Important Message From US Youth Soccer Association

Sam Snow is the Director of Coaching Education of US Youth Soccer Association. He sent our club an email requesting that we share a recently published document published by the US Youth Soccer Technical Department. In an effort to follow the guidelines and curriculum of the United States Youth Soccer Association we are posting the article, "VISION: Youth Soccer in America, How do we Measure Success?"on the front of our web site because we feel strongly that it is important that the members of Infinity Soccer understand that we are a club focused on fun and long term development. Thank you for taking the time to read this informative and important document that expresses how Infinity, as a club affiliated with US Youth Soccer, feels it is important to focus on the long term development of our children, both as players and citizens.

We hope that every adult will read this document.

Please Click Here To Read The Article

Thank you,

Infinity Soccer

Meet A Board Member

Rich Hall serves on the Infinity Board of Directors as the Vice President

By way of introduction, my name is Rich Hall, and I am originally from Lewiston Utah. I grew up working on a dairy farm, and playing sports whenever possible. My father was a high school teacher and coach, and so there were many opportunities for both the work and the play. The year that soccer started in this valley, I was on the youngest team. Although not very good, I enjoy soccer very much still to this day.

I am an Athletic Trainer by trait, and work at Logan Regional Hospital overseeing the sports medicine, physical therapy, acceleration program, and the orthopedics group. The sports medicine program involves the Athletic Trainers at Preston, Sky View, and Mountain Crest. I would guess that I see as many sporting events as almost anyone in the valley – and I love it.

Having been involved in athletics all my life, I am very excited to be on the Infinity Soccer Board of Directors. It will be a pleasure to get to know those involved, as well as be a part of a great program.

I married Melinda Hone from providence, and we have 2 children: Alexis Hall (5) and Kolbe Lloyd Hall (3 in November), and are expecting our third this spring. The photo is a little old, but only the kids have changed.

Parenting Young Athletes: The Ripken Way

Infinity Parents,

May I suggest a book for you to read. Although I am not a big reader, I was in the Atlanta airport after the NJCAA national championships waiting for the teams plane and walked in to a book store. In my previous club in Council Bluffs, Iowa I learned rather quickly how big sports are in this country. We think BYU vs Utah is a rivalry, try anyone vs. Nebraska! The entire state turns red! My point is that emphasis on sports in the mid west leave us in the shadows (this is a good thing). I do not believe that sports should be the end all be all in our lives. Nebraska football was more important than family to many people (they needed a TON of guidance)...get my drift? So I was at this bookstore and saw the title of the book, read the preface and the introduction and bought it. By the time I was back from Atlanta I had nearly finished the book (in itself was an accomplishment). Although I did not agree with everything in this book (mainly because I am soccer minded and not sports driven) I passed it along to a number of parents. Within a month the local newspaper wrote an article based on the book and nearly everyone in our soccer club had read the book. We saw an increase in parents ability to help guide their children as well as saw happier players. This book will answer many of our questions as sports parents. I highly recommend that you spend the $15 to purchase it. I believe it will help us in many ways. Below is a link to an article about the book. The article in the Iowa newspaper is archived so I cant use that one, but I found one that is similar. I hope you will read this book and that you will continue looking for ways to be the best sports parent possible.

The Book - Parenting Young Athletes: The Ripken Way
Barnes and Noble Link

Article Link

Infinity Shuts Out Inter

Infinity SC '95 Premier Boys recorded their first shutout of the season with a 4-0 blowout of Inter FC "95 Prestige. The scoring got started when Infinity was able to apply high pressure to Inter's defense and the ball was turned over to Josh Worley, who was able to capitalize with a hard shot into the far post. Ace Phillips got on the board shortly after with another great shot that hit the side netting. Eli Domery also scored a goal off a corner in the second half. Josh Worley finished off the scoring with another goal, assisted by Nate Frandsen. Infinity was able to outpass, outdefend, and outplay the opposition. The goalkeeper, Sean Lyne, was able to keep the shutout with a great save off a corner in the second half. The defense was solid, with Braden Call and Tanner Hulse leading the backs, and great defending by Bud Fowers and Blake Bolen. All in all, this was a great team win.

Special Note: The best juke of the season so far is being awarded to Alex Brown. During the Infinity vs. Arsenal game, Alex was able to pull a rainbow over his defender. Way to go, Alex!"









Pictures: First one is Eli Domery and Cole Neeves, second one is Josh Worley, and third one is Nate Frandsen

As a parent how can you responsibly connect with your childs coach?

As a Responsible Sports Parents it is important for you to be able to communicate positively with your child's coach. Working together will ensure a better sports experience for all parties. Here are 6 tools to help you communicate with your child's coach.

Recognize the Coach's Commitment
Coaches commit many, many hours of preparation beyond the hours spent at practices and games. Recognize that they do not do it for the pay! Try to remember this whenever something goes awry during the season.

Make Early, Positive Contact with the Coach
As soon as you know who your child's coach is going to be, introduce yourself, let him or her know you want to help your child have the best possible experience, and offer to assist the coach in any way you are qualified. Meeting the coach early and establishing a positive relationship will make conversation easier if a problem arises during the season.

Fill the Coach's Emotional Tank
When coaches are doing something you like, let them know about it. Coaching is a stressful job, and most coaches only hear from parents when they have a complaint. A coach with a full Emotional Tank will do a better job.

Don't Instruct During a Game or Practice
Your child is trying to concentrate amongst the chaotic action of a game and do what the coach asks. A parent yelling out instructions hardly ever helps. More often than not, it confuses the child, adds pressure and goes against the coaches' instruction, which undermines the player-coach relationship, the player-parent relationship and the parent-coach relationship.

Don't Put the Player in the Middle
When parents share their disapproval of a coach with their children, it puts the children in a bind. Divided loyalties hinder people. Conversely, when parents support a coach, it is easier for children to put forth maximum effort. If you think your child's coach is mishandling a situation well, do not tell your child. Just take it up with the coach.

Observe a "Cooling Off" Period
Wait to talk to the coach about something you are upset about for at least 24 hours. Emotions can get so hot that it's much more productive to wait a day before contacting the coach. This also gives you time to consider exactly what to say.

For more tips on communicating with your child's coach click here. Or visit ResponsibleSports.com

U12 Premier Girls To Hold Fund Raiser

The Infinity 97 Premier U12 girls team will be doing a fundraiser yard sale to help earn money for the Las Vegas Turkey Shoot Tournament in November. Please show your support and visit the yard sale and tell your friends to visit as well.

Date: Saturday, September 27th
Time: 8am-12pm
Location: In front of Hollywood Video
Address: 1467 North Main.

There will be a wide range of items from across the valley.

Giving the Eagles a Reason to Scream

""VICTORY! The Infinity SC '95 Premier Boys team pulled a late-game win out against their rivals, Screaming Eagles, on Saturday, September 20. The game started with high offensive pressure from the Screaming Eagles. Infinity was kept in the game by keeper, Sean Lyne, who had a total of 11 saves on the day, a few of which were breakaways. Infinity started to control the match partway through the first half and had some great chances on goal. They ended the first half with 8 shots. At the start of the second half, there was a mis-communication in the midfield that led to a goal by the Screaming Eagles. Infinity was able to fight back and pull a goal back with just under ten minutes remaining. The game-tying goal was scored by Tanner Hunt, who had a laser shot from about 40 yards out. Infinity was able to keep up the offensive pressure and the go-ahead goal was scored with one minute left. It was ruled an own goal, but was created out of a powerful throw-in by Ace Phillips in Infinity's offensive third. The team played with a lot of heart, and was glad to get another win against their rivals."

Pictured:
Top-U14 Boys Team
Middle-Eli Dornery
Bottom-Alex Brown

Personal & Team Development is the focus for the Infinity SC '99 Premier Girls

The Infinity SC 99 Premier Girls team continues to develop a personality and presence on the field. The team has experienced a few roster changes over the summer. As their personalities meld into one, they have enjoyed success along the way. As a team they hope to create a positive learning environment as athletes to achieve their team goals.

This summer the girls practiced with dedication twice a week throughout the summer. Coach Doney kept the practice pace, fast and focused. As well, over the summer the girls participated in weekly Technical Training with Coach Ginn. These technical drills have carried over into their own team training sessions also. The girls responded by winning the Cache Valley Cup in dramatic fashion 1-0 on PK’s. The Striker Cup tournament was a learning experience for the girls. After their success at the Cache Valley Cup they learned how to deal with adversity as they fell to some very good teams. Thanks to Coach Doney’s leadership the girls get let down on one another. They believe this is because the Infinity coaches are teaching the Soccer team to respect officials, spectators, opponents, and most importantly themselves.

As the season began hopes were high. The girls were a bit stunned as Crossfire; a team they defeated in the Cache Valley Cup started their season off by defeating them. The Infinity SC 99 Premier Girls increased their focus and began to understand more of their team responsibilities. They have reeled off a victory and a tie since then and have looked sharp in their matches.

The coaching staff and parents are very proud of the development of this team corporately as well as the individual talents of each of the girls. The team strives to give every player the confidence to make tactical decisions in game situations and through this the girls have come to understand what soccer is about and who they are through their experiences over the last few months. Finally, the players on te team take great pride in participating in fund raising activities that help to set off the cost of the season for their parents.

Here’s to Infinity Soccer!

Infinity SC 98 Select Girls Value More Than Winning

The Infinity SC 98 Select Team has come together from every corner of the valley with varied training. Under the direction of Toni Doney, the players share talent, hard work and determination to form a good team. The coaches create a positive learning environment for the athletes that encourages every player to work hard and improve, which is proving to achieve our team goals by winning games.

While winning is always fun, and a worthy goal, our coaches have also strived to instill such values as respect for officials, coaches, and other players, self-confidence, and strong work ethic. These values will continue to benefit the girls into adulthood.

The girls have learned to work as a team on and off the field. The Infinity SC 98 Select Team has had successful fundraisers to make the opportunity to play for such a great team financially possible for all families. They have also had a team slumber party hosted by Coach Doney that built friendship and trust among the girls. At each game spectators have seen examples of friendship and teamwork as the girls work together to score. At a recent game, a teammate scored couple of great goals. While having the opportunity again, she selflessly passed the ball to another player who was able to score her first goal of the season. Way to go, Infinity SC 98 Select!!!

'96 Select Girls Playing With A Positive Outlook

The Infinity SC 96 Select team hopes to create a positive learning environment for athletes to achieve their individual and team goals. One of teir most important goals is to teach the players to respect officials, spectators, opponents, and most importantly themselves.

This summer the girls practiced once a week throughout the summer. They also attended Coach Ginn’s Technical Training once a week. Coach Doney kept the practice pace, fast and focused. The girls responded by playing well in the Cache Valley Cup.

As the season began hopes were high. The girls started off the season with a 2-0 win but were a bit stunned as the SC Stangs came out strong and defeated our team 4-0. The girls are beginning to focus and work hard to realize their responsibilities of being part of a team. Over the summer we picked up a few new players and our team is beginning to gel together.

As a team we strive to give every player the confidence to make quick decisions in game situations. The girls are working hard during games and once we start to work together as a whole team unit our team will become more confident.