Practice Away from the Field

For a player to reach the highest level it comes down to firstly enjoying what they are doing, the player must enjoy and embrace the process. This comes from being able to play in a stress free environment. Yes, there must be challenges and targets, but with correct feedback to encourage a player to continue. A player must also be disciplined enough to practice on their own away from the field, accruing hours of deliberate practice, and getting as many touches on the ball as possible.

The Conklin’s (02 Boys), can be found at fields around Fremont, staying after practice, and whether rain or poor air quality, will always find a way to practice.

Key practices you can do on your own by being creative with what you have available.

While we are away from the soccer fields as a large group, practice individually and set challenges for your team mates. Submit your response video’s by emailing a short 15 second clip to info@fremontyouthsoccer.com

We Have The Ball:

• Good Speed Endurance To Get Forward.

Why?

1. To make overlapping runs, under lapping runs, and unbalance the defense at speed.
2. Create numbers up in attack.
3. Not being physically fatigued to join the attack.

• Willingness to Get Forward / Knowing When to Get Forward.

Why?

1. Create numbers up in attack.
2. Taking a risk to leave space behind you when going forward.
3. Having an attacking mindset when We Have The Ball.
4. Recognizing space in behind the defense to make an overlap.
5. If playing Right Back, when the Right Winger rolls in towards the center of the field, this creates space for you to get forward down the wing.

• Good Delivery of Passes / Crosses.

Why?

1. Create scoring opportunities.
2. Knowing what type of pass or cross to make, (early cross behind the defensive line / normal cross when between the top of the 18yd box and 6yd box / hard low driven cross / late cross once reaching the byline hitting the ball low and hard towards the top of the 6 yd box / lofted cross to the back post / in-swinging cross, out-swinging cross).

They Have The Ball:

• Good in 1v1 situations.

Why?

1. Most times Fullbacks will be in 1v1 situations down the sideline, and behind them is dangerous space for the attacking player to get in.
2. Knowing when to poke for the ball / make a tackle, and when to delay and wait for the heavy touch from the attacking player.
3. Coning in “side-on”, forcing the player with the ball to a specific side. Forcing the player away from the goal in in defensive third, or taking away the sideline and forcing the ball into the middle when we are in our attacking third.
4. Not allowing the player with the ball to get off a cross in the box.

• Recovery runs to cover weak side of the field.

Why?

1. The weak side of the field is normally the area teams try to find their open player, when either switching the point of attack, or when crossing the ball.
2. Recognizing the loss of possession and awareness of what part of the field you are in / where the ball is at.
3. Reacting and recovering back on defense should be instant without hesitation.

• Body shape to scan weak side of the field.

Why?

1. When ball is on the opposite side and your chest is facing the ball, you cannot see the player or space behind you.
2. Keeping your hips open to the field (facing opponents goal) allows you to scan and see the ball, and the open space and players on the weak side from where the ball is at.
3. Keeping good body shape will also allow you to react and recover better if the ball ends up getting switched or played to your side of the field.

Being a Fremont YSC Fullback:

• Good speed endurance to get forward.
• Willingness to get forward / Knowing when to get forward.
• Good delivery of passes / crosses.
• Good in 1v1 situations.
• Recovery runs to cover weak side of the field.
• Body shape to scan weak side of the field.

There are so many factors that can influence a players development. There are 4 common pillars to long term player development, one being, psychological pillar. The 4 pillars are all connected, and are not exclusive of each other. Each one of these pillars will effect the other, and careful consideration must be taken with a players development pathway plan, as no two individuals are the same.

Gavin Carvalho presents the following presentation on, Psychology.

Psychology for Players – Fremont YSC

We Have The Ball:

• Good with their feet.

Why?

1. Keepers are usually the players who start the attack or re-start. (From a goal kick or from a pass-back).
2. Need to be comfortable with their feet while under pressure from a defender. (If a defender is charging at them, do they simply kick it out of bounds, or do they push their 1st touch into open space so that they can play out?)

• Good distribution with hands and feet.

Why?

Having good distribution is key when playing in the Keeper position. Different types of distribution from a Keeper are:

1. With the ball on the ground, using their feet. (Short, long, driven, lofted).
2. Punting the ball from their hands. (Side strike, driven, lofted).
3. Throwing the ball out with their hands. (Rolling the ball to a player’s feet, overhanded throw for a more driven ball, or a lofted ball to cover more ground).

It is important for a Keeper to have good distribution, because they are the players who are closest to the goal, and if their distribution isn’t successful, then it will be harder for the team to get forward in attack. Also, it adds to the overall team’s confidence when a Keeper can use their feet. A lot of times when players don’t trust their keeper using their feet, you will see them opt out of making a pass back to the keeper, and just kick it out of bounds, giving away the possession.

They Have The Ball:

• Shot stopper.

Why?

1. It is important for Keepers to be a good shot stopper, because they are only player on the field who can safely secure a shot on goal, without having it rebound off their body. As keepers are able to use their hands.
2. Being a good shot stopper is all about setting your feet, on your toes, knees bent, chest over toes, shuffling from side to side, and keeping your eye on the ball.
3. Be able to cushion the ball inside your gloves, with your hands in front of you and never over your head.
4. Getting your body behind the ball / shot. This way, if the ball slips past your gloves, your body is behind it, which will keep the ball out of the net.

• Commands the space between the defensive unit and our goal.

Why?

1. The space in behind the defensive unit is crucial, because that is the space most attacking players want to play the ball in, as it is the most dangerous space.
2. For example, when the ball is in our attacking half, the Keeper moves forward with the defensive unit, so that the space behind them is manageable, to where they can easily play a ball out with their feet if a through ball gets sent over the top, or through a seem. Thus transitioning from Defending to Attacking higher up the field.

• Organization of the defensive unit.

Why?

1. Being vocal, letting defenders know when to slide, step, press and drop.
2. Organizing the weak sided player to tuck in and slide over towards the center of the field, to also make sure that player keeps their hips open so that the defender can see the entire field in front of them.
3. Give good and positive instruction. Keepers do not “Yell” at their defenders. They instruct them to positions and areas of the field that are best seen from the Keeper position. (As the Keeper has a great view of the field and of what is going on).

Being a Fremont YSC Goalkeeper:

• Good with your feet
• Good distribution
• Starting point of counter attack
• Shot stopper
• Commands space between defensive unit and goal
• Organization of defensive unit

No matter when in the season, or the circumstance, playing at home either on your own or with friends at the park, is a great way to develop your playing ability.

Using the player elements as your reference to giving yourself direction on how to practice on your own, pick up a ball, head outside, and spend time working on the areas you want to develop. Refer to your player profile on what areas you’d like to improve on, and create your own practices.

Player Profiles – https://www.fremontyouthsoccer.com/player-development-forms/

Player Elements – https://www.fremontyouthsoccer.com/playing-identity-of-the-club/

While creating your own sessions is great, sports should be fun, and this shouldn’t feel like ‘homework’, as soon as it becomes ‘work’, we’re losing the passion and reason for why we started. We started for the love of the game, the passion that comes with soccer culture, the social interaction of being with friends and meeting new people. Use this time to get together with friends, find an open space, be it the street or a park, and have a kick around. All you need is a ball, 1v1, 2v3, 5v5, no matter the numbers, you’ll have a great time and will improve your game.

Looking for some time around the TV with the family while we’re indoors and away from the fields. Here is a list of films to get stuck in to as suggested by our board. Pull up a chair, fill up on popcorn, and enjoy some family time with soccer.

1. The Big Green –  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112499/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
2. Kicking and Screaming – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384642/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
3. Early Man – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4701724/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
4. Offside – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499537/?ref_=vp_back
5. The Game of Their Lives – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0354595/?ref_=ttls_li_tt
6. Victory – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083284/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
7. Believe – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2009606/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_42
8. Bend it Like Beckham – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286499/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
9. Dare to Dream – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1146435/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
10. Pelé: Birth of a Legend –  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995868/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

While we are away from the practice fields, and unable to physically practice, one of the most enjoyable way to learn more about soccer is by playing FIFA.

We have created a Fremont YSC playing league through Xbox and FIFA 20, to learn more about your favorite players, and stay social by playing against other players and even some of the coaching staff.

Steps to join the online league:

1. Turn Xbox on and go to home screen (normally shows automatically)
2. Click on icon on the top left of home screen
3. Sign in to Xbox Live
4. Tap the LB button on controller and to the “people” page
5. Click on “find someone”
6. Search for gamertag “GoaGladiator87”, this is Coach Gavin Carvalho’s gamertag.
7. Once added, you will then be added by Gavin Carvalho to the Fremont YSC online FIFA League

Like everything else, all good in moderation, but remember, nothing beats playing the real thing.

We now have FIFA added to mobile devices. With great thanks to Vaishak (05BBE), Vaishak has added a club league to mobile devices for you to play and compete against each other from your phone. To join the league search for ‘FYSC‘ as the league to join.

Any questions on this league, please contact Eric, edepositar@fremontyouthsoccer.com

While we are not qualified physicians, nor experts in disease control, we hope the following information we have from research and received guidance, will help as a resource to stay safe during this time.

Health & Safety Reminders

• Practice “social distancing” to the degree possible, meaning six feet from one another.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Individuals with chronic health issues and/or individuals experiencing severe symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional.
• Consult with your healthcare provider if you or your household members are at high risk for COVID-19 complications.

Persons at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should stay home and away from crowded social gatherings as much as possible. These types of gatherings include, but are not limited to parades, conferences, sporting events, and concerts where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another. Those considered at higher risk include:

• People over 60 years of age. The risk increases significantly thereafter and escalates with age, with persons over age 80 in the highest risk category.
• People, regardless of age, with underlying health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or chronic lung diseases like COPD, as well as those with severely weakened immune systems.

Keep up to date locally with information from the following organizations –

• City of Fremont
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Alameda County
• Fremont Unified School District

This afternoon we received an update from both US Club Soccer and NorCal Premier, with guidelines for the Conv-19 outbreak.

As per the guidelines please see as follows –

• Local clubs to make their own decision on practices based on their county guidelines.
• NorCal Premier will be suspending all competitions until March 31^st.

As an organization we are under the 1000-person threshold for canceling mass gatherings of people, and all events are outdoors. We will be monitoring both Alameda County guidelines, and the policies set by the school district through their communication with county superintendents. Please see the following link – https://www.fremont.k12.ca.us/pf4/cms2/news_themed_display?id=1579858471843

The following are the measures being taken by Fremont YSC, and we ask for your co-operation –

• Practices and programs will continue as normal
  • Parents, please remain in your cars and do not gather at the playing location during practices.
  • When picking up your child, if your child is younger and needs guidance back to the car, please come and pick up your child, but do not hang around to create any gatherings.
• Take the following preventative measures –
  • No handshakes, hi fives or huddles at practices.
  • Do not share any drinking containers.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • If a player is feeling sick, please keep them at home, and do not send to practice until back to full health.
    • If any player or immediate family member is tested as positive for Coronavirus, please contact the club ASAP.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

We understand everyone will have a different approach to how they want to combat and prevent the virus, and while we feel it is still safe to continue as per the guidelines from local districts and the county, if you do not feel comfortable attending a practice or session, then please stay home and return to practices when you are comfortable.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep up to date with the Fremont Unified School District guidelines.