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!

Contribution #2 - Defending

Simply put, competitive players defend.  There is "competitive pride" associated with wanting the ball back.  When a competitive player loses the ball,  they take responsibility to win it back. Chicas programming teaches and encourages players the art of defending: 1v1, small group, and team.  Believing the fun part of the game is having the ball, we teach methods to not only win the ball back, but also controlling/influencing how the opponent plays (or moves the ball).

The Chicas Performance Pillars, measure and define the defending principles needed to advance as a player and team.  The defending pillar is vital for players wanting to compete at the higher levels.  Today's contribution is: DEFENDING.  

• 1v1 Defending
  • transition (attacking to defending with immediacy)
  • anticipation
    • recognition of what is happening
    • recognition of what will happen next
  • winning the ball
    • recognizing visual cues of opponent as to when, where and how to win the ball
    • stepping in and winning the ball
    • winning touch = possession touch
    • arm wars
    • shoulder charging
    • swim moves to separate opponent from the ball
    • tackling:  timing, technique, methods
    • positioning; starting position, claiming space, identifying landing points
    • body shape
    • footwork
    • forcing direction
    • forcing dribbler square or negative
    • delaying opposition
    • winning entry balls
    • clearing the ball; head, volley, 1 touch, and flighted to safe zones
• Small Group Defending - Pairs
  • transition (attacking to defending with immediacy)
  • communication
  • No Split Methodology (c)
  • body shape
  • recovery angles
  • deny penetration
  • force opponent square or negative
  • forcing player on the ball to defending partner
  • maintaining shape
  • passing players on
  • double teaming
  • tackle and separate
  • to speed up or slow down your teams advancement of the ball and runs 
• Team Defending - Tactics
  • transition (attacking to defending with immediacy)
  • communication
  • recovery priorities
  • body shape of players in ea. defending blocks
  • starting shape
  • marking
  • forcing opposition square or negative
  • stepping collectively compacting space
  • traveling with the ball
  • passing opponent on
  • zonal defending
  • defending blocks
  • defending zones
  • lines of contention
  • pressing
  • low pressure
  • high pressure
  • trap
  • set pieces
• Defending Psychology
  • defending is controlled fury
  • defending is art
  • winning touch is possession touch
  • composure/calm
  • embracing the physical aspects
  • determined/committed 
  • focus/concentration
  • communication
  • starting positions
  • awareness

Future posts will cover:

• Scoring
• Creating
• Influence  

Work. Love. Share.  We are the Chicas!

Contribution #1 - Possession

The Chicas programming is based on skill, ball mastery, and possession. We believe the fun part of the game is the ball.  The more we have of the ball, the more engaged players become, the more touches players get, the more chances we create as a team, and the more fun we have playing the game.  We teach, and expect, our players and teams to not only possess the ball, but move the ball with artistry, tempo, and rhythm. 

Over the course of the next week, we will be sharing the lens in which we teach the game.  Using Performance Pillars, we are able to not only measure a performance, but further define and paint the picture for players to apply what is learned in a meaningful way.  This will result in strong contributions, advancement, and greater enjoyment of the game.  Today's insight is: POSSESSION. 

• First Touch
  • controlling the ball with intention
  • moving with your first touch to: 1. Penetrate,  2. Tight Control, 3. Separate from pressure, 4. Prepare to execute an idea
  • using all surfaces of your body to control ball: feet (all surfaces), thigh, chest, back, shoulder, head
• Dribbling
  • to penetrate; advancing ball up field, or behind opposition
  • to possess; to separate from opposition
  • to create; moving opposition for pass, continued dribble, shot, service, or create space for teammates run
  • to speed up or slow down your teams advancement of the ball and runs 
• Passing
  • to feet; on the floor, sharp, accurate, appropriate weight and texture
  • positive passes that breakdown opponents defensive blocks
  • speed of play; minimal touches, fluidity, simple, ball remains in motion 
  • combination play

Players that make a consistent positive contribution to their team, training, and games, the greater opportunities and enjoyment.  

Future posts will cover:

• Defending
• Scoring
• Creating
• Influence  

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!