HEADS UP!

August-September 2012

E Coaching

Magazine by: Steve Franklin

Director of coaching

Education

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Table of contents:

1. Lauren Cheney: Always Indy [Back Home]

2. From DOCE Office:

3. The Role Model Coach: Pia Sundhage

4. Relive London

5. Olympic Coach Magazine

6. Blogs

7. Get Connected with US Youth Soccer

8. This Months Training Sessions

9. Photos of the Month

Lauren Cheney: Always Indy [Back Home]

ussoccer.com's "Back Home" video series continues with

more from WNT Midfielder Lauren Cheney in her

hometown of Indianapolis. Lauren takes you on a tour of

the house where she grew up and also introduces you to

her family.

Click here to see the video: Lauren Cheney returns to

her childhood home in Indianapolis and introduces the

family Video

From DOCE Office:

A few months back I received an email from one

of our Indiana Soccer member’s parents stating that they

had an idea for one of my upcoming eNews Magazines.

I produce four eNews Magazines: Heads Up (all

members); Ripples (parents); Kids Corner Kicks (youth

players); and What’s Up DOC? (club Directors of Coaching).

Often I solicit ideas for upcoming articles – such as training tips; great results; cool photos; things kids

are doing; etc.

One day I received the following email:

Steve,

My wife and I saw one of you recent emails requesting stories or bios. I wonder if you might

allow us to tell our daughter's story... Not only is she an excellent student and loving daughter, but she also plays

soccer for the Indiana Invaders, and has also started her own business (with her mother's and my help). She has

played for the Invaders for several years, and their U12 team will be moving up to the ISL level next season.

Last year during one of her classes at school, her teacher asked what kind of business she would like to

start, and what she would call it. This question sparked her interest, and she now designs and sells soccer socks

through her business "Super Silly Sports, Inc.". She is also in the process of designing several soccer balls, and

other soccer accessories that will be available for sale through her business. Currently, she has about 10 sock

designs available as well as three soccer balls.

Her interest in the world of business has caused her mother and me to support her business idea, and I

wonder if you might be willing to tell her story... Is this something you might allow us to do?

Al Kreske Super Silly Sports By Girls for Girls

Heck yeah I thought it was a good idea. How often do we have our youth players doing projects or

assignments like this? Quite a bit I imagine, but rarely do they share their stories. So I emailed a handful of

questions to find out more about Lauren’s project. This is how t went:

Steve Franklin, DOE Indiana Soccer: What it’s like playing for the Invaders U-12 team?

Lauren Kresky: “Being a part of the Indiana Invaders is an exciting experience and a great opportunity. I

enjoy the challenges that come with playing on the team and it's fun to travel around Indiana. I love my coach,

he's fantastic. I learn different techniques and moves from him at every practice. I will be on the U13 team

starting in the fall so our team will be playing in ISL. I am looking forward to this as well as having some new

teammates.”

SF: How did the process with the teacher get started – (i.e. do they always do a class business

project?).

LK: The idea for my business came while writing an essay for class. We were preparing for the ISTEP tests

and my teacher asked us to write about a business we would like to have and why. My essay was about the

designs I would have and what the name of my company would be.

SF: Why the name "Super Silly Sports, Inc."?

LK: Initially the name I came up with was Super Silly Soccer Socks. After talking to my parents and really

thinking about all I could do, I realized that I didn't want to limit my designs to just the sport of

soccer. We thought about different names and finally decided that Super Silly Sports was the best one.

SF: How difficult is it to be a student; a soccer player; and a business operator/designer ALL at the

same time?

LK: At times, it's challenging to juggle school, soccer, and having my own business. I am learning that each

one takes a lot of time and commitment. I am definitely getting a good lesson in time management.

SF: What advice would you give other young soccer players who may have similar dreams?

LK: My advice to any young person that has a dream is to not give up on it. It has taken me over two years to

get my business this far. It's not always easy but it's taught me perseverance and the importance in believing

in myself.

SF: How have your parents supported your efforts (I put this question in to let other parents learn how

great it is that you support her efforts without being too pushy).

LK: My parents have been very supportive of me and my business from the beginning. For one, starting a

business takes money so they have helped me with the financial part. They also offer a lot of encouragement.

We set up at tournaments together and have a lot of fun.

SF: What do your teammates/peers think of her business?

LK: My teammates are great supporters. They wear my socks to practice and tell others about my socks.

SF: Did you get that “A” from the teacher you had the project for?

LK: Sure did!

To find out more about Lauren’s products, simply visit

her website at: http://www.supersillysports.com/

The Role Model Coach: Pia Sundhage

By Mike Woitalla

The sideline shots of coaches during TV broadcasts tend not show them in the best light.

The ranting and raving at the refs. The futile screaming when unsatisfied with their teams. The sad, stressed-

out grimaces that surely can’t instill confidence in their players should they glance toward the bench.

Then there’s Pia Sundhage. When the camera points to her, we see someone who looks like she’s enjoying

watching her team. Her body language conveys confidence – something that very likely contributes to her

team’s knack for incredible comeback wins, such as over Canada and France during its 2012 Olympic gold-

medal run.

“What she exudes is a wonderful kind of optimism and positivity and I think she has a tremendous calm

manner that I think is conveyed very effectively to her players,” says Anson Dorrance, who coached the U.S.

women to their first world championship at the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991 and is the USA’s most

successful women’s college coach with 21 national titles.

“It’s absolutely vital that even if you’re feeling stressed, your players should absolutely never see it. In fact, as

often as possible they should see the opposite.”

U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati hired Sundhage after the U.S. women were routed by Brazil in the

semifinals of the 2007 World Cup. Nine months later, Sundhage's Americans won the gold medal despite

losing key players Abby Wambach and Cat Whitehill to pre-tournament injuries.

In Sundhage’s next championship, the USA lost the final to Japan on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie in which the

Americans played some brilliant attacking soccer.

At the 2012 Olympics, Sundhage’s team scored 16 goals in six games. At all three world championships with

Sundhage at the helm, the USA was highest-scoring team. And her teams have played some entertaining

soccer, which is what happens when players are enjoying themselves.

Hope Solo has said Sundhage’s coaching style “brings the joy back to us, back to the time when we were

kids.” Midfielder Heather O’Reillydescribed Sundhage’s approach to life as “glass half-full to the max.”

“Even at the highest level, it should be fun,” Sundhage says. “Soccer is the best sport in the world and if it’s not

fun it’s not worthwhile to coach. ... It comes back to where I come from. My mother and father said, "You know,

you have to behave. But it's important to have fun.”

No doubt Sundhage -- in an era when the USA's competition has vastly improved -- must be good on player

selection, tactics and training methods. But her demeanor is undoubtedly a big contributor to the USA’s

success.

“I try to use my body language to emphasize what is good,” Sundhage said in an interview late last year. “I’m

really happy to hear that when you watch the women’s team play you think I’m calm, because that's what I

want my players to believe – because I have faith in the way we play and in our players. I emphasize the good

things. I’m looking for good things, instead of doing the opposite and try constantly to adjust mistakes.”

Sometimes the grumpy, sideline-stomping, ref-bashing coaches win. But since she proves that a positive,

dignified approach works, why wouldn’t coaches strive to do it the Sundhage way?

Below we have links to video highlights of the USA's successful 2012 Olympic campaign for coaches and

parents to share with their soccer-playing youngsters, as well as videos that will help them get to know some of

the gold medal stars.

SIX GAME, SIX VICTORIES

THE GOLD MEDAL TRIUMPH. USA 2 JAPAN 1.

Central midfielder Carli Lloyd scored both U.S. goals in the final win over Japan that gave the U.S. women

their third straight gold medal and their fourth in the five Olympic tournaments since women's soccer became

an Olympic sport in 1996. Video highlightsHERE.

THE SPECTACULAR SEMIFINAL. USA 4 CANADA 3.

In one of the greatest women's soccer games ever, the USA came back from 1-goal deficits three times -- with

goals from Megan Rapinoe (twice) and Abby Wambach -- before Alex Morgan headed home the

gamewinner during stoppage time of the final overtime period. Video highlightsHERE.

QUARTERFINAL CRUISE. USA 2 NEW ZEALAND 0.

The Americans dominated New Zealand in a 2-0 win that saw Wambach score in her fourth straight game at

these Olympics to provide the first-half lead. Sydney Leroux came off the bench to score the second. (Note

the smile on Leroux's face while celebrating her strike.) Video highlightsHERE.

GROUP PLAY FINALE. USA 1 NORTH KOREA 0.

The USA had already clinched a quarterfinal spot going into its final group-stage game against North Korea.

Wambach's goal, superbly set up by Morgan, secured a first-place finish in the group and with the 1-0 win the

Americans for the first time finished the first-round of Olympic play with a perfect 3-0-0 record. Video

highlightsHERE.

RED-HOT RAPINOE. USA 3 COLOMBIA 0.

Hope Solo was called on for only one save as Rapinoe, Wambach and Lloyd scored in a 3-0 win over

Colombia that clinched a quarterfinal spot for the USA. Rapinoe scored with a long-distance rocket and

assisted on Lloyd's goal. Video highlightsHERE.

SUPER COMEBACK. USA 4 FRANCE 2.

The USA started its Olympic quest against France, touted as among the favorites, and went down 2-0 within

15 minutes. But by halftime it was 2-2, thanks goals by Wambach and Morgan. Lloyd and Morgan, again,

struck in the second half of the entertaining opener. Video highlights. HERE.

GOLAZOS

TOP 5. NBC picked goals by Cristiane (Brazil), Diana Matheson (Canada), Carli Lloyd (USA), Portia

Modise (South Africa) and Alex Morgan (USA) as the tournament's top goals. VideoHERE.

OFF-THE-FIELD

U.S. WOMEN SING MILEY

While prepping for their gold hunt the U.S. women had some fun creating a lip-synch video to Miley Cyrus'

"Party in the USA." VideoHERE.

RAPINOE THE PRIDE OF REDDING

Megan Rapinoe returns to her hometown of of Redding in Northern California to offer a glimpse of where she

grew up and introduces her family. VideoHERE.

MORGAN'S TOUR

Alex Morgan shows her childhood home in Diamond Bar in Southern California and offers insight into her

youth soccer experience. VideoHERE.

JERSEY GIRL

Carli Lloyd shows you around her New Jersey home in Delran. VideoHERE.

SOLO IN SEATTLE

Goalkeeper Hope Solo gives a tour of her Seattle home that includes introductions to her dogs and mouse-

catching cat. VideoHERE.

Olympic Coach Magazine

The Coaching Education Department of the USOC is pleased to provide the latest issue of

Olympic Coach Magazine, available here. Previous issues may also be accessed through

this site.

Blogs Coaching and Parent Education:

US Youth Soccer posts a bi-weekly Coaching Blog and a weekly Parent

Blog. Sam Snow, the US Youth Soccer Director of Coaching, and

Susan Boyd, the mother of three youth soccer players of various levels,

address current topics of interest in youth soccer from the perspective of

a coach and a parent. [link]

Are you a coach? Would you like great information that is easy to understand and at a great price?

If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, keep reading about how you can get connected to the Coaches

Connection.

The US Youth Soccer Coaches Connection provides members with a link to the US Youth Soccer Coaching

Education Network: National Staff Coaches, plus 55 State Association Directors of Coaching Education and

their staffs, as well as guest lectures from around the world!

GET CONNECTED

The Connection is all about connectivity and the ability to communicate with educators from across the

country. Get connected with leaders in the field of coaching and player development. Stay current with

discussions on such hot topics as small-sided games; recreation vs. competitive soccer; ethics and morals in

sport.

Keep connected with continuing education opportunities online at USYouthSoccer.org. Get the latest

information on training youth players, learn the latest in age and gender appropriate training activities, and find

out where and when special events will be in a location near you!

Coaches Connection benefits include the monthly Coaches Connection e-newsletter, access to sample training

activities and seasonal planning guides, and discounted admission to special clinics and events, as well as

coaching aids.

Members also receive a subscription to Success in Soccer magazine, which covers topics such as how to

organize interesting and effective practice sessions, exercises on age-appropriate technical and tactical

sessions, how to improve defending and attacking abilities, how to improve power, strength, agility and speed,

in-depth information on sports psychology and motivation, the newest training techniques for goalkeepers and

analysis of professional match and training information.

To get connected and improve your players’ development, register for the Coaches Connection for only $29.95

per year, or $50 for two years, by visiting the Coaches tab at USYouthSoccer.org.

This Months Training Sessions

Simply click on the age appropriate activity

you wish to utilize in your training session and you

should be good to go. You may also wish to save

them to your computer for future use.

U-6 Coordination and Movement

U-8 Passing

U-10 Foot Coordination and Speed U-12 Spatial Awareness

Photos of the Month