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IN THIS ISSUE:

GRAND SLAM CHALLENGE TOP TEAMS PAGE 23

COLLEGE BOUND INFORMATION PAGE 43

TOP TRAINING FACILITIES ON LONG ISLAND PAGE 53

BEST SOCCER TEAMS RATED IN THIS ISSUE PAGE 73

LEARN TO KNOW WHAT A COLLEGE SCOUT VALUES IN A PLAYER

LACROSSE & COLLEGE Lacrosse and College Recruiting Although many of the colleges want you to believe you have to be the top of the top for lacrosse college recruiting, that isn’t always so. In fact, many times colleges are assuming that they are not looking at the top 5% because those student athletes may already be spoken for.

Some things to remember: 1.Grades count. Sure, athletic ability is important, but do you have the grades to get into the college admissions office and catch their eye even without your sports ability? You should have grades that support you as a wellrounded student, not just an image of a ball player alone.

2.Do you know what a college coach values in a player? Is it the same as a high school coach or a teen-level coach?

What do you bring to the coach that is different from the myriad of other players your age and ability that makes you a step above? Can you bring the values to the team that your coach is looking for?

3.What is your motivation? Not just “are you motivated” but what motivates you? Is it fame, money or a passion for the game? Do you work at your game based upon only your motivation? Do you have many motivators for your game? This is important; because parents, students and coaches will need to understand the motivators.

4.Are you motivated? As a verb, do you have it? Do you have what it takes to look into adversity and tough times and still shine? This is going to be important to be

able to display to prospective colleges and future coaches as this may be a tie breaker trait.

5.Don’t wait until the last minute. Some students start as early as their freshman year in marketing themselves to colleges. If you are a senior and haven’t started, don’t let that discourage you, but do get moving on that! Market yourself as early as you can as a true athlete, because every moment you are no exposing your abilities, your peers are.

6. Do you, or do you plan to, meet the core requirements of entering college? If you are a great player, it’s important to have pretty good grades and decent SAT scores.

There are a myriad of Internet sites that can help you make sure you are not lagging, and your guidance office should be able to help you. Again, it’s never too early to start working on your sports collegiate career.

7.Know the reality. According to statistics, less than 15% of high school lacrosse players will play college lacrosse. Just know your realities so if you don’t make the team, you are not devastated. It’s as important to know the realities of the situations as well as how to best get into a situation. Never enter any situation blind to both sides.

8.Look at the bigger picture. You may want to play ball but you may also want to have a certain climate, social life and academic schedule that fits your desires. Look at more than just the team; because you are more than just a ball player.

9.Do you have what it takes? It’s more than just the above. There is also something

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

called “Luck and Timing”. Absolutely realize that you have to have both in addition to all the things you can control. Realize that a little of this is going to be out of your control.

10.Finances: not everyone is going to be playing ball on scholarship, or at least on full scholarship. Decide if the cost is worth the sport participation. If you are reading this, the answer probably is “yes, of course it is” but realize an injury or a sudden lack of passion means you still have the finances to deal with but none of the glory of the sport.

Really weigh your financial realities.

All of this is meant to get you thinking – be it a parent or a player. Even a coach reading this needs to understand that you are going to be looking at some kids who have the research down pat and can impress you, but some other youth will be just as impressive deep down, but you may have to scratch the surface a bit. Not everyone knows the ins and outs of impressing a coach and a college but may be an exceptional player, student and person under it all. It’s everyone’s responsibility to learn as much as possible and do what they can to ensure the best options for all involved.

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LEARN TO KNOW WHAT A COLLEGE SCOUT VALUES IN A PLAYER

MODERN FENCING If you are reading this, something about the sport of fencing has piqued your curiosity. Maybe it was an epic fencing battle portrayed in a movie or play; maybe your child has expressed an interest in fencing; or maybe you fenced many years ago and the sport is beckoning you back. Fencing, an Olympic sport, is the art of attack and defense using swords. Its ancestors include cavalrymen in 710 BC, armored fifteenth-century knights, and duelists in the 1500's who symbolized "trial by battle."

Swordsmen practicing for duels modified their rapiers so that the points were flat.

These practice weapons were the first tools used in the study of fencing as art. Fencing, which appeared in the original Olympic games in Athens, Greece, is also one of only four sports to have appeared in each modern Olympics since 1896. Fencing has evolved into three disciplines: foil, sabre, and épée. The foil teaches personal control. It is the most common starter weapon.

The sabre evolved from the weapon of choice for cavalry troops, and is the only discipline in which the edge of the sword, in addition to the tip, can result in scores for the fencer. ...epée, a descendant of the dueling sword, is sometimes referred to as "freestyle fencing," because it is not governed by the same conventions as foil and sabre. Besides understanding the names of the three fencing disciplines, there is lots of "fencing speak" to learn if you are new to the sport. There are many web sites about fencing that include more glossaries. One of the most comprehensive is at http://www.fencing.net/, but here are some examples: "Walking the strip," for example, refers not to Las Vegas but

to the electronically grounded surface on which fencers compete. A beat is not something a policeman walks but rather one of three "attacks on the blade" that a fencer may make. An engagement does not involve a diamond ring but rather contact of the fencers' blades. A pool is not a sparkling body of water but rather a grouping of six fencers at a tournament. Why do fencers choose to fence? In a sport where individualism (tempered by discipline) is valued, there are many possible answers. Some recreational fencers simply enjoy the physical and mental challenges. Competitive fencers thrive on the opportunity to compete. Young people vying for athletic scholarships see an opportunity to compete for scholarships with a far less crowded field than some more common sports. Others plan to parlay their fencing skills into the theatrical arena. Fencing is a sport in which women can compete on an equal playing field to men. Youngsters who start the sport develop refined analytical and tactical skills rapidly (and learn some life lessons along the way). Just as the fencer's mask obscures some of their facial expressions, the choice to fence is sometimes inscrutable and mysterious. Famous fencers such as Grace Kelly, actor Jerry O'Connell, Neil Diamond, Jimmy Buffett, and even Winston Churchill found something compelling in the sport.

Less public fencers, including the wheelchair fencers participating in Paralympic games, experience a rush of excitement each time they suit up in their protective garb and begin to fence. Undoubtedly you will experience a "thrust" of excitement too when you become involved, as an observer or a participant.

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

HOCKEY BEGINNERS We have all been there, we have all been the new player on the team, or the youngest player in the league. You may look around the rink and see all of the older players getting ready to play hockey, and that's when you realize that you don't know what your doing. Here are some tips that will help you get a successful start on the ice and some things that you should do if you want to be productive in the games that you play.

There are two things that every player wants to do when they are playing hockey for the first time. The first thing that most players want to try is goalie. The other thing that players want to do is score a lot of goals on a goalie. If you do not want to do one, then you will probably want to do the other.

The first thing that I would suggest is that

you play goalie once to see if you like it. If you decide that you don't like being a goalie then you will never have to do it again. Also, make sure that you are talking to your coach to get as much help as you can when you are playing this position, every tip helps.

The other thing that you are going to want to do is try scoring a few goals and getting a few assists. The best way to score goals when you are young is to stand in front of the net when the puck is on the offensive side of the ice. This will make you open for any rebound that you may get.

Also, make sure that you understand that everybody else on the team wants to score a goal as badly as you do. It would be amazing if you helped them score their goals. If you do this for them, then they will be more likely to pass to you.

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HOW TO STRING YOUR YOUTH LACROSSE STICK

STRING YOUR STICK Stringing a youth lacrosse stick is the same as stringing a stick for an adult. The only difference between the two is the size. The stringing process does not vary for the most part. There are different methods of stringing lacrosse sticks. One of the most common methods is effective for providing extra ball control, which is important for those still learning the game.

Step 5 Loop the mesh nylons around the middle leathers the same way you strung the side nylons. Pull the middle mesh nylons close together and twist until tight.

Step 6 Take the longest piece of cross lace and string it in between the middle and outside of the mesh. Do not string this too tightly, as it is the part of the stick where most of the catching occurs.

Instructions Things You'll Need: • 4 leathers • 2 sidewalls • 4 nylon strings • 4 shooting strings Step 1 Place all four leathers in the stick and pull them until they are taut. These leathers will stretch horizontally from left to right. Minimize the risk of loosening by placing a small piece of cloth tape over their ends.

Step 2 Pick up the two sidewall strings and put them inside of the holes located on the top of the head of the stick. Pull hard on the strings to make sure they are tight while holding the stick stable with your other hand.

Step 3 Pick up two of the nylon strings and place them next to you. These nylons should be slightly shorter than the remaining two nylons. Tie a knot in the first of the nylons you placed beside yourself. Thread the mesh nylon strings through the hole that is located at the top of the lacrosse stick and then lace it in between the outside leather and the sidewall.

Step 4 Pull the outside leathers closer to the sidewalls while you string the mesh nylons. Once the stringing is done, tie the nylons through a hole at the bottom of the head of the stick.

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

YOUTH BASKETBALL DRILLS YOU CAN PRACTICE ON YOUR OWN!

BASKETBALL DRILLLS If you are participating in a youth basketball program, then you are well aware that in order to excel in the game of basketball that you must practice. Although there is no such thing as "perfect," practicing does improve your game. Improving your game in basketball is the best way to achieve not only personal goals that you have set for yourself in basketball, but also teach you the value of having a strong work ethic. While it's important to practice as a team and learn the fundamental concepts of offense and defense from your coach, it is equally important to practice on your own outside of the team in order to see significant individual improvement. Improving your skills individually will only help the team as you become a more confident and productive ball handler, passer, scorer and defender. If you are not sure how to do a particular drill, then the best way to learn how to do it is to ask for help from your coach or a fellow youth basketball player on your team. Once you have learned the basic set up of the drill, then you need to practice the drills as much as possible in order to make sure that you have the drills down well. Here are some drills that you can practice at home:

Wall dribbling - This is where you dribble the ball against the wall. Make sure your arm is at a 90 degree angle and alternate hands.

Jump rope - Jumping rope helps you improve hand eye coordination and also helps you speed up your footwork. Basketball is all about speed on the court.

It is also important to practice other dribbling drills such as the cross over, hesitation, behind the back, and between your legs.

Practicing is the key. If you are practicing basketball drills alone, you can also work on your ball handling drills. These drills can be practiced alone and will help you tremendously during a basketball game. These are just some of the many different youth basketball drills that you can practice alone or with other individuals. However, it is imperative that you practice alone when you can because that allows you to not worry so much about having eyes on you while you practice your technique. If you mess up, you're the only one who knows it, and you can concentrate on trying to master the proper techniques.

The fingertip drill - This is where you pass the ball back and forth in your hands. However, you only use your fingertips.

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WARM UP EXERCISES CAN LESSEN IF NOT ELIMINATE INJURIES

BOWLING WARMUP In every sports or any activity that entails strenuous work, it is important to start with some warm up exercises first. This is to avoid any possible injury, which results from muscles that were not yet toned and conditioned before the activity.

In fact, most health experts say that doing warm up exercises increases the capacity of the person to withstand the activity or the game.

It has been clinically proven that warm up exercises can actually boost an individual's working ability and can lessen, if not eliminate, the chances of injury.

It is necessary for every bowler to do some warm up exercises since playing the game could put more strain on the player than anticipated.

Here is a list of some warm up tips that every bowler should learn in order to play the game well - minus the injury: 1. Stretching When doing stretching exercises that involve the neck and shoulder, it is best to hold each stretch for about eight counts to get utmost results. This will give the muscles enough time to condition.

2. Sweat it out!

It is important to start sweating when doing some bowling warm up exercises. The

purpose of the warm up exercises is to raise an individual's body temperature, at least by 1 or 2 levels.

The point here is that when your body has been warmed up, it will no longer release more heat when it is already doing in very strenuous activity during the game.

3. Stretch those arms The player's flexers and extenders should be properly warmed up before playing the game. This will enable the player's arms to be properly toned so that it can handle the weight and strain of the ball.

4. Breathe out During warm up exercises, it is important to do some deep breathing. It is best to hold your breath for about 6 counts in between deep breaths in order to condition the lungs. This will enable the person not to tire so easily.

5. Warm up before stretching Even if stretching is part of a bowler's warm up routine, it is still important to do some warm up exercises before stretching those muscles. Keep in mind that stretching should never be painful.

These are just some of the few tips that every bowler must bear in mind when doing warm up exercises that will ensure safe and comfortable play throughout the game.

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES AS A RESULT OF FOOTBALL SKILLS

COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES Most parents know that top-notch college football players can get scholarships.

But those are rare. In the 2002 season, two Monte Vista players got college scholarships. In the 2003 season, another two did.

What is more common and less known is the fact that being both a good football player and a good student can get you admitted to many of the top colleges with the highest academic standards.

A good, not great, football player who is also a good student, will typically be recruited by every top academic Division III college he approaches. That list includes: • MIT • University of Chicago • Pomona • Claremont • Williams • Amherst • Tufts • Johns Hopkins • Middlebury • Bowdoin • Colby • Bates • Wesleyan • Grinell • Trinity • Washington and Lee • Washington University St. Louis • Carnegie-Mellon • Rochester • Carleton • Hamilton • Oberlin • Macalester • Occidental • Willamette This is also true of Division I-AA which includes the Ivy League. You have to be bigger, faster, and better to be recruited by the Ivy League than by Division III schools.

• Brown • Columbia • Cornell • Dartmouth • Harvard • Penn • Princeton • Yale In Division III and Ivy, the coach gives a list of the players he wants to the admissions office. They then admit many

of those players at lower, but still high, standards than non-athletes. There is no athletic scholarship. Athletic scholarships are prohibited in Division III and in the Ivy League. But support from the coach enables players who would not be accepted to the college in question purely on grades and test scores to get admitted.

Our defensive coordinator Dan Reed was recruited by Columbia, Dartmouth, and Yale and admitted to those three Ivy League colleges for his combination of grades, test scores, and football playing ability. He was also recruited by every high-academic Division III school he contacted. He chose Columbia and played four years there at tailback—earning three varsity letters.

These are non-Ivy, somewhat high-academic-standard Division I-AA schools: • Colgate • Georgetown • Bucknell • Lehigh • Davidson They do offer scholarships, although typically not as generous as the Division IA scholarships.

There do not appear to be any Division II schools with high academic standards. There are a handful of Division IA (major football teams) that have relatively high academic standards.

These are full scholarship programs. It is very difficult to be both good enough to play for one of these schools and to have the grades and test scores to get admitted to them.

• Stanford • Northwestern • Duke • Rice Always keep your head up when you hit.

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IMPROVE THROUGH PRACTICING THE FUNDAMENTALS

DRIBBLING Doing avoid the defender, but attack them Don't move more than what is needed Always practice with your weak hand so that you can improve it Use your off hand and body to protect the ball Practice changing your pace and speed Practice on changing direction

A lot of youth basketball players seem to have trouble when it comes to dribbling or ball control, but if you put the time in practicing the right way and learn the proper techniques then your skills will steadily improve over time, guaranteed!

You do not need to think that because you have problems dribbling the basketball that you are doomed and can not play basketball. By starting with the fundamentals of dribbling and using fun drills to practice those techniques, you will see steady improvement that will only make you want to practice more. You will also find that the better dribbler you become, the better your passing will be because you'll be able to keep your head up and see the court and open teammates. Improving your dribbling will also improve your quickness as mastering various dribbling moves like the crossover, hesitation, and behind the back will make you more explosive in going by defenders. Here are some tips to improve dribbling:

Once you break through the defender, be sure to keep your dribbling in front of you Keep in mind that when practicing dribbling in basketball, it is all about keeping your head up so you can see your teammates and what's going on with the defense around you. It's important to be able to dribble with either hand so make sure you practice your drills with both hands equally each time. So the ultimate key to improving your basketball dribbling is to Practice, practice, practice! Practice all of the techniques described above and you will be a dribbling machine in no time. You can also find other helpful tips and techniques on the internet at sites like Weplay.com where they have a library of skills & drills focused on just ball control.

Stay low to the floor Keep your head up

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

IMPROVE YOUR GAME QUICKLY WITH CONSTANT PRACTICE AND A FEW USEFUL TIPS

IMPROVING YOUR HOCKEY SHOTS Hockey is a not just a game of smarts; it's a game of skill that calls for precision. One miscue and your defensive man can steal your puck, aim, shoot and score, all in less than 30 seconds. Obviously, it's a game that requires focus, strategy, quick thinking and topnotch skills. Although it admittedly takes years to gain the playing skills of competitive professional hockey players, amateurs can improve their game quickly with constant practice and a few useful tips: 1. Work on both forehand and backhand wrist shots. You need the variety and the alternative to get around a defender or two. It would also be helpful to master a backhand shot off a deke. You don't want to be too easy to stop. If you have excellent forehand and backhand wrist shots, your defenders won't be complacent. So deke and let out a calculated backhand wrist shot. Just remember to bring the puck as close to your body to shield it from defenders who'd be doing their best to keep you from hitting one more hockey goal.

2. Learn to release a quick shot off the wrong foot. Many times in the game, you'd catch yourself on the wrong foot - but with a wide berth for an open shot, especially on the slot.

You must learn to take advantage of these situations to maximize scoring potential. Plus, if you practice this technique often enough, you'd learn how to balance and brace yourself against the likely fall when a 250-pound defender pounces on you to keep you from making that hockey goal. Practice with someone giving you a quick pass. Time your re-

lease so that your puck is already flying toward the goal before a defender reaches you or the goalie reaches the end of the goal you were aiming for.

3. Adapt drills. Inline drills can be adapted to ice hockey and vice versa. Shooting techniques can be slightly different between inline and ice hockey but the general principles are the same. It's the same game of speed and precision; you only need to adapt to location.

So get a drill book and start practicing some shooting drills you read on.

4. Watch and learn. Use your tivo and the slow motion button. Studying actual plays executed perfectly can help you improve your technique immensely.

This isn't new, really. All professional athletes study their game and their opponents' games watching hours of recorded plays and hitting the slow motion button. Breaking down an excellent play into its per-second bit helps you concentrate on the minutest detail of execution. And as you apply it to your game; you have a way of timing yourself against the ideal play. You'd be hitting more hockey goals in no time.

Obviously, shooting techniques are intuitive.

This is why practice is indispensable. You have to get to know yourself well as a player.

Practice and you'd know which one works for you. Don't be afraid to alter a technique to suit your style. After all, as long as you play within the rules, the goal is it hit as many hockey goals as you can.

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IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT HEALTHY, PHYSICALLY ACTIVE KIDS DO BETTER ACADEMICALLY

MOTIVATION & SOCCER Kids love to be active and are usually full of energy. Their natural instinct is to run around and explore all opportunities for having fun.

However, as kids get older they are challenged to remain active. Increasing demands from School, technology and the emergence of junk food have restricted the amounts of time kids can dedicate to being active.

As parents, its your duty to allow all outdoor and physical activities. Its not only your duty but your responsibility to provide the necessary opportunities for them to be active by providing sporting equipment and designating certain periods of the day for activity. Creating such health patterns leads to the creation of great lifestyle habits.

The benefits of being involved in Soccer and being active are the development of strong muscles and bones. In a world that is battling obesity, soccer is the easiest way to control your weight without being too conscious of diets and calories. Soccer lowers the risk of developing Diabetes and also creates a better and positive outlook in life. Also it has been proven that healthy, physically active kids do better academically, have greater alertness and are usually more successful.

strength and give every kid an opportunity to express himself physically and mentally. Also provide suitable training drills for your kids. If the drills are too advanced, the enjoyment levels will diminish and the kids will inevitably lose motivation.

Giving your child every opportunity to be active is another great way to keep your kids motivated. Provide sporting equipment and a window of opportunity for them to stay active.

Designate a certain period of the day specifically to being active. Also reward physical activity with trips to major sporting events or to the movies.

Always remember to keep the focus on having fun. Kids will not do something they don't enjoy. When kids enjoy an activity, they want to do more of it. The child develops a great habit and also feels the sense of accomplishment, especially when their efforts are praised. Feeling good and happy is the key to motivation. If you provide an atmosphere full of fun, the kids will remain motivated.

In the long run, activities such as Soccer help build self esteem and confidence. Also their social skills are improved significantly compared to a child that is planted in front of the T.V playing computer games.

So the question is, how do we motivates Soccer Kids?

For starters choose a soccer team that is suited to your childs' age and skill level. Let your kids compete against kids of their own age. This will eliminate differences in physical

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

OFFENSIVE STRATEGIES FOR YOUTH LACROSSE

LACROSSE STRATEGIES Offensive Strategies For Youth Lacrosse When coaching youth lacrosse, it’s important to come up with a strong series of offensive strategies that can employed in a variety of game time situations. While lacrosse is similar in its offensive strategies to field hockey and soccer, there are a number of unique situations that players and coaches must prepare for.

Here are a few of our team’s offensive strategies that can be practiced as drills or exercises at your next lacrosse practice.

Offensive Strategy #1- Trailer play The first and easiest offensive strategy to consider when coaching youth lacrosse occurs when an attacker with possession of the ball is running it downfield and being trailed by another attacker from their offensive squad known as the trailer. There are a number of options in this situation.

First, if the player with possession of the ball becomes crowded with defense players, they can shovel the ball back to the trailer.

To avoid running into the same defensive traffic, the trailer should change pace and pull out from the fan, allowing their teammates an opportunity to set up the play and spread out in an attempt to clear an alley for the trailer.

There is also the give and go option, where the player with the balls dumps it back to the trailer then sprints up to the goal. After receiving the ball, the trailer quickly passes it forwards to the original ball carrier, who should be in perfect positioning to take a shot.

If neither of these plays are possible or to your liking, try the quick stick variation, where the player with the ball passes it to the trailer close to the goal. Instead of receiving the pass and cradling the ball, the trailer quickly takes a shot on goal. The trailer should shoot in the opposite direction of the first player’s fade.

Offensive Strategy #2- Stack play The next offensive strategy to consider when coaching youth lacrosse is a variation on the stack play that many basketball coaches find effective for confusing their opponent’s defensive players. The play begins with one player getting ball behind the goal.

At the top of the fan the offensive players form a tight line facing the goal. When the player with the ball calls “break”, all the players break off in separate directions, which should mislead the opposing team’s defensive, causing them to bunch up and trip over themselves.

In the meantime, the attack wing can make a quick break for the goal and start watching for the pass from the player with the ball. When employing the stack play, be careful that all your players don’t end up bunched up with the other team’s defense, which can result in players being caught in the fan, including the winger who is supposed to make a break away for the goal.

For a variation on the stack play, the player with the ball can choose to run it instead of passing it, especially if there are no passing opportunities available.

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THE GAME OF CRICKET AND THE SPIN BOWLER

SPIN BOWLNG SUCCESS TIPS The spin bowler is a key element in the bowling line up of any cricket team, the skill of Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan has highlighted the potential and the shear power and influence a high class spin bowler can have in the game of cricket. The spin bowler can be used to slow the game, add pressure and most importantly attack batsmen. The spin bowler moves the ball off the pitch turning it sideways, as the spinning ball grips the pitch and turns and can also cause it to bounce variably.

A good spin bowler needs to be able to bowl a consistent line and length, is able to turn the ball, which requires lots of practice and dedication to succeed. If you are a spin bowler you should try and experiment with varying degrees of flight, speed, and angle of approach in order to deceive the batsmen.

There are two recognised types of spin bowlers, which are, finger spinners who are classed as the orthodox technique and use their index finger (first finger) to spin the ball and the wrist spinners who use the wrist more than fingers to spin ball.

Target areas: Off spin: The off spinner aims to spin the ball from a right handed batsmen’s off side towards the leg side. Try to bowl just outside of the off stump so that the ball turns and hits the stumps, also try to en-

tice the batsmen forward on to the front foot by bowling a full length.

Leg spin: The leg spinner aims to bowl the ball so that it spins from a right handed batsmen’s leg side to the off side.

Again try to pitch the ball up to the batsman to get them coming forward. Pitch the ball inline with the wickets so that the ball turns to hit the top of the off stump.

The grip: Leg spin: Use the first two fingers to grip the ball horizontally across the seam, your third finger should be bent and running along the seam. Your thumb should rest lightly on seam and the spin is generated primarily by the third finger.

Off spin: Again grip the ball with your first two fingers horizontally across the seam and try to spread as wide as possible apart the joints of index and middle finger. The ball then rests lightly on third finger and thumb, the spin is and produced and passed on mainly through the index finger.

The delivery: The off spin delivery, should start with an angled and short delivery stride. You should then pivot on ball of the front foot keeping your bowling arm high. Cock your wrist inwards and drive your back leg through to help rotate the body. Release the ball by turning your wrist sharply from left to right and by pulling down on seam with the index finger to generate spin.

The back of hand should face the off side

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

after it pitches. It’s bowled out of the back of the hand and requires the shoulder to be dropped a little at the point of release.

A great example of a bowler who has mastered the googly is Shane Warne.

or upwards at finish of the delivery, don’t forget to follow through properly. Keep your head as upright as possible throughout the delivery and your eyes fixed on the target at all times.

The leg spin delivery is very similar to the off spin except with a few subtle and important variations. Your approach should be somewhat longer and have a slightly angled approach towards the target.

As you bowl you should raise your lead arm towards the target and bowl with a braced front leg (your weight should be through this leg). Pivot on the ball of the lead foot and bring your bowling arm up high with your wrist cocked outwards.

Drive your back leg through and release the ball. Generate the spin by rotating your wrist from right to left and by most importantly using the third finger to impart the most spin. Finish with your palm facing leg side.

The doosra is bowled by an off spinner and is a ball that initially seems to look like an off spinner when it’s bowled but then moves unexpectedly in the opposite direction after it pitches. The doosra has been pioneered by the Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan and is very difficult to bowl, Muralitharan reputedly practiced the delivery for 2-3 years in the nets and practice before using it in first class cricket…I can’t bowl it so I’m not going to go into it!

The power and rotation on the ball are generated through a strong action and is enhanced by flicking the wrist and straightening the fingers at the point of release. Always try and spin the ball as much as you can, your consistency and accuracy will come with practice and hard work. Remember to bowl your spinners with oomph and purpose, don’t just throw it up and hope for the best.

Tip- Examine the pitch before bowling and try to identify areas of rough, cracks and other features on the wicket to aim at which may cause increased spin, variable bounce or erratic ball behaviour when pitched on and aim to bowl the ball into these areas provided they don’t cause you to bowl bad deliveries (e.g. short and wide).

Follow through by rotating shoulders through the line of the wickets and driving your back leg through the action so that your hips rotate over your front foot.

Keep your hips and shoulders inline and head as upright as possible throughout the delivery and your eyes fixed on the target at all times.

The Googly and the Doosra: Deceptive deliveries The googly is bowled by a leg spinner and is a ball that appears to look like a leg spinner when it’s bowled but then moves unexpectedly in the opposite direction

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DRILLS

VOLLEY BALL SERVING DRILLS To be useful exactly receive is the principal competence of volley ball to run the offence of your TEAM effectively. Here 5 ends of little volley ball which will make a GREAT difference in your execution of going beyond.

1) the good service of volley ball receive qualifications require of a player to keep a right platform by maintaining elbows right.

One of the greatest errors than the players of volley ball make plaice their elbows to pass the ball. If you review the photographs of the players of elite (control out of Danielle Scott passing on my myspace/volleyball the site expresses) the players of interior of volley ball and from volley ball of sand when they serve receive you will note that their platforms aka the interior of their front armlevers whom they introduce... are thus directly because a council you could use their arms as table punt to eat above.

The bent elbows means less exactitude of ball while the right arms give more order and of exactitude of ball to the guide the ball with the setter with target. the exactitude of the increase 2)To in your service receive qualifications detect the ball visually all the manner in your arms.

There is alot things to look at when the waiter has the ball right before the reference breath whistle. There can be alot things to distract close if you don't learn how to concentrate and narrow your

hearth. What do you focus above? Once that the waiter takes volley ball in their hands and places to indicate where and how they will be useful and then they start to rebound volley ball in forecast athletes of the elite of the it of portion of him... the majority of in this moment that I know the hearth 125% ONLY on the ball in the hands of the server . As from this moment there your eyes and spirit should see and to concentrate on nothing but the ball ALL manner IN your arms.

Detect the ball visually all the manner in your arms... so that you can see your right platform.

3) cut of Don't your arms with share.

Anyhow hard or easy subsistence of service... your arms together when you pass. Fight to maintain good volley ball passing competence and the technique. Guilty I'm to make this error when I know a his easy passage or a free ball. You must fight temptation to break your arms together particularly when you pass on the movement. That why the important it to pass with your feet initially, obtain stopped then employ the don't correct of technique is lazy right because it seems as an easy passage to make (see # 5) 4) pass with the two feet on the floor of court of volley ball.

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Positive Parenting Skills Bikini Beach Volleyball Hilti Drill Bump of jump of Don't. The very easy reasoning... when you are in the sky which you much less have with any ordering of your body and/or of the ball but if your feet remain on the ground you can make small adjustments (perhaps an ahead additional step or behind if necessary) to order the results of the service receive 99% better. You cannot be airborne and to intend to carry out the service receive the competence of volley ball.

ers of team of volley balls run in my practices.

Except this drill if you have one difficult moment to obtain your feet with volley ball to be been useful receive an additional work of the end of the here of accurately..then... on increasing your exercises speed and agility of foot. This is why your pre-heatings should have the alot ahead short sprints and towards the back and by the exercises of work of foot of agility at the beginning of each practice as regards volley ball... with precision for this reason thus you can increase your reactive speed towards the service receive and the defensive balls. Work on the work growing speed of foot and foot of volley ball so that you can quickly and then to obtain with volley ball passage right the ball.

5) pass with your feet initially not with your arms.

This resounds crafty one to include/understand but what the this means is that you must enter the practice to obtain with the ball initially by obtaining your feet behind the ball, first, anywhere it is. There is a drill of volley ball which really illustrates how this should look at. A player starts in the service of back of left receive the position... that still can be in position of back of right-hand side as well. A trainer of semi court on other side of the will of net of volley ball to the first underhand service a ball anywhere at the left side of the court. The left passer by on side must keep arms of her/his behind his back constantly and run to obtain its feet with the ball in time to make it possible the ball to take a rebound by its legs.

To make the drill more provocative the waiter supports to make at full court reversed services. The services of shorts defy your qualifications speed of foot of volley ball since a passer by must cover the whole half of its court obtaining with each volley ball been useful of it of the arms behind it behind.

To improve your service receive the test of competence of volley ball this drill with a team-member or suggest-the with your trainer of volley ball. In team the drill after the first nobody goes on the left side then the waiter is used to the right alternate players while they still function behind the last person in the line with the test. It is a very effective drill speed of foot of volley ball that i've had pro the American and Italian train-

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WHAT IS THE BEST SIZE FOR A YOUTH FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF BYJOHN T. REED

YOUTH FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF I was once asked by a youth coach what size coaching staff is best. It's a question to which I think a lot of people need to hear the answer.

Would you believe one coach?

That's right, I think the coaching staff of a youth football team should be one person.

Bear with me a bit and I will explain. I will also acknowledge that you probably cannot get away with one. OK, two then.

You may think I am kidding or trying to be funny. I am not. If you hire assistants, it is about 95% certain that you will regret it.

Six geniuses The typical football coaching staff consists of six or more persons. On paper, it looks fine.

In fact, it looks like they could use several more. Especially if you figure one position coach for each position group, three coordinators, and a head coach. In theory, that would be ideal.

So what's the problem? The problem is that additional coaches beyond one do not add to the team if they are incompetent or if they disagree with the head coach as to the correct approach.

I coached eleven seasons at the youth and high school levels. I have also observed coaching staffs at the other levels of the organizations I was in. And I have observed stuff going in in my opponents' coaching staffs to an extent. Plus, on a daily basis, I talk to youth, junior high school, high school, college, and NFL coaches on the phone and at clinics.

90% disagree Based on all those observations, I would say that the percentage of coaches who do not agree with their head coach's approach is about 90%. Among that 90% are two

groups: 1. those who express their disagreement verbally to the head coach or behind his back or via body language 2. those who work extremely hard to completely hide their disagreement so they do not get fired.

Is this just a youth problem?

No way. Remember Buddy Ryan punching out Kevin Gilbride on the sideline of an NFL game on national TV? Or just this past year, much of the media buzz before the DenverAtlanta Super Bowl was about Dan Reeves firing Mike Shanahan when Shanahan was Reeves' assistant in Denver.

The reason for the firing?

Reeves felt Shanahan was insubordinate, that is, Reeves said, "Do this" and Reeves felt Shanahan disagreed with what Reeves wanted and went ahead and did his own thing instead. I do not know what happened between Reeves and Shanahan, but I have seen or heard about that same behavior pattern on coaching staffs a zillion times.

I had to fire one youth coach for insubordination and I resigned in mid-season on another occasion when I tried to fire an assistant and was not allowed to do so.

Typical staff The typical coaching staff has a drill period where every coach takes his position group and works with them. Then the team gets together for larger group activities and the position coaches become nonpersons. They stand off to the side talking to each other, often about what's wrong with the coordinator's approach.

Except for individual drill period, the team is

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

run entirely by the offensive and defensive coordinators, or maybe even by the head coach alone. The one or two coaches who really run the team pay little or no attention to the position coaches when it comes to depth chart, substitution, game-day, or practice-schedule decisions. About the only real authority the position coaches have is deciding what drill to run for ten or fifteen minutes of each practice and in pre-game warmups. For the rest of practice and game day, they are wall flowers who merely stand around off to the side watching the coordinators do everything. Accrding to the book The Undefeated about Bud Wilkinson’s Oklahoma teams that set the stillstanding win streak record at 47, Wilkinson and Gomer Jones “…did 99.% of all meaningful coaching at the Uiversity of Oklahoma.”

I would not accept such a role unless I was new to that level and therefore able to learn a lot just from standing around. Even then, I probably would move on after a year or two. I do not understand why so many coaches accept such a demeaning role year after year.

Incompetence Incompetence is the rule below the high school varsity head coach/offensive coordinator/defensive coordinator level. Some high school J.V. and freshman head coaches are competent. At the youth level, it is rare to have even a competent head coach, let alone competent assistants.

Some may protest, "But my defensive coordinator played college ball!" That doesn't make him a competent youth coach.

It probably does make him opinionated about his approach or the approach of his college coach, neither of which is likely to coincide with your approach.

Do not permit incompetent coaches on your staff unless you are training them and they accept that wholeheartedly. That sounds like an obvious piece of advice, but if it's so obvious how come about 95% of the youth coaches in the U.S. are incompetent? If you only hire competent youth coaches or egoless trainees, you will probably have a one-man coaching staff because you will generally not be able to find anyone who is competent or admits he is not. Letting people join your staff because they are nice guys who played a little football in high school or college and want to help out so they can coach their sons is a very bad idea. Don't do it.

Do not hire competent coaches if they dis-

agree with your approach. OK, suppose you have found one of the rare competent youth coaches. He has been a successful youth coach and is willing to join your staff. Should you hire him? Probably not. Why not? He probably thinks your approach is wrong. I say that without even knowing what your approach is. I just know that everyone has different fingerprints, different voice prints, different retinas, and different opinions on how to run a football team. His resistance to your approach will almost certainly more than nullify the contribution from his competence.

Relatives If you get along with them, relatives make good members of your staff. I have seen brother-brother coaching staffs (my high school coaches), father-in-law-son-in-law coaching staffs, father-son coaching staffs (me and my son one season, also the very successful Oak Grove Roughriders), and even husband-wife coaching staffs (at the college level no less).

Oak Grove Roughriders head coach Mark Tyrell has a 142-7 record with four national championships. According to his Web site, his staff consists of himself as head coach and offensive coordinator, a long-time friend who has been his defensive coordinator since 1981, and Tyrell's son Daniel. They also have a scout and equipment manager. I would expect that none of the Roughriders coaches currently has a son on the team and that years when one did have a son on the team have been rare. Note that they do not have the typical sevenman coaching staff.

DeLa Salle High School is near where I live.

They are arguably the best high school football team ever. They are currently working on extending their national record 88-game win streak. In 1998, they were ranked first in the nation. I do not know exactly how their staff truly functions, but my observations of their spring practice one year and occasional observations at passing league and such since gave me the impression that the team is mainly run by head coach Bob Ladouceur and athletic director Terry Eidson. As with most successful teams, those two coaches have been working together for many years.

One of the things I hate about youth sports in nepotism and cronyism—EXCEPT when it comes to selecting a coaching staff. In that one area, I believe they are almost mandatory.

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You must know that your staff is not pursuing seven separate agendas.

Chinese Wall between offense and defense Another type of coaching staff (two men only) I have seen work is the kind where one guy strictly does offense and the other strictly does defense. One of them is usually also the head coach, but he does not interfere with the other side of the ball. They have coached together for years, know their side of the ball, stay totally out of the other's department, and keep up a running banter about the superiority of their department over their colleague's department.

Example exchange: "Great bat-down, Johnny, proving once again that real men play defense." "That was a good bat-down, Johnny.

Now if you ever get good enough to catch that ball, we'll make you a receiver."

Schedule Most coaches would say, "How can you coach 20 to 50 boys with just two coaches?" I agree it's tricky. But it is far easier to figure out how to schedule a two-man coaching staff than it is to overcome human nature on a seven-man staff.

Basically, each coach has a unit like offense or defense and each coaches four positions.

For example, the defensive coach might also coach the defensive line, inside linebackers, outside linebackers, and defensive backs. He cannot be two places at once so he coaches each position at a different time. For example, he might spend a half hour after each team practice working with the position group of the day. Or he might spend 20 minutes before team practice with one position group and 20 minutes after team practice with another.

Team size Don Markham is one of the most successful high school coaches. His team set the current high-school single-season scoring record. He will not allow more than 22 players on his team. I don't know that I would go that far, but I think the one- or two-man staff approach implies that you set some reasonable limit on the number of players on the team.

Discipline The fewer coaches you have, the less time you have to screw around with problem players. So a one- or two-man coaching staff implies less patience with chronically-misbehaving players. Explain this to the players and parents at the beginning of the season, then throw any violators off the team.

If you follow my advice to hire only competent coaches who truly believe in your approach or who will absolutely stay out of your depart-

ment, you will almost certainly end up with a one- or two-man coaching staff. You will also enjoy your season far more and your team will be much more successful. If you continue to allow every Tom, Dick, and Harry who volunteers to be a coach to join your staff, you will continue to waste inordinate amounts of time arguing over the correct approach and undoing the harm done by assistants who inadvertently or deliberately deviate from your approach.

Coaches' sons With some exceptions, coaches' sons are generally the biggest pains in the butt on the team and the hardest kids to coach. They tend not to listen to their father, and, because he is a member of the coaching staff, they are less respectful of the rest of the staff. The fewer coaches you have, the fewer coaches' sons, and that's good. If you must have assistants, prefer coaches who have no kids on the team.

52 LONG ISLAND YOUTH SPORTS MAGAZINE . COVERING ALL SPORTS – ALL THE TIME

COACHING YOUTH SOCCER - IS IT FOR YOU?

YOUTH SOCCER So, you want to coach youth soccer.

What a wonderful thing to do! Although it will be a fun and rewarding experience overall, there are some things to think about when making your decision about youth soccer coaching.

How do you handle confrontation, frustration, and disagreements? Will you be able to handle unhappy parents with calm strength?

Parents protect their children like lions. Any real or perceived injustice will make a parent angry. You need to be able to communicate peacefully and with an eye toward a positive and agreed upon resolution. Get out your dancing shoes, making the parents happy is going to require some fancy footwork!

Just remember, you will never be able to make everyone happy. The most you can expect of yourself is to make sure everyone's concerns are addressed and every parent feels heard.

However, as the coach you have the final say.

You will be dealing with children. There will be pouting, temper tantrums and disinterest. Are you ready to be a leader to children who may not want to listen? Do you have a plan for how you are going to handle the usual children's antics while teaching the needed lessons about teamwork and good sportsmanship? If you keep in mind that how you handle every child in every situation is teaching all of the kids valuable lessons about how to handle life in general, you will be fine.

Are you aware of the time commitment that will need to be made for coaching youth soccer? Will you be able to make it to every practice on time?

You will need to be educated about the techniques and plays in soccer. You will also need to be familiar with the rules and regulations.

Can you remember to treat every child equally regardless of skill level or social and economic background? Every child wants to feel special.

As a coach, you can change the course of a child's life by offering some needed encouragement.

Never underestimate the impact you could potentially have on a child.

How do you handle disagreements or situations when your own child makes a bad play?

The time will come, probably once at every game, that you do not agree with the referree, can you handle your displeasure with class? Will you set a good example? When your own child makes a mistake, will you be able to treat them in the same manner that you do the other children? Coaches who come down hard on their own kids make everyone feel uncomfortable.

This is just a brief sampling of the things to consider when deciding if youth soccer coaching is for you. No doubt that will a little planning and a lot of heart, you will do fine.

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