Now that my second year as a college assistant coach has come to an end, I finally have time to sit down and write about my experience this year. At first, I was going to write an overall synopsis of how the season went from the team and coaching perspective. Instead, I'm going to write about the difference between last year and this year, and what I endured as a coach this year that I didn't last year.
Last year, I became the assistant right after I finished my college career so some of the guys I played with were still on the team and I felt more like a trainer than an actual coach at times. This year, however, we graduated many seniors the previous season which means this season we had a bunch of new faces (some where transfers and the rest freshman). So, already I had felt my role had changed from someone who was there to train the goalkeepers and help out the team, to having to step up and actually be more of a coach, especially to the newer players. And I would say this is the biggest change from my first season to my second season as an assistant coach.
Secondly, I expected this season to pick up right where the team left off the previous year, which was fighting for a conference title and getting a national bid. However, the team struggled this season and as a player or coach (club/college), this was the first time I had ever been apart of a team that lost so many games. As a youth club player, developmental academy players, high school, or collegiate player I was not used to losing and it was a real struggle for me. So, one big thing I had to manage was myself and my emotions so that I can make the proper adjustments per game or session for my players, and especially my goalkeepers.
Lastly, man/player management was a huge part of my development as a coach this year. In my first year as an assistant I personally knew many of the players on the team, so I didn't really have to man manage as much as I just had to train them and help them out with whatever questions they had. This year I had an entire new group of goalkeepers (except for 1) and this was the first time I had to have the conversation of "why you're not starting" or "why you need to compete." On top of the rocky start the team had this year and some inner-squad quarrel that was going on, I had to quickly figure out how to man manage players. One reference I used was Sir Alex Ferguson's book, Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United, where he talks about how he man managed some of the world's most talented footballers, and the biggest take I had was that you cannot manage everyone the same to get the best out of them to make them competitive. So, although this wasn't the biggest change I had to make from year 1 to year 2, it certainly was the most challenging piece of coaching I endured.
Overall, this year from a team perspective the season did not go as we wanted or were planning at all. However, as a coach I learned so much and as tough as this year was I believe my development as a coach has grown. And I think that is the biggest thing to take away from this post, no matter if you're in the business world or a soccer coach, you should be always looking to develop and get better at your trade. I know I am a young coach with much to learn, but even a 65 year old coach should still be a student of the game, because even Sir Alex Ferguson didn't have all the answers.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Friday, July 19, 2019
USWNT, 2019 World & U.S. Champs!
There has been a lot of controversy of the United States Women's National Soccer Team before, during, and after this past 2019 World Cup in France. A few players, mainly Megan Rapinoe, have been put under heavy criticism during and after the World Cup about their comments and actions on the White House, equal pay, post-World Cup celebrations, etc... You name it, and they've been criticized on it, and now I want to give my opinion about this 2019 U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. I'm going to break this down into three sections of 1) Equal Pay, 2) White House comments, and 3) post-World Cup celebrations.
1) Equal Pay
First off, I am not going to sit here and type this issue like I know every detail of it, because I don't. I just want to give my opinion of the situation from research that I've been doing. According to the research, "Equal Pay" is not possible, not yet! It is not because the men bring in more money (because they haven't), but because as the economics show, there just is not enough investment in the women's game at this moment in time. I think Megan Rapinoe and the rest of the Women's National Team know this, which is why crying out for equal pay after a World Cup win is brilliant.
From a marketing point of view, the women know that every four years they get the biggest stage soccer has to offer, and during those 2-3 months they are doing everything they can to be heard. They know that equal pay will not come instantly, but they also know that being on the World's stage gives them a platform to try and connect and market to more investors and fans. I think it's a brilliant marketing strategy, and it seems to be working. Whether good or bad, women's soccer has been discussed at the highest-level on a consistent basis over the past few months. I'm not sure if it will fade but this team is doing something special for the Women's game.
2) White House Comments
WHO CARES! There's plenty of athletes, NBA teams, and NFL teams who refused to go to the White House and they were praised for using their freedom of speech. The USWNT's response shouldn't be treated any different, because whether you agree with them or not, its literally their right to do whatever they want. I don't think the President will lose any sleep if Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan don't come to the White House, same as he didn't lose sleep when the Golden State Warriors refused to go.
3) Post World Cup Celebrations
Nobody should have a problem with their post World Cup celebrations because all athletes dance, chant, drink, and cheer after they win a championship. And the USWNT should be able to celebrate more because they didn't just win a domestic league, they won the highest level of international soccer you can play. Megan Rapinoe dancing on stage during a celebration of her team shouldn't be looked down on any more than J.R. Smith walking around with his shirt off and drinking a bottle of Hennessy during the Cleveland Cavaliers post NBA Championship celebration-parade, which everyone thought was hilarious and it was! Realistically these women only get a few months every 4 years to be the main focus of soccer, especially in the U.S., so they are just trying to have fun while it lasts.
Did I think the USWNT were the best and most consistent team at the 2019 Women's World Cup? Nope. Did I think they played the best soccer technically? I really didn't. Do I care about either one of those points? No, because it doesn't matter... They won the World Cup, and this being the most competitive the Women's World Cup has ever been, I think they have reason to celebrate. Some might say they got lucky in the knockout stages getting two penalty kicks to help them advance, but as Ernest Hemingway said, "You make your own luck." Lucky to get those two PKs? Maybe. But it was more important to be in those positions to make themselves lucky.
So, let the women celebrate because they earned it. And if you're all about "Equal Pay" and getting the ladies paid more, then make sure you're supporting the NWSL, buying USWNT and NWSL merchandise, posting about the women's league, and help them get their sales to go up so that investors recognize them. That is the best way these women will get paid, not fairly (because according to the economics they are already getting paid fairly), but making sure they are getting paid better.
1) Equal Pay
First off, I am not going to sit here and type this issue like I know every detail of it, because I don't. I just want to give my opinion of the situation from research that I've been doing. According to the research, "Equal Pay" is not possible, not yet! It is not because the men bring in more money (because they haven't), but because as the economics show, there just is not enough investment in the women's game at this moment in time. I think Megan Rapinoe and the rest of the Women's National Team know this, which is why crying out for equal pay after a World Cup win is brilliant.
From a marketing point of view, the women know that every four years they get the biggest stage soccer has to offer, and during those 2-3 months they are doing everything they can to be heard. They know that equal pay will not come instantly, but they also know that being on the World's stage gives them a platform to try and connect and market to more investors and fans. I think it's a brilliant marketing strategy, and it seems to be working. Whether good or bad, women's soccer has been discussed at the highest-level on a consistent basis over the past few months. I'm not sure if it will fade but this team is doing something special for the Women's game.
2) White House Comments
WHO CARES! There's plenty of athletes, NBA teams, and NFL teams who refused to go to the White House and they were praised for using their freedom of speech. The USWNT's response shouldn't be treated any different, because whether you agree with them or not, its literally their right to do whatever they want. I don't think the President will lose any sleep if Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan don't come to the White House, same as he didn't lose sleep when the Golden State Warriors refused to go.
3) Post World Cup Celebrations
Nobody should have a problem with their post World Cup celebrations because all athletes dance, chant, drink, and cheer after they win a championship. And the USWNT should be able to celebrate more because they didn't just win a domestic league, they won the highest level of international soccer you can play. Megan Rapinoe dancing on stage during a celebration of her team shouldn't be looked down on any more than J.R. Smith walking around with his shirt off and drinking a bottle of Hennessy during the Cleveland Cavaliers post NBA Championship celebration-parade, which everyone thought was hilarious and it was! Realistically these women only get a few months every 4 years to be the main focus of soccer, especially in the U.S., so they are just trying to have fun while it lasts.
Did I think the USWNT were the best and most consistent team at the 2019 Women's World Cup? Nope. Did I think they played the best soccer technically? I really didn't. Do I care about either one of those points? No, because it doesn't matter... They won the World Cup, and this being the most competitive the Women's World Cup has ever been, I think they have reason to celebrate. Some might say they got lucky in the knockout stages getting two penalty kicks to help them advance, but as Ernest Hemingway said, "You make your own luck." Lucky to get those two PKs? Maybe. But it was more important to be in those positions to make themselves lucky.
So, let the women celebrate because they earned it. And if you're all about "Equal Pay" and getting the ladies paid more, then make sure you're supporting the NWSL, buying USWNT and NWSL merchandise, posting about the women's league, and help them get their sales to go up so that investors recognize them. That is the best way these women will get paid, not fairly (because according to the economics they are already getting paid fairly), but making sure they are getting paid better.
Friday, May 31, 2019
College Soccer (Part 2)
In my last post I talked about my top 5 moments/experiences while playing college soccer at Olivet Nazarene University and how special those moments were for me. This next post will be about what I believe to be the 5 most important aspects of succeeding at the college soccer level.
1) Off Season
There is nothing more important than what you do during you're off season. I use to believe all your development whether physically or mentally was done during the season, and the off season is your time to relax and recoup...AND THAT IS DEAD WRONG! Although it is important to recovery during the off season (because everyone needs a break), the summer is when you need to be putting in the work to get better. If you're an incoming freshman, use the the summer to get as in-shape as possible so that you don't fall behind when preseason starts, and try to play with players that are above your skill level so that you can get a taste of what you'll be experiencing in the Fall. If you're a substitute player off the bench, use the summer to work on improving your technical and fitness development so that you are pushing for a starting position next season. Lastly, if you're a starter, use the summer to improve on something that will make you an even better player next year (because everyone needs to work on something, and don't think that spot is guaranteed next year).
2) So, You're Not Starting (Especially for GKs)
Trust me, there is nothing more devastating than you're name not being in the starting line-up while your friends are out there on the field, especially if you're a goalkeeper. Usually, you think the decision is political or because the person in front of you has seniority. However, if you play for a good coach they won't care who or what you are, the best players will play. Sometimes it isn't about being more skillful, but maybe someone has better chemistry with their person they're playing next to, or the coach just might not think you're experienced enough yet. I know many times my own players had come up to me during warm-ups or at practice the next day with the same statement, "Why aren't you playing? You should be the one starting." As a top player though, you have to learn how to deal with those decisions and work harder in practice and during the off season to show that coach why you should be playing. Trust me, the coach wants nothing more than to have a hard decision on who to start, because that means he is comfortable with whoever he puts out on the field. And when it comes to coaching, confidence in your players is key.
3) You're Diet
I learned this one the hard way. Preseason came and went and I wasn't the starting choice at first, so I decided eating McDonald's and pizza everyday would be okay since I wasn't going to play anyway. However, during the beginning of the season my freshman year I was named starting goalkeeper 5 games in and I was not at my best at first. I had to work hard to get back into somewhat shape, because getting in shape during the season is difficult because you are playing, practicing, and going to school every day. Over the last three years of my college career, especially during season, my diet wasn't the best but it wasn't pizza and McDonald's and it showed in my performance. You will be surprised how much quicker you are physically and mentally if you're eating right.
4) You're Attitude
It doesn't matter how good or talented you are, attitude is everything on and off the field. I have played with some talented players over my four years, but some of them had pretty bad attitudes, and in my opinion it is even worst to have a bad attitude if you do not already get regular play time. As much as players don't think coaches notice, they do! Poor attitudes on the field hurt team chemistry whether you're playing or on the bench, because negativity brings others down. So, have a good attitude even if you're mad about play time, because it is not your teammates fault that you're not being selected. So, make sure you lift them up because coaches notice that and you will see how much it improves your game.
Attitude off the field and in the classroom is just as important. My freshman year there were times when I was more focused on soccer and hanging out with friends which caused my grades to suffer which did affect my game. Because instead of worrying about playing, I was having to worry about getting a good grade on the next test/assignment because otherwise I would be ineligible. So, make sure you have a positive attitude about all aspects of college, especially on what you're going to school for like soccer, sports, and the classroom.
5) Freshman Preseason
Obviously as a freshman you have more or less of an idea of what to exactly expect going into your first preseason. I think my freshman year preseason is what set me up for a successful career at ONU, because I worked hard and made an effort to get to know my teammates. That first preseason leaves an impression on your teammates and coaches, and will probably determine whether you get the nod or not your first year. And if you're able to get that play time as a freshman and keep working hard to keep it, then it will be hard to take away from you. If you're working hard and confident your coaches will see that, and your teammates will also see that and will trust you more on the pitch. Lastly, make an effort to get to know your teammates. I'm not saying to go and bug them, but make a conscious effort to talk to them, ask them questions, and let them get to know you. If you're too shy or too quiet it might be hard to build relationships which does affect team chemistry, so make an effort.
I hope you enjoyed these last two posts. Again, now that I finally finished college I was able to give my breakdowns from a player's point of view on how to be a successful college soccer player. I would love to do one from a coach's point of view in the future (as I am currently the assistant/head GK coach at ONU), but that will be later down the road. See you next time!
1) Off Season
There is nothing more important than what you do during you're off season. I use to believe all your development whether physically or mentally was done during the season, and the off season is your time to relax and recoup...AND THAT IS DEAD WRONG! Although it is important to recovery during the off season (because everyone needs a break), the summer is when you need to be putting in the work to get better. If you're an incoming freshman, use the the summer to get as in-shape as possible so that you don't fall behind when preseason starts, and try to play with players that are above your skill level so that you can get a taste of what you'll be experiencing in the Fall. If you're a substitute player off the bench, use the summer to work on improving your technical and fitness development so that you are pushing for a starting position next season. Lastly, if you're a starter, use the summer to improve on something that will make you an even better player next year (because everyone needs to work on something, and don't think that spot is guaranteed next year).
2) So, You're Not Starting (Especially for GKs)
Trust me, there is nothing more devastating than you're name not being in the starting line-up while your friends are out there on the field, especially if you're a goalkeeper. Usually, you think the decision is political or because the person in front of you has seniority. However, if you play for a good coach they won't care who or what you are, the best players will play. Sometimes it isn't about being more skillful, but maybe someone has better chemistry with their person they're playing next to, or the coach just might not think you're experienced enough yet. I know many times my own players had come up to me during warm-ups or at practice the next day with the same statement, "Why aren't you playing? You should be the one starting." As a top player though, you have to learn how to deal with those decisions and work harder in practice and during the off season to show that coach why you should be playing. Trust me, the coach wants nothing more than to have a hard decision on who to start, because that means he is comfortable with whoever he puts out on the field. And when it comes to coaching, confidence in your players is key.
3) You're Diet
I learned this one the hard way. Preseason came and went and I wasn't the starting choice at first, so I decided eating McDonald's and pizza everyday would be okay since I wasn't going to play anyway. However, during the beginning of the season my freshman year I was named starting goalkeeper 5 games in and I was not at my best at first. I had to work hard to get back into somewhat shape, because getting in shape during the season is difficult because you are playing, practicing, and going to school every day. Over the last three years of my college career, especially during season, my diet wasn't the best but it wasn't pizza and McDonald's and it showed in my performance. You will be surprised how much quicker you are physically and mentally if you're eating right.
4) You're Attitude
It doesn't matter how good or talented you are, attitude is everything on and off the field. I have played with some talented players over my four years, but some of them had pretty bad attitudes, and in my opinion it is even worst to have a bad attitude if you do not already get regular play time. As much as players don't think coaches notice, they do! Poor attitudes on the field hurt team chemistry whether you're playing or on the bench, because negativity brings others down. So, have a good attitude even if you're mad about play time, because it is not your teammates fault that you're not being selected. So, make sure you lift them up because coaches notice that and you will see how much it improves your game.
Attitude off the field and in the classroom is just as important. My freshman year there were times when I was more focused on soccer and hanging out with friends which caused my grades to suffer which did affect my game. Because instead of worrying about playing, I was having to worry about getting a good grade on the next test/assignment because otherwise I would be ineligible. So, make sure you have a positive attitude about all aspects of college, especially on what you're going to school for like soccer, sports, and the classroom.
5) Freshman Preseason
Obviously as a freshman you have more or less of an idea of what to exactly expect going into your first preseason. I think my freshman year preseason is what set me up for a successful career at ONU, because I worked hard and made an effort to get to know my teammates. That first preseason leaves an impression on your teammates and coaches, and will probably determine whether you get the nod or not your first year. And if you're able to get that play time as a freshman and keep working hard to keep it, then it will be hard to take away from you. If you're working hard and confident your coaches will see that, and your teammates will also see that and will trust you more on the pitch. Lastly, make an effort to get to know your teammates. I'm not saying to go and bug them, but make a conscious effort to talk to them, ask them questions, and let them get to know you. If you're too shy or too quiet it might be hard to build relationships which does affect team chemistry, so make an effort.
I hope you enjoyed these last two posts. Again, now that I finally finished college I was able to give my breakdowns from a player's point of view on how to be a successful college soccer player. I would love to do one from a coach's point of view in the future (as I am currently the assistant/head GK coach at ONU), but that will be later down the road. See you next time!
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