How Does Professionalism Enter Into Soccer Grass Roots?

You must teach all at the beginning what is the picture. What is the Model!!

The United Kingdom has a good Model in terms of a final result with resources maximized. Arsene Wenger of Arsenal might have a profitable one. Many parts of the world still are not maximizing their local resources.

To arrive at a win win between business and community each member must
have the opportunity to experience professionalism. Until
that time, it is only as a dream to the community members in reality.

We are lucky that we live in 2008+, were creating cost efficient
Massive Multi-Training Systems is a reality. SportsPath ( http://sportspath.com/ ) and the Innovative Soccer Network both have working Systems.

Sports Path is directed toward Soccer Parent education. The ISoccerNet’s offering is geared
toward empowering Coaches/Trainers and Players communication with low
cost support information delivery. www.4skills.com/virtual.html

We can achieve the goals of raising the level of world soccer through Professionalism by providing:

1) Information accessibility

2) Opportunities to experience a Higher level/Professional level.

Make both of these available to the grass roots and you will have a winner.

In Innovative Soccer’s effort to achieve this goal, we have chosen to go rather low fi. It is what has kept
the Boy Scouts quality level up for the past 100 years? A Simple Text book.

The X Factor Soccer Training Manuals work to create the soccer artist. Using the deGregory Soccer Training Spectrum (dSTS) as a guide http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhmcvmmm_1347cg4tc2g9, we built 4 manuals that explain how to grow mentally and physically to be a soccer player. Stage 2 Simple Individual Tactical is currently available https://www.4skills.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=114 . Stage 1 Soccer Skills will be out before Christmas.

The most important ingredient that is missing from any struggling grass
roots soccer organization is “Soccer Deference” - polite and
respectful soccer behaviour. It is a strange word to use, but we all
know that
the ways of professionals are more efficient then those who are not.
Those who learn from those ways become efficient and can display
professionalism. Soccer Professionalism is displayed by those who know
the soccer behaviours. These books are a guide to keep up both mentally and physically Trainer/Player Behaviour levels.

In releasing of the X Factor Soccer Training System, we have created the
MySoccerSchool Program, that allows for current organizations to
structure non-existent or stagnated revenue streams into healthy
predictable lines, I think those used to be called cash cows in
business school.

Here is an example of a model coming online now in Florida. http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dhmcvmmm_1625tz9xznhr

So Professionalism is possible at the grass roots level. 

Everything that has been mentioned is replicable in any other English demographic.

We are doing Beta testing in Florida, South Carolina and Connecticut.

If you would like more information on the MySoccerSchool Program click here http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhmcvmmm_1447d3q7rzcw

Kamal de Gregory
Admin Head
Innovative Soccer Network
www.4skills.com

Aerobic Soccer Training (AST)

AST Positives at a glance

• Builds confidence as a soccer player

• Builds touch rapidly

• Creates mental framework for moves to be instinctive

• Allows player to be more accustom to his/her own body movements

• Helps player to understand personal strengths and weaknesses

• Builds or increases quickness of feet

• Builds or increases quickness of ball control and movement

• Increases Leg Strength

• Makes player more accustom to constantly being in the ready position. (Always on toes)

• Helps player to be accustom to soccer specific movements

• Gives player a relaxed feel on the ball, while working hard.

• Basic work out takes less then 10 min.

• Fun, self motivated workout to improve performance.

AST is designed to be a fun and different way to build skills and
promote them through the bodies natural movements. It is plyometricly
based while giving a distinct cardio workout.

Methodology:

Rhythm is the foundation of AST. It is the soul of everything,
including soccer. It is usually referred to as work rate, tempo or
pace. They are all soccer terms that mean rhythm. AST brings this
fundamental of soccer to the forefront of training, not just as a
pleasant byproduct as in other techniques. Most players have the vision
of effortlessly gliding past wrong-footed defenders. I can through
AST give them the ingredients to make these visions reality. Most
dribbling skills are taught as mechanical and separate movements, I
show how they can be linked to become an artistic dance across the
pitch.

AST goes about building skills by repetition of rudimentary
movements that are key in soccer. It works to create uniformity between
both legs by equal repetitions. Also through rhythmically learning, it
is easier for players to adopt movements as second nature. Each
specific movement serves to enhance a player’s relationship with the
ball. AST helps him or her understand body-positioning, amount of
weight needed to be exerted on the ball and personal strengths and
weaknesses. The technique is plyometricly based so it creates quick feet and eradicates the notion of being flat-footed. Also doing the exercises to music takes the mind off the workload and keeps the exercises fun.

Even
though, AST is extremely demanding, it is easy to lose yourself in
the rhythm of the music instead of focusing on the pain of the moment.
Constant movement is mandatory for AST. Rest periods are movements
done at a lesser pace, while work periods could be considered all the
time, since you are constantly touching the ball. Mental concentration
is a requisite when performing all exercises because if not lucid the
participant will spend more time chasing the ball then enjoying the
program.

AST gives you the building blocks to execute any move that you wish.
The movements can be adapted or blended together to give you a desired
outcome that appears spontaneously in any situation. From AST
combinations of moves can be linked together to give your game the
continuous flow that every player is looking for. Every movement in
AST is done quickly, smoothly and in preparation for the next
situation. You will form deftness to your touch that will have you
consistently adapting to your newly acquired skills. Above all
though, the greatest emphasis is on enjoying your personal movements
and being comfortable with your inherent style. I give the building
blocks its up to you on how you want to put it together.

All Smiles on the Field,

Innovative Soccer Network

Aerobic Soccer Training (AST)

AST Positives at a glance

• Builds confidence as a soccer player

• Builds touch rapidly

• Creates mental framework for moves to be instinctive

• Allows player to be more accustom to his/her own body movements

• Helps player to understand personal strengths and weaknesses

• Builds or increases quickness of feet

• Builds or increases quickness of ball control and movement

• Increases Leg Strength

• Makes player more accustom to constantly being in the ready position. (Always on toes)

• Helps player to be accustom to soccer specific movements

• Gives player a relaxed feel on the ball, while working hard.

• Basic work out takes less then 10 min.

• Fun, self motivated workout to improve performance.

AST is designed to be a fun and different way to build skills and
promote them through the bodies natural movements. It is plyometricly
based while giving a distinct cardio workout.

Methodology:

Rhythm is the foundation of AST. It is the soul of everything,
including soccer. It is usually referred to as work rate, tempo or
pace. They are all soccer terms that mean rhythm. AST brings this
fundamental of soccer to the forefront of training, not just as a
pleasant byproduct as in other techniques. Most players have the vision
of effortlessly gliding past wrong-footed defenders. I can through
AST give them the ingredients to make these visions reality. Most
dribbling skills are taught as mechanical and separate movements, I
show how they can be linked to become an artistic dance across the
pitch.

AST goes about building skills by repetition of rudimentary
movements that are key in soccer. It works to create uniformity between
both legs by equal repetitions. Also through rhythmically learning, it
is easier for players to adopt movements as second nature. Each
specific movement serves to enhance a player’s relationship with the
ball. AST helps him or her understand body-positioning, amount of
weight needed to be exerted on the ball and personal strengths and
weaknesses. The technique is plyometricly based so it creates quick feet and eradicates the notion of being flat-footed. Also doing the exercises to music takes the mind off the workload and keeps the exercises fun.

Even
though, AST is extremely demanding, it is easy to lose yourself in
the rhythm of the music instead of focusing on the pain of the moment.
Constant movement is mandatory for AST. Rest periods are movements
done at a lesser pace, while work periods could be considered all the
time, since you are constantly touching the ball. Mental concentration
is a requisite when performing all exercises because if not lucid the
participant will spend more time chasing the ball then enjoying the
program.

AST gives you the building blocks to execute any move that you wish.
The movements can be adapted or blended together to give you a desired
outcome that appears spontaneously in any situation. From AST
combinations of moves can be linked together to give your game the
continuous flow that every player is looking for. Every movement in
AST is done quickly, smoothly and in preparation for the next
situation. You will form deftness to your touch that will have you
consistently adapting to your newly acquired skills. Above all
though, the greatest emphasis is on enjoying your personal movements
and being comfortable with your inherent style. I give the building
blocks its up to you on how you want to put it together.

All Smiles on the Field,

Innovative Soccer Network

The general consensus among many professional level youth trainers and coaches is that running two laps is not a sufficient warm up for your players.

What is sufficient then?

Many believe as I do that warming up with a ball is the best way to get players ready for training. Touching and using the ball at the beginning of practice promotes ball control for the duration.

How do we do this?

Fun repetition of basic moves used to control the ball. Consistently touching the ball with the inside, outside, laces, heel, toe and even sole of the foot helps players become used to the actual feeling of having it at their feet. That is the key to improving players comfort level with the ball.

Here is the best suggestion to improving this comfort level.

Aerobics Soccer Training, a new training method that combines ball control, agility training and fun, to push players to their limits and set the tone for the rest of training. The workouts are short 5-12 minutes, perfect for warm ups and set to music so players want to stay with it. It has been used with thousands of u-9 players all the way up to National Teams.

A.S.T. is great to finally have fun and skills blended together. Click here to learn more!

Coaches and Parents, this talk is for players 7 years old on up. The theme from the title is soccer etiquette (what everyone expects to happen on the field) and here is a sample of the dialog you can have with individuals or teams. Have fun acting it out.

“Who has ever been hit on the head by a ball that was missed kick?

This is a talk about proper soccer etiquette and what happens when accidents happen. The specific “ripping the ball” at someone kind of accident.

We’ve all been there. Not thinking about nothing, kicking the ball and bam, you unknowingly kick it at someone. It’s normally some adult that is minding his or her own business.

What do you do?

I know what you do. You grab your face and watch the horror as the ball smashes your coach in the head. Then the embarrassment kicks in and you plead and say your sorry, feeling like a donkey.

Where did you go wrong?

Yes, being careless with your kicks was the beginning and thinking ahead about what you are doing is important. But there will always be times where a ball gets away from you. So the real action is when the ball is in flight. No, not grabbing your face like “home alone,” but by seeing where the ball is heading and yelling “Heads Up.”

You are giving a warning!

Accidents happen on the field all the time. It’s minimizing the damage the accidents cause is what is important at that time. I can say through experience that getting hit in the head with a ball hurts in two ways. Yes the blow to your head hurts, but the thing that is really bad, is the shock of getting blindsided.

So don’t be paralyzed! Act and minimize the pain and problems you cause when the ball gets away from you.”

Good Luck and keep your “Heads Up”

Soccer Luminary
Kamal de Gregory

Playing in “The Big Time” and being a “Big Time Player” in soccer breaks done to “time”. The “time” is by way of “character building or decision making”. Sounds unrelated kinda, but the way to becoming an elite soccer player is if you can get a hold of your decision making when on the field.

This is why!

Are you a small cheap player or a big quality player? Even if you are four feet tall, you can be a big quality player, because you are looking to make good decisions constantly on the soccer field. It could be about making a pass or a defensive run, but you are trying to maximize your situation to achieve your team’s goals. You are trying to do your best to meet your team’s goals, which is normally to score!

You say, “Kamal, all you are really saying is work to make good decisions when you are trying to score a goal,” Correct, but I am also saying that it takes you making those good decisions every time you set foot on the field. Every time means games, team practice, guest playing, individual training, anytime you are booting up to ball. You should ball to a level where you are helping yourself out.

If you show up on the field and don’t do anything, the result ends in you deciding to do something else with your time. Sometimes that means just hanging on the block or your suburb and deciding to be an accountant or a gun runner. That is the potential player pool that soccer has now. So you can see how decisions are important. Regardless of those decisions, your not playing soccer anymore. For some very small reason, you’ve decided not to play. Yes, it is possible for you to say you don’t want to play anymore. I’ve seen many up and coming players decide to stop playing for the smallest of reasons, so yes, it could happen to you.

But this reason, really dealt with you didn’t improve enough to make it any higher. You stood around. You didn’t put in the time in making good decisions on the field and bam you aint on the field no more. At least not at the level you had picked out for yourself.

If you dreamed of playing in the Olympics or some pro team anywhere in the world. Hey, anywhere in the world you are playing soccer where flow and speed decrees who is the best.

So, what does it take to make good decisions?

It takes one simple thing, “Honest Actions.” Honesty in every choice you make. Decisions as small as telling the truth if the ball went out on you to as big as not cutting corners on a run. Sounds big? They are.

All of this honesty ads up to your character being that of a champion. Just think about it. A champion doesn’t need to lie about a ball going out or need to cheat a run. Champions don’t do that. They stay honest and positive and those traits create the winning character.

This is the character of a big time player, every great in the game somehow fits this description. I guarantee every professional and some amateurs have stories of a lot of work underneath their accomplishments.

All that hard work equals time spent with the ball actively doing something. Think about it, if you are on the field practicing good decision making the ball will be with you and you will learn from it. Once you put in the time, control and speed occur faster towards the end.

This kind of control builds character and the kind of speed generated assures players of your ability.

You work on it when you feel like it, which to someone who really wants to be good in soccer is normally everyday. Your touch will appreciate and your character will unify with one of a champion’s, no matter who you are.

So to be Big Time, you have to play Big Time, even when you are alone, which is a lot.

Good Luck and I will see you at the top of the Mountain. Maybe this will reinforce your climbing boots a bit.

Soccer Luminary
Kamal de Gregory

If you watched the Move of the moment last month, you would have learned the Old School Neck Catch. This month, we are teaching the Nu Skool Neck Maneuver.

So, for the New School here is the Nu Skool Neck.

For this move the same great touch needs to be there that gets the ball to your neck, but this time your head will not be lined up straight with the ball for a neck catch. This time you are going to welcome the ball in on the top of your shoulder, it doesn’t matter which one. What does matter is to create a movement that will allow the ball to roll across your shoulder blades to the other side.

So here are the steps:

1) Knock the ball over slightly over your head. Psst the ball can have some back spin on it so it will automatically travel across your back.
2) Connect with the ball on the top of a shoulder
3) Run your body to bring your opposite shoulder to meet the ball

And all that creates the Nu Skool Neck maneuver.

Good Luck and be on the look out for the next Move of the Moment.

To see a demonstration, please click here.

Do you think you have them? Super Powers are the ability to do something different. The Power to make something happen that normally does not. Can you control a soccer ball? That is something that is pretty hard for most people.

How do you normally get Super Powers? In all the stories, you are normally born with them or in Batman’s case, he has just developed them over time. What does that mean for you?

What that tells me is, whether you know it or not, you have super powers. This is because some players are born with super speed or super strength (these gifts are very different then others) and some can practice to the point that it appears they have super powers through their soccer skill.

Both ways gives you super powers because you show differently. Believe that you have these powers. Believe that you can train to move faster then anyone else. Understand that you can move and be as you believe. I believe I am just like everyone else in speed and skill or I believe that I can get to the ball quicker then anyone else and pass it immediately (that is super powers.

Which player do you think can change things?

There you go. You are believing. Remember, no one else can tell you exactly what your super powers in soccer are. You will have to find them. How can anyone encourage your super power to jump, if they don’t realize your super power is jumping?

As all super players, you must have courage to show your powers, even if someone laughs and says your powers are not good. Believe in yourself and the truth that you know. Don’t let another day go by without searching for your super edge. It is only you that really knows what it is.

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Luminary
Virtual Soccer Trainer
Bahamas National Team

Parents, Coaches,

Please have any player who wants to play in College or Professionally understand this concept. If you or they have any questions, please contact me at training@4skills.com

Soccer Instinct

What does “soccer instinct” get you? It gets you two seconds extra on the ball. Without it, you still might get the ball, but how did you use those two seconds?

With an unfocused mind, the ball will simply bounce off your shinguard or you will be holding your head regretting that you weren’t quicker or smarter or more ready.

Welcome to the realm of soccer killer instinct. This is where everything inside you is focused on one thing. It could be to win a tackle or to find the back of the net. Somewhere in your mind you have come to a conclusion of, “Do this now! This comes naturally to everyone, whether we know it or not, but many people rarely use it. Only in case of a real emergency do they care to focus their mind enough to do something.

Well folks, a soccer player does that every day. Someone who has real potential in soccer, has the ability for the time that they are playing to make the ball do things. The things that you want the ball to do range from a simple 10 yard pass to dropping the ball onto a teammate’s foot after an air back heel.

Now remember this isn’t a try, you must make it. You are in the middle of using your killer instinct. So now multiple options are presenting themselves and you see the path clearly. Everything you are — is focused on accomplishing whatever you have set out to do in the moment, so failure or hesitation cannot hold you.

Then the outcome arrives and you see resolution. If what you attempted, was actually created. It could be a cross into the box or a finish off of the incoming cross with a volley. Each player at a high level use this instinct. That is how they get to high places, they are able to display this instinct of making. Professionals enjoy this state most of the time they are playing. Why?

It is because they need the two seconds to create that phenomenal goal or make a huge defensive stop. Think about it. All they need is two seconds, some players just one. You need soccer instinct if you want to go far in this game.

So back to work . To find out more about how to master this state of optimal performance. click here www.4skills.com/flow.html

All Smiles on the Field,

Kamal de Gregory

Hello everyone out there in soccer land. This is Kamal de Gregory back with another Move of the Moment. This one is called the Old School Neck Catch and it is demonstrated by Chamba Style himself Jason Utely at www.chambastyle.com

Most of us have the seen the Old School Neck Catch. This is where the ball is kicked a little above your head, then you position your head under the ball and lower your the neck down to catch it. This is a sweet move, that takes foot strength control, good timing and a restful sensation when receiving the ball.

If you have 6 Minute Soccer Skills Trapping, you would easily understanding the reason for this restful feel, for now though just feel it.

The biggest problem is when the ball is on its way down that you get your head down fast so there will be an open cushion for the ball.

You can practice by placing the ball on your neck with your hands, then dropping the ball on your neck as you make the cushioning movement.

That is the old school way, next month we will shift gears to the Nu Skool Way. To see the Old School Neck Catch demonstrated click here.

Good Luck and be on the look out for next move of the moment.