| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Team,
I'm excited to meet you all at our first pre-season session on Monday, August 24 @ 9am. We'll be practicing every day during pre-season from 9am - 12 noon on the fields. We'll be concentrating on conditioning during our first week, so get ready!
See you in a few days!
-Colleen
|
|
|
|
All,
Very successful first day back. We overcame adversity (geese, being booted from the field so it could be mowed, giant tractor getting stuck and leaving 4 gigantor divots inside the near 18 yard line, dead frog), and had a great first day of pre-season. It was great to meet everyone, and to welcome the few newcomers to the team (and to Friends Select in general). You all worked really hard, despite the hot sun, and that effort will get you everywhere in life.
I'm running those sprints with you tomorrow, hold me to it.
|
|
|
|
I told you those sprints were going to get easier. Today we continued to focus on creating space and opportunities for our teammates. Always remember - the most important play in soccer is... the NEXT play. Foot skills don't hurt either, so we got some touches on the ball and worked on keeping control in pressure situations.
2-touch shadowball was a success - everyone's getting the gist of receiving the ball while maintaining an awareness of her surroundings. We're developing our field vision so that each move, pass and run is meaningful and productive.
Tomorrow we're going to work on leaving our comfort zones. Oh and there will be running, but I really think you're starting to LOVE it, am I right?
Let's work on getting to the school by 8:50 am - fully suited up - so we can get on the bus and take full advantage of our practice time.
One last reminder - at night after the sun goes down, it would be to your advantage to go for a run, shoot for 25-30 minutes (if you are not already engaged in another sporting activity, club team practice, basketball practice, etc). I can't stress to you enough that all the skill in the world won't mean a thing if your legs stop moving at the 20-minute mark.
Overall - impressive day, yet again.
PS - don't forget to check the schedule online. Our first scrimmage has been moved to next Tuesday morning.
PPS - I'll hand out uniforms on THURSDAY (8/27) after practice. I got a peek - they're pretty sweet.
|
|
|
|
We are looking GOOD. Your runs have become easier to handle, already in 3 days! Conditioning work is, well, working.
Highlight of the day - CAMY is the high-scorer in 1 v. 1
Other notworthy mentions - each of you who volunteers to lug the equipment to and from the fields; each of you who volunteers to lead a stretch; each of you who sprints that last lap with everything you've got, even when your legs want to fall off (or even when you are the high scorer in 1 v 1 and you don't have to); those of you who push through and give each drill 100% even when you really want to go collapse in the shade...that stuff does not go unnoticed, and I'm noticing it from most. Impressive.
Reminder #1 - Wear indoor shoes tomorrow (bring shinguards, too)
Reminder #2 - Scrimmage next Tuesday morning @ Barrach (which means Monday's practice will be on the roof)
Reminder #3 - Email me your uniform # preference (I'm not guaranteeing you get what you want, but the sooner you submit your request in email, the better chance you'll have to get it)
Reminder #4 - If I'm going to compile a playlist for us, I need some suggestions - email me your song request (limit 3 per player) and I'll do my best to download them into a good mix
Reminder #5 - What are you doing tonight before you go to sleep? --> STRETCH
See you tomorrow, team.
|
|
|
|
Some shots of us practicing on the roof today
LOOK at those skills...
|
|
|
|
Does anyone get the reference? Like my Gumby reference today? I promise, I am not that old - I just remember watching it on Nick at Night.
Today was all about conditioning, serious conditioning. We started out with a 2 mile run. I know some of you wished we hit a few more red lights on the way out, but it turned out to be a great run. For some it proved to be a challenge. You will find that, as we keep working on conditioning, these runs and sprints will get easier. Don't forget, just like in school, the learning doesn't stop once you leave the building! At home, take the initiative to go for a jog at night, or over the weekends - keep your leg muscles warm and build endurance all at once.
We worked on building up our quads and hamstrings today because, as I've told you so many times, it's really important to give your knees that support. We'll be a little sore tomorrow, but it's the GOOD kind of hurt. That's why STRETCHING is so important, even well after practice has ended. You promised to stretch before bed tonight, remember?
Ending the day's practice with a nice yoga cool down, especially the "Savasana" (corpse pose), was well deserved.
As for the uniforms - pretty nice, right? Please keep them in a safe place and guard them with your lives. We'll get to break them out for the first time at Tuesday's scrimmage. Exciting!
Tomorrow we'll be back on the fields, unless it is thundering, lighting, pouring, etc. Be prepared: bring your "boots," running shoes, indoor shoes, shinguards, etc. We may have to bring practice indoors, but I'm hoping we get another good day out on the field.
-colleen
|
|
|
|
It seems like only 4 days ago that we met in the gym for the first time. Oh wait...
This was a really great first week. It has been a pleasure working with ALL of you, and I'm really excited for the season to get started - watch out Barrach!
I think we all felt the burn in our legs this morning, but we had a great practice, nonetheless. I'm not sure if you noticed, but I sure did - those drills we've been doing all week to emphasize making runs down the sidelines and to the corners have really started to stick. I saw more supporting runs and more calls for the ball today than the previous 4 days combined. And it's WORKING. You created so many more scoring opportunities for yourselves and your teammates today when you were making those runs down the field during our scrimmage.
Let's talk a bit more about sportsmanship: Just a reminder to be mindful of language out on the field. I can make you do sit-ups after an inadvertent outburst, but the refs and league will not be as forgiving if they hear foul language. Not that I'm worried about any of you, but I just wanted to mention it, just in case. Next, let's talk about being respectful - to each other, to your opponents, to your coaches and teachers. Everybody with whom you come into contact during the school year is there to help you develop character. Let's focus on listening and reflecting on the advice you receive. It's ok to joke around most of the time, it's not ok to talk back. We have a really great group of girls on our team with a strong reputation for being good competitors and good people in general. Let's hold on to that! Last, let's talk about effort - on my watch, it gets you EVERYWHERE. I can't stress this enough, but even if you are a rockstar athlete, it won't matter if the effort and dedication are not there. I've seen, for the most part, a team that pushes themselves, even when exhausted and sore, without complaint. Nothing we are doing in practice is above any of you, so let's continue to buckle down and work.
My apologies for the run-on paragraph.
ALSO don't forget that, starting Wednesday, September 9, we are going moving practice to the afternoon from 3:45pm - 5:30pm.
Have a great weekend (and, humor me - go for at least one jog, ok?)
|
|
|
|
All,
Another great practice. You should feel very confident going into tomorrow's scrimmage.
The bus leaves tomorrow morning at 9am SHARP, which means you must be at school NO LATER THAN 8:30am. We've got to give ourselves enough time to warm up, while also allowing enough time in case of traffic. So, 8:30am it is.
Bring BOTH uniform jerseys, both pairs of socks and soccer shoes for any scenario. We've got those fabulous new bags to fill, so let's be on the safe side and fill them up for any possibility.
If someone took a 2nd pair of WHITE socks by accident, please return them - we had only one pair of each color for each team member. Thanks much!
Here are some fun candids of this morning's practice on the roof:
Congrats to Camy, Steph, Grace and Cassie for being the high scorers in 3 v. 2! (They were each part of a "2")
|
|
|
|
First, WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO! Second, sorry I'm writing this a little later than usual, team. I was
at YOGA. Yes, that's right, the cure all for everything, right? :) We were dominant in today's scrimmage - but in a nice, sportsman-like way. You should ALL be so proud of yourselves. Hats off to Shannon, Grace, Olivia and Camy for their goals! And a giant hats off to Drew, who played an impressive game in goal today. Drew, you had one or two truly amazing, "WOW" saves (among the several other great ones)...well done! Midfield, you were pressuring their defense, you were pushing up, you were great. Defense, hey, the score speaks for itself. Vanessa kept you all safe while at sweeper spot, on the off chance they got past Heather - just a great game, girls. Add Ariel's and Stephanie's support back there, and we were an impenetrable wall of awesome. Lauren, Olivia, Mariah, Melanie - no matter where I put you on the field today, you performed very well - your versatility is truly an asset. Anna-Claire & Brooke, your field vision and skills were integral parts of today's success. Emily, your hustle and speed were inspiring and you let NOBODY get by you...you have it in you - keep it up!!! Freshman - welcome to high school varsity soccer! Elizabeth and Kate, you were great in each position you played! Cassie and Leni - your effort and determination were very exciting and you did very well in your first outing as Falcons.
Ok, tomorrow we're back to business. I think we're in for some beautiful weather so dress for the fields (but be prepared for anything). See you bright and early.
|
|
|
|
Another great long run this morning. The leaders of the pack:
Nice job, girls. Way to keep up the pace and finish strong.
Tomorrow let's plan to work on all of those little details that add up to make the difference between winning and... the opposite of winning.
|
|
|
|
Great practice today. I'm glad you like the quasi-steal-the-bacon game we've been playing. I'm seeing less karate chops and better control of the ball in pressure situations. HI-YA!
See you at 9:45am tomorrow morning - don't forget that we are getting our team photo taken before we board the bus. Wear WHITE jerseys & socks, but bring yellow stuff, just in case.
Bus leaves at 10am. Game time is 11am.
Go FALCONS!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
It's going to be hard to live up to the great success that we had against West Catholic last week - but we should never stop trying!
The highlight of today's practice - I now have Miley Cyrus in my iTunes. Can't say I'm proud of that, but if it helps psych you up while stealing the proverbial bacon, then hey - it's all in the name of the game.
Tomorrow's game is AWAY. This means 2 things:
(1) Wear YELLOW (but bring white also); and
(2) Be at school by 2pm because the bus leaves at 2:15.
Let's see if we can keep up the momentum through tomorrow's game...I think we can...you?
|
|
|
|
Tough one yesterday, team. The silver lining in facing a team like PhilaMont is that we are able to reflect and learn a lot about ourselves and our play as a team. Let's shake it off and get back to work - tomorrow is a new opportunity to prove yourselves as skilled athletes and strong-willed human beings. At practice today, we'll review highlights from yesterday's game, we'll talk about what was working for us and we'll work on those that did not.
Remember: This afternoon's practice is from 3:30 - 4:30 (one hour). Please plan accordingly!
We'll be at school today. Depending on the weather, we'll be either on the roof or in the gym, so bring indoor shoes, too.
CHINS UP - We have a great foundation on which to build!!!
|
|
|
|
|