Spring Skills Training for CCC Women's Soccer
Kristin Switzer
Issue date: 2/28/05 Section: Sports
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Everyone knows how to play soccer. Right? Basically, pass and kick the ball, and don't use your hands. Well, those who play know that the game is slightly more complicated than this. However, one must master the fundamentals first, before advancing to other skills. That is exactly what the women's soccer team is doing this spring.
The team and prospective players for next fall began practicing twice a week since the beginning of February. Most of the drills focus on simple passing, positioning, and control. This might seem elementary for a team who came in second at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National tournament last year, but Coach Phil Bates wanted to start at the beginning.
At practice Bates told his players to "think about why you do something." If they realize the improper techniques or thoughts behind a move or play, then they can correct it.
Even players from last year's team agreed with the simple skills training. Jaime Blanchard, who has played two seasons of college ball
said, "Improvement of individual skills leads to improvement of the team as a whole. Most mistakes made in games are results of poor fundamentals." Val Connor summarized the game nicely by saying that, "Soccer is fundamentals."
In order to put these finely tuned skills to the test, Coach Phil divided the ladies, and entered them in an indoor, coed league in Tampa. The games starting in March will give the team a challenging experience as they play in the fast-paced coed league.
In addition to the league and practices, the coach is attempting to schedule scrimmages against other colleges and club teams in the area.
Spring season is a great opportunity for those who are going to play soccer next year to tweak their skills and control. After all, the fundamental skills practiced this spring may produce more goals and won games during the fall season.
The team and prospective players for next fall began practicing twice a week since the beginning of February. Most of the drills focus on simple passing, positioning, and control. This might seem elementary for a team who came in second at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National tournament last year, but Coach Phil Bates wanted to start at the beginning.
At practice Bates told his players to "think about why you do something." If they realize the improper techniques or thoughts behind a move or play, then they can correct it.
Even players from last year's team agreed with the simple skills training. Jaime Blanchard, who has played two seasons of college ball
said, "Improvement of individual skills leads to improvement of the team as a whole. Most mistakes made in games are results of poor fundamentals." Val Connor summarized the game nicely by saying that, "Soccer is fundamentals."
In order to put these finely tuned skills to the test, Coach Phil divided the ladies, and entered them in an indoor, coed league in Tampa. The games starting in March will give the team a challenging experience as they play in the fast-paced coed league.
In addition to the league and practices, the coach is attempting to schedule scrimmages against other colleges and club teams in the area.
Spring season is a great opportunity for those who are going to play soccer next year to tweak their skills and control. After all, the fundamental skills practiced this spring may produce more goals and won games during the fall season.