Thanks to the USU Women's Soccer team for working with our youth!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Soccer America Magazine 'Whether boys or girls: be consistent, send clear message'
Two Interviews by Mike Woitalla
INTERVIEW #1
A youth coach for nearly three decades, Theresa Echtermeyer is a director of coaching with Colorado United and also coaches the Mountain Vista High School boys and girls teams. She is a National Staff Coach and Instructor for the NSCAA. Echtermeyer spoke to us for the Youth Soccer Insider's ongoing interview series on key issues facing American youth soccer.
SOCCER AMERICA: If you had a magic wand, how would you use it to improve youth soccer in America?
THERESA ECHTERMEYER: This would have to be a magic, magic wand. I would like to see us all work together more so that we would be supporting our players of all ages and all levels.
You’ve got USYS, the Federation, US Club Soccer. You’ve got recreational, competitive. You’ve got professional, collegiate, high school, youth. There are so many different things that have the potential to pull us apart. Because sometimes when you’re competitive, whether to win a championship or to have players at your club, we forget we’re really all in it together.
SA: As someone who oversees the recreational program at Colorado United/Highlands Ranch Soccer Association, has coached competitive youth ball, W-League, and coaches high school ball -- you’ve been involved in many different areas of the game …
THERESA ECHTERMEYER: What I’ve seen is we really have more opportunities to learn from each other and help each other out, which at the end of the day helps the kids.
The more we share ideas and the more we work together the better it is for our kids. So we should always be asking two questions with every decision we make.
First, “Is this what’s best for the kids?”
Second, “Is this what’s best for soccer in America?”
REST OF INTERVIEW CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE
INTERVIEW #2 Tom Howe helped found St. Louis' Scott Gallagher SC in 1976 and coached future stars such as Tim Ream, Brad Davis and Pat Noonan. One of his alums, Cal coach Kevin Grimes, calls Howe "a legend, one of the best youth coaches ever." Last year, after Scott Gallagher merged with Busch SC and Metro United, Howe left and started a new club, Woodson City Rangers. Howe, a St. Louis product himself who starred at SIU-Edwardsville and played in the old NASL, spoke to us for the Youth Soccer Insider's ongoing interview series with leaders of U.S. youth clubs.
SOCCER AMERICA: If you had a magic wand, how would you use it to improve youth soccer in America?
TOM HOWE: I wish everybody would try and play like Barcelona. If all the clubs across the country did that you’d have some pretty smart players when they hit the ages of 18, 19, 20.
And there’d be more people wanting to watch soccer in this country. Barcelona’s the best team I’ve ever seen. They’re just fun to watch.
Another thing about Barcelona -- they don’t have a lot of these gigantic athletes who everybody wants to get these days.
SA: What’s the key to playing like Barcelona?
TOM HOWE: The ability to play in tight spaces. You spend tons of time playing in small, tight areas, and then when you get on the big field it’s not a big deal.
I think more teams need work on the possession game. All the best teams in the world over the years have been great technical teams – like Spain, Barcelona. Teams like that play the best soccer.
At the youth level, too many people play more to win. My point is, if you teach your kids to play like Barcelona you’re eventually going to win.
SA: But while you’re learning to play like that you might not win …
TOM HOWE: That’s exactly right. Learning to play like that takes a long time, but once you get it, you’re going to be good. The problem is a lot of people don’t have the patience.
You tell your young players don’t boot it no matter how much pressure you’re under. We want you to get good at this. And at a certain age, you know what, they learn how to deal with it.
Look at how many players we have in this country. At this stage we should be a lot better than we are.
SA: Over the years, have you seen American youth teams playing better soccer?
TOM HOWE: At the youth level, I still see a lot of long balls -- not from all teams. There are more and more better teams each year, but I wish more would try to play good soccer.
We play against teams that boot the ball a lot, and they might beat you. But they won’t beat you five years from now.
You’re going to lose until you get to a certain age. Then you get to a certain level you’re going to be really good. You’re going to play the game the right way – and it’s a beautiful game when it’s played right. I don’t think it’s such a beautiful game when it’s played in a different way.
I can hardly watch college soccer except for a couple teams. Akron -- I like watching them play. They play well and they won the national championship playing like that. Why do a couple of teams play like that and nobody else does?
SA: Tim Ream is a remarkably good young American defender in that he relies more on smarts than brawn and keeps possession for his team after he wins the ball. He said you were his biggest influence as a coach in his youth days …
TOM HOWE: He was on one of our last really good [Scott Gallagher] teams. He said that because he learned that at Gallagher, where we made our defenders pass it out of the back. We’d get criticized for passing too much.
I think when you play like that you get good at it. I think that’s the proper way to approach it. Timmy’s just a very good passer out of the back. I think that’s why Timmy’s so calm on the ball. He’s been doing that since he was little.
REST OF INTERVIEW CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING HERE
INTERVIEW #1
A youth coach for nearly three decades, Theresa Echtermeyer is a director of coaching with Colorado United and also coaches the Mountain Vista High School boys and girls teams. She is a National Staff Coach and Instructor for the NSCAA. Echtermeyer spoke to us for the Youth Soccer Insider's ongoing interview series on key issues facing American youth soccer.
SOCCER AMERICA: If you had a magic wand, how would you use it to improve youth soccer in America?
THERESA ECHTERMEYER: This would have to be a magic, magic wand. I would like to see us all work together more so that we would be supporting our players of all ages and all levels.
You’ve got USYS, the Federation, US Club Soccer. You’ve got recreational, competitive. You’ve got professional, collegiate, high school, youth. There are so many different things that have the potential to pull us apart. Because sometimes when you’re competitive, whether to win a championship or to have players at your club, we forget we’re really all in it together.
SA: As someone who oversees the recreational program at Colorado United/Highlands Ranch Soccer Association, has coached competitive youth ball, W-League, and coaches high school ball -- you’ve been involved in many different areas of the game …
THERESA ECHTERMEYER: What I’ve seen is we really have more opportunities to learn from each other and help each other out, which at the end of the day helps the kids.
The more we share ideas and the more we work together the better it is for our kids. So we should always be asking two questions with every decision we make.
First, “Is this what’s best for the kids?”
Second, “Is this what’s best for soccer in America?”
REST OF INTERVIEW CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE
INTERVIEW #2 Tom Howe helped found St. Louis' Scott Gallagher SC in 1976 and coached future stars such as Tim Ream, Brad Davis and Pat Noonan. One of his alums, Cal coach Kevin Grimes, calls Howe "a legend, one of the best youth coaches ever." Last year, after Scott Gallagher merged with Busch SC and Metro United, Howe left and started a new club, Woodson City Rangers. Howe, a St. Louis product himself who starred at SIU-Edwardsville and played in the old NASL, spoke to us for the Youth Soccer Insider's ongoing interview series with leaders of U.S. youth clubs.
SOCCER AMERICA: If you had a magic wand, how would you use it to improve youth soccer in America?
TOM HOWE: I wish everybody would try and play like Barcelona. If all the clubs across the country did that you’d have some pretty smart players when they hit the ages of 18, 19, 20.
And there’d be more people wanting to watch soccer in this country. Barcelona’s the best team I’ve ever seen. They’re just fun to watch.
Another thing about Barcelona -- they don’t have a lot of these gigantic athletes who everybody wants to get these days.
SA: What’s the key to playing like Barcelona?
TOM HOWE: The ability to play in tight spaces. You spend tons of time playing in small, tight areas, and then when you get on the big field it’s not a big deal.
I think more teams need work on the possession game. All the best teams in the world over the years have been great technical teams – like Spain, Barcelona. Teams like that play the best soccer.
At the youth level, too many people play more to win. My point is, if you teach your kids to play like Barcelona you’re eventually going to win.
SA: But while you’re learning to play like that you might not win …
TOM HOWE: That’s exactly right. Learning to play like that takes a long time, but once you get it, you’re going to be good. The problem is a lot of people don’t have the patience.
You tell your young players don’t boot it no matter how much pressure you’re under. We want you to get good at this. And at a certain age, you know what, they learn how to deal with it.
Look at how many players we have in this country. At this stage we should be a lot better than we are.
SA: Over the years, have you seen American youth teams playing better soccer?
TOM HOWE: At the youth level, I still see a lot of long balls -- not from all teams. There are more and more better teams each year, but I wish more would try to play good soccer.
We play against teams that boot the ball a lot, and they might beat you. But they won’t beat you five years from now.
You’re going to lose until you get to a certain age. Then you get to a certain level you’re going to be really good. You’re going to play the game the right way – and it’s a beautiful game when it’s played right. I don’t think it’s such a beautiful game when it’s played in a different way.
I can hardly watch college soccer except for a couple teams. Akron -- I like watching them play. They play well and they won the national championship playing like that. Why do a couple of teams play like that and nobody else does?
SA: Tim Ream is a remarkably good young American defender in that he relies more on smarts than brawn and keeps possession for his team after he wins the ball. He said you were his biggest influence as a coach in his youth days …
TOM HOWE: He was on one of our last really good [Scott Gallagher] teams. He said that because he learned that at Gallagher, where we made our defenders pass it out of the back. We’d get criticized for passing too much.
I think when you play like that you get good at it. I think that’s the proper way to approach it. Timmy’s just a very good passer out of the back. I think that’s why Timmy’s so calm on the ball. He’s been doing that since he was little.
REST OF INTERVIEW CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING HERE
Friday, April 1, 2011
Infinity SC's 2nd Annual Banquet Announced
The banquet will be held on Monday, May 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the Riverwood Conference Center. Please check your game schedules and make any necessary adjustments so you can be with us.
Tickets will cost $15.00. The event space is being graciously donated by Dell Loy Hansen and Elements will be providing the food. More details on how to purchase the tickets will be forthcoming.
A silent auction will be held. Each team is responsible for providing 3 items for the silent auction. The money raised by the silent auction will be split 50/50 with the teams.
Teams are encouraged to get team sponsors for the event. We will be recognizing those sponsors at the tables and throughout the event space. Team sponsorships will begin at $100.00, but are not limited, so any higher amounts work as well. Teams get 100% of their team sponsorship money.
Any items provided by the board of directors will go directly to the club.
I will be forwarding forms to use for your silent auction items and team sponsorships early next week. I also have a list of businesses in town that have given in the past if anyone needs ideas. Plan on having all silent auction items turned in by Friday, April 29th.
Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication to Infinity Soccer! We are building a unique club that we can all be proud of.
-Lisa Godfrey
Director of Operations
Tickets will cost $15.00. The event space is being graciously donated by Dell Loy Hansen and Elements will be providing the food. More details on how to purchase the tickets will be forthcoming.
A silent auction will be held. Each team is responsible for providing 3 items for the silent auction. The money raised by the silent auction will be split 50/50 with the teams.
Teams are encouraged to get team sponsors for the event. We will be recognizing those sponsors at the tables and throughout the event space. Team sponsorships will begin at $100.00, but are not limited, so any higher amounts work as well. Teams get 100% of their team sponsorship money.
Any items provided by the board of directors will go directly to the club.
I will be forwarding forms to use for your silent auction items and team sponsorships early next week. I also have a list of businesses in town that have given in the past if anyone needs ideas. Plan on having all silent auction items turned in by Friday, April 29th.
Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication to Infinity Soccer! We are building a unique club that we can all be proud of.
-Lisa Godfrey
Director of Operations
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Three Infinity SC Players have been called to U.S. Soccer camp
Three Infinity Players have been called to a special camp with the U.S. National Coaching staff being held in Utah. Lexi Vance (u15 & u16), Kaitlyn McCusky (u15 & u16) and Annalee Davidson (u14) were all invited to e U.S. Soccer Training Center in the Salt Lake City area. The players profiles can be viewed by clicking here.
Congrats Girls!
A brief description of the camp is below:
U.S. Soccer Training Centers are designed to replicate national team training camps, and as part of creating this type of environment only players and coaches are welcome. Parents are not invited to stay and watch the training session.
As the National Governing Body of soccer in the United States, and under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, we are empowered and charged with developing the teams that represent the United States in all international competitions such as the Olympics and World Cup. The Training Center Program is an integral part of this.
process.
Congrats Girls!
A brief description of the camp is below:
U.S. Soccer Training Centers are designed to replicate national team training camps, and as part of creating this type of environment only players and coaches are welcome. Parents are not invited to stay and watch the training session.
As the National Governing Body of soccer in the United States, and under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, we are empowered and charged with developing the teams that represent the United States in all international competitions such as the Olympics and World Cup. The Training Center Program is an integral part of this.
process.
Monday, January 10, 2011
US Youth Soccer's Director of Coaching, Sam Snow to visit Infinity Soccer
In preparation of Coach Sam Snows Visit in January he asked our community and club to review the following video(s) of a presentation he gave to a soccer club and community in Philadelphia.
The presentation is broken down in to 10 minute segments on YouTube. Thank you for taking the time to watch these videos as well as taking the time on the 20th to be in attendance. More info on Coach Snow's visit can be found at www.infinitysc.com
Videos
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7
PART 6 is below "more training, less games."
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Where there's a Wall, there's a Teammate
By Claudio Reyna
A player can always improve his fitness by working out hard. He can comprehend certain tactics by studying the game. But how far he goes will be determined mainly by how well he has mastered ball skills. Those are acquired by playing, day after day, year after year.
A player who really wants to excel will spend as much time as possible playing small-sided games when he has playmates, and juggling and kicking against the wall when he's on his own.
I spent a lot of time hitting the ball against the side of the house when I was a growing up. If my mother complained about the noise, I'd hop down the retaining wall at the end of our property to the office-building parking lot.
I'd use that wall -- hitting the ball with both feet, seeing how long I could return the wall's passes without losing control. I found out later that so many pros spent lots of their childhood doing that.
Dennis Bergkamp, the great Dutch striker who scored and set up hundreds of goals for Ajax Amsterdam, Arsenal, and the Dutch national team, said that when he was a youth player at Ajax, they had little three-foot-high walls. He would knock the ball against the walls for hours. Every time he hit the ball, he'd know whether it was a good touch or a bad touch. He'd do it over and over, trying to establish a rhythm.
Whenever I saw Bergkamp slotting a perfectly placed ball past a goalkeeper or making a precise pass, I thought of him practicing against the wall.
Kicking against the wall is an excellent way to work on improving your weaker foot. You can back up and practice shots on goal, or move close to the wall and work on passing, because where there's a wall, there's a teammate.
You can practice trapping and work on your first touch by controlling the ball before you kick it, or hit it back first time.
Passing the ball against a wall from close distance takes timing and coordination. Hit the ball faster, and you've got to react faster and get a rhythm going. It almost feels like you're dancing.
Practicing the correct striking of the ball over and over helps it become second nature. It has to be, because in a game a player doesn't have time to think about his form or approach. Under pressure, everything is more difficult. Mastering technique while playing on your own is the first step to being able to do it right in a game.
(Excerpted from "More Than Goals: The Journey from Backyard Games to World Cup Competition" by Claudio Reyna, courtesy of Human Kinetics.)
(Claudio Reyna was named the U.S. Soccer Federations's Youth Technical Director in April 2010. Reyna played nearly 13 years in the top-tier leagues of Germany (Bayer Leverkusen, VfL Wolfsburg), Scotland (Glasgow Rangers) and England (Sunderland, Manchester City). He represented the USA in four World Cups, and captained the Americans to a quarterfinal run at the 2002 World Cup, where he became the first American selected to the FIFA World Cup all-star team.)
A player can always improve his fitness by working out hard. He can comprehend certain tactics by studying the game. But how far he goes will be determined mainly by how well he has mastered ball skills. Those are acquired by playing, day after day, year after year.
A player who really wants to excel will spend as much time as possible playing small-sided games when he has playmates, and juggling and kicking against the wall when he's on his own.
I spent a lot of time hitting the ball against the side of the house when I was a growing up. If my mother complained about the noise, I'd hop down the retaining wall at the end of our property to the office-building parking lot.
I'd use that wall -- hitting the ball with both feet, seeing how long I could return the wall's passes without losing control. I found out later that so many pros spent lots of their childhood doing that.
Dennis Bergkamp, the great Dutch striker who scored and set up hundreds of goals for Ajax Amsterdam, Arsenal, and the Dutch national team, said that when he was a youth player at Ajax, they had little three-foot-high walls. He would knock the ball against the walls for hours. Every time he hit the ball, he'd know whether it was a good touch or a bad touch. He'd do it over and over, trying to establish a rhythm.
Whenever I saw Bergkamp slotting a perfectly placed ball past a goalkeeper or making a precise pass, I thought of him practicing against the wall.
Kicking against the wall is an excellent way to work on improving your weaker foot. You can back up and practice shots on goal, or move close to the wall and work on passing, because where there's a wall, there's a teammate.
You can practice trapping and work on your first touch by controlling the ball before you kick it, or hit it back first time.
Passing the ball against a wall from close distance takes timing and coordination. Hit the ball faster, and you've got to react faster and get a rhythm going. It almost feels like you're dancing.
Practicing the correct striking of the ball over and over helps it become second nature. It has to be, because in a game a player doesn't have time to think about his form or approach. Under pressure, everything is more difficult. Mastering technique while playing on your own is the first step to being able to do it right in a game.
(Excerpted from "More Than Goals: The Journey from Backyard Games to World Cup Competition" by Claudio Reyna, courtesy of Human Kinetics.)
(Claudio Reyna was named the U.S. Soccer Federations's Youth Technical Director in April 2010. Reyna played nearly 13 years in the top-tier leagues of Germany (Bayer Leverkusen, VfL Wolfsburg), Scotland (Glasgow Rangers) and England (Sunderland, Manchester City). He represented the USA in four World Cups, and captained the Americans to a quarterfinal run at the 2002 World Cup, where he became the first American selected to the FIFA World Cup all-star team.)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Mission Statement Revised
Mission Statement: To facilitate individual player development through high quality training, coaching, teamwork and competition.
2010/2011 Infinity Coaching Staff Announced
Infinity SC is proud to announce our coaching staff fo the 2010/2011 season. Please click here to view the Infinity Coaching Staff.
Infinity Hires Marla Nelson as the Director of Goal Keeping
Infinity Hires Marla Nelson as the Director of Goal Keeping
Infinity is excited to announces that we have hired a professional and experienced Director for our Goal Keepers. Marla nelson is the Graduate Assistant at Utah State University and specializes in training the Aggie Goal Keepers. Marla will be responsible for developing and implementing the Goal Keeper Training Program. Specifically creating a curriculum for each age group as well as hiring/assigning goal keeper trainers that will help implement the program. To view Marlas profile, click here.
Goal Keeper training at Elk Ridge Park with Marla Nelson is now available - see the schedule
Infinity is excited to announces that we have hired a professional and experienced Director for our Goal Keepers. Marla nelson is the Graduate Assistant at Utah State University and specializes in training the Aggie Goal Keepers. Marla will be responsible for developing and implementing the Goal Keeper Training Program. Specifically creating a curriculum for each age group as well as hiring/assigning goal keeper trainers that will help implement the program. To view Marlas profile, click here.
Goal Keeper training at Elk Ridge Park with Marla Nelson is now available - see the schedule
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