Parents/Players
Hope Holiday's are going great!
First, if you didn't know, Taylor had surgery last week on her knee from last years injury. It appears that surgery went well. And according to her Doc, it was well needed, due to a loose kneecap and tendon damage, so just pray for her to have a good recovery. If you get the chance girls, drop your teammate Taylor a line (that's what your parents say, but I guess I'll speak your language--"send her a tweet, text, or Instagram message", or whatever crazy method of communication you all use these days!). But really, Taylor we all are thinking of you and wish you a healthy recovery!
OFF SEASON TRAINING ON YOUR OWN
Secondly, the girls are definitely at the age where strength training is a must--not only for better performance (which of course is very important), but also injury prevention. I have thought hard about what type of workout would make most sense for our girls. Considering we are getting in a Friday practice (PLEASE TRY AND GET TO THESE), and an Indoor game each week, along with our Saturday workout which will now focus on speed, agility, and functional training---I believe pure strength training is what the girls need to be doing on their own.
So, the program I picked focuses 100% on getting stronger (this will definitely help in getting faster and more explosive of course, along with having the strength to push opponents off the ball, increase vertical, etc.). The girls have all physically matured where a very basic strength training program to build a strong foundation is vital.
This program I choose is perfect for the following reasons:
1. It only includes 5 exercises, so once they are learned, it's easy to continue.
2. The 5 exercises are compound movements. This means multiple joints are used (think of a dead lift which includes movement of ankle, knee, back, and even shoulders VERSUS an arm curl which is an isolated exercise, which only involves elbow joint). Soccer is played with full body, always using multiple joints (Not in a machine, isolating single muscles). These compound movements are best for maximizing muscular strength and whole body strength. It also has high nervous system activation, which is critical for an athlete (think of that person who trains to look big (me), versus that person who is "farm strong" and would have a much easier time moving a couch or carrying a TV up a flight of steps... Based on their type of training, they are overall very strong. I might be able to out-lift them on every isolated muscle in my body, but when it comes to using all muscles together in a functional setting, this type of person usually will outdo me. (seriously, I watched 3 small 150 lb guys each individually carry multiple pieces of drywall up and down my steps, where I had a time just handling a single sheet....). --SO THIS IS WHY I AM BEGINNING THIS WORKOUT TOO ON MONDAY!
3. It has a progression plan in place. Weight is added each workout to increase strength.
4. An app is available for both i phones and androids for this workout.
5. Many other reasons (just read the website/web link for this workout).
IF your daughter needs a gym, they can come to WieFit and train for free. I obviously can't provide a trainer for free. For those girls that weren't at our Saturday training when I went over the 5 exercises, if you feel comfortable showing your daughter these 5 movements, please do so. Otherwise, I will go over again with the girls at our next training (the attached weblink goes over each of the five in great detail though). But again, if they (or you) simply need a gym to workout, WieFit is free to you. No need to call, just come down during business hours.
Please make sure you use all the tools (app, spreadsheet, watch the videos) and read this website in full before you begin. And PLEASE begin as soon as possible. I'm sure as I go through this workout myself, I will be sending notes if I feel the progression plan is too much, or any other ideas I think would work better, but this appears to be the perfect plan for our girls at this point.
Here is the website for the workout: http://stronglifts.com/5x5/
Other than that, Have the Best Holiday's Ever, and I am thankful to be a part of this group!
Oh yeah, Liverpool vs. Arsenal is on NBC right now! Great soccer is happening!
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
WieHammer & WieKings Line-up for Winter 2
Hello All,
Here is the final line-up for Winter 2.
Here is the final line-up for Winter 2.
| WieHammer | WieKings | ||||||
| 1 | Hunter | Clark | Morgan | Snider | |||
| 2 | Hope | Karnes | Sheena | Delp | |||
| 3 | Hannah | Tharp | Danielle | Coyle | |||
| 4 | Annie | Schneider | Kylie | Stava | |||
| 5 | Delaney | Sparks | G | Taylor | Lorenz | ||
| 6 | Jessica | King | Lily | Lorenz | |||
| 7 | Sophie | Steppe | Ciara | Sturm | |||
| 8 | Isabell | Thomas | Haley | Dougherty | |||
| 9 | Lindsey | Meyer | Molly | Wiefering | |||
| 10 | Kaitlyn | Meyer | Maria | Wiefering | |||
| 11 | G | Abby | Stockwell | Hannah | Tharp | ||
| 12 | Sheena | Delp | Hunter | Clark | |||
The Cost will be $68 for the session.
I will take payments in January.
Coach Eric
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Spring Tournaments
Hello All,
So As you all know we are planning to play in the KPL U16 league this spring.
Also we are thinking it would be good to play more tournaments then we have before.
Here are the Tournaments we will be scheduling but would like to her from you in the next week
if these do not work.
Tournament Date Location Played Before
1. KHSA Turf Classic March 20-22nd Around town yes
2. Addidas Blue Chip Showcase April 17-18 Oxford yes
3. Crossroads April 24-25 Indianapolis no
4. KY State Cup May/end Elizabethtown yes
Also I know some are interested in taking a longer road trip.
We had the one suggestion for a Dallas trip that included a 3v3 tourney, a 4 day camp and a 11 v 11
tourny in early June. That maybe is too ambitious. But if anyone has any suggestions to the above schedule or a road trip please let us know.
Thank you,
Eric
serfdelp@fuse.net
So As you all know we are planning to play in the KPL U16 league this spring.
Also we are thinking it would be good to play more tournaments then we have before.
Here are the Tournaments we will be scheduling but would like to her from you in the next week
if these do not work.
Tournament Date Location Played Before
1. KHSA Turf Classic March 20-22nd Around town yes
2. Addidas Blue Chip Showcase April 17-18 Oxford yes
3. Crossroads April 24-25 Indianapolis no
4. KY State Cup May/end Elizabethtown yes
Also I know some are interested in taking a longer road trip.
We had the one suggestion for a Dallas trip that included a 3v3 tourney, a 4 day camp and a 11 v 11
tourny in early June. That maybe is too ambitious. But if anyone has any suggestions to the above schedule or a road trip please let us know.
Thank you,
Eric
serfdelp@fuse.net
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Practice Schedule Thru December 27
Hello All,
Here is the practice schedule we will go with for the next couple weeks.
12/12 Friday 5:15-6:30 Tower Park Dress warm
12/13 Saturday 6-7:15PM @ Wiefit for Footwork drills (7:50 game at T&C)
12/19 Friday 5:15-6:45 Tower Park
12/20 Saturday 2:00-3:30 Strength Training @ Wiefit (T&C Game at 12:10)
Of course you are encouraged to train on your own on the other days.
Could everyone e-mail me that will be in town 12/22-12/27?
If we have interest we will try to set-up more frequent training while the girls are off.
Thanks,
Eric
serfdelp@fuse.net
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Winter 2 - The Tale of 2 Wie's
Another great game this past Saturday. Girls you showed a lot of heart to dig in and get aggressive
in the 2nd half, not only did you pass well but you looked like you wanted every ball that was
anywhere close to you. Keep that attitude every game. Great job!
So for winter 2 as we discussed after the game Saturday we are going to break into 2 teams since 16-17 would be too many to get much playing time each week. Also we can give ourselves some great competition. So here is the 1st draft on how to split the teams.
Drum roll please:
Also there is room for 4-6 girls to play for the other team, ie Sheena would like to
in the 2nd half, not only did you pass well but you looked like you wanted every ball that was
anywhere close to you. Keep that attitude every game. Great job!
So for winter 2 as we discussed after the game Saturday we are going to break into 2 teams since 16-17 would be too many to get much playing time each week. Also we can give ourselves some great competition. So here is the 1st draft on how to split the teams.
Drum roll please:
| WieHammer: | WieKings: | |||||||
| 1 | Hunter | Clark | Morgan | Snider | ||||
| 2 | Sheena | Delp | Kylie | Stava | ||||
| 3 | Hope | Karnes | Taylor | Lorenz | ||||
| 4 | Hannah | Tharp | Ciara | Sturm | ||||
| 5 | Annie | Schneider | Megan | Buckner | ||||
| 6 | Delaney | Sparks | Molly | Wiefering | ||||
| 7 | Jessica | King | Danielle | Coyle | ||||
| 8 | Sophie | Steppe | Taylor | Jenkins | ||||
| 9 | Isabell | Thomas | Meleah | Hirn | ||||
| 10 | Abby | Stockwell | Maria | Wiefering | ||||
Also there is room for 4-6 girls to play for the other team, ie Sheena would like to
play both so that would take the WieKings team to 11. We want to balance out at 11-13 per team/game.
If you would like to play on both teams I will take the 1st 6 people to contact me. This also means paying double of course. I expect the cost to be in the mid $60's again so it would be in the $120 range for W2.
Couple things you will notice is we have a guest keeper on each team, also we have split the teams between out traditional offensive players and defensive players. The purpose is 2 fold it forces them to play some of the roles that they often aren't getting to play and they will be working on the short passing game with the people who normally surround them out door.
Depending who responds to the 2 team opportunity we may re-balance a little.
Please e-mail me your confirmation to play winter 2 and note if you would like to have the opportunity to play on both teams.
Coach Eric
serfdelp@fuse.net
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Winter 1 Reminder
Winter 1 begins this Saturday, finally...
Cost: $64 you can give me checks made our to Eric Delp or cash.
Uniform: Please wear Gray s4 shirt (or any gray), please bring Black s4 (or any black) as back-up.
Time: come by 6:30 and meet by the scoreboard end of the field.
Communication: we will use this blog and Twitter
Please follow: Wiekings on Twitter or
If you want text instead please text to: 40404 and in the message type: follow wiekings
This will be critical on snowy days etc.
Here's the team:
| Hunter |
| Sheena |
| Hope |
| Morgan |
| Kylie |
| Ciara |
| Hannah |
| Molly |
| Danielle |
| Annie |
| Lily |
| Taylor |
| Maria |
We will miss Lily, Molly and Taylor Lorenz this Saturday.
If anyone else will miss please let me know, quickly.
Coach Eric
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Winter 1 Schedule - Now Posted
The Winter 1 Schedule is now posted to the right side links and below. Please review and follow standings there. Also some of the games around Thanksgiving and Christmas are not so ideal. We will need to make sure we have enough players to cover. See you this Saturday at 7:00.
http://www.towncountrysports.com/schedules/Winter12014/73139654.html
http://www.towncountrysports.com/schedules/Winter12014/73139654.html
| WieKings | TEAM LOG IN  U16 Girls D1 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Winter 1 Indoor Starts Nov 8 @ 7 PM
Hello All,
1st game is Saturday the 8th at 7PM. Please get there by 6:30, bring your Gray S4 shirt from this summer and your white jersey.
The schedule is not posted yet when it is I will update the link to the right.
For now you can check the T & C website here for the D1 U16 Schedule.
http://www.towncountrysports.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::73171+Elements/Display+E+46241+Short/++++72075154
See you thne,
Coach Eric
1st game is Saturday the 8th at 7PM. Please get there by 6:30, bring your Gray S4 shirt from this summer and your white jersey.
The schedule is not posted yet when it is I will update the link to the right.
For now you can check the T & C website here for the D1 U16 Schedule.
http://www.towncountrysports.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp::73171+Elements/Display+E+46241+Short/++++72075154
See you thne,
Coach Eric
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Winter 1 is Coming
I know we are definitely needing a WieKings fix at our house we are really missing the best team out there, it seems like it has been forever since we finished the spring season.
I do not have the date yet but I am guessing we will have a game on Saturday, November 1st at Town and Country in the girls U16 D1 league. I know there are many that will not be able to play winter 1 but it sounded like we will have 8-10 which will be good.
We will wear the grey S4 jersey form this summer and a white KingsHammer as back-up. Any other Grey or white will work also if you do not have them.
The cost is $764/ by the number of girls that want to play Winter 1. The focus will be just getting out and having fun playing. Of course we want to see great passing and great S4 skills.
Also around the November end we will start some training at WieFit, we will update you as we decide days, time and content.
Please e-mail Coach Eric at:
serfdelp@fuse.net
with you intention to play or not to play winter 1.
Go WieKings,
Coach Eric
I do not have the date yet but I am guessing we will have a game on Saturday, November 1st at Town and Country in the girls U16 D1 league. I know there are many that will not be able to play winter 1 but it sounded like we will have 8-10 which will be good.
We will wear the grey S4 jersey form this summer and a white KingsHammer as back-up. Any other Grey or white will work also if you do not have them.
The cost is $764/ by the number of girls that want to play Winter 1. The focus will be just getting out and having fun playing. Of course we want to see great passing and great S4 skills.
Also around the November end we will start some training at WieFit, we will update you as we decide days, time and content.
Please e-mail Coach Eric at:
serfdelp@fuse.net
with you intention to play or not to play winter 1.
Go WieKings,
Coach Eric
Friday, September 19, 2014
Parent's Meeting Sunday
Hello WieKings Parents,
Let's get together Sunday at 3:00 at Gary's office.
Here's the Agenda:
1. Leagues and Tourneys for the Spring
a. KHA position and how we will work going forward
b. KPL U16 - What teams are in it
c. Which Tourneys
d. Need open weekend feedback from Parents for Gary's 9/27 Scheduling meeting
2. Late Fall early Spring Plan
a. T&C Winter 1 - just 8-10 players needed for fun?
b. T&C Winter 2 - how much interest?
c. Wall 2 Wall - can we commit?
d. Strength training and conditioning 1/week at least (more important now at their age than ever before).
e. S4 and skills/passing/first touch/ect practice-start probably early winter?
f. Potential practice nights/location through spring
3. Spring outdoor
a. When to start
b. Night, time and location(s) just idea
4. Potential Summer Team trip to Dallas (Eric can explain)
a. Dates, transportation, etc
b. Content - 3v3 tourney, Team camp with focus to request, McKinney tournament, sightseeing,
c. Cost and potential fund raising
There was an e-mail from Brian that has a call in number if you can't make it to Gary's office.
Address: 188 Barnwood Dr., Edgewood, KY 41017
Thanks,
Coach Eric
Let's get together Sunday at 3:00 at Gary's office.
Here's the Agenda:
1. Leagues and Tourneys for the Spring
a. KHA position and how we will work going forward
b. KPL U16 - What teams are in it
c. Which Tourneys
d. Need open weekend feedback from Parents for Gary's 9/27 Scheduling meeting
2. Late Fall early Spring Plan
a. T&C Winter 1 - just 8-10 players needed for fun?
b. T&C Winter 2 - how much interest?
c. Wall 2 Wall - can we commit?
d. Strength training and conditioning 1/week at least (more important now at their age than ever before).
e. S4 and skills/passing/first touch/ect practice-start probably early winter?
f. Potential practice nights/location through spring
3. Spring outdoor
a. When to start
b. Night, time and location(s) just idea
4. Potential Summer Team trip to Dallas (Eric can explain)
a. Dates, transportation, etc
b. Content - 3v3 tourney, Team camp with focus to request, McKinney tournament, sightseeing,
c. Cost and potential fund raising
There was an e-mail from Brian that has a call in number if you can't make it to Gary's office.
Address: 188 Barnwood Dr., Edgewood, KY 41017
Thanks,
Coach Eric
Saturday, June 21, 2014
3 v 3 Beach Tournament July 12-13
Hey WieKings,
Hope you are enjoying World Cup. Just saw the great end to the Argentina -Iran game. Messi scored his classic Run from the right and shot with the left what and ending.
I am looking for at least 4 girls to play a 3v3 beach tournament on July 12-13. It sounds like a lot of fun and a great place to show case the s4 skills you just worked on. If we get more interested we can add teams.
Cost will be $20-25, we will have at least 4 games and you get a tee-shirt.
I will take the 1st 4-5 that reply. If I get 10-12 we will make 2 teams.
The games will be at Hahana Beach http://hahanabeach.com/
And you can see info about the tournament here beechmontsoccerclub.com
There is also a great skills highlights video on the page that is worth looking at even if you aren't going to play.
If you do want to play please respond by Sunday night to serfdelp@fuse.net and let me know you are in.
Coach Eric
Hope you are enjoying World Cup. Just saw the great end to the Argentina -Iran game. Messi scored his classic Run from the right and shot with the left what and ending.
I am looking for at least 4 girls to play a 3v3 beach tournament on July 12-13. It sounds like a lot of fun and a great place to show case the s4 skills you just worked on. If we get more interested we can add teams.
Cost will be $20-25, we will have at least 4 games and you get a tee-shirt.
I will take the 1st 4-5 that reply. If I get 10-12 we will make 2 teams.
The games will be at Hahana Beach http://hahanabeach.com/
And you can see info about the tournament here beechmontsoccerclub.com
There is also a great skills highlights video on the page that is worth looking at even if you aren't going to play.
If you do want to play please respond by Sunday night to serfdelp@fuse.net and let me know you are in.
Coach Eric
Monday, June 16, 2014
Girls, Neil was gonna spend one of the nights this week
watching film as a tactical training session. He choose tonight and will be
watching the team USA World Cup game in the auditorium on the two big screens
where we met last time. Get there at
550. He wants to pick out thing to watch
for and u will b taking notes during the game. Thanks, Brian
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Word Cup is here!!!
Hey Wiekings,
Are you ready. Now its the most exciting time you will have in every 4 years.
Today World Cup starts with Brazil and Coratia, don't miss it.
Make sure to 1st sign-up and pick your bracket today.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You have been invited to join Kyle's Private Group, Sparks WC Pick 2 in World Soccer Pick'em.
In order to join the group, just go to http://us.wc.fantasysports.yahoo.com/world-cup/group/38387/invitation?key=ee61ebfaeba202b9, and click the "Join Group" button.
For your records, here is the Group ID#: 38387 .
We will send you a confirmation with further details once you have completed the registration process.
Thanks for joining and good luck!
World Soccer Pick'em
<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We will add more comments about players and styles of plays but here are a few highlights.
Center Forwards to watch: Roney (England), Benzema (France plays for Real Madrid)
Wingfowards: Ribery (France plays for Bayern Mucnich), Messi (Argentina plays for Barcelona, left footed but attacks from the right wing going across the middle), Ronaldo (Portugal plays for Real Madird, most skilled player in the World). Neymar (Brazil, plays for Barcelona 2nd most skilled player in the world). Robin (Netherlands plays for Bayern Munich).
Outside Mids: Di Maria (Argentina, plays for Real Madrid huge playmaker, incredible crosses)
Center mids (team quaterbacks with tremendous distributions): Schweinsteiger (Netherlands plays for Bayern), Xavi (Spain, plays for Barca).
Soooo many other great players and great teams. Reply to this blog with your favorites.
Brazil and maybe Argentina will be the most individual skilled teams so they will be exciting. But Spain will play the best possession as most players will come from Barca and Real so they will know each other the best and play the possession style.
Can't wait.
Coach Eric
Are you ready. Now its the most exciting time you will have in every 4 years.
Today World Cup starts with Brazil and Coratia, don't miss it.
Make sure to 1st sign-up and pick your bracket today.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You have been invited to join Kyle's Private Group, Sparks WC Pick 2 in World Soccer Pick'em.
In order to join the group, just go to http://us.wc.fantasysports.yahoo.com/world-cup/group/38387/invitation?key=ee61ebfaeba202b9, and click the "Join Group" button.
For your records, here is the Group ID#: 38387 .
We will send you a confirmation with further details once you have completed the registration process.
Thanks for joining and good luck!
World Soccer Pick'em
<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We will add more comments about players and styles of plays but here are a few highlights.
Center Forwards to watch: Roney (England), Benzema (France plays for Real Madrid)
Wingfowards: Ribery (France plays for Bayern Mucnich), Messi (Argentina plays for Barcelona, left footed but attacks from the right wing going across the middle), Ronaldo (Portugal plays for Real Madird, most skilled player in the World). Neymar (Brazil, plays for Barcelona 2nd most skilled player in the world). Robin (Netherlands plays for Bayern Munich).
Outside Mids: Di Maria (Argentina, plays for Real Madrid huge playmaker, incredible crosses)
Center mids (team quaterbacks with tremendous distributions): Schweinsteiger (Netherlands plays for Bayern), Xavi (Spain, plays for Barca).
Soooo many other great players and great teams. Reply to this blog with your favorites.
Brazil and maybe Argentina will be the most individual skilled teams so they will be exciting. But Spain will play the best possession as most players will come from Barca and Real so they will know each other the best and play the possession style.
Can't wait.
Coach Eric
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Thanks For A Great Season--Christmas Morning for me!
(Girls--this was written night before our first week of this state cup tourny--I meant to give you each this letter after our last game this year. Here it is...
Girls, 5/23/14
I am writing you this letter to tell you how proud I am of
you this year. Hopefully you are reading
this after the State Cup Finals. But if
not, I am just as proud—and I mean it.
We had stepped on the field at the beginning of the year
playing probably one of the very best u14 teams in the country from St. Louis. Boy, they were very good. I believe we were tied 0-0 at half, and
somehow, through your very hard work, lost 2-0.
Pretty amazing, and it allowed me to see a level of play that I am going
to do everything to get you there.
We then played a team from Tennessee. They were state cup winners and ranked first
in the state. You played well against
them. In fact, I left that game thinking
we are not far off from that team. They
were good, but you competed with them.
We were in tournaments that we would have never been invited to play in
a couple seasons ago. Just awesome.
I believe it was after that game that I realized it was time
to shake up our formation and introduce the 4-1-3-1 (also known as the
4-3-3). You QUICKLY caught on. We played the Blue Academy team (with some of
the Red players), and you really outplayed that team and came up with a 0-0
tie. Just awesome! And
boy, was that coach mad!
We then began league play.
You played and beat two teams that were just relegated from Buckeye
State division the previous season. You
played them so well, and I can remember some of you saying how “they were not
good teams”. Just a few thoughts about
those comments…. They were good teams, but you had improved your game so much,
and got so used to playing at the speed of some of the best teams in the
country, that you “graduated” from the level of those Buckeye teams. I think we were 3wins and 1 tie at that
point.
I don’t use excuses, but a fact is a fact. A VERY good defender for our team got
injured. A VERY good striker with a nose
for the goal got injured. And a winger
who was coming along strong towards end of last season got injured. We also had some conflicts with
basketball and track (and will have 18
next season to overcome it). Again, I
hate excuses and like to win no matter the adversity we are up against, but we
ended up finishing the season with a 3-3-2 record. I also can’t forget that fact that some of our
VERY best soccer was during a few of those games that we lost and tied. I can remember one game where we strung
together over 20+ passes without the other team touching the ball. No, we didn’t score that game, but your
Coaches had a vision of becoming a very good passing team. Girls, you “wowed” us that game with your
passing! It was just awesome.
Girls, if you told me before our season that we could finish
.500 in the Buckeye Elite 1 league against some Clubs top academy teams, I
would have been happy with that. But, I
know we are a team that always expects to win.
It’s that drive, of never being satisfied, that keeps us training so
hard to get better and better every season—and that’s what we’ve done again
this season.
No matter if you are reading this at the beginning of the
State Cup Tournament, or are reading this and we just won it all, I want you to
know that this season has been a success for us all. And I want you to also know that I carry our
losses on my shoulders.
I realized the very last practice of the season at Storr Field
that I did not work on finishing nearly enough this season, specifically coming
from crosses out of the air. So, for the
entire 1.5 hour practice, we practiced dribbling down the field and crossing,
with two girls running towards goal to take ball out of the air and finish with
one touch. You made HUGE progress in
that last practice, but I realized we should have been doing that very early in
the season. You played SO well this
season in league play, but we couldn’t finish.
It was the UC highlight film that Coach Stafford showed us, where I saw
that 90% of their goals were headers from crosses. So, that next day (our last practice before
our State Cup Tourny), I decided to make sure we would focus on that. And it was in the first 10 minutes I realized
we had a deficiency… All year we had worked on S4 skill, our new formation,
passing, defense, juggling, slotting, etc.
But, I don’t remember ever spending a practice on that.
With that said, I want you to know that everything we
focused on this year, you did VERY well.
Hopefully we’re reading this late in the Tourny, but regardless, it’s
very exciting for me going into next season knowing that we had such a
deficiency at taking balls out of the air from crosses to finish, and when we
master this next season, we will again take a giant leap in our success!!! Again girls, thanks for doing everything so
great that we focused on this year, and let me take every loss on my
shoulders—and I mean that. I assumed we could do something that I hadn’t
focused on—MY FAULT.
Lastly, I want each of you to know how much you mean to
me. Some people say I am obsessed with
soccer! I don’t think it’s truly soccer that I am
obsessed with. Its 16 wonderful girls
that have the best personalities I’ve seen that make me love coaching. Most girls your age can be so mean and catty
sometimes to each other. I don’t see
that from you girls. You all are such
wonderful girls that really care for one another. It’s you girls that make waking up in the
morning on game days seem like Christmas morning!
Thank each of you for every moment I was able to share with
you this season. I absolutely can’t wait
to watch you represent your high school teams this fall. And I can pretty much guarantee that people
in the stands will be saying things like “who is that girl, she is really
good”. And someone will answer that
question by saying, “I believe she is one of those girls from that WieKings
team”. You’re all awesome!
Sincerely,
Brian
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Post Game Notes
Girls,
I realize I said I wasn't going to send anything out, and I didn't last game either, so for me to go two games without post game notes might send me over the edge :) . But seriously, after having a little time to reflect, I realize I should have let you all leave much earlier on a much more positive note heading into the State Cup (Yes, Heidi wasn't happy waiting on me!), and I realized we did do something very important that we hadn't done in a few games (more on that below). As coach Eric said, the first 15 minutes were awful, the second 15 minutes got much better when you found your passing game. The second half wasn't terrible, but got worse as time progressed. We looked very tired. We had two subs, so we will begin to sub much faster for some girls.
Ok, I am writing this because as bad as I made it sound after the game, I realized something. Yes, we are obviously in a big rutt looking at our last 1/2 of the season, but today we got very good shots. Morgan had two very open shots. Molly had one open shot beginning of game. Jenna had an open shot attacking the middle that first half. Ciara had two head balls for shots and a nice volley out of the air that went to the goalie. I might be missing more, but all of those shots were VERY makable shots that we do DEFINITELY need to finish. And there may have been more, but that's all I remember. Anyway, those 7 shots were all much better looks than we've gotten for a while.... That is a huge positive in itself.
I know we haven't played on grass or practiced on grass for a very long time, and it was thick today. We had all 3 practices on hard floor last week and our last 4-5 games have been on turf (but other teams had to cancel practices last week due to weather!). All of our passing was very short and soft today. Girls who usually have a very good touch were leaving passes short. So I know the grass was a factor. But girls, we have to adjust. We have to adjust. Warm-ups should have been enough to work-out your touch on grass.
We also are not taking balls out of the air. When I said I watched 12 year old's this weekend using their head on the first touch from a goalies LONG punt, I mean it--they did almost every time. We still have yet to do that. Unfortunately we don't have enough subs due to injury for me to create habits by subbing out girls when you don't do this. So, it has to simply come from your heart. Anticipate where the ball is going to be, get there, and win it out of the air everytime, and other girls need to be options for you when you win it.
Girls, we got great shots today, stay positive. But I ask you to remember how much you hated when we tied the first league game of this season. We started 3-1, and finished 3-3-2 (.500). I remember the first league tie of the season just a month ago--you would have thought we lost the world cup. You all left it on the field--every ounce of heart, and I've never seen so many upset, ticked off girls as I saw that day after that tie. I need you to hate to lose or tie again. I need you to hate it. I need you to not accept it. I need you to hate losing as much as I do. We will advance next weekend. I can only promise this -- If you hate to lose as much as you did the first league tie of this season, when I thought you actually played incredible soccer and I told you so, you will advance. But if you have become comfortable with ties or losses over the last few games, then it will be a short trip. How much you hate losing and love winning is determined when you think you don't have much left on the field, but you continue to dig deep every second of the game you are on the field. That is when it's determined how much a loss or win means to you. I said it last week--Just last season we went undefeated in league play, and I walked away from some games thinking "we might have gotten a little lucky, and that our hard work overpowered teams that may have been a touch more skilled; but this season I have walked away from the last 4-5 games thinking that we absolutely should have won and were the better team every game". That statement applies again today. And that is so frustrating for me, and I hope it is frustrating enough for you to step up and work harder and SMARTER.
Please show me I think you have what it takes. Please leave every single ounce of your heart on the field--for me--and for you.. I am open to hear any of THE GIRLS comments below. Enjoy your evening, have a great day at school, and see you at practice.
Brian
I realize I said I wasn't going to send anything out, and I didn't last game either, so for me to go two games without post game notes might send me over the edge :) . But seriously, after having a little time to reflect, I realize I should have let you all leave much earlier on a much more positive note heading into the State Cup (Yes, Heidi wasn't happy waiting on me!), and I realized we did do something very important that we hadn't done in a few games (more on that below). As coach Eric said, the first 15 minutes were awful, the second 15 minutes got much better when you found your passing game. The second half wasn't terrible, but got worse as time progressed. We looked very tired. We had two subs, so we will begin to sub much faster for some girls.
Ok, I am writing this because as bad as I made it sound after the game, I realized something. Yes, we are obviously in a big rutt looking at our last 1/2 of the season, but today we got very good shots. Morgan had two very open shots. Molly had one open shot beginning of game. Jenna had an open shot attacking the middle that first half. Ciara had two head balls for shots and a nice volley out of the air that went to the goalie. I might be missing more, but all of those shots were VERY makable shots that we do DEFINITELY need to finish. And there may have been more, but that's all I remember. Anyway, those 7 shots were all much better looks than we've gotten for a while.... That is a huge positive in itself.
I know we haven't played on grass or practiced on grass for a very long time, and it was thick today. We had all 3 practices on hard floor last week and our last 4-5 games have been on turf (but other teams had to cancel practices last week due to weather!). All of our passing was very short and soft today. Girls who usually have a very good touch were leaving passes short. So I know the grass was a factor. But girls, we have to adjust. We have to adjust. Warm-ups should have been enough to work-out your touch on grass.
We also are not taking balls out of the air. When I said I watched 12 year old's this weekend using their head on the first touch from a goalies LONG punt, I mean it--they did almost every time. We still have yet to do that. Unfortunately we don't have enough subs due to injury for me to create habits by subbing out girls when you don't do this. So, it has to simply come from your heart. Anticipate where the ball is going to be, get there, and win it out of the air everytime, and other girls need to be options for you when you win it.
Girls, we got great shots today, stay positive. But I ask you to remember how much you hated when we tied the first league game of this season. We started 3-1, and finished 3-3-2 (.500). I remember the first league tie of the season just a month ago--you would have thought we lost the world cup. You all left it on the field--every ounce of heart, and I've never seen so many upset, ticked off girls as I saw that day after that tie. I need you to hate to lose or tie again. I need you to hate it. I need you to not accept it. I need you to hate losing as much as I do. We will advance next weekend. I can only promise this -- If you hate to lose as much as you did the first league tie of this season, when I thought you actually played incredible soccer and I told you so, you will advance. But if you have become comfortable with ties or losses over the last few games, then it will be a short trip. How much you hate losing and love winning is determined when you think you don't have much left on the field, but you continue to dig deep every second of the game you are on the field. That is when it's determined how much a loss or win means to you. I said it last week--Just last season we went undefeated in league play, and I walked away from some games thinking "we might have gotten a little lucky, and that our hard work overpowered teams that may have been a touch more skilled; but this season I have walked away from the last 4-5 games thinking that we absolutely should have won and were the better team every game". That statement applies again today. And that is so frustrating for me, and I hope it is frustrating enough for you to step up and work harder and SMARTER.
Please show me I think you have what it takes. Please leave every single ounce of your heart on the field--for me--and for you.. I am open to hear any of THE GIRLS comments below. Enjoy your evening, have a great day at school, and see you at practice.
Brian
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