Contribution #3 - Score

The Chicas programming is based on the Performance Pillars, that result in possession, defending, creating, and scoring. We believe the fun part of the game is the ball.  Through our teaching methods, possession is intended to create chances, chances to score goals.  The more chances you create the more goals you can score...in theory.  The biggest challenge in scoring goals is the quality of your opportunities.  Consider this...each team has one primary objective, to put the ball in the opponent's goal.  The opponent has 11 players, including one that can use her hands, all trying to stop your team from scoring.   Navigating the opposition, creating, and finally scoring requires choreography, technical precision, luck, determination, improvisation, and the ability to deliver in that detail moment.  

To make it even more challenging, the higher the level of play,  the more challenging it is to score goals. The reason for this is the level of athleticism, skill, and organization from the opposition.   This is the art and science of scoring goals: when, where and how . Today's insight is: SCORING. 

Finishing/Shooting - Technique

• laces - driven, chipped, lofted, bending/dipping
  • volley
  • off the half bounce (half volley)
  • bicycle
  • flick
• inside of feet
  • slot
  • pass
  • bending
  • re-directing
• outside of feet
  • bending
• heading
  • direct
  • flick
• outside the box
  • driven
  • lofted
  • chipped
  • bending
  • volley
  • half volley
  • side volley
• inside the box
  • snap shot
  • redirect
  • slot
  • driven
  • volley
  • half volley
  • side volley
  • toe
  • head
  • bicycle
  • heel
  • flick
• from crosses
  • near post
  • far post
  • trailer
  • flick
  • head
  • volley
• set pieces
  • direct kicks
    • direct shot on goal
    • driven
    • lofted
    • bending
  • indirect kicks
    • choreographed movement/service
    • cross and finishing 
    • touch and shoot
  • penalty kicks
    • slot
    • driven
    • chipped
    • trickery

So many options, so many decisions, so many ways....and yet it is one of the most challenging aspects of the game.  Scoring goals...the ultimate contribution.

Work. Love. Share. We are the Chicas!

Beast Mode Soccer Challenge

Our staff coach, Tom Park, discovered a great program called "Beast Mode Soccer". This is a wonderful series for accelerating your development with the ball.  Ball mastery is the crux of Chicas soccer.  Master the ball, we master the game.  So here is your Winter Challenge:

• December - Beast Mode Phase I Footwork Program
  • 20 minutes x 5 days/week
• January - Beast Mode Phase II Footwork Program
  • 20 minutes x 5 days/week
• February - Beast Mode Phase III Footwork Program
  • 30 minutes x 4 days/week

Send me video (michaelmarchforth@gmail.com) of you working on the skills from these videos, and be selected for placement on our website and Facebook page.  Top performers each month, judged by staff, will receive Chicas gear!   

Be your possibility!  Work. Love. Share.  We are the Chicas! 

Beast Mode Soccer Phase I Footwork Program

Beast Mode Soccer Phase II Footwork Program

Beast Mode Soccer Phase III Footwork Program

Futsal Programming Focus U9-U12 - The Dribble

Development focus for Chicas Futsal Programming:

• U9-U12 - 1v1 Dribbling to:
  • Possession (maintain possession, separate from pressure, take space)
  • Penetrate (beating defenders and advance)
  • Unbalance defense (drag defensive out of shape)
  • Delay/Speed up attack (advancing with speed before defense recovers, or delay to allow our team to advance/support)

The below video is of Andres Iniesta, FC Barcelona (Central Midfielder).  In these video clips he demonstrates all of the above listed dribbling techniques.  Observe his body, balance, awareness of where space and pressure is, change of speed/direction, and complete composure at all times. Work. Love. Share.  We are the Chicas!