Good news! I have learned that the Southwestern Soccer Boosters will be paying for our socks this year! Make sure you hunt them down and thank them!
For those of you that already brought money to Coach White we will get it back to you.
Reminder that there is a team gathering at Jackson Rybicki’s house Sunday at 5pm. Everyone is more than welcome to come and have a bite to eat. It is a bit more for the boys, however, it is a great chance to meet all the parents and bond a bit!
The modified soccer season is here. Starting Monday morning we are full blast towards getting better for the tough schedule of games ahead. If you have not checked for updates of the schedule please do so here: https://www.coachdeering.com/southwestern-boys-modified-soccer-schedule/
First, Every player needs to do the Baseline Concussion Test before they practice. Coach Sleggs will be staying after practice tomorrow (Aug 14th) and also he will be available Saturday morning (Aug 15th) at 8am (ONLY) – meet at the dome. For those not able to do it by the end of the conditioning week, we will make the test available every morning. However, obviously this takes us and the player away from the practice field. We completely understand that not everyone was able to do the test this week which is fine, just plan on doing it first thing Saturday or Monday morning.
Secondly, as many of you know, we will be having tryouts this year. We have over 30 boys signed up for the team. Unfortunately, we only have 18 uniforms to be used for games.
This has been agonizing for me since the day I learned about the large number of players. I know that there is a chance that I will have to cut kids that I have coached for many years. Kids that I very much care about. Cut day will be one of the toughest days of my coaching career. However, it is what it is.
For many for the players this is the first time they have tried out for a team. It will be a great experience for the ones that make the team, and one of the worst experiences for the others. As parents, I highly recommend that you prepare your player this weekend for either outcome. We need to let them know how that act whether they make the team or not.
For the kids that make the team we need to make sure they do not make the ones that did not fell even worse then they already will.
For the kids that make the team we need to make sure they do not lose the love for the game and the desire to play. The best thing they could do is to keep practicing a watching soccer games. Coming out to cheer on their friends on the team. Keeping their heads up and focused on making the team next year.
The quality of players trying out is high. The competition should be very tough. Players need to stay confident and proud no matter what happens.
I highly recommend a good energy filled diet over the next few days and throughout the season. Stay away from pizza and wings or fast food. Fruits and veggies, lean meats, and lots of water.
Keep water flowing. Staying hydrating is vital to performing at your best. It helps with your energy level, focus, and preventing injuries.
Every player should wake up every morning confident and ready to go. If they believe that they will probably not make the team… they probably won’t. They have to believe or otherwise it is very difficult for other to believe in them.
Get Sleep! The more sleep they have, the better they will perform. We have to practices during the tryouts. They will be exhausted by the end of the day. Only makes sense to be in bed no later then 10pm every night (if not earlier).
Have your player watch and practice the Footworkx videos found here: https://www.coachdeering.com/footworkx-technical-ball-skills/
We will be doing them just about everyday. I think it is obvious that by knowing how to do the drills before they get to the field is a huge advantage.
Have all the proper equipment for every practice. NO SHIN PADS or CLEATS, NO PRACTICE. I would hate to have a player sit and miss a tryout session because of this.
Hit the field ready to work! Because we have a lot to do we can not have a lot of goofing around and lack of focus. The lack of time does not allow me to repeat directions to many times. I will do my best to describe activities completely. It is the players responsibility to pay attention and hear everything that I say.
I love EFFORT! It gets bonus points. It must be controlled and focused on playing fair. Out of control crashing into other players will not be taken to lightly. Racing around fully focused on the task at hand is what I am looking for.
I will call and tell everyone individually whether they made the team either between practices Thursday afternoon or after the evening practice. Sorry, I have not quite decided on this.