Touchline Fall 2018 by A.E. Engine

Pennsylvania’s Leading Youth Soccer Publication

fall 2018

National Finalists PSC Coppa Swarm Take Silver | Pg 10

Huntingdon Valley to Happy Valley

Erica Dambach’s Journey

Pg 6-7

TOPSoccer Spotlight

Wilson Junior Soccer Club

Pg 25

Non-Profit US Postage PAID Permit #15 Monroe, GA

Thanks to all Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer players, parents and coaches for your support in 2018! Best wishes for a successful fall season. Play hard, play fair, and have fun!

credits Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Volume LV | FALL 2018 Touchline is published quarterly Published by: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer 4070 Butler Pike, Suite 100 Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 Phone: 610-238-9966 Fax: 610-238-9933 E-mail: info@EPYSA.org Website: EPYSA.org

contents 2 From Our CEO

19 ODP: Tips For Tryouts

21 Resident Camp Gallery

Development Grants/Fair Play & Respect

5 Outreach: United Philly Soccer Fuels Soccer in the City

Executive Board President – Jim Kuntz Vice President, Recreation – Jeff Sommer Vice President, Travel – Michael Finnegan Treasurer – Warren Beideman Secretary – Melissa Murphy Weber Registrar – Jim Christian State Youth Referee Administrator – Jeff Tener Office Staff Chief Executive Officer – Chris Branscome Chief Administrative Officer – Kelly Connor Technical Director – Mike Barr Director of Soccer Development & Performance – Gary Stephenson Director of Marketing & Events – Krissy Woods Director of Membership Services – Marisa J. Pigeon Member Services Manager – Sheila Molyneaux Program Manager – Meridith Crowell Communications Manager – Dillon Friday Grassroots Soccer Manager – JT Dorsey Program Assistant – Julián Rey-Montes Touchline Editor-in-Chief: Chris Branscome Editor: Dillon Friday Printed and designed by A.E. Engine, Inc.

6-7 Erica Dambach: National Champion Coach From Huntingdon Valley 9 Rec Soccer Spotlight: Southeastern Pennsylvania Rec Soccer League 10 National Championships Recap: PSC Coppa Swarm Take Second

25 TOPSoccer Spotlight: Wilson Junior Soccer Club 28 Medical Advisory Committee: Promoting Player Safety 30 Coaching Education: An Interview With Zac Crawford 33 Mike Barr: Let’s Listen to the Players 35 Player Profile: Andrew Stricklin

11 National Presidents Cup Champs: VE Green Gunners Find Redemption in Indiana

36 Training Session: Scoring More Goals

14 Where We’ve Been

16 Philadelphia International Unity Cup Final/Red Card Cancer 17 Quarterly Calendar

From Our

President

Jim Kuntz

23 Tournament Spotlight: Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament

President, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

On the cover: Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa Swarm came up just short in their pursuit of a US Youth Soccer National Championship. They finished second in the 14U girls division. Photo courtesy of US Youth Soccer.

t was another successful summer for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer teams. In total, we sent 10 teams to the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup and US Youth Soccer National Championships and had two more teams win regional events. VE Green Gunners won the 16U boys national Presidents Cup and Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa Swarm finished runners-up in the 14U girls National Championship Series—tremendous achievements. We also had four ODP teams—U15 girls, U16 girls, U16 boys, U17 boys—win the East Region ODP championship, the most champions of any state in the region. We are all proud of the efforts of these players and coaches. The future is bright for soccer in our state. What makes the World Cup so special, beyond the great soccer, is how much the players care about representing their countries. There’s something to be said about that—each time you pull on a jersey, or wear a crest or step on the field, you are representing somebody, be it a club or the state as a whole. That’s something the teams who traveled this summer took seriously. You could tell by the way they played and the way the players handled themselves. That sometimes is more important than results. The same could be said for everyone involved in the game, coaches, parents, family and fans. As we move into the new season, think about who you are representing, and how you can do it in a positive, respective manner. Congratulations on a terrific summer and best of luck this fall.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

CEO From Our

Think About Respect & Perspective This Season

Chris Branscome

Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

“

The visiting team and their spectators are no different than yours. They are the family and friends of the players. They are guests at your field, and one day, you will be guests at theirs.

“

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

have a simple message for the start of this season. Two words, respect and perspective. Treat everyone respectfully and keep it all in perspective. Remember this about any player, coach or referee in a game: They are someone’s child, grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, father, mother, cousin, wife, husband, neighbor, or friend. The visiting team and their spectators are no different than yours. They are the family and friends of the players. They are guests at your field, and one day, you will be guests at theirs. The players—the children—are there to play a game. They are there to have fun. They are there to enjoy themselves—regardless of the level of competition, that’s why they are on the field. Perspective is the key to watching any game. Point of view, literally and figuratively is important. Did you have the right angle and positioning to see the foul as the referee did? Can you see from the sideline, at midfield, from the bench or the bleachers, the same way the linesman did running with the play? Are you the parent of the player just fouled? Was the foul clumsy and accidental as opposed to on purpose? Was the foul tactical an attempt to slow down or stop a dangerous attack? Even if you think you know the laws of the game pretty well, your perspective is not the same as those performing on the field. I offer that more coaches and fans should study the laws or perhaps take a referee course. Let’s look at perspective on the way the game is played, too. One team attacks, another is more defensive. One plays possession, one plays direct. Man to man, or zone…neither is necessarily right or wrong. If a ball is played to open space, was it a good ball, or was it really a turnover? There are many decisions a player makes in a game. When they work, great. When they don’t, we criticize. But again, from the bleachers or the bench, we can’t see what the player sees, and we don’t have to react the way the player does. What I’ve described above could be triggers to poor behavior and disrespectful actions. But they don’t have to be. A little more education on the game, its tactics or its rules might provide a different perspective for you. In turn, we may show a little more respect for the players and referees on the field. If we can do that, we may keep a few more referees working and a few more kids playing, and that helps us grow the game.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is once again encouraging member clubs to wear ‘Fair Play’ and/or ‘Respect’ patches on their uniforms. The patches are free and are available at EPYSA.org/fair_play_respect_patches.

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER FAIR PLAY & RESPECT PROGRAM

2018

DEVELOPMENT GRANT

program recipients

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer introduced its Development Grants program in 2014 to help clubs and organizations improve their infrastructure. In 2018, $80,000 in cash and equipment was awarded to 10 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer clubs. Projects included goal upgrades, lighting, facility renovation and the installation of an irrigation system.

Grant applications for 2019 will be made available in January.

Congratulations to the 10 clubs that received development grants:

Germantown Soccer Club Kensington Soccer Club Rose Tree Soccer Club Tri-Valley Youth Soccer Club Pottsville Youth Soccer Association Lehigh Valley Youth Soccer League

Vereinigung Erzgebirge West Schuylkill FC Ridley United Keystone FC Fusion FC

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outreach

United Philly Soccer Club Fuels Soccer in the City By Dillon Friday, Communications Manager, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

nited Philly Soccer Club Philly comes in at U13 to ensure that It’s part of United Philly’s holistic had two U17 boys teams these kids keep playing. approach. The club has hosted last season, and together A native of Brooklyn, New York, fundraisers, college recruiting nights they epitomize the mission Bono models his work with Fairmount and a high school information night of the club. The one and United Philly off his with both private and public schools. team could count itself own experiences. United Philly also encourages its among the region’s “For me, this is my younger players to take part in mulelite, reaching the passion,” Bono said. tiple sports. Some attended Eastern semifinals of the EDP “I grew up in Brooklyn. Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Resident Cup. The second team There’s so much Camp at Bryn Athyn College. was formed out of diversity, and there are “It’s nice. I enjoy the soccer,” said opportunity. so many kids playing. Hope Falon-Mazer, 15, of Resident “(It’s) probably one So when I came to Camp. “Everybody is really good. Like, of the more special Philly, what I liked about I’m getting worked a lot, but I enjoy it. teams at the club,” Fairmount, and now It’s going to be worth it.” said Mario Bono, head Kensington and all our Hope is a Cheltenham High School of travel coaching partners, is that it’s low sophomore who joined United Philly at Fairmount Soccer cost.” two years ago. Association, “because Moreover, if families “Mario is a really good coach and Hope Falon-Mazer was they’re made up of a can’t afford to pay, United Philly is a great association,” one of several United Philly lot of immigrants from they don’t have to. The she said. “It’s like you never know who players that attended Southeast Asia, kids has what background. There are a lot Eastern Pennsylvania Youth results, so far, have been Soccer Resident Camp this that the coach just met excellent. In addition of really good players in the city. You summer. playing pickup soccer to the U17 boys team, meet great players.” at Penn Park. That feels the U16 girls reached There are challenges ahead, field really meaningful.” the finals of the EDP Summer Classic. space being one, geography another. United Philly has existed in practice Other players have been exposed to But the club is expanding and confor the better part of the last decade, external opportunities through United stantly communicating with not only although 2017-18 was the club’s first Philly. JoJo McShane, for instance, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer official season. Fairmount, Germanplayed a key role on 2017 PAISAA but also Philadelphia Parks & Rec as town Soccer, Anderson Monarchs and state champion Springside Chestnut well as potential partner associations. Kensington Soccer Club form its core Hill Academy. It’s all in the name of giving the and carry a simple purpose: to create “She’s a girl that lives in Fishtown, kids of Philadelphia a fair chance at a pathway for Philadelphia’s talented takes the train to the bus,” Bono said. playing the beautiful game. soccer players through the under-19 “But she loves the sport.” age group and to give all youth in the city a chance to play if they want to. “There are some really good players that enjoy the sport,” said Bono. “Some weren’t playing anymore, or they were going to the suburbs. It just seemed like a logical progression.” Bono has worked closely with leadership from affiliate clubs—including Yomi Awodesu from Germantown Soccer, Curt Deveaux from Anderson Monarchs, Jim Hardy from Kensington Soccer Club and JT Dorsey and Gary Stephenson from Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer among others—to establish United Philly Soccer as a Mario Bono (far right) led the U16 girls United Philly soccer team to the finals of the cooperative effort. Kids stay local EDP Summer Classic. through the young age groups; United Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

from huntingdon valle y to happ y valle y

From Huntingdon Valley To Happy Valley

It’s All About Community For Erica Dambach

By Dillon Friday

rica Dambach’s commitment to her players may be her greatest asset as a coach. Just ask Maddy Evans. Near the end of the 2017 NWSL season, Evans, then with Orlando Pride, was mulling her professional future. She had an offer on the table to join Betty Ann Kempf Townsley on the coaching staff of West Chester University. Evans needed advice, so she called Dambach, her former coach at Penn State. “I was so impressed by the way she had her finger on the pulse—she still knew me and my values,” said Evans, who accepted the position with the Golden Rams. “I was going through this decision, a very stressful time. I hung up the phone with her, and that was the first time I felt, ‘Wow, I’m fully at peace with my decision.’” There’s a reason Dambach cares so much about her players, current and former. It’s evident in her mentorship of Evans—“One of the best young minds in the game”—and in her dream five-a-side roster (pg. 7), where Ann Cook, her assistant coach at Penn State and roommate at William & Mary, is alongside Tobin Heath, Christie Rampone, Messi and Neymar. “It’s all about community, and it’s all about family” said Dambach, prior to her 12th season in charge of the Nittany Lions. “That’s what I’ve tried to create with the Penn State program.” Dambach has won everything there is to be won in State College:

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Photos courtesy of Penn State Athletics

184 games; nine Big Ten regular season titles and three conference tournaments; the 2015 national championship. She has produced eight first team All-Americans, a MAC Hermann Trophy winner (Raquel Rodriguez, 2015) and two finalists. Dambach also won a Gold Medal as an assistant coach with the 2008 U.S. Women’s National Team, commemorated not by the real thing—coaches don’t receive medals—but by a cardboard replica made by four-year Nittany Lions starter Katie Schoepfer. She still has it.

“It’s all about community, and it’s all about family” All of that success, and especially her sense of community, stems from Dambach’s experience growing up in Huntingdon Valley. “Just going back to that idea of being the only girl in that community, and the way I was treated at the time, I’m not sure I even recognized it,” said Dambach. “I look back, and I think they really were a huge part of what made me successful.” Before she was a player (or a coach for that matter), Dambach was a fan. She watched her older brother, Michael, play for Lower Moreland High School from the sidelines, where she would spend much of the epysa.org

game dribbling around, and dreaming of the day she would take her place with the Lions. But when she and Council Rock United teammate and friend Kate Dunn arrived at Lower Moreland, there was no girls team. “(John Oberholtzer) took us on and invited us to join the boys team,” Dambach said, recalling that Dunn and her were the only two girls in the league at the time. Oberholtzer had coached Michael and knew the Walsh family well. “The way that he and Randy Garber, another name, the way they treated Kate and I and the way that the guys on the team treated us made us feel comfortable and like we belonged.” Dambach was already coaching at that point, too. She had played in the Olympic Development Program, where she caught the eye of Charlotte Moran, former Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer President and the Region I Girls ODP Administrator—“Charlotte, being who Charlotte was, from that point I was going to be involved, whether I wanted to or not,” recalled Dambach. She spent her summers through high school and college at William & Mary helping with camps. Dambach even found time to get her National C License after her freshman year, when Sue Vodicka, an assistant coach with the Tribe, encouraged her to do it. Now, through all her stops, Dambach offers the same level of support and guidance to her players. “So much of what she teaches

from huntingdon valle y to happ y valle y

“The dedication to her players always stands out to me” -Maddy Evans you transcends soccer,” said Evans. “There are life lessons. Playing with a blue collar mentality, being a good teammate, being a good leader— those are things you can apply in life. That was so impressive to learn from her.” Evans, a Glenside native, knew all about Erica Walsh: “She’s a bit of a legend,” she said. Evans even followed in her future coach’s footsteps; she had practices in Lower Moreland’s gym as a kid and Oberholtzer was her assistant coach when she won the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championship with FC Bucks Vipers. And although that familiarity helped forge a friendship, their relationship is no different than any other between a Penn State player and Dambach. “The dedication to her players always stands out to me,” said Evans. “The hard work that she and her staff

puts in is evident to the players. It’s inspiring to see.” Since Dambach won the national title in 2015, much has changed in her life. For one, she got married and had two daughters, Addie and Kylie. The Penn State women’s soccer program has taken on a more familial feel than it even had before. “Our student athletes at Penn State have been big sisters to my daughters,” Dambach said. “My husband (Jason Dambach) loves our team. That’s my next challenge: to build my family within our Penn State program, but to integrate my own personal family within it.” She’s also engaged in providing a path for her players, like Evans, to pursue coaching if they so choose. It’s something Dambach has had her entire soccer career: guidance. “Hey, we’ve got the best job in the world,” she said. “It’s full of ups and downs, but there’s no better way to give back than to pay it forward.”

Dambach said of her time on the U.S. Women’s National Team staff, which included the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, “These women who have done it at the highest level, who have had the most success in the world, first things first, they just want to get better. They want to learn. They want to be pushed. So, it’s your job to push them.”

Erica Dambach Hometown: Huntingdon Valley Favorite Youth Soccer Memory: Going down on that field at Lower Moreland High School and playing with the boys. People would sit up on the hill, and I remember watching my brother do it. Being out there with my best friends, who were the guys on the team and Kate (Dunn), the air on a Friday night in front of our high school. Favorite Quote: “To whom much is given, much is expected” Favorite Qualities of Pennsylvania-raised Players: Blue collar, family oriented, passionate about life Dream Five-A-Side Roster: Ann Cook, Tobin Heath, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Christie Rampone Routine or Superstition: I have no superstitions. I don’t have a good enough memory to remember to be superstitious. So I am the least superstitious person.

From celebrating a Big Ten title (left) to catching up after an Orlando Pride match, Dambach has always been someone Evans has leaned on.

2018 Season Outlook: We have a lot of the same pieces we had in 2015, in terms of leadership. The dynamic that was established in the spring, arguably, was as good as it’s ever been.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

DECADENCE

is now in—season

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R ec soccer spotlight

U14 Fall 2017 Champion

LV-PA Rush Red

U14 Fall 2017 Champion Warrington Argentina

Rec Soccer Spotlight: Southeastern PA Recreation Soccer League

he success of a league, and County and eastern Montgomery really a sport as a whole, is County—including Central Bucks not measured in wins and Athletic Association, Horsham, losses but in participation Hatboro-Horsham, Southampton, and enjoyment. In this regard, the Warminster and Warrington—looked Southeastern PA Recreation Soccer to bolster their intramural programs League (SEPA Rec League) thrives. with friendly games. For bigger During the 2017-18 season, 20 clubs clubs, it gave in-house players a in Bucks and Montgomery counties chance to test themselves against contributed 88 teams outside teams. For to the league across smaller clubs, it meant 10 divisions of play. Of more varied competi“It’s about those 20 clubs, seven tion. And as the friendly options; if kids produced champions games increased, club and four more sent leadership, fronted by want to play teams to the finals. Tae An and Joseph soccer, they can.” That’s remarkable McInnis, moved to breadth for an orgaestablish a league. nization that is still in The number of the early stages of development. participating clubs, from the original With grassroots becoming a six, grew to 20 last season, and the buzzword in the soccer world over expansion won’t stop there. McInnis the past two years, the SEPA Rec and An have fielded interest from League is a great example of how it’s teams in Northeast Philadelphia, supposed to work. The league grew in addition to their established organically. In fact, 2017-18 was its suburban locale. There’s simply first official season. Prior to that, the a huge demand for soccer in the outfit carried a more informal strucarea, especially for families whose ture, known as the “Joint Intramural children play other sports or may League.” Clubs in central Bucks find that travel soccer isn’t quite for

U12 Fall 2017 Champion

Warrington Brazil

them. It’s about options; if kids want to play soccer, they can. The SEPA Rec League offers separate boys and girls age brackets in the U12, U14, U16 and U19 age groups. Those two- and three-year gaps allow for maximum participation. There’s also been discussion, with input from the clubs, about including a U10 age group in 2019. Teams compete in fall (SeptemberOctober) and spring (April-June) seasons. It’s all part of the league’s mission, “to provide a venue for all players, regardless of ability, to continue to play the game, from elementary school to high school.” The SEPA Rec League has done a great job promoting its players as well: champions and finalists get their pictures on the league’s website.

For more information on the SEPA Rec League visit WarringtonSoccerPA.org/ south-eastern-pa-rec-league.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

N ational C hampionships recap

US Youth Soccer National Championships Recap

Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa Swarm Claims Second

By Dillon Friday

In the days that followed “Flying, being away from family… Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa That took a toll on the kids,” said Swarm’s second place finish in Schacher. “But they were all so the 14U Girls US Youth Soccer focused. We had team meetings, National Championship, the players team dinners, a team pool party at on the team had a message to share. a player’s cousin’s pool. And they “Everybody’s been posting the didn’t question anything. They were team picture with #RoadToTX2019,” rested and ready.” said Swarm coach That behavior Karla Schacher. didn’t surprise “They’ve been Schacher, nor did there, and they Swarm’s success. know what they’re Schacher saw capable of doing.” something special That hashtag— from the start. She #RoadToTX—was had experience pushed by the as a coach with US Youth SocEast Brunswick cer National Soccer Club (NJ) Championship and PDA (NJ), Series (NCS) to not to mention promote the finals a playing career in Frisco, Texas, with the Canadian which took place women’s national With strong defending and goalkeeping, July 24-29. And team and Rutgers Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa Swarm if Philly Soccer University. She reached the national finals. (Photo courtesy of US Youth Soccer) Club jumped the knew talent, and gun in planning Swarm had it. a return trip, so be it. They came “The first practice I ever trained agonizingly close to a national title, that team (I knew),” Schacher and they want to get back. recalled, when asked about the naDefense defined Swarm’s run. In tional championship potential. “That 13 NCS games, the girls posted 10 was two years ago.” clean sheets and conceded four While Schacher served as a partgoals. Unfortunately, two of them time trainer at first—at the invitation came in the final against Michigan of Charlie Ritter—she shifted to Jaguars Green in a 2-0 defeat. a permanent coaching role this “They were heartbroken to lose,” season. She established a defensive said Schacher. “We weren’t used to mentality, but there was something giving up goals.” else that drove the group’s success. And yet the coach was impressed “There was a level of respect there by the way her group responded to a that was really easy to work with,” challenging experience. Schacher said. “The whole reason

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa Swarm was jumping for joy on their way to a runnerup finish at the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

I coach soccer is because I know there aren’t enough female coaches. I feel like I owe it to young female players to continue to mentor them.” While Swarm have their eyes set on a return to Frisco, it’s important to reflect on their 2018 accomplishments: state and regional titles; US Youth Soccer National Championship Best XI honors for Madison Crozier (joint top-scorer in the age group), Olivia Myers and Mary Trudeau; and a second place finish in the nation, the best ever for a Philadelphia Soccer Club team. Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa Swarm was one of three Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer teams to compete at the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships. • Ukrainian Nationals Black, fourth place, 13U Boys • Keystone FC Premier, group stage, 15U Girls • Jake Freedman (Ukrainian Nationals), Joseph Turano (Ukrainian Nationals), Elena Hinkson (Keystone FC) and Sophie Goretski (Keystone FC) all made Best XI teams.

N ational P residents C up R ecap

V.E. Green Gunners Win US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup By Dillon Friday

ereinigung Erzgebirge Shane Collier scored the equalGreen Gunners made izer to set up McCartney’s heroics. history this summer, Midway through the second half, when they became the McCartney, a sophomore at La Salle first youth team from the club to win College High School, watched as a a youth national dangerous cross championship. VE bounced through defeated Heat FC the 18-yard box. (Nevada), 2-1, in He pounced, firing Westfield, Indiana, a shot into the to claim the 16U back of the net. Boys US Youth “For a minute, Soccer National yes,” McCartney Presidents Cup. said when asked That victory if he knew he capped a sterling scored a potential run to redemption national champifor the Green onship-winning Gunners. A year goal. “Then I ago, they went realized there was 0-3-1, finishing still time left. We fourth out of four had to defend.” in the national The Green GunAfter Sean McCartney put VE ahead, the Presidents Cup. ners did just that, Green Gunners held off Heat FC with a “Well, last with the help of strong defensive effort (Photo courtesy of US Youth Soccer) year we didn’t Johan Rodrigues, have too much who received the success (at nationals),” said Sean Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper McCartney, a midfielder with VE. “It in the age group. The national title drove us to win this year.” capped a wonderful run for VE, McCartney provided the finishing a team that boasts two regional touch. VE, based in Warminster, fell Presidents Cup titles, an Eastern behind 1-0 to Heat FC in the final. Pennsylvania Presidents Cup title (as The Green Gunners had previously well as a runner-up finish in 2017) lost to the Nevada champions, 2-0, in and now a US Youth Soccer National the group stage. This time, however, Presidents Cup. VE had an answer. They are the first national Presi“We came out pretty nervous, and dents Cup champion from Eastern conceded pretty early,” said McPennsylvania Youth Soccer since Cartney. “As the game went on, we 2015 (North Union United Wave, settled in more. We tied it up (before U14 Girls) and first boys national half), which helped a lot.” Presidents Cup champion since 2011

After finishing fourth at nationals in 2017, VE Green Gunners took the top spot in 2018 (Photo courtesy of US Youth Soccer)

(TSC FC Towamencin, U17 Boys, and Eagles FC United, U16 Boys). “It’s indescribable,” said McCartney. “Just (an) exhilarating feeling of relief.” Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer sent seven US Youth Soccer Eastern Presidents Cup champions to the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup. • Southern Chester County Soccer Association Dragons, second place, 13U Boys • Harleysville FC Ready, second place, 15U Girls • VE United, third place, 18U Girls • Rage United, fourth place, 17U Girls • PA Rush, fourth place, 14U Girls • Montgomery United, fourth place, 16U Girls • Gabrielle Dolan (Rage United) was awarded the Golden Glove for the 17U Girls Division

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where we ’ ve been

Where We’ve Been As part of FC Bayern Munich’s trip to Philadelphia, where the club played Juventus on July 25, members of the front office got a tour of Old City. Above, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO Chris Branscome (middle left) and Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association past president Werner Fricker, Jr., chat with Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (left) and Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness (right). “I believe we are watching much more and scouting much more (in) the U.S. market than we did in the past,” said Rummenigge, a two-time European Footballer of the Year, of Bayern’s interest in U.S. youth soccer. “I believe that U.S. soccer has a good future. We will follow and we will help in that future process, and we’ll take part.”

In preparation of the 2018 Philadelphia International Unity Cup, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer hosted pickup soccer for the Jamaican community at Finley Playground in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer staff coach Edvin Worley gives direction to day campers at Chester Park in Wallingford, one of several day camps throughout the summer.

Four Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer ODP teams captured US Youth Soccer East Region titles in Kirkwood, Delaware, on Sunday, June 24: the U15 Girls, the U16 Girls (above, left), the U16 Boys (above, right) & the U17 Boys.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

RED CARD CANCER STREET SOCCER AT STEELSTACKS Friday, October 5th 5-8 PM

*No pre-registraaon necessary. Event is free and donaaons will be taken on site to support the ﬁght against cancer! Visit www.EPYSA.org for more informaaon.

2018

Championship Game

INTERNATIONAL

UNITY CUP

Saturday, October 13

PRESENTED BY

Talen Energy Stadium home of the Philadelphia Union This year’s Unity Cup tournament featured 52 teams representing countries around the world. After more than 100 games, the top four teams will face oﬀ on championship day. Don’t miss the excitement! Enjoy a day of free family fun, celebrating soccer and Philadelphia’s diverse immigrant communities. The Unity Cup’s championship day activities will include: • Sponsor giveaways & activities • Youth game • Third place game

• Naturalization ceremony • Parade of Nations • Championship game

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Quarterly

calendar September 2018 1 – 2018-19 Seasonal Year begins 3 – Labor Day, State Office Closed 3 – Harrisburg Free Kick Street Soccer, Kipona Festival | Harrisburg, PA 8 – Grassroots Coaching Course with JTDF and Chester Upland Soccer for Success | Downingtown, PA. 8-9 – Fall League Play begins 8-9 – ODP Tryouts | Multiple Locations 15-16 – ODP Tryouts | Multiple Locations 22 – Unity Cup Semifinals | Philadelphia, PA (La Salle University) 22-23 – Target United Cup | Wyoming Valley 26 – Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final: Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo

october 2018 1-31 – Red Card Cancer Month 5 – Red Card Cancer Street Soccer At SteelStacks | Bethlehem, PA 6-7 – United Philly Columbus Day Festival Tournament at Anderson Monarchs 12 – Army/Navy Cup VII | Chester, PA (Talen Energy Stadium) 12 – Futbol Friday 13-14 – ODP Callbacks | Multiple Locations 13 – Unity Cup Championship | Chester, PA (Talen Energy Stadium)

november 2018 11 – ODP Training 16-17 – PIAA Soccer Championships | Hershey, PA 22 – Thanksgiving, State Office Closed

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ODP Tryouts

ince 1977, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program has identified and trained players at the elite level. ODP provides supplemental training and competitive opportunities for players with the goal of advancement to US Youth Soccer East Region teams and ultimately, national team selections. Through training and regional competition, ODP also provides players with exposure to college coaches. Tryouts for the 201819 ODP season begin September 8-9 and 15-16, with callback tryouts to follow. Teams will be selected following the second callback date. For many players, the ODP tryout experience is a new one. With so many high-level players on the field at once, it can be an intimidating process. To help alleviate the stress of trying out, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director Mike Barr put together a list of attributes that the evaluators will look for from potential ODP players.

For all ODP tryout information, visit EPYSA.org/ODP.

10 Things ODP Evaluators Look For At Tryouts 1. Speed - Pure speed is a huge benefit in any sport but often in soccer, mental

speed—decision-making with and without the ball—allows for players to compensate for a lack of pure speed.

2. Touch – First touch may be the most critical technique for a soccer player.

Receiving balls on the ground or from the air swiftly and in preparation for the next decision makes the game easier to play. Balls bouncing in the air from an insidethe-foot collection and balls received in the air with the wrong surface and not moved to space or to feet are areas evaluators examine consistently.

3. The use of both feet in passing and finishing creates more opportunities for

every player. Watching a player take extra touches to get the ball to his/her strong foot may result in losing possession. Using the proper foot surface for passing or shooting also comes into play.

4. Transition – Moving from attack to defense and defense to attack quickly,

from any position, is a strong indicator of a high-level player. If a coach notices a player who does not seem involved, he or she will obviously be overlooked. A player’s movement off the ball in the role of third attacker or providing balance as a defender shows a player who knows the game.

5. Determined play on 50-50 balls (tackles and especially headers) adds to a player’s worth in the eyes of evaluators. In tackles, evaluators are looking for players to go in hard and regain possession.

6. Overall comfort with the ball, without a sense of panic, is critical to the ODP-level player. Confidence and enthusiasm are recognized quickly.

7. Decision-making , when to possess the ball or take a player on, especially in the attacking third, is an attribute that will assist a player in making the ODP team.

8. Talk from an individual, especially on the defensive side of the ball, makes the game easier for the entire team.

9. Passionate play within the 18-yard box, whether on attack or defense, brings out notice from the coaches in attendance.

10. Pace and endurance during the tryouts and

recognizing when there is time to recover in play are also areas that evaluators look for.

Evaluations in tryouts cannot replace watching a player participate in a significant game. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer coaches are always looking for players to improve in game settings. Should a player not be chosen for ODP it is not the end of the world. We encourage players to continue with soccer and pursue opportunities as they arise.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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2018 Resident Camp Gallery Across two weeks in July at Bryn Athyn College, more than 400 youth soccer players enjoyed Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Resident Camp. The camp featured a wide variety of soccer activities as well as classroom sessions, World Cup watch parties, swimming and yoga, all meant to give attendees a holistic and enjoyable experience. A big thank you to all who attended Resident Camp in 2018! We hope to see everybody back in 2019. Check back to EPYSA. org/Camp2019 later this year for information on Resident Camp 2019.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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T ournament spotlight

Tournament Spotlight: The Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament About

WHO’s PLAYING?

The 2018 Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament will be the 27th edition of the event. It was founded in 1992 to honor Jack Walsh, a club member who made a mark at Hunter Soccer Club. Since 2017, Hunter SC and Upper Dublin Soccer Club have cooperated to run the tournament. It has become one of the largest youth soccer tournaments on the East Coast with around 400 teams.

The 2018 Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament will attract around 400 teams, featuring more than 10,000 players. It started off as a local tournament but has since grown to include more and more teams from neighboring states.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2018? • New main sponsor Yokohama underlines the role the Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament plays among East Coast tournaments • Again in 2018, the Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament will have coaches from Chelsea FC (England) providing free clinics to coaches and skill clinics for players • Custom-made medals and trophies • For the first time, teams from Maryland will compete in the Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament • Yokohama Skill Challenge, a fun skill competition for participating players

Players from the host clubs, Hunter SC and Upper Dublin SC, fight for the ball during game action

JACK WALSH MEMORIAL

TOURNAMENT Dates: October 6-7 Location: Abington & Fort Washington Registration Deadline: September 15, 2018

Visit JWMTournament.org for more information on the Jack Walsh Memorial Cup

More Upcoming Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Tournaments October 5-7: WLUSC Fall Fest October 5-7: YMS Columbus Cup November 4: UMSC Intramural Select Tournament

November 10-11: Keystone FC

Harvest Cup

THEY SAID IT

400 teams, 10,000 players and plenty of celebrations are expected at the 2018 Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament.

“We started Jack Walsh in the early 1990’s to welcome all soccer players from our own area and beyond to participate with our teams to enjoy the great sport of soccer and the excitement of playing in a tournament. For some of these young players, this is their first experience with the environment of a tournament. This has always been special for all of them and all of us as well. We look forward to this year’s event.” - Ralph P. Bocchino, Chairman of the Board of Hunter Soccer Club and founder of the Jack Walsh Memorial Tournament Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

T O P S occer

TOPSoccer Spotlight: Wilson Junior Soccer Club

XXXXXXX

Soccer is alive and well in Berks County, and that includes Wilson Junior Soccer Club, which runs one of the state association’s most successful TOPSoccer (for special needs players) programs. For more information on Wilson Junior Soccer Club TOPSoccer visit WJSC.org. Below, we introduce you to a buddy, Alicia Bonsall, and player, Nathan Creveling, from the program. What inspired you to become a buddy?

Alicia Bonsall: My husband, Matthew, is one of the TOPSoccer coaches, and he introduced me to the program. I loved the idea of a program that provides a place where children with special needs can participate and enjoy soccer in an environment that is accepting and understanding. Even though I don’t consider myself a soccer player, I wanted to be able to help and assist in any way I could.

What’s one highlight you’ve had as a buddy? Alicia: A positive ...kids don’t just moment I benefit from the have had adult volunteers as a buddy was when that help the we had program run, but a scrimthey help and mage that incorposupport each other rated both as well. the younger group with the older group of kids. Not only did all the children work together as new teammates, but the older kids were able to encourage and provide

guidance and support to the younger kids during the game. That showed that the kids don’t just benefit from the adult volunteers that help the program run, but they help and support each other as well.

What is a challenge you may face as a buddy and how would you overcome it? Alicia: Finding the best way to communicate and encourage each child. As each child has different needs, you will need to learn how to work with each individual to provide the best experience and participation. It may take some time but patience is the key to overcoming this challenge.

What advice would you give to other buddies? Alicia: You do not need to be an expert on soccer or on working with children with special needs to be able to help out and have fun with TOPSoccer!

Nathan Creveling Age: 17

Years Playing Soccer: 10

What is your favorite thing about soccer:

I like playing with my friends and working as a team

What is your favorite game or activity at Wilson Junior TOPSoccer? I like playing games against the local church youth groups. I also like to play against my parents!

For more information on TOPSoccer, including club locations and best practices for starting a program, visit EPYSA.org/programs_camps/topsoccerspecialneeds/

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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F rom T he M edical A dvisor y C ommittee

Promoting Player Safety: A Major Mission Of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer By Kevin B. Freedman, M.D., Rothman Institute Sports Medicine, Chair, Medical Advisory Committee

nsuring player safety has always been a large part of the mission for the promotion of youth soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer has recently established “Recognize to Recover,” a resource for the promotion of player safety. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has been on the forefront for reviewing and promoting player safety and established the Medical Advisory Committee several years ago for this purpose. This year, the Medical Advisory Committee is enhancing its resources and recommendations to all of the clubs, coaches, players and parents throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. It is our goal to establish recommendations for “best practice” to keep the game safe for everyone who participates. The following is a highlight of our recommendations. We encourage everyone to review the guidelines, and hope that engagement from all sides will protect all of our athletes for a lifetime of safe play.

Coaches Toolkit for Player Safety

Appointment of a Club Safety Officer

We recognize that coaches are mostly volunteers, and there are varying comfort levels for dealing with player injuries. We strive to make everyone comfortable for dealing with minor bumps and bruises or major injuries that can occur during practice or a game. We are not trying to make coaches advanced medical providers – on the contrary, we want them to be prepared to make smart decisions because they are the front lines for player protection. To help make all coaches successful, we are providing additional resources in our Coaches Toolkit: • Emergency Action Plan as outlined under the Appointment of a Club Safety Officer. • First aid essentials. We will provide suggestions for a basic first aid kit for quick and effective relief of minor injuries on the field. • Return to play recommendations. We are going to make suggestions for return to play guidelines for injured athletes. This will include mandatory medical release for athletes with concussions, as well as suggestions for other injuries including extremity injuries. This will help take the “guesswork” out of appropriate medical release, and this process should occur in conjunction with the Club Safety Officer.

The Club Safety Officer will be a volunteer position with the major responsibility of ensuring the adherence to both mandatory and recommended policies of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer as it relates to player safety. Examples of their responsibilities will include: • Adherence with guidelines for mandatory coaching certification and training, including Child Safety Act and Concussion Certification • Development of an Emergency Action Plan for each club and team. The Emergency Action Plan maps out the management of a crisis situation such as spinal or head injuries, sudden cardiac death, weather related emergencies, etc. This provides an immediate guide for action. • Education of coaches for resources available on EPYSA.org regarding player and field safety • Collection of Player Medical Release Form. We are suggesting that each player complete a medical release that allows emergency care if the parents cannot be contacted and identify any medical conditions that should be recognized by the coach or club when the parent is not available (asthma, diabetes, allergies, etc.)

We have developed these resources with one goal in mind: the safety of your child. We hope you will review these guidelines and encourage each club to adopt them.

Ensuring safety is part of ensuring fun Visit EPYSA.org/Medical_Advisory_Committee/ for more information

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

coaching education

Meet The Coach: Zac Crawford, U.S. Soccer Grassroots Coach Educator

f you take a U.S. Soccer Grassroots Coaching Course or National D License Course, you’ll be learning from the nation’s top experts, including Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director Mike Barr. Zac Crawford. Zac Crawford, U.S. Soccer Grassroots Coach Educator, also contributed to the curriculum that will provide a framework for coaching and player development in this country going forward. We spoke to Zac about grassroots soccer, play-practice-play and more. Note: The full interview appears in the September 2018 issue of the Evolving Game, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s coaching education newsletter.

Grassroots is one of those catch-all phrases. What does it mean to you? How do you define grassroots? Zac Crawford: Typically, grassroots is 6-13 years old. There’s a variety of ability levels at grassroots. It could be someone who’s brand new to the game or someone who’s played for a couple seasons. But ultimately it’s that joy and passion for the game that drives participation. That’s why they play. Grassroots provides an opportunity for people to play their entire life. It’s not just about putting players into that performance-driven pathway. Some people think that’s the only reason why grassroots is there. But grassroots is there also for players to leave the performance-driven pathway and come back and still have an opportunity to play, so that way they’re a participant for life. So you can think about all the different structures and leagues that we have and how it’s just alphabet soup sometimes: is it rec, is it competitive, is it travel, is it travel-plus. Really, we’re considering grassroots to be the majority of the landscape. Grassroots is the foundation. I love the fact I have grassroots in my job description.

In regards to Play-Practice-Play, one thing we’ve heard back as we’re running different clinics, is from parents who say, “the kids are just playing. When are they learning the technical stuff?” How is the philosophy transferred, not only to the coaches and players but to the parents and families? ZC: Parent engagement is such a huge piece. And it’s about engaging, building relationships, maintaining relationships, and when you do that, you really prevent conflicts. So parent engagement, part of that is also parent education. We’re

doing something totally different than in the past to help player development through coach development. So we have to educate (the parents) that Play-Practice-Play is based off of research. This is what kids enjoy. They don’t get enough of it in today’s society. They’re over-structured, over-scheduled. What’s wrong is that kids aren’t playing enough. We believe in a holistic approach. All aspects of the game are inter-related. To learn skills and technique, the decision makers need the context of a game;there’s really no transfer between passing between cones and learning the technique of passing, and then being able to make a decision on when and where to use that skill in a game. Most importantly, that’s not fun for kids. (Play-practice-play) is what they like. It’s how they learn. It’s a game-like environment, so it’s reality based, which means there’s transfer back to the game of soccer.

If someone asked you, what’s the one thing you want someone to take away from the grassroots coaching and the grassroots playing? ZC: Is that soccer can really bring “We have that the world together and people together, but it’s a choice. And we opportunity to can choose to do it in a positive way, really have a or we can choose to do it in another positive impact way. And when we all work together and do it in a positive way, we grow on people’s lives.” this game and make it about the players, who are participants for life. They grow up to become coaches and referees and administrators, like ourselves. It’s also our hope that we develop national team players that help the U.S. become the best soccer nation in the world. We have that opportunity to really have a positive impact on people’s lives. JT Dorsey, who previously worked as Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Outreach Coordinator, is the new Grassroots Soccer Manager for the state association. He will drive grassroots efforts across the state.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

epysa.org

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M ike B arr ’ s C olumn

Let’s

Listen tothe players

had the opportunity to speak with all the boys and girls attending our resident camp at Bryn Athyn College in Huntington Valley in July. We as adults often ignore the opinion of younger players and the players we coach. The interactive session I conducted was eye opening, and the answers I was provided by even the youngest campers were incredibly insightful and honest. The players were ages 9 to 16 and played primarily for travel teams. I wanted an engaging session and divided them into groups to provide answers to the following questions:

What are the reasons kids quit playing soccer? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Technical Director, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

“

• • • • • • • • • •

When our coaches take a long time to explain something simple. Too many drills not enough playing. Nothing meaningful. Constant freezing during a scrimmage. Running laps or running without the ball. Learning a skill you never use in a game. Footwork exercises Team punishment because of one player. Limited water breaks No action The coach telling me to try harder when I am trying the best I can When the coach does not accept mistakes Telling me I am doing something wrong but not showing me how to do it right. “If you don’t play better, you are going to the B team”

•

What are the qualities you like to see in a coach?

•

We as adults often ignore the opinion of younger players and the players we coach.

•

What are some of the comments you hear from parents during the game that bother you and affect the game and the fun the playing provides?

•

Mike Barr

Too much pressure. Players want to play other sports. Players lose interest. Don’t like practice. They don’t fit in with their teammates. Players disagree with the coaches. Players do not like to work hard. Criticism after games. Bullying occurring within the team. Bad sportsmanship. Frustration. Not enough time for other things. Not having fun. My strength isn’t soccer. Always losing

What do you find boring or annoying at practice?

• • •

• •

Parents shouting at the referee “bad call.” Parents telling me to pick it up when I am trying the best I can. Coach telling me one thing and the parents telling me another. Hearing profanity. Parents from the two teams fighting and arguing. Parents that only focus on their own child and constantly give directions. Parents yelling to shoot when there was no chance to get a shot off. Parents doing the wave.

•

• • • • • • • • • •

Commitment Approachable Fun Sometimes authoritative Engaging Enthusiastic Good communicator Positive Realistic expectations Sense of humor

Coaches, improve your coaching through education, observing others, watching professional games, and utilizing a mentor within the club. But more importantly, begin to listen to the feedback of your players. When teaching any course from U.S. Soccer, I gather the participating players to hear their reflections of the session and ask the following questions: Was the session fun? What did you learn from the training session? Would you like to play for this coach? Would you like to have your regular coach run a session like the one you saw? Maybe the most effective evaluators of a coaching session are standing right in front of you.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

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P lay er profile

andrew stricklIn

philadelphia Ukrainian nationals Black

Andrew Stricklin calls Hershey, Pennsylvania native Christian Pulisic his role model, but the Ukrainian Nationals player sets a pretty good example for youngsters himself. His prowess in the classroom and commitment to community service, in addition to playing for one of the best club teams in the region, helped Andrew receive a 2018 Union League of Philadelphia Good Citizenship Award. Now a senior, Andrew stopped by the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer office to answer a few questions. Favorite Sport Beside Soccer? Basketball

Favorite Soccer Team? Arsenal

Who’s the best player you’ve ever seen? Lionel Messi

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Work as hard as possible

Who’s your hero or role model? Christian Pulisic

What was your biggest setback in soccer and how did you learn from it?

Injuries and not being able to play for a while and having to come back into the mix of it.

Who would be your starting five-a-side team?

Messi, me, Ronaldo, Beckham, Sergio Ramos

You have three invites to a dinner. Who are you inviting? LeBron James, Barack Obama and Jimmy Fallon

Favorite Book? Unbroken

In Jeopardy! What would be your perfect category? European history

What’s your ideal day?

A music festival. Marshmello, Drake and the Chainsmokers would be headlining

If you had a snow day or day off from school, what would you? Play video games. Fortnite.

What’s your best advice for balancing sports and academics?

Do your school work early, so you can focus on athletics.

What’s your favorite subject in school? Math

What’s your favorite memory from soccer?

Going to nationals (Ukrainian Nationals won the 2017 US Youth Soccer Region I Championship)

What are you most proud of in your soccer career or your life in general?

In life, just being a really good student. Soccer would be winning regionals

Favorite Movie?

Favorite cleat?

Favorite TV Show?

Favorite restaurant?

Favorite Musical Artist?

What qualities do you appreciate in a good teammate?

Star Wars: The Force Awakens The Office DJ Khaled

Who would play you in a movie about your life? Owen Wilson

Nike Tiempos Chick-fil-A

Seriousness. When it’s time to work hard and focus on soccer, they’re focused. And they’re a good person to hang out with when we have free time.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

T raining S ession

Play, Practice, Play: Improve Goal-scoring, 7V7 Observed by Gary Stephenson, Director of Soccer Development & Performance, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

PLAY: INTENTIONAL FREE PLAY Objective

GUIDED QUESTIONS

To score goals.

ORGANIZATION

Mark out two 16x24-yard fields. Teams play 2v2 on goals with goalkeepers. The attacking team’s keeper can help build the attack and even score goals. Play for 30 minutes with two breaks.

KEY WORDS

Dribble, pass, take opponents on, shoot

1. When the attackers’ keeper helps build the attack, what kind of situation does that create? 2. How can you take advantage of this situation?

NoteS

First break: Coach asks questions, players continue playing to discover answers. Second break: Players share answers with coach and each other.

Practice: 3V1 TO ONE GOAL WITH GOALKEEPER Objective

GUIDED QUESTIONs

To score goals.

1. What should you do when you have the ball? Why? 2. What do you need to watch out for when you’re passing? What could you do instead?

organization

Same as core activity, except players play 3v1.

KEY WORDS

Dribble, pass, take opponents on, shoot

NoteS

Start with the core activity and decide whether the level of challenge is appropriate for the players. Switch to this less challenging activity if the core activity is too difficult. Spend a total of 30 minutes in the practice phase.

play: 7v7 game Objective

GUIDED QUESTIONs

To score goals.

organization

Mark out a regular 7v7 field with build-out lines. Divide players into two teams of six. Each plays a 1–2–3 formation. Play for 30 minutes including one “halftime” (5 minutes max).

KEY WORDS

Dribble, pass, take opponents on, shoot

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

1. How many goals did you score? 2. How did you score them? 3. How can you score more goals?

NoteS

Play according to the Laws of the Game and the standards of play found in the U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives.

epysa.org

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