The Evolving Game | February 2021

R E M R A G G N I A V L O V E B THE February 2021

Issue 53 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter

2020 Charlotte Moran, Youth Long-Term Service Award Our very own, Mike Barr the Technical Director at Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer was awarded the Charlotte Moran Youth Long-Term Service Award. Mike previously served as Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Director of Coaching for 27 years.

The award is named in memory of Charlotte Moran, who served youth soccer for more than 30 years, including as Executive Director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association and a member of the United Soccer

Gary Stephenson

Director of Soccer

Development &

Performance

Coaches Board of Directors.

Mike Barr's statement after receiving the award, "The honor means a great deal to me because of the wonderful woman the award is named for, “Charlotte Moran.” She and Bob Urban of Nether Soccer were instrumental in my career and any success I have received over the years. They pushed me to go beyond my comfort zone and take on various roles within youth soccer. Working hard and bringing soccer to all kids and educating coaches became a major ambition, as I got older. Working with administrators and coaches in Easter Pennsylvania and the East Region provided me with the opportunity to meet my goals. My family was instrumental in whatever success I achieved.

They never complained and were supportive through all the times I was away attending coaching courses, teaching and coaching players at every level.”

Gary Stephenson "It is hard to find a mentor and it's not everyone who has the luxury of working directly with their mentor. I am one of the lucky ones that day to day, I get to glean information and experiences from mine! Mike Barr's effect on soccer is ever reaching and his interaction with players and staff now are still a joy to be seen. The bitter sweet here is Charlotte, who Mike holds in such high regards, isn't here to share this moment with him! Thanks Mike - see you on a field soon!”

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO, Chris Branscome, "Mike is more than deserving of this honor. He belongs on this list of legends that have previously received this award, appropriately named for our friend, Charlotte Moran."

Charlotte Moran

Interview with Mike Barr & throwback 2012

US Soccer Education License Pathway (In Person Courses) available now…

Grass Roots Licenses Open to Registration Mike Barr College Player

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Charlotte Moran 2013 INDUCTED INTO US YOUTH SOCCER HALL OF FAME

Our Former executive director of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

Charlotte was involved in soccer for more than 20 years, beginning at the grassroots level as a team manager through roles at regional and national levels. In addition to her leadership roles as the state level, she also served as the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Girls Region I Administrator for a number of years.

A staunch supporter of girls and women soccer players, she hosted women's national team games in Pennsylvania, promoted the professional women's league and encouraged clubs and schools to oer girls' soccer.

Moran worked with the girls in her region to teach a love of the game, not only as a player but a spectator. On many occasions she addressed girls' teams and organizations, sharing with them of the unique qualities of the game and how the team concept fostered in the game helps them in their personal growth.

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Meet the Coach: Mike Barr, 2020 Charlotte Moran Award Recipient The late Charlotte Moran played a

Especially early in my career when it

key role in Mike Barr’s coaching

was mostly about wins and losses

career. As the Executive Director of

(for me), not so much giving back.

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, she gave Barr his first full-time

EG: What flipped the switch then? At

Director of Coaching position. In the

what point did you say, ‘I should be

years since, he’s built on Moran’s

doing more for the youth?’

legacy of service by working with

MB: When I recognized the disparity

players at all levels of soccer, from

in youth soccer in regards to cost and

players with special needs to rec.

things like that. I realized if I got out

players to high school to Olympic

into the inner city and to the rural

Development Program, and beyond.

suburbs and gave coaching licenses, it was meaningful. Up until then, it

Barr, now the Technical Director at

was fun, but the meaning wasn’t

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

there.

MB: Her energy was contagious. She kind of never took no for an answer.

If she saw things that could be better in soccer, especially in women’s soccer, she just went after it. Also, if you were working for her, you felt a

and the boys soccer head coach at

need to do whatever she asked. I

Kennett High School, was recently

EG: When the news came in about

recognized by the United Soccer

the award, did any specific memories

Coaches with the Charlotte Moran

come back, or people you thought of

Youth Long-Time Service Award. He

immediately?

spoke to the Evolving Game about

M B : O b v i o u s l y, m e m o r i e s o f

Moran’s impact on his coaching and

Charlotte came back. She was the

much more.

one that hired me as a full-time DOC.

had no intention of coaching girls.

Then one year, she asked me to get the 13-year-old girls ODP program off the ground. I did it. I went to regional

She was an amazing woman. Not The Evolving Game: This award is

enough credit is given to her. I think

for service, it’s not coaching wins and

she had one of the biggest impacts

losses. Does that make it a little more

on women’s soccer in this country.

special than if someone was just to

The sad thing is, as people get older,

look at your resume and say, ‘This

they seem to forget.

guy’s a really good coach?’

EG: You said she’s an amazing Mike Barr: In looking back, I

woman. It seems like she was a

probably should’ve done more for

great leader in the sense that she got

soccer, I suppose, than what I did.

other people to get involved. [!4]

camp with the women sometimes because she wanted me up there.

Meet the Coach: Mike Barr EG: How did you benefit from that experience?

EG: How did you approach this

MB: I think I had a better

summer when your high school team

understanding of women’s soccer. It

went from definitely not playing to

connected me with a lot more people,

playing (because of the coronavirus).

too.

How did you speak to the families, the players, just to keep everyone

EG: It’s mentioned in the awards bio your work with TOPSoccer and special education. When you think of service, there’s a direct tie-in. Is that something you always wanted to do as you were growing up, or how did that come about?

MB: I wanted to be a social studies teacher. And when I realized there weren’t many jobs (in that field), I decided to go into special education having no background. But it turns out, I really had an opportunity to show what kind of teacher I was by getting involved with these kids.

EG: When you go from state championship teams, college teams, to working with players with special needs, how did that change your perspective?

MB: It’s humbling for one. And then you realize how lucky you are. The joy that those kids bring if you’re running a session and they seem to be having a good time is, there’s nothing like it.

informed?

MB:

MB: We continued with our two-a-

Every year I try to weigh things:

night training over the summer, but it

Should I take a club team or continue

was all socially distant. So it was

coaching high school? But high school

difficult for me to come up with

coaching’s unique. You’re coaching

exercises that were socially distant,

kids that could have four years

but I came up with them, and it

difference in their age. You’re working

worked out pretty well. Towards the

with kids who have little experience to

end, the kids were getting bored

those with a lot of experience. And

because we weren’t playing. Then

that’s what it’s like at Kennett. Many of

when it came that we were playing,

the kids don’t play club soccer

get things organized quickly with

because they can’t afford to. What

uniforms and all that, it worked out

we’re trying to do is finding them clubs

fi n e . T h e p a r e n t s w e r e p r e t t y

to play on. Ideally, I’d like to see a full

understanding. A lot of my Hispanic

Hispanic team. That’s one of the

kids, (my assistant coach) Goose

problems, one or two Hispanic kids

(Gustavo Mireles) was involved with

may not want to play on a team that’s

them for the most part because my

predominantly white. So we’re hoping

lack of speaking Spanish, but it all fell

to get a team or two set up, younger

into place.

kids, this spring.

EG: Kennett in general has been a different opportunity for you, based on the demographics of the school district. When you went in, did you ever think you’d be there for six-plus years and kind of have the positive experience you’ve had? [!5]

Meet the Coach: Mike Barr EG: Kennett in general has been a

immersed myself in it. The

different opportunity for you, based on

advantages would be huge for a

the demographics of the school

coach. To be honest, we don’t have

district. When you went in, did you

enough Spanish-speaking coaches

ever think you’d be there for six-plus

across the United States, and that’s

years and kind of have the positive

kind of hurt us over the years. But

experience you’ve had?

again, that whole spectrum of we’re

MB: Every year I try to weigh things:

only meeting the needs of certain

Should I take a club team or continue

kids. There’s talent that’s out there

coaching high school? But high school

that we’re just missing.

coaching’s unique. You’re coaching

EG: Do you have a virtual speech

kids that could have four years

EG: Let’s tie it back to the service

prepared (for the award

difference in their age. You’re working

award. Could you have done more,

presentation)?

with kids who have little experience to

and do you hope to do more?

MB: It’s hard to say. I’ll dwell on

those with a lot of experience. And

MB: Oh, I could’ve done much more.

Charlotte and what she did. I’m a

that’s what it’s like at Kennett. Many of

But over the years, I’ve neglected my

lucky person. I didn’t play soccer until

the kids don’t play club soccer

family just to stay involved with soccer

I was a sophomore in high school. I

because they can’t afford to. What

at times. So I have to measure it

grew up in Maine until the sixth grade,

we’re trying to do is finding them clubs

against that. If I took too much time, I

I never even heard of soccer. As I

to play on. Ideally, I’d like to see a full

wouldn’t see my grandkids or my

started playing, watching Soccer

Hispanic team. That’s one of the

kids.

Made in Germany (that was the only

problems, one or two Hispanic kids

soccer show on), people pushed me

may not want to play on a team that’s

EG: What else do you hope to

to get my licenses. I have a lot of

predominantly white. So we’re hoping

accomplish in your career?

people to thank, because I don’t think

to get a team or two set up, younger

MB: I’d really like to go more with

I would’ve done it if I wasn’t pushed.

kids, this spring.

raising funds down the road for not

With limited ability and knowledge of

just kids, but needy families. I’ve been

the game, I always had apprehension

EG: As the direction goes that way,

trying to talk with Phil-abundance (ed

about going to these courses, but it all

and you said your Spanish is limited.

note: the Philadelphia area’s largest

worked out.

Do you think that should be maybe

hunger relief organization) about

not a requirement, but an

Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer

encouragement for young coaches

getting involved with their programs,

coming through to learn Spanish?

stuff like that. I still I’d like to coach

MB: It’s so important. I started so

high school for a few more years, and

many tapes in the car on Spanish,

I’ve been thinking seriously about

and I just quit on them. I should’ve

picking up a club [!team.

6]

Dillon Friday

Always at home… Inspiring!!!

Quote to live by

[!7]

Throw back to our 1st Issue from November 2012..

MEET THE COACH

MIKE BARR, Director of Coaching As Director of Coaching for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer your job entails an awful lot. How would you sum up what you do in a few sentences?

--My role is sometimes very complicated because I am serving not only players and coaches but parents as well.

With so many constituents throughout Pennsylvania I have to focus on all their needs. One day it may be rec players from Montgomery County and the next ODP players who may be underserved in the Lewisburg area. I have to make sure the information I provide is not only relevant but worthwhile. I have to keep up with new coaching methodology and be ready to address any issues that arise. In addition I have to keep a strong relationship with Region I, US Youth Soccer and US Soccer.

What is the most important advice you could give to up and coming coaches?

--Never become complacent in your role. Coaches should approach coaching the same way gifted teachers approaches their class. A quality teacher provides what is needed to their entire class in an interesting and sometimes fun environment. A soccer coach should be no different. A coach’s responsibility is the development of each and every player not just the elite players. There should be growth on the field as well as a progression socially in handling pressure, developing positive relationships with other players and time management.

What advice or words of wisdom would you give to the young soccer player?

--Don’t lock yourself into one sport or activity when you are young. Many of the American MLS players played other sports growing up.

Get involved with music and the arts. Too many parents are forcing their children into one sport and preventing their children from becoming well rounded. Playing soccer may assist you in getting into a college but your academics determine the quality of the college you attend.

Who is your favorite player to watch and why?

--Watching Messi, Iniesta and Xavi provide me with more pleasure than any one player or one team in any sport. If young players were to consistently focus on the technical, tactical and unselfish play of these three players; it would provide as much understanding of the game as any training activities. I am not sure we will ever see a team with such clear understanding of how to play the game as Barcelona over the last few years.

Mike’s 3 Favorite Exercises

Progression 1 - 5v0 Introduction to diamond shape

Exercise gets young players to move to support the ball without pressure

Players learn to play quicker by 2 touch restriction.

Young players learn to take ball across the body and use the inside of foot for all passing and receiving.

Pace of ball when making a pass becomes more reliable

Points of Emphasis

1) Receiving ball shoulder on with communication

2) Ball played to lead foot of wide player play forward, ball played to near foot play back or to central player

3) Central player plays one touch, all others two touch

4) All four support players move to support in relationship to the ball

5) Recognize technical errors in receiving and passing (everything done with the inside of the foot)

Progression 2- 5v2

Center midfielder role is introduced and finding seams between defender is recognized

Support of the ball and movement off the ball becomes more thoughtful with adding the two defenders

Speed of play needs to become more efficient

First touch is emphasized constantly

Points of Emphasis

1) Finding seams for passes between mannequins and defenders

2)

Central mid-fielder checking runs between defenders, playing one touch, all others two touch

3)

Continued examination of supporting runs

4)

Outside attacking players and two defenders change position immediately upon loss of possession

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Progression 3 - 8v4

Instead of looking at four options when in possession; the player with the ball looks for seven

Splitting of defenders and recognizing best passing option are emphasized

All seven players react to movement of the ball

Transition from attack to defense and defense to attack when switching flank players

Option to play over the top when going end to end. More pressure introduced and value of first touch become more apparent.

Points of Emphasis 1) Communication and movement of two central midfielders 2) Recognition of most effective long pass when available or maintaining possession 3) Four defenders switching with four outside players immediately upon losing possession 4) Adding option of longer chip from an end to end ball

Mike Barr

Author

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