ODP Region 4 Camp (1996 Boys)

I am currently in McMinville, Oregon where Linfield College is hosting U.S. Youth Soccer's '96 Olympic Development Program (ODP) Camp for Region 4. Eight months ago I was invited to be part of Utah's ODP staff and assigned the boys that were born in 1996. The Head coach is Patrick Rennie of Sparta (Sandy, UT) whom I already knew real well and have a lot of respect for.

ODP website Go Here to learn about the purpose of ODP Soccer...long story short it is how we identify our national team(s).

SO we got to the airport at 7am MST, boarded the plane with the top 19 boys of Utah that were born in 1996. (While in the airport I ran in to Will McConnell, my best friend my freshmen year at UVSC, he played with me there). The flight was good, the school bus we drove was straight out of a 70's horror flick but we got here.

When we arrived the Semi- Final match of the Confederations Cup that showcased U.S.A vs Spain was in the 25th minute. Right after all of the boys crunched in to a room, Jozi Altidore scored, the Boys blew up! The likely hood of USA beating Spain (recognized as the best team in the world) was slim to none. An hour or so we celebrated a second goal scored by USA's Clint Dempsey. And a few minutes later celebrated when USA had somehow knocked off the best team in the world.

We do not have transportation so we walked with the boys to the nearest grocery store (we hadn't eaten yet all day. The day from there went as such:

5-6pm Dinner (Cafeteria food)
Training Session 630-730pm
GK Session 730-830pm
TEAM Meeting 830-930
Regional Coaching Staff Introduction Meeting 1015-11

If you want to be realistic and push all of those times back an hour to adjust the MST time we were still feeling, we were going from 6am-midnight.

I was out like a log, but the first one up, showered etc. This is what has allowed me the time to update the blog.
One day down 5 days to go. We return Monday evening.

I will try to do a daily blog if I have the time and energy.

Breakfast in 45 minutes...maybe I will get a little nap in?

Back in the day...

Remember back in the day when you and your dad would go outside and play catch or shoot some hoops just to spend some time with dad? Well, sometimes we are not sure what we can do with our children that allows us to hang out with them. So what are some activities we can do as parents that will allow us to spend time with our kids and help them with their soccer skills? Here is the first idea for you... The timed test. You could do this every day and see the improvement. Watch the video, the last 30 seconds is dedicated to timing how many touches the player can get on the ball in ten seconds. Have fun with it and use it to help your child learn to set and accomplish goals!

Infinity SC fares well in Utah's State Cup

By Jason Turner
Published:
Sunday, May 24, 2009 2:33 AM CDT
It wasn’t the ending they were hoping for, but a pair of youth girls soccer teams from Cache Valley took a significant step forward in challenging the best clubs in the state.

Locally-based Infinity Soccer Club had two teams advance to the championship round of a prestigious state tournament. The two-week 2009 Spring State Cup concluded Saturday in Orem, and it’s the first time a local club — girls or boys — has ever played for a State Cup title.

“It’s kind of a neat thing because we kind of made history here in Cache Valley,” said Sherri Dever, Infinity’s director of coaching. “... It’s a great accomplishment.”

Unfortunately for Infinity’s U11 and U12 squads, they struggled a bit against a pair of teams from the renowned Utah Avalanche club in the finals.

The U11 Infinity SC 98 Premier team was defeated by Avalanche 98 Premier, 6-1, while Infinity SC 97 fell to Avalanche 97 Premier Black, 3-0.

However, both teams made plenty of noise at the tournament before bowing out. For starters, both squads were dominant during pool play. The U11 squad outscored the opposition 18-3 over the course of three matches, while their U12 counterparts didn’t allow a goal in three pool games and found the back of the net an eye-popping 19 times.

“The girls worked very, very hard,” said Robson Chaves, who coaches both teams. “They pushed it to the limit, their parents too, and look at the results. It’s very exciting.”

In the quarterfinal round, the U11 squad beat Hobble Creek Storm 98, 5-3, and then edged Sparta 98 Premier, 2-1, for the right to play for all the marbles. There were 14 teams in the U11 bracket.

It should be no surprise the 11-year-olds made it to the finals, considering they won the regular-season title with a record of 8-2 and had two of the top three goal scorers in the league.

Demi Lopez and Takesha Saltern netted a combined 31 goals during the regular season, with Lopez leading the way with 17. Other team leaders for Infinity SC 98 Premier are goalkeeper Samantha Loosli, defenders Brianna Sims and Berkley Hellstern and midfielder Hannah Anhder.

Evidently, the U11 team also displayed good sportsmanship at the Spring State Cup as none of the players were issued yellow or red cards.

As for the U12 squad, it rolled over Avalanche 97 Premier White, 5-2, in the quarterfinals before pulling out a 3-2 overtime victory over LaRoca Premier — one of the state’s most respected clubs — in the round of four.

Unfortunately for Infinity SC 97 Premier, it couldn’t replicate its strong play in the finals against the Avalanche team — a squad the local girls beat at home 4-3 during the regular season. In fact, this Infinity squad is 4-2-1 against Avalanche Black over the past two years, Chaves said.

When talking about the U12 team, Chaves gushed about the play of offensive leaders Erin Richenbach, Alexis Sims, Annalee Davidson and Hayley Oldham, midfielder Madison Siddoway and backline stalwart Katelyn Whipple. Sims also logs in some minutes in the back, while Viridiana Gomez and Rebecca Jenson shared the GK duties.

The U12 squad went 6-2-2 during the regular season and competed against 15 other teams at the Spring State Cup.

And while a chance at capturing that elusive State Cup championship will have to wait a little while longer, the possibility certainly became that much more realistic.

“The teams from smaller places can beat the teams from big places with proper training and proper technique,” Chaves said. “... I think we showed that this season ... and it’s a big thing for Cache Valley.”

For more information about the tournament, go to www.uysa.org and click on the Tournaments State Cup link.

Winning is Great, but it’s Not the Goal!

By Pam Richmond Champagne, MCC, The Sports Parenting Coach

Recently the parent of an aspiring athlete told me it seemed “almost un-American” to say winning is not the goal. In fact, many would say we compete in a “win-at-all-costs” environment. Is this helping or hurting our kids’ performances and lives? Naturally we all prefer to win, but this is a critical distinction: winning is a byproduct or a consequence, not a goal.

Paradoxically you increase your odds of winning when you place 100% attention, not on
winning, but on the process – the learning and development, the continual movement toward mastery. During competition this means having a moment-to-moment, concentrated focus on executing skills and maintaining a positive attitude.

John Naber, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, exemplifies this vital concept. He shares, “My goal was never to win a race. My goal was to be the best I could be that day.”Disturbing news stories and studies show a focus on winning can produce un-sportsmanlike behavior, outright dishonesty, and unethical use of dangerous drugs.

Focusing on the outcome also decreases performance. It leads the performer away from the power of the present moment and creates performance-lowering tension by putting attention on something not under a player’s direct control.

I vividly recall one of my tennis matches that is a perfect illustration. In a close three-set final, I was just one game away from winning my match when all of my attention went to the outcome – winning the tournament. My strokes fell apart, I made a series of dumb errors, and the championship title slipped away.

As a parent you can help your child stay focused on the process. How? Be interested in
what she’s learning about herself and what skills she’s developing. Find out what he enjoys about his sport. Most importantly, model this process orientation for your child. You certainly don’t have direct control over how well your athlete performs, but you do have control over how calm you are during and after your child’s performance, what you say, and how encouraging you are. Next time you find yourself getting frustrated or annoyed at your child’s performance, ask yourself, what am I trying to control that I don’t have control over? Then zero in on what you do control. And remind yourself the winning focus is on the learning and the fun!

Pam’s Point: There’s a huge gap between loving to win and having to win, between
competing to do our best and competing to be “the best."

Infinity SC '92 Premier Girls Vs. Impact Black

Tryouts in Youth Soccer

Recently I received this note from a youth coach.

Mr. Snow,

I have been working with a recreational soccer organization the past two years. We have been focused on player development and getting all of the kids out there involved. Our program is over 60 percent Under-8, with the rest spread out over the U-10, U-12, and U-14 ranks.

After this past season, parents of one team of U-8 boys complained that they didn't think that all three U-8 boys' teams in our organization were balanced amongst each other even though they all had nearly identical records. Long story short, the parents are demanding a tryout scheme be step up before spring soccer starts.

There are three USSF certified coaches in the organization and we keep telling the parents and the organization's Board members that the idea of having tryouts for U-8 in a recreational league is silly, but no one seems to be listening to us. Is there anything that the US Youth Soccer Association may have in writing we can show them that may drive this point to them home? We have been having great success by focusing on Player Development and working with all of the kids on all of the skills. The three of us coaches that have gone through training think that the idea of tryouts on such a young age will hurt the program overall because it implies a win at all cost mentality.

Hello Coach,

The 55 state Technical Directors agree with your stance and have stated so in the Position Statements. Here are the ones pertinent to your situation.

PLAYING NUMBERS – SMALL SIDED GAMES No. 1
The intent is to use small-sided games as the vehicle for match play for players under the age of 12. Further we wish to promote age/ability appropriate training activities for players' nationwide. Clubs should use small-sided games as the primary vehicle for the development of skill and the understanding of simple tactics. Our rationale is that the creation of skill and a passion for the game occurs between the ages of six to 12.

With the correct environment throughout this age period players will both excel and become top players or they will continue to enjoy playing at their own levels and enjoy observing the game at higher levels. A small-sided game in match play for our younger players create more involvement, more touches of the ball, exposure to simple, realistic decisions and ultimately, more enjoyment. Players must be challenged at their own age/ability levels to improve performance. The numbers of players on the field of play will affect levels of competition.

Children come to soccer practice to have fun. They want to run, touch the ball, have the feel of the ball, master it and score. The environment within which we place players during training sessions and matches should promote all of these desires, not frustrate them.

• We believe that players under the age of six should play games of 3 v 3. This will provide a less cluttered and more developmentally appropriate playing environment. No attempt whatsoever should be made at this age to teach a team formation! These playing numbers should be implemented by September 1, 2009.

• We believe that players under the age of eight should play games of 4 v 4. This will provide a less cluttered and more developmentally appropriate playing environment. Players in this age group can be exposed to a team formation at the start of the game, but do not be dismayed when it disappears once the ball is rolling. The intent at this age is to merely plant a seed toward understanding spatial awareness. These playing numbers should be implemented by September 1, 2009.

• We believe that players under the age of ten should play games of 6 v 6. This will provide a less cluttered and more developmentally appropriate playing environment. The coaching of positions to children under the age of ten is considered intellectually challenging and often situates parent-coaches in a knowledge vacuum. Additionally, premature structure of U-10 players into positions is often detrimental to the growth of individual skills and tactical awareness. This problem is particularly acute with players of limited technical ability. We also believe that the quality of coaching has an impact on the playing numbers. We recommend that parent-coaches would best serve their U-10 players by holding a Youth Module certificate. These playing numbers should be implemented by September 1, 2009.

• We believe that players under the age of twelve should play games of 8 v 8. This will provide a less cluttered and more developmentally appropriate environment. The U-12 age group is the dawning of tactical awareness and we feel it is best to teach the players individual and group tactics at this age rather than team tactics. These playing numbers for the U-11 age group should be implemented by September 1, 2011. These playing numbers for the U-12 age group should be implemented by September 1, 2012.

REALIZING PLAYER POTENTIAL No. 3
To maximize player potential, we believe that State Associations and progressive clubs should work to expose their better coaches, who should hold the ""Y"" License, to their youngest players. It is also seen as important that mentoring programs be established for community soccer coaches to improve the quality of youth soccer training.

The developmental approach emphasizes the growth of individual skills and group tactical awareness. We feel too much emphasis is placed on ""team"" play and competition in the preteen years. We believe in an inclusion model for preteen players. From this perspective, the goal of youth soccer programs at all levels is to include players in matches at an age when experience is more important than outcome.

Further options for players in their teen years that are not interested in competing at the highest level, but still have a love for the game should be created. Perhaps older teen coed teams or high school based teams on a recreational basis.

AGE OF COMPETITIVE PLAY No. 4
While it is acknowledged and recognized that preteen players should be allowed to pursue playing opportunities that meet both their interest and ability level, we strongly discourage environments where players below the age of twelve are forced to meet the same ""competitive"" demands as their older counterparts therefore we recommend the following:
1. 50% playing time
2. no league or match results
3. 8 v 8 at U-12

FESTIVALS FOR PLAYERS UNDER-10 No. 9
We believe that Soccer Festivals should replace soccer tournaments for all players under the age of ten. Festivals feature a set number of minutes per event (e.g., 10 games X 10 minutes) with no elimination and no ultimate winner. We also endorse and support the movement to prohibit U-10 teams from traveling to events that promote winning and losing and the awarding of trophies.

I also recommend that you cite the information from the U.S. Soccer document Best Practices to educate your club membership. http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_280734.html I suggest you also contact your state Technical Director who will be able to provide you with further guidance.

Playing Up

I was recently asked by a few of the parents on younger Infinity teams about players "playing up." I found an article that shares the view of the club and I have used it to educate these inquiring parents in regards to the philosophy of player development. I feel it is important to share this information with each of you as well. The below article is dead on. Please recognize when it says player instead of team or players. I also added some post article thoughts below the article as well.

Playing Up
by Bobby Howe

It has been ten years since I left Washington State Youth Soccer Association. The landscape has changed during that time and undoubtedly, the game is improving. Clubs with professional coaches are emerging.

Therefore, as we develop further, clubs must bear more responsibility for the development of play within the state. Not only must we be responsible directly for the improvement of the most talented players, but we must also play a role in the playing environment of all the players and an important role in coach education for our youngest players.

One of my first observations on joining the Emerald City club last year was that our club and others had a vast number of players playing above their age group - obviously with the intention of gaining an advantage in competition and experience.
The following are my views on this topic.
Soccer development will occur through the improvement of individual players at their levels of challenge. While chronological age is generally the vehicle to monitor progress academically and on the sports field, and while many children fall within that spectrum, there are some that rise above and some that fall below the expectations of the age group. It is the responsibility of every soccer coach to recognize the standard of each individual player within his/her team and place that player where he/she belongs.

I have asked our coaches in the club to observe players carefully and to talk regularly on the topic of player movement within our club. Should a player move up from a "B" team to an "A" team or should a player move up from one age to another?
The criteria always must be to challenge the player at his/her level. The questions the coaches must ask are:
Is the player physically able to play up?
Is the player psychologically able to play up?
If the player moves up the process should be monitored and discussed. If a player is asked to move from an "A" team to a "B" team or back down to his/ her own age group, the player must not feel or be made to feel that the move is a demotion. The decisions always must be in the best interests of the player, not the team.

The greatest enjoyment for any player is to be challenged at his/her level of competency. Anything below may lead to boredom and bad playing habits. Anything above may lead to disenchantment, losing a love for the game and ultimately, leaving the sport.

At the ages of U-11 to U-15 size plays a huge role in a player's effectiveness and often, size plays an important role in player selection. At the younger ages many bigger players are able to compete because of strength and physical presence. As a result, they do not have to try as hard, or work on their skills as much or think about the demands of the game to the same extent as their less physical colleagues.
While some of these players progress to a high standard, most do not. Bigger players can compete regardless of their playing habits at a young age. Unfortunately, if those habits are poor, they will not be able to compete at the age of sixteen at which time size is much less relevant and when total soccer ability and awareness is much more important.

Smaller players that can compete at a young age have a much better chance of being successful at the age of sixteen, because they have had to use their soccer talent and understanding in order to compete with the bigger players.

Most teams that dominate a league at a younger age rely on the abilities of bigger players. If those players are also very talented, they should play up to test their skills. The remainder of the team should stay at their own level to allow those players to improve.

It is important to note that, in most cases, the success of any young team in competition is due to the performance of some players, not the whole team. Therefore, the better players should move up, but the whole team should not.
All of our club decisions must be based upon the enhancement of the playing environment and ultimately, what is best for the player.

In conclusion, in the future at Emerald City Football Club, we shall discuss and allow the movement of players to a higher level, but we shall not permit the upward movement of teams.
More about Bobby's final paragraph in future World of Soccer Newsletters. "Not playing a whole team up? Hogwash!" I can already visualize some coaches beginning to foam at the mouth.

Ginn's after thoughts:
We will soon see players moving from team to team during the the winter break. The trick is to not look at the team aspect so much as the individuals (your child) development. If your team is scrimmaging older/better teams from the club and the rest of the valley they will develop faster. One more quote from the US youth soccer organization is found below. I have also put a link to the full 70 page document that you can download. This is the newest movement in youth soccer across the country.

CONSIDER THIS: At the younger ages (6 to about 10), soccer is not a team sport. On the contrary, it is a time for children to develop their individual relationship with the ball. The fact that younger children are placed into team environments is not their fault. Do not demand that the more confident players share the ball. Encourage them to be creative and go to goal. Do the same with the rest of your players.Work to bring all your players up to that level of confidence and comfort with the ball. Coaches should avoid the impulse to “coach” their players from “play to play” in order to help them win the match. Coaches should not be telling their young players to “pass rather than dribble,” to “hold their positions” or to “never” do something (like pass or dribble in front of the goal).

http://images.ussoccer.com/Documents/cms/ussf/Best_Practices.pdf

Ginn's final contribution:
Below is a video that i am sharing with the Infinity Coaching Staff this month. It is focused on player development philosophies and shares an insight of the contrasts between American philosophy & Brazilian philosophy. It is a very low quality production, but the efficiency of educating parents and coaches is very high. Please find the time to watch the video.

Please enjoy the video

Silos

A recent blog was posted by Sam Snow (US Youth Soccer Director of Coaching) on the US Youth Soccer web site. The article was titled: SILOS.

Silos
By Sam Snow

I've been traveling consistently since the first of 2009 to a variety of soccer events. I've been to Orlando, Florida; Antalya, Turkey; St. Louis, Missouri; Greensboro, North Carolina; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Anchorage, Alaska; Pomona, California; Los Angles, California; Warwick, Rhode Island and now I'm on my way to San Jose, California, for the 2009 US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop.
One of the things I have noticed in these travels is the shared passion for soccer of the many people I meet. They all are committed to the game, but not just the game, instead the people in it. While everyone in soccer across the world has their differences with one another the majority truly care about the people in the game.

I have noticed too that many folks are sure that somehow they and their situation are different when in fact they are all the same. Regularly, I hear soccer folks say to me things such as - Well coach, you have to understand that around here our parents are really competitive and they just don't like the idea of not keeping score for their six-year-old. It is an eye-opener for them to hear that everyone in youth soccer in the USA says the same thing. When I tell them that some get it and others are still convinced they are somehow different. The only difference in American youth soccer circumstances is the size of the state and occasionally the accent. Otherwise we are all in the same youth soccer boat with similar successes and challenges.

We must break down the silos that we have built up around us and build one huge team that is soccer in America. It doesn't matter what your role is in the game you are part of the team. Every team member has something to contribute and every team member should be respected for their contribution. All aspects of the game are interlocked like the Olympic rings. You may be in one of the rings furthest from the opposite end, but you are still interlocked. Soccer in our nation still has many hurdles to overcome and we must not be hurdles to one another or create our own hurdles. So let's begin in 2009 to tear down the silos and build our team.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

I want to add, that Infinity Soccer respects what others do in our community at any and every level. We encourage anything that promotes kids playing soccer. We are huge advocates of District 7 and the Utah Youth Soccer Association. There are many great ideas regarding how to go about developing soccer in our country. Infinity Soccer strives to stay informed and up to date with current trends on U.S. Youth Soccer so OUR kids and families have the best opportunity to play and compete at every level. As we look towards the future, we hope that everyone will acknowledge the impressive past of Cache Valley soccer. But the past is the past and the opportunities are there for us to play catch up with the rest of the state and the rest of the nation by creating a more passionate soccer culture in our own backyard.

We are excited about the development of soccer in the U.S., the region, Utah and most importantly Cache Valley and its surrounding communities. The future is bright and the limits are endless. We hope you will attend the Annual Parent meeting on March 31st and or April 1st to hear more about the direction Infinity is going.

Thank you for supporting soccer at whatever level you contribute to this beautiful game...thank you!

Players or Competitors?

Has our system created an unintended consequence in player development?

Dr. Jay Martin - Soccer Journal

In early September, a Division I game featured two Top 10 teams, one from the West Coast and one from the East Coast. In this early-season special, two big-time programs went at each other, each hoping to make a statement for the 2008 season. After the first half, it was clear the West Coast team had better soccer players. Pound for pound, they were more technical than the home team. That team lost 3-0... and it could have been more. Good soccer players who played good soccer but didn't compete. They PLAYED the game; they did not COMPETE the game.

In a recent interview discussing the upcoming hockey season, Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock told reporters the team would make the playoffs if he could find players `who would COMPETE and not just PLAY" The difference? "Players who PLAY bring skill; players who COMPETE bring everything!"

There is too much playing in American soccer and not enough competing. Playing permeates all levels of the game, from U-5 to MLS and the national teams. We are confusing ability for talent. Allen Fox, author of The Winner's Mind, says: "Most people mistake speed and skill for talent. Real talent STARTS with energy, drive, work ethic and the will to win. Without these attributes, a player can never be great."

We have focused so much on playing that we haven't taught players to compete, to fight, to work hard or to have the will to win. As a soccer culture, we've always had an inferiority complex, so we emphasize playing, technical ability and skills. Our youth play a lot of soccer, but few compete. What happened to all the highly regarded U-17s we've had in this country? Where are they now? They are playing somewhere.

It is not always the players' fault. Our "soccer system" or "soccer culture" is dysfunctional. When players are not playing in their club, they simply change clubs. There is no thought about competing for a spot on the team, getting better to fight for a spot... they simply change clubs. The message to players is that striving to get better is not as important as how you play and how you look High school age players don't care much about the outcome of games (whether they are playing in high school or club), but they do care about "showing"...about playing to showcase their skills and ability for college coaches. How many times have you heard a parent tell their son or daughter that they played well or showed well despite losing the game?

Add to this the large number of meaningless games in youth soccer and we have a deadly combination. When young players play in hundreds of meaningless high school and club games, the emphasis slowly changes from the game to the individual. To playing and showing. Competing is lost. By the time the players move to the next level, they haven't learned how to compete. Or, as Allen suggests, they do not have the drive, work ethic or will to win.

Players lose motivation and confidence when the 'Work/play" is no longer easy (i.e. college soccer, or the next level). The rules change at the next level; the emphasis switches back to competing and hard work and the players can't handle it. They think they are playing (and they are) - but they are not competing. We need players who compete and play; players who have the will to win.

Research is clear that constant praising of children's innate ability (athletic or intellectual) can prevent them from living up to their potential. On the other hand, studies show that teaching young people to focus on effort rather than ability helps make them high achievers and competitors in school, on the field and in life.

Why do some players, when confronted with failure, give up while others who are no more skilled continue to compete and learn? Stanford University's Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, suggests that the answer lies in people's beliefs about why they failed. It seems that those who were praised for their ability and intelligence when things are easy have trouble changing gears and working hard when things get tough. Children who are taught to focus on effort and getting better rather than the outcome learn to work hard and solve the problem. Soccer players who change clubs never learn to solve the problems that others face because they never face them. The key, says Dweck, isn't ability: it's whether you look at ability as something inherent that needs to be demonstrated or as something that can be developed. She further suggests that many young athletes who are led to believe that talent is more important than effort become uncoachable!

Somehow in the Land of the Puritan Work Ethic, we have separated ability and effort. We are teaching our young soccer players that ability, technique and skill outweigh effort. In fact, our young players believe that having to work hard at soccer is a sign of low ability. Since college coaches are interested in ability, young players don't work hard, they don't compete. When they get to college and things get tough they can't change gears and work hard. They are confused. They played "high-level youth soccer" and made it to a college team playing one way. Now the coach wants the players to change and work hard. Many can't do it.

A high level of ability will inspire confidence in our young players... for a while. As long as things are going well, the players will be confident, but adversity and failure change everything. How our young players react to setbacks depends on their goals. If the goal is to play at the next level by focusing on ability or skill (performance goals), there will be no improvement, but if the goal is to become a better soccer player; to improve ability (learning goals), the young player will work hard, compete and become a better player. Dweck's 2002 study showed that praising children for intelligence (or ability) alone rather than effort actually sapped their motivation.

Culture plays a large role in shaping our beliefs. Our soccer culture perpetuates the belief that talent is the answer. And talent is defined as skill. We focus on talent, we praise those who are talented, we fight for talented players for our teams and, as a result, have created a mindset that talent is the end-all in soccer. The mindset that soccer ability is the only answer is a problem and must be changed. We must return to an emphasis on effort, drive, determination and the will to win in addition to skill and talent.

How do we change from a "fixed mindset" to a "growth mindset" in this soccer culture? How do we change the emphasis from relying totally on skill to relying on using the skill in addition to hard work? One way, says Dweck, is to tell our players about those who were successful through hard work and not only skill. These examples should show that real success needs a combination of ability and hard work. Sports in general and soccer specifically provide many examples of this. Take Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal. He has tremendous skill and soccer ability, but he also is the hardest worker on the field; that combination makes him one the best players in the EPL. The hardworking Claude Makalele is another example. Often overlooked at Real Madrid as only a hard worker, his real contributions were displayed when he moved to Chelsea. Real Madrid struggled and Chelsea became one of the best teams in Europe after his transfer.

Another strategy coaches can use to change the mindset is praise. Instead of praising skill alone, coaches must praise effort, hard work and the will to win. Most people believe they should build up people by telling them how brilliant or talented they are. Dweck's research suggests this is misguided and a mistake.

As coaches, it is time to change our players' mindset. It is time to make work ethic and effort important again. It is time to combine highly skilled players with hard-working players. Our players must stop playing and start competing.

'93 Girls Premier Return From Vegas with Silver

Las Vegas! The very name conjures up images of neon lights and fun. But for the U-16 Infinity Girls Soccer team, a recent trip to Las Vegas was not about the glamor of the Strip, but for most, their first chance to compete in an out-of state Soccer Tournament: City of Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup.

Many factors were stacked against this team from the very start. Minus assistant coaches Caleb Cowley and Crissy Partridge, Head Coach Jeff Ginn had the sole responsibility of coordinating and coaching 2 girls teams at the same time. Also missing were two key players, Kat Murray, who could not attend and Sam Emmett, who was rostered on the U-17 team. Adding to this that the team was trying out a new formation, expectations of this tourney were more of a “chance to play against other out of state teams” and not a “we can win” attitude-except the girls didn’t seem to realize that the Vegas odds were stacked against them and they seemed to think that they were in it to win!

Game 1 vs. Mustang Boca Extreme. This was probably the warmest game as the 2 at night and other 2 daytime games were pretty cold. This game also was the first experience for most of the girls to be part of the tradition of teams trading “gifts” as the team captains met on the field. It was apparently new to some other teams because although all our opposing teams received Infinity Beanies from team captains JD Larsen and Stacey Bair, this first team was the only one that reciprocated with suckers. This was also the team that was listed on the roster as coming from CAN, which we assumed to be Canada, but later learned that they were from California North, although there were some Canadian teams present. First game jitters were apparent in the first half even though the team was using their familiar formation. The first half score was 0-0. In the second half the girls were more confident and they pulled ahead 1-0 when Juliette McCann stole the ball, took a one touch shot with her left foot and drilled it past the goalie from 25 yards out. Late in the second half, the Mustangs managed to put in a goal, resulting in a 1-1 tie.

Game 2 vs. Colorado United Blue. This game may be referred to as our 3 Yellow Card Game…(some refs are so touchy!) Coach Ginn decided to implement a new 1-2-3-3-2 formation in this game, leaving the girls to wonder if their Coach had finally cracked under all the pressure, but as the game progressed, and the girls got into the rhythm of the new line-up, it was as if a whole new Infinity team had taken the field. The new formation resulted in more controlled passing by the mid-field and a more aggressive attack by the strikers. The team literally took control of the game and it showed in the confident, dominant way they played, completely frustrating the opposing team. The only goal in this game resulted from a beautiful cross-field assist by Striker, Nicky Bennett and a finishing shot by Right Full bakc, Laura Dewald. The 1-0 score didn’t do justice to the quality of teamwork that was executed on the field but even so… the girls had just won their first ever out-of state game!

Game 3 vs. Boise National Blast White. If the new formation looked like it was clicking in the previous game, it was deemed a complete success in this one as the girls completely dominated the entire game. Stacey Bair had a hat trick, contributing 3 goals and Danica Hansen and Juliette McCann had a goal apiece, with many other players assisting. Solid defensive play from JD Larsen, Chelsea Curtis, and Porsha Jones resulted in another shut-out and a 5-0 Infinity win.

Game 4 vs. Neusport FC94 South Nevada. Notwithstanding the excellent record of 1 tie and 2 wins, this was a very important game. Our point standing going into this game was 22 points, while the Mustangs that we had tied with in our first game and now having completed their last game, had 30 points.

We needed a win with 3 goals and a shut out in order to advance to the Championship Game. Despite the pressure of knowing we HAD to win or it was all over or maybe because of it, mid-fielders Marsela Murillo, Jessie Clements, Cassidee Nelson and Kaylee Kendrick took control early and kept the pressure on the entire game. The offense did their part with goals by Danica Hansen, Juliette McCann, Nicky Bennett and the only header goal in this tournament by newest team member Maddie Daines, resulting in a 4-0 win and another shut-out from the defense.

After the game, the U-17 and U-16 Infinity Girls teams presented Coach Ginn with a soccer ball that both teams had signed, and the girls had a team picture taken together. It was now very late and very cold , but the excitement was high because the Infinity U-16 Girls were now advancing to the Championship Game!

Much of the team’s success was due to the structured agenda that Coach Ginn had outlined in a detailed hand-out that each girl was expected to follow, or as JD Larsen called it “my Bible, because it tells me what to do and never steers me wrong.” The girls all stayed together in one hotel, with no parents in their rooms, and although there was a little free time allotted each day, most of the girls used the time to try and catch up on their sleep. They arose early each morning for team stretching, and had a set warm-up to follow before each game. The result was a team that came onto the field energized and ready to play from the very start of the game.

Monday, February 16, 2009. President’s Day.

The rain from the night before had stopped but it was still cool and wet. Seeing college scouts wandering around with clipboards, and noticing the size of the championship trophies waiting to be handed out, gave merit to what a big deal being at this game really was. Our girls seemed calm as they warmed-up but as we glanced at the opposing team, Glenview Elite from Illinois, many parents commented on the size of the girls our team was about to play. As the parents paced nervously, the girls played a solid first half but had few opportunities to score. Early on, Nicky Bennet had a pretty header that she redirected just skimming and going over the top of the bar. At half-time the score was 0-0. That changed early in the second half when Annie Hughes had a breakaway and was able to get one past the goalie, putting Infinity ahead 1-0. Annie doesn’t quite remember how it happened but she says she was “loving it” after the goal. Just a few minutes later as the ball was bobbled by Glenview’s goalie, Danica Hansen managed to get control of the ball and put it in the net. Unfortunately the ref called us with an offside penalty and took the goal away but even so, we were still ahead 1-0. Late in the second half the ball hit off the foot of one of our defensive players and hit her hand and we were called for a hands in the box penalty and they were able to score from the resulting Penalty Kick. At the end of regulation play the score was tied 1-1. On to overtime, starting with five minutes of Golden Goal play: whichever team scores first immediately wins. If no one scores its another five minutes with the same rules. The first over-time ended with no score, as did the second over-time so now it was on to a Shoot-Out. This has to be the most intense, pressure inducing soccer situation ever invented, with girls going one on one with the opposing goalie as they take a shot at the goal. Goalies Laura Rosales and Kjaersty Cook had split playing time throughout the tournament and had both played exceptionally and they split responsibilities in this game as well, with Laura as goalie for most of regulation play and Kjaersty finishing the second half and in for the over-time and shoot-out. After 5 shots from each team it was still tied. On to the second round. After one tie and 3 consecutive wins, a championship tie, 2 overtimes and 2 shoot-out rounds, it all came down to one goal made by their team and a missed shot on ours: the game was over. Glenview Elite would be receiving the first place trophy, while Infinity would receive 2nd place medals. It was heartbreaking to see the girls devastated at the loss, because they truly WERE winners in this tournament. They overcame incredible odds to even win one game and then consistently won against good teams, earning the right to play in the Championship Game. Their dedication and unselfish play exemplifies what teamwork is all about.

In a ranking system where the lower the number the better, Infinity U-16 is now ranked Nationally: 859 in Region 4: 270 and in Utah: 9th and this team will prove in the year to come that those numbers will only become smaller!

CONGRATULATIONS U-16 GIRLS INFINITY SOCCER TEAM!!

Thanks to the U-17 Girls and U-18 Boys Infinity Soccer teams, Coach’s Sherri Dever and Robson Chaves and all parents for their support at our games, and congratulations to MVP Laura Dewald.