Touchline | Winter 2014

PENNSYLVANIA’S LEADING YOUTH SOCCER PUBLICATION | WINTER 2014

eastern pennsylvania youth soccer

e a s t e r n p e n n s y lva n i a y o u t h s o c c e r

Rec soccer spotlight p.9

remembering p.6 jorge severini my return to high school soccer p.26

save the date annual awards reception

Annual General Meeting p.10

Conshohocken, PA

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CONTENTS

Touchline

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eastern pennsylvania youth soccer

Volume XLVII | Winter 2014 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 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President: Jim Kuntz Vice President, Travel: Michael Finnegan Vice President, Recreation: Dwight Wilkinson Treasurer: Nicole Posillico Epps Secretary: Melissa Weber Registrar: Jim Christian Past President: Bob McDade

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26

2 Taking a Knee

15 What We’ve Been Up To

5 How to Kick Start Your Marketing During the Off Season

16 My ODP Experience

19 Life After Youth Soccer

20 Quarterly Calendar

23 Player Profiles

6-7 Remembering Coach Jorge Severini

STATE OFFICE STAFF Chief Executive Officer: Chris Branscome Director of Coaching: Mike Barr Director of Soccer Operations: Frank Olszewski Marketing & Communications Manager: Kylea Meredith Assistant Director of Coaching: Gary Stephenson Membership Services Specialist: Beck Kleinert Business Administration Manager: Kelly Connor Administrative Services Specialist: Sheila Molyneaux Accountant: Judy Curran

9 Rec Soccer Spotlight: Penn Legacy Soccer Club 10 Save the Date: 2015 Annual Awards Reception & Annual General Meeting

TOUCHLINE Editor-in-Chief: Chris Branscome Editor: Kylea Meredith Printed by: The Pearl Group at CRW Graphics, 9100 Pennsauken Highway, Pennsauken, NJ 08110

24-25 Determining Safe Return to Play After Injury 26-27 My Return to High School Coaching

32 Coaching: Developing and Improving Touch

Touchline is © Copyright 2014 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted; all rights reserved. Articles may not be reproduced or reprinted without written permission of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. Advertising space in Touchline is purchased and paid for by the advertisers.

None of the products or services is necessarily endorsed by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer or its affiliates. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer or its advertisers.

Printed in the United States of America

Standing for Sportsmanship is OK Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Over the past five years, I’ve received a number of comments from coaches and parents regarding sportsmanship. Teaching our young players the values of respect and fair play is highly important.

It’s equally as important for coaches and parents to understand that the various actions and reactions to events on any athletic field or court can be interpreted in more than one way. This topic can provide us with many stories and, I hope, teachable moments. For now, I’d like to focus on one act that draws an unusual amount of discussion: “taking a knee.”

After several discussions with our office technical staff—which provides a combined 150 years of experience in the game—no one can quite pinpoint when “taking a knee” entered the soccer world. The practice of “taking a knee” has become commonplace in recreational soccer and in the younger ages of our travel leagues. “Taking a knee” is a simple and effective way to manage our youngest players and control a situation. When a player is injured and the coach needs to tend

to the player, it’s a simple instruction to keep younger players calm and orderly. Over time, it has become a sign of sportsmanship, as respect to the injured player.

As players get older and more mature, they manage themselves in different ways. Experienced players huddle together, regardless if it’s their teammate who was injured or a member of the opposing team. Older players do not want to sit and cool down, they remain standing and active, knowing the game will restart. Players may also come to the sideline to get a much- needed drink or attend to other issues. Any of these actions is considered appropriate, and by no means should be viewed as unsportsmanlike or uncaring.

Fair play and respect are often demonstrated in other ways. A show of sportsmanship often taught in our game—and not necessarily in others’—is when the team in possession of the ball purposefully kicks the ball out of play so that an injured player on the opposing team can be

attended to. In return for the gesture, the injured player’s team plays the ball back with no defensive pressure so that the game can re-start fairly. This is not a legislated rule, but passed on from coach to coach and player to player. If a referee re-starts the game with a drop-ball, often times the drop goes uncontested so that the team in possession at the time of the injury fairly receives the ball as play resumes. Of course, applause for an injured player being removed from the field is always appropriate.

No player wants to leave the field due to injury.

No parent or coach wants to see a player receive an injury. All involved should maintain a focus on the care of the injured player and the hope of a safe return. Playing fairly, and acting respectfully and responsibly, is the true act of sportsmanship, not whether you kneel or stand.

For more, please see page 2 for a comment from Sam Snow, US Youth Soccer Director of Coaching.

EPYSA.org

Taking a Knee

From US Youth Soccer’s Director of Coaching, Sam Snow’s Blog on usyouthsoccer.org

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his week’s question concerns the irregular habit of all players on the field of play “taking a knee” when another player goes down with an injury.

Hey, guys: I’m currently coaching a girls U8 travel team. I’ve played soccer as a kid, played in college, managed a junior college men’s team as well as trained club teams in the New York Hudson Valley area. Currently, a concern for my team is understanding that taking a knee for an injured player is not required, but a courtesy.

Personally I don’t agree with taking a knee and would rather group the players together, reiterate where they are in the game and clap for the player.

The players also get tight and are more likely to cramp. I’m not sure I ever did it, and don’t think it’s disrespectful not to take a knee.

The action to take knee when a player is injured is not required in the Laws of the Game. However, it has become a bit of a local habit in some youth soccer circles (a spillover from gridiron football).

The better procedure would be that, if the referee has stopped the match for an injury, to have the rest of the players go to the touchline in front of

NEW YEAR’S CLASSIC 3V3 TOURNAMENT December 28, 2014 Presented by: Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association • Boys & Girls U9-U13 • Qualifier for Challenger 3v3 Nationals • Registration Deadline: December 21, 2014

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their team bench—but not leave the field of play—and get a drink of water. If the coach is not involved with the care of the injured player, then he or she may have a BRIEF word with the players (during this moment in the game, the coach must remain in the technical area). But a coach must be very careful here not to get across more than one point. Too many coaches talk too much. It is more effective with children to be concise. Of course, if the injured player needs to come off the field, then the other players should recognize her or him with applause. This form of fair play should be expected of your players whether the injured player is from your team or the opposing team.

The action of recognizing the injured player with applause if she or he must come off is a stronger public show of good sportsmanship than taking a knee. Hopefully, the players are taught that they do not need to stop automatically if a player is injured. The game plays on unless the referee calls for an injury timeout. Having said that, it is also incumbent on the coach to teach players that if a player is badly injured and the referee has not seen the player on the ground and has

FUTSAL TOURNAMENT SERIES 12/29, 1/11, 1/19, 1/25, 2/8 Presented by: The Philadelphia Union & Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association • Multiple Locations & Dates, Championship Format • Boys & Girls U9-U14 • Philadelphia Union prizes and giveaways

not stopped play, then the players should play the ball out over the touchline.

The team in possession of the ball should put the ball out of bounds. The referee can then let the medical staff onto the field to care for the injured player. Once play is resumed—with a throw-in for U-10 and older teams or a pass-in for U-6 and U-8 teams—the team awarded the restart should give the ball back to their opponents if they were the team who played the ball out to allow for care of an opposing injured player. If the team who played the ball out of bounds did so for their own injured player, then the team taking the throw-in or pass-in may keep possession, but should put the ball back into play by sending it back toward their defensive third. Fair play then resumes from there.

Of course, the most respectful recognition of the injured player is not applause or taking a knee, but a personal kind word from one player to another.

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Union League’s Good Citizenship Award

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astern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is currently accepting resumes from high school Juniors, active within Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, for consideration of being awarded with The Union League of Philadelphia’s prestigious Good Citizenship Award. Winners of this award are then eligible to apply for a college scholarship awarded from the Union League during their Senior year of high school worth at least $5,000/year.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer was the recipient of the Agency of the Year Award this year. The award is given each year to the Youth Agency that demonstrates exemplary performance in selecting the best high school juniors for the League’s Good Citizenship Award.

These student-athletes must show marked evidence of good citizenship as manifested by their attitude, good sportsmanship, serious scholarship, cooperative effort and perseverance.

Each year, The Union League of Philadelphia awards this medal to 20 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer boys and girls who demonstrate those qualities.

The deadline for submissions is no later than Friday, January 9, 2015. Visit EPYSA.org for more information on the application process.

The Union League of Philadelphia was founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln.

The League laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by Civil War. The Union League has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state, industrialists, entertainers and visiting dignitaries from around the globe. It has also given loyal support to the American military in each conflict since the Civil War, and continues to be driven by its founding motto, “Love of Country Leads.”

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer has the second highest number of award recipients than any other participating organization.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO, Chris Branscome accepts the Agency of the Year Award from Youth Work Committee Chair, Dr. Karen Lawson along with Eastern PA Youth Soccer Committee member, Ron Anderson and Committee Chair, Nick Cirilli.

FROM OUR PRESIDENT Jim Kuntz, President, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

It’s hard to believe that the fall season is coming to an end. Where does the time go?

This past September, I traveled to various clubs throughout Eastern Pennsylvania to present Developmental Grants. What I found were groups of dedicated volunteers all involved in the operation of these clubs for the same reason: the love of the game and players. We presented $85,000 to ten different clubs for field and complex improvements, among other uses. It was so good to see what was being done for the good of the game, as well as the gratefulness displayed by each club awarded. Keep up the wonderful work and dedication.

For 2015, we have set aside $75,000, also for field and complex improvements. Make sure to visit our website—EPYSA.org— for more information on the application timeline. This is money that is available with NO payback involved. There is no monetary limit to the request, although we reserve the right to limit the amount so that more clubs can take advantage of the opportunities these grants provide.

In closing, I hope you have had a successful season. We are looking forward to seeing you compete this winter in the Horizon Services Indoor Cup, and then again in the spring in the State Cup, Presidents Cup, or Turkey Hill Challenge Cup! 3

Madison

Madolyn

William

Jade

WHO’S YOUR TURKEY HILL DAIRY ALL-STAR? Youth soccer teams are filled with All-Star talent.

It was about time those stars were recognized.

Turkey Hill Dairy and Philadelphia Union teamed up in the Turkey Hill Dairy All-Star Contest to shine a spotlight on the region’s most remarkable youth soccer players.

WINNERS RECEIVED:

The 2014 Turkey Hill All-Star nomination period has come to an end. Visit turkeyhill.com/allstar in February 2015 to submit nominations for next year’s all-stars!

VISIT TURKEYHILL.COM/ALLSTAR TO SEE OUR 2014 ALL-STARS! Comments or questions? Call 800 MY DAIRY. Visit our website at turkeyhill.com

©2014 Turkey Hill Dairy

• Four field-level seats at a Philadelphia Union home game • A special post-game autograph session with the players • Special recognition at the game • A feature in the gallery of winners on Philadelphia Union’s Facebook Page

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How to Kick Start Your Marketing During the Off Season

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By Therese Williams, beMarketing | www.bemarketing.com

ust because your season is coming to an end doesn’t mean you should shift gears.

Now is such a crucial time to evaluate and analyze the season’s highs and lows. It is time to ask yourself and your team: was this season a success and, if not, how can we plan ahead to make it better?

One way to contribute to your team’s or club’s success is not strictly through recruiting new talent, but through its marketing strategy. Your soccer season and marketing have two words in common: evaluate and analyze. Similar to soccer, one can evaluate the marketing season through the use of statistics and analytics. Using these three methods you can ensure to keep your marketing on track.

First, when it comes to your club’s website, of course you want to see that your efforts and money are paying off. One way to do this is through the use of Google Analytics. Google Analytics is a FREE web-based analytics tool that generates web traffic

statistics. It allows you to see how many people are clicking around on your site and going to which pages. This tool is available to all with a Google account—and is as simple as adding a webtracking code to your site.

Next, if you use email marketing as another way to promote your soccer club, you may want to take a look back at some of those numbers.

These statistics will show you how many subscribers you have, how many opted out of each email, the number of people who opened each email and how many clicks you received.

You should be able to find these statistics on any email marketing platform you are using. It is important to keep track of these numbers; they are not there to hurt you but to help you improve your content and increase your success rate. For example do you know the day and time when your club’s email list is most likely to open up an email from the club?

Lastly, a tool to help analyze your social media

marketing efforts is through insights. Did you know there are over 1.8 billion individuals on Facebook worldwide? That’s only one platform of social media, so you can see how important it is to build brand awareness across many different social media channels. Many people don’t know what happens after you click the Post button, but wonder how that post fared among others. To do this, take advantage of the multiple social mediainsight analytics tools available out there.

Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have their own FREE way to analyze data; however, if you have a little extra change in your pocket, I’d suggest investing in an overall analytics tool such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social.

With all that being said, analyzing the club’s marketing success post-season can help you create the perfect opportunity to not only improve but maximize the success of next season when targeting your audience!

Channel… Subscribe today!

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Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @EPAYouthSoccer 5

EPYSA.org

Profile: Remembering

Coach Jorge Severini

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hen Jorge Severini emigrated from his native Argentina to Philadelphia in 1971, little did anyone know the great effect he would have on soccer in the Delaware Valley. He arrived as a professional athlete, a basketball and soccer player from South America, and grew to be a successful soccer coach and beloved friend in eastern Pennsylvania. Jorge passed away on October 29th from a heart attack, at his home in Havertown.

Jorge served as staff coach for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer for more than 25 years. As a member of our Olympic Development Program staff, Jorge trained hundreds of players, helping them reach their potential among our state’s and country’s elite. As an instructor for the coaching schools, he also mentored hundreds of coaches. Be it for youth players or adult coaches, his enthusiasm and passion for the game was obvious and infectious; it was impossible not to learn and to grow your

and worked alongside him at the state association. Barr reflected: “My respect for Jorge and what he provided to young players will stay with me forever. He was a wonderful person, and a friend to me and so many other people in the soccer community.”

passion for soccer when you were in his presence. Mike Barr, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director, coached against Jorge for twenty years at the high school level

Most people knew Jorge as a soccer player and coach, but he also loved basketball. He played for Colegio Nacional in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, where he was an all-state player and MVP. When he arrived in the United States, he converted his love for the game into a position as a journalist covering the NBA. He also coached in Philadelphia’s vaunted Charles Baker league, and developed a lifetime friendship with legendary Temple University and Hall of Fame coach John Chaney, traveling with him to Argentina to conduct hoops clinics. It was Jorge who discovered Temple basketball star Pepe Sanchez and brought him to Coach Chaney and the university.

But Jorge excelled in soccer. He played at Club Atletico Liniers, Club Atletico Estudiantes, and Toros de Aragua (Venezuela) before arriving in Philadelphia. He also played professionally in the American Soccer League—for the Philadelphia Spartans, Ukrainian Nationals, Hungarian Americans and Delaware Wings— where he was often an All-Star and Leading Scorer. Jorge also played for the Philadelphia Atoms in the NASL, and matched up against the greatest of his generation: Pelé.

While winding down his playing career, Jorge began to coach. He developed a talent for developing players, and quickly became known as one of the best coaches in the area.

Jorge with son, Nico and current U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann

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He started with men’s amateur teams in the United League in the 1980’s, but would make his mark with the youth ranks. Starting in 1990, Jorge began an incredibly successful run with the Willingboro Strikers (NJ) Girls team: they won the 1990 US Youth Soccer National Championship in their first appearance, and reached the final four again in ‘91 and ‘92.

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He had great success with several other youth teams, taking the UN Kickers Girls team to two state cups and the regional championship in 1993 and 1994; the Haverford Heat Girls were State Cup champs in 1995; and he won several DELCO league championships with Haverford SC Boys teams throughout the 1990’s.

The name Severini became synonymous with soccer in Haverford. Jorge played a significant role in the growth of soccer for the Haverford Soccer Club and Haverford High School.

Jorge with soccer great, Pele during his time with the Philadelphia Atoms

He worked closely within the community to provide opportunities for every girl or boy who wanted to participate in the sport, and served as a club coach or board member for Haverford SC for nearly 25 years. He coached the Haverford

Welcome Sheila Molyneaux!

Sheila is our new Administrative Services Specialist and brings a variety of administrative experiences to Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. Sheila most recently served as the club administrator and registrar for the Harleysville Soccer Association.

Sheila previously worked for the Natural Marketing Institute, a strategic marketing and consulting group and Merck & Co. Sheila has seen hundreds of soccer games over the years cheering and supporting her children. Sheila will assist with registration and insurance issues as well as cups, coaching education and general information. The next time you call or visit the office, it will be Sheila’s friendly voice to greet you.

High School boy’s varsity from 1989 to 2010, his teams winning over 200 games and earning ten Central League playoff appearances. Jorge won a league championship in 1994, and was named coach of the year in 1995 and 2002.

Being very family oriented, Jorge shared his passion for soccer with his sons, Nico and George. For the past four seasons, Jorge served as Nico’s assistant coach with the boy’s varsity team at Lower Merion High School. They also coached in tandem with the U19 Girls at Lower Merion Soccer Club and, most recently, with the U12 Boys Olympic Development Program.

Said Chris Branscome, Eastern Pennsylvania CEO: “Jorge was an incredible source of knowledge and inspiration, and not just when it came to soccer. He was clearly more than a great coach; he was a great husband, a great father, and a great friend who will most certainly be missed.”

Saying Goodbye to a Good Friend…

Current District 13 Alternate Commissioner, Jim Outt, passed away on November 10, 2014, after a three-year battle with lung cancer. He was born December 25, 1942, in Chester PA. Jim grew up playing soccer. It was his love for the game that instilled soccer into the blood of his family.

Jim was a dedicated soccer coach with Danville AYSO when his children were young. Along with his wife, Donna, he was instrumental in the formation of the current League and he was an officer for the Central Susquehanna Soccer Club for many years. Jim was extremely active during the 2011 and 2012 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships hosted by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer in Lancaster. Jim also served his country as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1966 in Hawaii, Japan and Vietnam.

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REC SOCCER SPOTLIGHT:

Penn Legacy Soccer Club

Brought to you by

By Rick Woelfel

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he Penn Legacy Soccer Club, headquartered just outside Lancaster in Landisville, PA, provides programs for about 1,500 youngsters.

The club was founded in 1977 as the Hempfield Soccer Club (changed to Penn Legacy in 2007), and has produced some first-rate players in the years since, including a number of MLS draftees.

ladders and rings and things for them to bounce and hop and jump and twist over to improve their motor skills while having fun. We’ve created an enjoyable, happy environment where the kids just love to come. They love

Not every player who signs up for soccer wants to be serious about the game. Some see the sport as a way to spend time with their friends and have fun. That’s where the Penn Legacy U8 Academy comes in: the program is designed to make sure that every boy or girl who comes to Penn Legacy to play soccer has fun.

Gary Ross is director of the Academy. While he naturally wants to expose his young players and their families to the game of soccer, he is adamant about having everyone involved enjoy him- or herself along the way. The program is open to children as young as age 3; there are about 200 players in the club’s U5 ranks. “You expose these kids and their families to a game that many have never tried before,” Ross says.

“Now they’re giving it a go. The kids are loving it; they’re coming back, and they’ve got smiles on their faces.”

enjoyment of the game. I truly believe that, if you took the scores and standings away and focused on the development of the children, this country would be taking a step in the right direction towards our ultimate goal: to be a World Cup champion. I think at the grass-roots level there’s too much pressure and too much emphasis on winning,” Ross concludes.

To enhance player development, the club spreads its top coaches throughout the various age groups, rather than having them work exclusively with older players. “Five or six years ago, all your best coaches were with the older teams,” Ross says. “Now we’re kind of sharing that wealth; we’ve got great coaches with all our teams.”

the coaches, and the coaches love them.”

The club works with families to control costs; there is a “Pay What You Can Afford” program available to the families of younger participants.

Even when the children are old enough to start playing travel soccer, Penn Legacy’s emphasis remains on fun for the younger players in the program. “You’ve got to look at development before results,” Ross says. “Unfortunately, in this society we play at U9 and there are a lot

Coaches for the younger teams are carefully screened to be sure they are in tune with the club’s philosophy. “I don’t want to sit and listen to a coach say: ‘I want to win a state championship at U10,’ or ‘Results matter to me,’ ” Ross says. “That’s precisely the kind of coach we’re not interested in. We’ll sit in a coaches meeting at nine o’ clock at night and tell them, ‘Win gracefully.’ As adults, I think we’ve all got to do a better job making sure all the kids love the game.” And at Penn Legacy that is exactly what they teach: love of the game.

For more information on Penn Legacy Soccer Club’s programs, visit www.pennlegacy.org

Players in the U5 program get together for 45 minutes each week. Coaches, some of whom direct the club’s older division teams, work with the young players on basic skills. The setting might best be described as a soccerthemed playground. “We don’t even have cones, per se,” Ross says. “We have tunnels for the kids to crawl through, and ladybugs and mice and spiders and snakes. It’s an atmosphere we try to facilitate. We have

of leagues that stress scores and standings.

It’s almost as if as adults we’re spoiling the game for the children.

“The scores and standings at U9 and U10 are totally irrelevant to a player’s development and

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EPYSA.org

SAVE THESE DATES! Saturday, March 7, 2015 Awards Reception

&

EPYSA.org

Visit for more information and to purchase tickets!

Sunday, March 8, 2015 Annual General Meeting

At the Holiday Inn Conference Center | Breinigsville, PA

And the Winners Are‌ Rec. Coach of the Year

Young Referee of the Year

Buddy of the Year

Travel Coach of the Year

TOPSoccer Buddies of the Year

Bruce Buckman Meg Lockard Upper Dublin Soccer Club

Volunteers of the Year

Frank Ruszkowski Mechanicsburg Soccer Club

Ed Clark

Hunter Soccer Club

Admin. of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Administrator of the Year

Girls Travel Coach of the Year

Warrington Soccer Club

YMS

Joe McInnis

John Greaves

Girls Recreation Coach of the Year

Boys Travel Coach of the Year

Penn Manor Soccer Club

Hershey Soccer Club

Shandra Stoner

Andy Briggs

Boys Recreation Coach of the Year

Young Referees of the Year

Allentown Soccer Club

Male

Frank Ortiz

Kevin Lock

Adorae Monroy Female

Annual Awards Reception

Please help us celebrate our 2014 award winners at our being held this year at the Holiday Inn Conference Center near Allentown, PA on Saturday, March 7, 2105. Visit EPYSA.org for more details regarding the event and to purchase tickets.

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Referee Courses Now Being Offered

50 OFF %

Kids Lift Ticket with a Full-Price Adult Ticket Expires End 14/15 Season Youth Soccer 50% Off Campaign

There is a definite shortage of referees throughout the country, and Eastern PA is no exception. There are many advantages for people of all ages to become a referee and help close the gap between the number of officials needed each weekend and the number available.

Even if you are only available for a few hours a month, your contribution could make a huge difference. Other benefits include an increased knowledge of the game, staying physically fit, and securing a financially rewarding part-time profession where you can make your own schedule and earn on average over $20 an hour.

Courses are offered throughout the state from September 1 through May 31 each year. Most courses sell out so register early. Make sure to visit the Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association Referee Committee’s website at www.EPSARC.org for more information or to view a list of courses available.

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What We’ve Been Up To… ODP Tryouts

1900 players, 200 evaluators, 2 days, 4 locations, 40 fields

Youth Soccer Month

Fun, Family, Friendship, Fitness

Coaching Education 6 courses, 102 coaches certified 2 Philadelphia Union Chalk Talks

Women’s World Cup Qualifying Matches 30 Ball Girls & Flag Bearers

Photos by Linda Cuttone/Sportsvue Images

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EPYSA.org

My ODP Experience

By Grace Barbara U15

I

started ODP as a small eleven-year old and, in three short years, have grown into a completely different person and player.

In the fall of 2012, I completed my State ODP tryout, extremely nervous and anxious for the result of making the Philadelphia area team. I was fortunate to be selected for my State ODP Team that day, and several of my club teammates from the YMS Pride continued ODP with me for our U13 and U14 years.

As a U13 player, you are able to attend the Regional Camp in Rhode Island. This camp is an opportunity to learn new techniques, meet new people, and receive top training by awesome coaches for four days. Even though the camp is all training, scrimmages, even sports psychology sessions with Dr. Barber, it is actually a tryout for the Region 1 Pool Team. This team is the culmination of who the coaches perceive to be

the top players from the various states in the Region.

I worked harder than I ever had at this camp, making the morning and afternoon pool teams every day. In the end, I was one of ten goalkeepers (out of almost 100 keepers that attended camp) who were fortunate to be selected for the Region 1 Pool Team. Training for Region 1 was held in Buffalo, New York, in December, and Delaware in April. Even though I felt like I worked harder and was all-around more skilled then some of the other goalkeepers, I was not selected to attend the Phoenix, Arizona, trip which was an Inter-Regional training session (National Team Pool Training Session).

After last year’s disappointment of not being selected for the Inter-Regional training session, I vowed to work even harder, be more crisp with

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Eastern PA Youth Soccer has with

4 cup competitions

1442

teams participating

Coaches Administrators Volunteers

2 weeks of overnight

camp

580 campers

6 weeks of Day of Camp

22 teams players 640 coaches 50 1900 tried out

EST. 1972

Leagues Intramural

CLUBS

337

152

15 Travel

16,500

16

Olympic Development Program

Camps

Recreational

128,000 players

30 TOPSoccer Programs

9

8

McGuire Cup Champions

my technique, and be a vocal leader on the field.

I reminded myself that even if the coaches were not paying attention to what I was doing at that moment, I would try to increase my intensity and work harder than the others around me— so I would know that I’d given my all and stand out in the long run. People may doubt your abilities, but you can always prove them wrong—knowing deep down that you are in charge of your own outcome.

This mindset is what also stepped up my performance during the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships with my club team. I had to travel to Florida to spend time with my 86-year old grandmother who had just been diagnosed with cancer, so I missed some of the most critical training sessions with my club team before this large event, and many people thought I would not be gameready.

Regionals finished with me conceding only one goal the entire tournament. After the Championships, it was time for me to focus on the next Regional Camp, which would begin in a little over a week. I was determined to make a difference at this year’s Regional Camp. The camp started with a 6v6 game and, after several major saves and continuing to be vocal and crisp with my technique, I was identified for the pool team. I knew that this year I was given an opportunity to re-prove myself.

After working extremely hard, asking my goalkeeper coach what he thought I should improve, and talking with my State ODP coach (Joe Dizio), I set as my goal to not only make the Region 1 Pool Team again this year, but also to be selected for the Inter-Regional trips (National Team Pool Training Sessions) to Boca Raton, Florida, this November, and Costa Rica in February, 2015. I was extremely excited that the coaches recognized my true abilities and placed me on the roster for these two trips. For me, that was a true validation of my years of training, sweat and hard work.

I look forward to what happens in the future with ODP. Everyone’s abilities will be challenged, at some point. You just have to remember to convert your anger, frustration and disappointment into motivation, and continue to work harder than you ever thought possible. If you do that, the sky is the limit—and you’re flying.

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Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association Eastpasa.wix.com/eastpasa

100th Anniversary Gala Celebration!

Celebrating 100 years of soccer history in Eastern Pennsylvania Join us for an evening of remembrance and nostalgia as we celebrate the longevity of soccer in Eastern Pennsylvania.

We are an area rich in soccer history and at the roots of professional and amateur soccer in the United States.

Save the Date  Saturday March 21, 2015  Desmond Hotel, Malvern PA  6:00—11:00 PM  Tickets—$60/person

For information, contact Joanne at the State office, eastpasa@verizon.net; 610.940.5755 Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association 4070 Butler Pike Suite 100 Plymouth Meeting PA 19462

Touchline

Life After Youth Soccer

By Joanne Neal, Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association

A

dult soccer has a wide reach throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. Every weekend, thousands of men and women take to the fields for their local club games and scrimmages. But, similar to their younger counterparts, adults have a higher level of competition in which they can participate: the USASA National Cup competitions.

The National Cup has four categories: Open, Amateur, Over 30 and Under 23. In Eastern Pennsylvania, the State runs its own competition to produce winners that advance to the Regional rounds; the Regional winners play for a National Cup title in each of the above categories.

The history of the National Cup competition goes back to 1913 with the U.S. Open Cup. Winners were awarded the Dewar Cup, donated by Sir Thomas Dewar in 1912 for the promotion of soccer in America. In 1999, USASA established the Werner Fricker US Open Cup to recognize the champion among its own amateur participants. Winners of the USASA Open Cup advance to the Lamar Hunt Competition, which includes all MLS and Pro teams in the U.S. The Amateur Cup was started by the U.S. Soccer Federation in 1923, in response to the overwhelming number of teams participating in the National Challenge Cup. It is now a USASA event, and players may not be registered as professionals.

The Over 30 Cup was first played in 1984; winners of that competition are awarded the Gerhard Mengel Cup. This competition is open for both amateur and professional players to participate. The Under 23 competition has undergone some changes in the past few years.

It is now a national event, conducted in mid-June and run tournament-style.

Until recently, there was a National Women’s Cup competition, but this too has undergone changes: it is now being run by USASA as the Women’s Championship competition. Teams may enter the Open division (WPSL and W-League teams only) or the Amateur division.

Eastern Pennsylvania often has the highest number of teams entering all of these competitions. We have been a strong contender, and many of our teams have made it to various stages of the Regional Rounds. In fact, based on size of our high participation, the last several

Region I Cup championships have been held in Eastern PA at the Ukrainian Nationals Club. Two of our teams have made it to the National finals in recent years: Junior Lone Star (U23) advanced to the Nationals in 2008, held in Seattle, Washington; and the United German Hungarian women, under Barry Harvey, advanced to the Women’s National Final in 2011.

This year the National Cup competition is as strong as ever in Eastern Pennsylvania. We have 13 teams in each of the Open and Amateur divisions, playing every Sunday in a knockout bracket format. The excitement is high during these matches, as some of the best players in the area vie for the State title. Complete schedules and information can be found at our website, eastpasa.wix.com/eastpasa.

We invite and encourage teams who are interested to consider participating in any of these competitions, as there is an opportunity for everyone to compete at the highest levels.

After all, how do you know how good your team is until you compete against the best?

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EPYSA.org

Quarterly Calendar December 2014

February 2015

4 Eastern Pennsylvania Horizon Services Indoor Cup Application Closes @ 2:00 PM, E.T.

1 U13 “B” Division Boys | Wyoming Valley Sports Dome

11 2015 Outdoor Cups Registration Opens for U9-U19

7 U17 & U19 Boys & Girls Indoor Cup | In The Net

13 Free Player Futsal Clinic for Ages U9-U12 | United Sports

15

8 Futsal Tournament Series Qualifying Event Presented by Philadelphia Union & Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer | Spooky Nook Sports

24-31 Office Closed, Winter Holiday

26 All U12 Boys & Girls and U14 Boys & Girls ODP Training | In the Net*

12-14 U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting | San Francisco, CA

16

27

28 New Year’s Classic 3V3 Tournament | United Sports

29 Futsal Tournament Series Qualifying Event Presented by Philadelphia Union & Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer | United Sports

All U13 Boys & Girls ODP Training | In the Net*

Office Closed, President’s Day

20-22 U13 through U17 ODP @ Virginia Friendlies | Williamsburg, VA

22

22 Futsal Tournament Series Championship Presented by Philadelphia Union & Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer | United Sport

23

Outdoor Cups Registration Closes for U9-U17

January 2015

28

U16 Boys Indoor Cup | Lanco Fieldhouse

1 Office Closed, New Year’s Day

3 U10 Boys Indoor Cup | BodyZone & U14 Boys Indoor Cup | Riverfront Sports

March 2015

4 U10 Girls Indoor Cup | BodyZone & U14 Girls Indoor Cup | Riverfront Sports

U9 Boys Indoor Cup | United Sports

1 U9 Girls Indoor Cup | United Sports & U16 Girls Indoor Cup | Lanco Fieldhouse

7 Awards Reception | Holiday Inn Conference Center, Breinigsville, PA

10

11 Futsal Tournament Series Qualifying Event Presented by Philadelphia Union & Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer | Lou Ramos Center

8 Annual General Meeting | Holiday Inn Conference Center, Breinigsville, PA

15

14-18 NSCAA Convention/US Youth Soccer Workshop | Philadelphia, PA

20 Outdoor Cup Roster Freeze for U9-U17 @ 4:00 PM E.T.

19

19 Futsal Tournament Series Qualifying Event Presented by Philadelphia Union & Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer | United Sports

24 U12 Boys Indoor Cup | In The Net & U15 Boys Indoor Cup | Lanco Fieldhouse

25 U12 Girls Indoor Cup | In The Net & U15 Girls Indoor Cup | Lanco Fieldhouse

25 Futsal Tournament Series Qualifying Event Presented by Philadelphia Union & Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer | Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

20

Fall Registration Payments Due

U11 Boys & Girls Indoor Cup | Pocono Dome

Office Closed, Dr. Martin Luther King Day

31 U13 “A” Division Boys & Girls & U13 “B” Division Girls Indoor Cup | Wyoming Valley Sports Dome

Spring Registration Payments Due

* ODP Training. Please check your team page on the website for more details.

Visit EPYSA.org to view schedules, standings, and champions for the 2015 Horizon Services Indoor Cup.

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21

EPYSA.org

Join the Eastern Pennsylvania Coaches Association for Incredible Benefits!

2 Memberships

+ 1 Low Price Register Now and Enjoy the Benefits!

Soccer’s Biggest Party brings together coaches, players, administrators, business leaders, referees and fans from all over the world. Come and be a part of the fast growing soccer community!

US Youth Soccer and the NSCAA, two of the nation’s soccer leaders, merged their respective annual gatherings in January 2013, creating what is now the game’s most influential event of the year. No other event for soccer enthusiasts matches the level and depth of high profile clinicians, variety of networking and continuing

education opportunities and the fun and excitement all packed into five days. If you’re serious about soccer, you need to be at the NSCAA Convention and US Youth Soccer Workshop.

Register today at nscaa.com/convention.

If you aren’t a member of the NSCAA yet, don’t worry you can receive a $30 discount if you register for the Eastern Pennsylvania Coaches Association first! Over 300 Eastern Pennsylvania coaches have already cashed in on this incredible offer.

Visit EPYSA.org for registration details.

Don’t miss out on the 2015 NSCAA Convention and US Youth Soccer Workshop at the Philadelphia Convention Center January 14-18!

Hey, Kids! { And adults, too! } Perhaps you’ve said to yourself:

“I want to be in

Magazine!” eastern pennsylvania youth soccer

Want to appear in an upcoming issue of Touchline?

This is an exciting feature in the magazine where Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer players, coaches, and parents get an opportunity to be seen and heard by the rest of our readers.

Well, now is your chance! If you would like to be considered to appear in an upcoming issue, simply answer the 11 Questions that appear on our website (and on page 23 ), fill in the bio information and email it to info@epysa.org. Most importantly, you need to send a photo of yourself with the email… the higher quality, the better! If there is not a photo, then we can’t use your entry in the magazine. Entering is not a guarantee of getting published.

We wish you luck, and who knows? When you open the next issue of Touchline magazine, you could find yourself staring back at you!

To register go to:

http://www.epysa.org/communications/player_profiles/

22

FC REVOLUTION

FC REVOLUTION

EAST BRANDYWINE YOUTH ASSOC

YOUTH SOCCER PLAYER PROFILES

Jack Moser

Madison Herb

Nate Herb

Team Name Team 2 Organization/Club East Brandywine Youth Assoc.

Team Name Dynamo Organization/Club FC Revolution

Team Name Cosmos Organization/Club FC Revolution

What position do you play or what do you do on your team?

Midfield

What position do you play or what do you do on your team?

Defense

What is your nickname?

Moser

What is your nickname?

Maddie

Who is your role model? Why? Neymar because he’s the best

Who is your role model? Why? Alex Morgan because she is a good soccer player and I love her books.

Age: 7

What is your favorite soccer team?

FC Barcelona What is your favorite movie?

Dolphin Tale 2

Age: 11

What is your favorite soccer team?

FC Revolution What is your favorite movie?

Pitch Perfect

Age: 9

What position do you play or what do you do on your team?

Defense What is your nickname?

Naterball Who is your role model? Why? Clint Dempsey because he is a good player What is your favorite soccer team?

Argentina What is your favorite movie?

Grown Ups 2

What is your favorite book?

Frankie’s Magic Soccer Ball Series

by Frank Lampard

What is your favorite song?

Classic

What is your favorite song?

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark

What is your favorite book?

The Kicks series by Alex Morgan

What is your favorite book?

Flat Stanley

What is your favorite food?

Cake

What is your favorite food?

Tacos

What is your favorite food?

Chicken Fingers and Fries

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?

Basketball

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?

Basketball

What is your favorite sport outside of soccer?

Baseball

What is your pet peeve (what thing makes you mad or drives you crazy)?

When the Philadelphia Union lose

What is your pet peeve (what thing makes you mad or drives you crazy)?

When we don’t win.

What is your pet peeve (what thing makes you mad or drives you crazy)?

Nothing

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Barcelona so I could watch a Barca game in person.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

The Caribbean because it is warm and there are a lot of things to do there.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

To the next FIFA World Cup to watch the games.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A famous soccer player

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Pro Soccer Player and a Veterinarian

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Pro Soccer Player

What is your favorite song?

I don’t really have one

23

EPYSA.org

Determining Safe Return to Kevin B. Freedman, MD, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Medical Advisory Committee Chair

W

This project consisted of a recent survey sent to all Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer coaches, asking a variety of questions about guidelines they receive from their respective clubs concerning player injuries. The coaches were asked who makes the majority of the return-to-play decisions for athletes after an injury has occurred: the coach, parent, athlete, athletic trainer, or physician. They were also asked about their comfort level with the current guidelines, and for suggestions for improvement.

hen a player goes down on the field, everyone on the sidelines holds their breath, hoping there is no serious injury. When this happens in high school, college or professional sports, the athlete is typically evaluated by an Athletic Trainer or other medical staff. But what happens when a child is injured in youth sports? Who helps determine that there is no significant injury that should restrict play?

Also, when a player is injured and needs to miss a practice or game, who determines when it is safe to return to play?

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is continuing its efforts to improve the health, safety and wellness of players. The recent establishment of the Medical Advisory Committee has helped to promote these efforts. Kevin B. Freedman, MD, along with the Rothman Institute, has conducted a research project to evaluate current return-to-play protocols for athletes after injury.

The goal of this project is to use information collected from Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer club coaches to analyze their current

Concussions

For concussions, it is recommended that in any suspicious case a medical provider should evaluate the athlete to determine when the athlete should return to play. If no medical provider is available, the athlete should not be allowed to return to play.

However, the following are some key signs and symptoms of concussions that parents should be aware of if their child has suffered a head injury: • Headache • Dizziness • Nausea • Sensitivity to light or noise • Problems with balance • Fuzzy or blurred vision • Changes in emotion or irritability • Trouble concentrating or remembering If any of these signs or symptoms is present, the child should NOT be allowed to return to play on the day of injury and should seek further medical attention.

24

systems and make any improvements necessary to ensure the safety of our players regarding to return-to-play decisions.

Upper Extremity Injuries For upper extremity injuries, such as to shoulder, elbow or wrist, the following tests should be able to be performed by the athlete after an injury before returning to play: • Complete range of motion: starting with arms by your side, lift arms forward and up until they are overhead; again starting with arms by your side, lift arms out to the side and continuing until they are overhead • Ability to lift arms out to the side and in front with full strength against resistance • Resisted belly press – pulling the hands toward the belly against resistance • Resisted bear hug - resisting movement with arms crossed on chest as person pulls outward • 3-5 push-ups • Any other sports-specific drills (e.g., throwing) If any of these actions cause pain, the athlete should not be allowed to return to play.

Preliminary results show that 58% of coaches surveyed made the return-to-play decision for athletes on the day of injury, despite the fact that 59% had only CPR/First Aid training, and 30% had no medical training at all. In addition, while 73% of coaches require a doctor’s note for return to play following a head injury, only 31% required a doctor’s note for return to play following a musculoskeletal injury (such as knee or ankle injury). Overall, 79% of coaches surveyed had suggestions for improving current return- to-play protocols following injury.

Lower Extremity Injuries For lower extremity injuries, such as to knee, ankle or foot, there are also a variety of tests to determine whether or not the athlete can return to play. Athletes should be able to perform all of the following exercises with ease and without pain before returning to play: • Hop on both legs • Hop on one leg • Deep squat keeping both heels on the ground • Jog in a straight line • Sprint in a straight line • Diagonal cuts – running at a diagonal with quick change in direction • Carioca: crossovers in both directions • Jog backwards • Sports-specific drills on the sideline (e.g., cutting, agility) If any of these actions cause pain, the athlete should not be allowed to return to play.

Touchline

Play After Injury The Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Medical Advisory Committee and the Rothman Institute have compiled a series of guidelines that will help parents determine whether or not their child is ready to return to play after suffering an injury. By following these guidelines, parents, coaches and athletes can make an informed decision about the severity of their child’s injury to determine whether or not the child should return to play. These guidelines are NOT intended to substitute for medical evaluation. If in doubt, the athlete should be kept from returning to play without proper medical evaluation.

The following guidelines are designed to help determine safe return to play on the day an injury occurs. They are based on functional tests commonly performed on the sidelines by Certified Athletic Trainers. These guidelines differ based upon the type of injury: head, upper extremity or lower extremity.

Kevin B. Freedman, MD, is a Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon with the Rothman Institute in Bryn Mawr. He is Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and Director of the Injury Prevention Program for the Rothman Institute.

have a better foundation for protecting their athletes. As always, safety is our main concern, and continuing to educate coaches, parents, and athletes on injury prevention and management is a major initiative. We are hoping that our research efforts will help develop standardized guidelines for safe return to play in the future.

With parents as well as coaches being diligent with regard to athletes returning to play after injury, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer will

Do you have a question you’d like ask our Medical Advisory Committee? Visit epysa.org/ resources/medical_advisory_committee/ today to submit your question.

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EPYSA.org

My Return to High School Coaching

By Mike Barr, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director

I

t has been eight years since I last coached high school soccer. In that time I coached at Division III Immaculata University and, in the three years I spent there, experienced a bit of success, turning a new program into a winning and confident team. Upon my appointment as full-time Technical Director at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, however, I had to relinquish any outside coaching, due to the investment in time my position required.

This year, after discussion with CEO Chris Branscome, I was able to return to high school coaching—but to a community and school much changed from when I previously coached.

For 22 years, I had been a coach at Strath Haven High School in the affluent community of Wallingford Swarthmore. The Strath Haven teams I coached won 15 Central League Championships, 6 District One Titles, and 5 PIAA State Championships. I considered myself a lucky man because I had a great feeder program, strong support of assistant coaches, understanding parents, and wonderful kids.

Although the team’s success was unprecedented, my enjoyment for coaching began to wane. I expected every year to compete for a state championship. Every loss became a game to ponder and dwell on. Every win was soon forgotten, and I even began to overlook the spirited play of individuals in matches if it did not result in a win and a strong performance. The glum attitude I developed caused me to quit my position at Strath Haven after losing a state quarterfinal match to Warwick High School. I left even though almost the entire team was coming back the next season. I told the local papers of my intentions as my team was doing their cool down after the match. I didn’t tell my players or my family, which I still deeply regret—but I knew I was heading down the wrong path.

In my eight years away from high school coaching, there has been a remarkable swing towards soccer becoming a sport for primarily upper-middle to upper income families. Costly clubs in the Philadelphia area with paid

26

coaches, expensive trainers and pristine fields have effectively prevented poor to middle income families from having their children play soccer at a high level. U.S. Soccer, in its infinite wisdom, looks only at the product of these types of girls and boys clubs to identify possible National Team players. Meanwhile, the millions of players who cannot afford the high cost to play are overlooked.

To make matters worse, U.S. Soccer dictates that any player involved with Developmental Academies must not play soccer or any other sport—nor be involved with any activities—in the high school they attend. That effectively eliminates the time in a high school athlete’s career which provides the most fun, the most meaningful games, and a strong sense of community and friendship within their community and with their peers. High school soccer also provides a unique aspect in the development of a player, since the best players begin to play against players who may be up to three years older.

This year I accepted the head-coaching job at Kennett High School. I applied for the position because I wanted to experience working in a

diverse community, with players who have a love for the game and who may not have had extra training, opportunities, or the chance to attend expensive showcase tournaments. I really believe that my decision has been more rewarding to me than it has been to the Kennett players I coach. I find in Kennett Square a remarkable, growing community of wonderful kids and adults who relish the success of academics, arts and athletics through a strong civic pride in their town. In fact, if I had young children today, Kennett Square would be the place I would want to live and raise my family.

My team at Kennett has a rich mix of players who have varied backgrounds and experiences.

But as Gerardo Torres, a midfielder on the team states: “We are a family!” They did indeed become a family of strong players who believed in themselves and accomplished goals far beyond my expectations.

After watching them in training and friendly pick-up matches during the summer, I saw potential for a winning season but was not sure how the players would accept me and my methods of coaching. I was lucky because their responses were always positive. The JV and

Touchline

Varsity teams are half Latino but almost every Latino player on each team is fluent in both English and Spanish. Many of the Latino players do not play on the bigger clubs in the Kennett area, but play in the “Mexican League” on weekends and pick-up games when available, or on a Southern Chester County League team.

Many of the non-Latino players play for the Delaware Rush or Kirkwood Soccer Club.

Getting the players to blend together as a team proved to be easy: they all shared the goals of having fun and winning games. Also, the culture of Kennett High School makes assimilation an easy process on the playing field.

Last year’s Kennett team had 4 wins and 14 losses. This year they turned their record around, finishing with 15 wins and 5 losses.

Unfortunately, Kennett lost in the second round of Districts; at the conclusion of the game, the players were devastated. Obviously, they were upset for themselves, but they also sensed that the school and town—which had begun to follow and share in their success—really wanted the amazing season to continue. I am not sure if emotions run higher with players or parents when the team participates with elite club programs and academy programs in their scheduled matches.

Looking back I will remember moving players into unfamiliar positions and each player fulfilling their task; asking for different players to assume new roles with a new system; requesting a senior field player, Bryan Cook, to move to goal where he excelled beyond anyone’s wildest dreams; players sharing in every success or any setback; players volunteering and giving up their free time to assist me at Youth Soccer Month events; and Latino players changing their work schedule on the weekend to attend a game or practice.

The games and the season will be a lasting, fond memory. But one small event on the Saturday we lost in the Districts will have a lasting impact on my coaching at Kennett. One of my backs, Johnny Tapia, was late for the bus. I asked some of his teammates to contact him. Their response was, “Don’t worry, Coach, he’s on his way. He was at work at the mushroom farm.”

I noticed a figure jogging in the rearview mirror of the bus. It was Johnny. I walked out of the bus and tried to slow down his run. I asked him how long had he been working. His response with a shrug and a smile was: “About six hours.”

This one small episode demonstrates why I feel so comfortable with my decision to coach at Kennett High School. It also points out how youth soccer has dramatically become the game that is not for all kids. My players play for the love of the game. Many of them do not have the finances to pay for extra training or pay a monthly charge to a club. Some work to support their families or pay for their own necessities, but they still search out opportunities to play.

Why should their financial status have any effect on playing opportunities in this country?

I really try to live and make decisions by the comments of Eleanor Roosevelt: “It gets better for everybody, when it is better for everybody.”

Coaching at Kennett High School helped me be more patient with individual players. I realized winning was not the only goal but that establishing a winning culture brings a team together. I shook off the past memories and finally convinced myself I had made the turn.

I am becoming the coach I should have been years ago.

Looking back at this past season, I really believe I was coaching the future “America’s Team” in “America’s Town.”

27

EPYSA.org

Observations Regarding High School Soccer

By Mike Barr, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director

W

hy is coaching high school so special?

The variety of personalities, maturity, age, size and speed of players on a high school team makes for interesting coaching decisions— whether regarding playing positions, the roles dictated by the relevancy of a match, preparation for upcoming matches, or allowing for recovery within the schedule. Working with the players in your school really does allow a coach to focus on development, because you can’t recruit players from other schools to improve the overall quality of your team.

As a high school coach, you must realize that you will be with many of the players for up to four years. Coaches certainly recognize they will have a unique impact on their players’ lives.

Much like any teacher, you are there to make those players reach their full potential and allow them to develop a better understanding of the game. Everyday interaction allows you to accomplish those goals.

Why not extend the season an extra week?

Why not play matches on Sundays? Is there any reason to play two matches in a row?

Allow the season to begin the weekend before Labor Day by starting pre-season a week or a few days earlier. Playing matches on Sundays (if needed) would allow for make-up games without playing back-to-back matches. Sundays would also make the dreaded three games a week easier to handle.

Injuries from fatigue rise sharply when playing two matches in a row. If the coach is aware of periodization in his training schedule, he should be examining the playing time of individual players and utilizing more substitutions to allow starters increased recovery time during the season.

Can utilization of substitutes in various matches be beneficial in the long run?

Because of early injuries this year, I learned to allow more players the opportunity to play in more games. I was surprised how well my substitutes responded to the roles they were assigned. During the season I had up to 16 different starting lineups and, in one game, I started four ninth-graders.

These players gained confidence in their abilities

28

and showed definite signs of maturity. I was explicit in defining their roles from early on in pre-season, and most players felt comfortable in playing any position they were assigned. Because of their extra playing time, there was minimal or no decrease in the quality of play when they came into the game.

Can we make high school soccer more popular?

I was surprised to see smaller crowds at high school matches from when I was coaching high school eight years ago. I think the lack of social networking has been a contributing factor to the smaller crowds. Getting information out on Twitter and Facebook will bring fans in. This could be accomplished through better-organized coaching associations working with the high school athletic department, a go-to person with the local newspapers, and even the players utilizing their contacts to bring fans to matches.

Utilizing local access channels to televise the highlights of games can also have a positive impact on the program.

Night games make for larger crowds. If a field has lights, the team should attempt to play as many night games as it can. If a school can play back-to-back Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys—or the reverse—on a few nights, it will bring in larger crowds. (The second game should always be played at 7:00 PM.) It is also important to get local clubs involved through “team recognition” nights and shortened games for rec players at halftime. I would like to see Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and high school coaching organizations form a partnership, social media-networking together, to develop the kind of high school soccer relevant to fans, parents and players.

With Developmental Academy programs utilized by many colleges how can I assist with a player in the recruiting process?

High school coaches should not underestimate their value in the recruitment process. They should be meeting with players as early as tenth grade to look at their possible choices in schools.

Many club coaches do not follow through with their players, and many kids get overlooked. I

suggest that the high school coach and the club coach collaborate in the recruiting procedure.

It is important to establish a relationship with college coaches by recommending players who have the ability to contribute to a program. Do not recommend a player to a school if he or she does not have the skills to play there; you are only doing an injustice to the player and the coach. Attempt to be honest with the players and their parents, and make sure that the school fits the player’s academic needs.

What about the referees in high school soccer?

I did not expect to see so many referees who are actually older than I am. In fact, many referees who called my high school games years before are still working. Even more surprising to me, some of those same referees are doing two games a day.

High school soccer is a fast-paced game that should require referees who can keep up with the play. But it seems little effort is being made to replenish the aging striped shirts. With so many colleges in this area, the PIAA should look to recruit college-age referees and get them working high school games. College students are always looking for extra money to help get them through the year. I think college-age referees would improve the overall quality of matches and diminish the criticism that sometimes comes from players and coaches alike.

What about coaching education?

There is no reason why a high school coach shouldn’t have the same qualifications as club and academy coaches. Take advantage of coaching licenses and certifications from U.S. Soccer. Expand your knowledge of the game by attending clinics and watching matches from European or South American leagues.

Having played the sport in high school or college does not make someone a strong coach. The process of becoming better lasts a lifetime. Be open to ideas. Talk to peers who have had success. Work within the clubs in your district.

Most important, establish a positive culture within your program that players can aspire to—even at a younger age.

29

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COACHING EDUCATION

upcoming COACHING COURSES

National E License

National E License

National D License Part II

Rose Tree Soccer Club Penncrest High School December 3 – 20, 2014

Germantown Soccer Club Philadelphia December 5 – 7, 2014

Penn Legacy Landisville December 15 – 16, 2014

National E License

National E License

Rage Soccer Club Palmyra February 20 – 21, 2015

Lebanon Valley Soccer Club Wyomissing March 6 – 8, 2015

NATIONAL E & D LICENSE For more information, details and registration, please visit EPYSA.org

Coming in 2015…

Eastern Pennsylvania Turkey Hill Challenge Cup

Eastern Pennsylvania President’s Cup

Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup (National Championship Series)

• Open to all teams playing in an Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer sanctioned league (Cup-Qualifying) in the U9 to U17 age groups.

• Open to all teams in the U12 through U17 age groups, playing in an Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer sanctioned league (Cup-Qualifying).

• Open to all teams in the U12 through U19 age groups, playing in an Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer sanctioned league (CupQualifying).

• Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer offers two divisions of play in the U9 to U11 (8v8) age groups (“A”= Most Competitive and “B”= Competitive).

• President’s Cup is played in a World Cup format. Teams will need to progress from group play into the State finals being played on May 3, 2015.

• There is no further competition outside of Eastern Pennsylvania.

• Champions in the U13 through U17 age groups will represent Eastern Pennsylvania in the Region I Championships in Slippery Rock, PA, May 23-25, 2015.

• The State Cup competition is a single elimination tournament with the State Finals for the U12- U17 age groups being played May 16-17, 2015 and the U18 and U19 State Finals being played on May 31, 2015.

• Turkey Hill Challenge Cup is played in a World Cup format. Teams will need to progress from group play into playoffs being played on May 16-17, 2015.

• Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer teams who win the Region I Championships will represent Region I in the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup in Overland Park, KS, July 9-12, 2015.

Registration for these competitions will open in January. For more information and to register visit EPYSA.org

• Winning teams will represent Eastern Pennsylvania at the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships in Barboursville, WV, June 26-30, 2015.

• U13 through U19 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer teams who win the Region I Championship will represent Eastern Pennsylvania and Region I in the US Youth Soccer National Championships in Tulsa, OK, July 21-26, 2015.

31

DEVELOPING AND IMPROVING TOUCH

By Gary Stephenson, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, Assistant Director of Coaching

FOLLOW THE PASS Organization • Eight players set up in a diamond • 10 yds minimum with balls Sequence & Progression • Pass with inside of right foot to the player on the right and follow pass.

• Player receiving the ball receives shoulder on across body with the inside of the right foot and touches ball to the right in

preparation to pass (all attempt to play two touch) and follow pass.

• Repeat to the left.

• Also introduce an extra ball.

Coaching Points • Use inside of the foot to control the ball • Body position when receiving the ball • Touch, touch, play • Correct weight on the pass

BRAIN CENTERED DRIBBLING Organization • Eight Players all with a ball at four points of a cross (square) 10 yds by 10 yds • A box coned out in the middle of the cross 2 yds by 2 yds Sequence & Progression • First four players all with a ball at four points dribble together to enter cones.

• Each player cuts the ball with the outside of right and goes to the end of the line on the right.

• As player arrives next four players dribble to the cones.

• Variation: step over and cut with outside of right.

• Repeat going in the other direction thus using the other foot.

Coaching Points • Head up while dribbling • Clean cut with speed • Correct part of the foot being used

FULL VOLLEY WITH INSIDE OF THE FOOT Organization • Eight players. Four players with ball in hands around the grid • Grid 15 yds by 15 yds Sequence & Progression • Four players inside who check to center cones and run to players with the ball across from them.

• Players with the ball toss to the player’s right foot for a full volley with the inside of the right foot back to the tossing player.

• They check back to the cones and go to the right for the same

toss and volley.

• Much like Activity 2 (Brain Centered Dribbling), the players attempt to come to the center at the same time.

• Change roles inside to outside, using both feet.

Coaching Points • Good communication • Get in line with the ball • Have the surface of the foot ready to receive the ball • Push the ball back with the correct weight on the ball

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