardless of what people may think today. Often the best players quit too, they are under such incredible pressure due to unrealistic expectations on the part of parents, who quite often get as wrapped up as the coach…or worse!

I would suggest a quality martial arts program with an experienced master. They do wonders when it comes to restoring a child’s center and perspective. Do some research and sit in on a class or two, have your son go with you and meet the instructor.

If he like to run, and most soccer players do, have him try cross country. Cross country, like wrestling and track, are based on trials and individual achievement rather than politics and subjective assessment. So, if he is the fastest or in the fastest group, he runs! And with most cross country teams, everyone competes, even in high school!

He can train when he wants and he can work into it.

Either program, running or martial arts, will probably restore his confidence and keep him involved in sports. And I believe, in spite of a few turkeys, sports are a wonderful outlet and a positive environment, particularly in today’s world.

If you decide on martial arts, I would suggest Aikido or Judo! They teach participants to center themselves and control the aggressor by using their force, not yours. It is a wonderful life lesson and great training!

Let me know what you decide, I will worry now until I hear. I love kids, they are so amazing and so honest if you treat them with respect and compassion. I am so sorry he ran into that coach but if that is the last time he has to face a negative authority figure in his life, he will have a wonderful life!

Take care and best wishes to you and your son. he is lucky to have such a wonderful and caring mother!

CoachZ

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr.
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
coachz@ultimatesoccertraining.com

PS, I you ever want me to set up a strength and fitness program for him, just ask! It would be my pleasure to do it for you. On me, of course!

Tags: How Not to Coach Youth Soccer, How Not to Coach Youth Soccer * A Lesson from a Soccer ForumA Lesson from a Soccer Forum

Conditioning is absolutely crucial for overall fitness, as well as speed of play and final half effectiveness. Fartlek is one strategy proven to be extremely effective for soccer athletes, male and female.

Soccer, or football as it is commonly known elsewhere in the world, is one of the oldest team based sports on the planet. It requires a person to run a bit more than the length of an American football field (approximately 110 yards) consistently for approximately 90 minutes. It also requires dexterity, suppleness, and a presence of mind to concentrate on using feet and legs as hands and arms. It is no surprise that soccer is the most popular game in the world, and it is also no surprise that strength training and conditioning for soccer is probably more focused than other sports.

Soccer-specific strength and fitness training is crucial for success at the sports highest levels, youth or adult.

Soccer players require a combination of aerobic and anaerobic fitness due to the nature of the game and the fact that there is continuous movement with lots of short bursts of more intense activity.

Aerobic fitness is tied to oxygen use and anaerobic fitness is tied to work, power and strength. Soccer fitness is a combination of aerobic and anaerobic fitness with further specialization for each person’s age and position. Conditioning for soccer is not one size or one program fits all sort of endeavor. It is often necessary to concentrate on mental training and motor skills when dealing with younger soccer athletes because conditioning and speed training is not easily connected or does not have an impact on those younger than the beginning teen years, except with a very small and select group of “premier” level athletes. After puberty, strength and conditioning training can and should have a major effect, however sessions should be focused and controlled, based on the age and sex of the soccer athlete. Also remember that strength and conditioning sessions develop a better player but are not a replacement for individual foot skill, vision, and teamwork. However, when training is done consistently, over a period of months, amazing results are possible.

Fartlek and Aerobic Fitness

One form of aerobic fitness training for soccer is called Fartlek, which means “speed play” in Swedish. Fartlek is a form of conditioning that puts stress on the aerobic energy system by keeping the athlete moving, without stopping for long periods of time. How this differs from a regular continuous running and/or circuit training is in the variation of speeds involved, variation that taxes the body and causing the individual to adapt to the strain. Fartlek sessions last approximately 45 minutes and use everything from walking to sprints. Fartlek deals with one of the most important things in soccer: speed of play. Soccer athletes are required to accelerate quickly, have a high maximum speed, react quickly, be able to change direction, and be able to sustain their speed. Fartlek and plyometrics (exercises that allow muscles to reach maximum force quickly) round out a aerobic workout and great amazing results during a relatively short training schedule.

Anaerobic training for soccer athletes is focused more on maintaining a lean physique that is not over muscled and inflexible. Soccer athletes are required to have high-speed and endurance, as well as be able to take the physical pain and punishment that often comes with contact. Push-ups and squats have made up much of the old-school approach to soccer strength training. Push-ups develop shoulders and the core muscles, and create a more well-rounded player. Squats develop power and speed for legs. However, while great exercises, alone they are woefully inadequate for overall development of top-caliber players.

Conditioning for soccer has varied mainly by age, rather than gender. This is incorrect and does not deal with the very specific requirements, and differences, between men and women, boys and girls. The older the soccer athlete is, the more he or she will see the benefits of strength and fitness training. However, when properly administered, sex-specific and soccer-specific strength and fitness training can have a dramatic impact on the physique and the play of youth soccer athletes. The proper conditioning program, combined with strength and fitness training will keep a player strong yet lean, increase the their oxygen intake, and increase their speed of play. The proper balance of training, aerobic, such as fartlek, and strength an fitness, such as circuit training, will also provide for greater body control and reduce the risk of injury. Sex-specific, sport-specific strength and fitness training, combined with aerobic training will enhance a player’s strength, endurance, confidence, speed of play, and quality of play. Today’s top athletes, amateur or professional, must find and use a balanced program of fitness to play at peak levels.

Interested in more information, an individualized program designed just for you, and evaluation? Or would you like a program that will ensure your chances of playing at the highest levels is significantly enhanced? Call or email for additional resources and information!

CoachZ
216-712-6526
coachz@ultimatesoccertraining.com