ISSUE #2
July 1, 2010
Canada Day!
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Quote of the Week
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"Those who seek only to win are forever confronted by loss."
Charles Cotton
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 Recommended Media
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Here's a book that has inspired many a genius action in recent years. I give it a strong recommendation for those of you looking to find deeper meaning in the game we call Life.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
by Dan Millman
Enjoy!
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HomeSkills
Challenge |
Weekly challenges for you to do at home. Taken from Charles' groundbreaking Book Series: HomeSkills Magic: The Soccer Genius HomePlay System
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Balls in the Bucket
Challenge yourself to this fun one! You'll need a soccer ball (the smaller the better) and a container twice as wide and twice as deep as the ball. A bucket or small laundry basket are excellent choices.
- Stand 2 big steps away from the bucket.
- Ball placed in front of one foot.
- Toe flick the ball into the bucket.
- Smile, yes smile, and shout I AM A SOCCER GENIUS!
- Challenge yourself to see how many you can do in a row
- And challenge yourself to see how many you can do in 30 seconds.
Be sure to complete the challenge with each foot. A Soccer Genius always trains both feet.
Level 4 Bonus Challenge
Set the bucket up on top of a chair or box 2ft (60cm) high:
- Complete the challenge as in Level 1 above
- Then, raise one arm out in front of your body with palm forward and hand facing up.
- Focus on the fingertip of the middle finger and toe-flick the ball up in to the bucket. (Do not look down at the ball. Rather feel it with your foot as your toes go softly and quickly under the ball.)
- Challenge yourself to see how many you can do in a row
- And challenge yourself to see how many you do in 45 seconds.
- Open your eyes, smile and shout I AM A SOCCER GENIUS!
Mastered the Challenge?
Then email me to tell me about it. I love hearing about and celebrating Soccer Genius Successes.
Email me at:
charles@enlightenedsoccer.com
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Hi there, Soccer Genius!
Welcome back and Happy Canada Day!
A big thanks to all of you who sent in positive words of support for the first issue. We're just getting started unleashing your Soccer Genius!
First, I want to answer a question several readers had about the Youth Genius Development Program on the SoccerGeniusTraining.com website. The Youth Program is self-contained; all of the practice, play and competition are completed within the program. This means there is no need to register
in a local league.
I've created this program to provide the 7-12 year old developing Soccer Genius with the best skills, knowledge and personal development training on the planet. This precious 6 years of early learning will literally set the player up for a lifetime of soccer success. It really is a very exciting adventure for any young athlete.
On to this week's issue...
This week you'll find all the great weekly sections highlighted in the first issue. I've also written 2 new articles; 1) "Give Me Technique, Technique and More Technique!", which focuses on the critical importance of teaching perfect technique to the 13 and under player. and 2) "What's Your Soccer Genius Level?", which explains my thinking and intention behind the Soccer Genius Star Level System. I'm sure one or both will kick your own Soccer Genius up a notch or two.
Once again, please enjoy the articles, weekly tips and challenges, the videos and whatever else catches your eye and your Soccer Spirit! Feel free to share the newsletter with friends, teammates and colleagues.
From My Soccer Genius to Yours!
Charles Cotton
charles@enlightenedsoccer.com
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Featured Article
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Give Me Technique, Technique and More Technique!
This needs to be the mantra of every 7-13 year old soccer player! (Very quickly followed by "No more laps, lines or full-side games!" but that's another story ;D .)
And coaches, trainers and sports educators need to listen.
The window of opportunity for the developing players to master the essential technical skills is much smaller and sooner than many might think. By far the most important "window of optimal trainability" for technical skills is between the ages of 7 and 13 (some argue 8-12 but my experience and research suggests 7-13, depending on the age of the biggest puberty related growth).
During this exciting and dynamic period the young player's brain is laying down countless "neural pathways". These are like mental highways in their brains that allow them - after much repetition - to develop the so-called second nature skills out on the field. So, it's VERY important - no - HUGELY IMPORTANT, that these young athletes are getting a lot of quality reinforcement of the best possible technique. Think of it as building Soccer Genius Super-Highways!
The focus during this time must be on mastering as many of the following foundational skills and techniques as possible:
- Kicking and passing with both feet and 6 out 7 foot surfaces
- One-touch running with, dribbling and 'faking' with the ball at varying levels of speed
- Receiving the ball with all surfaces
- Goalkeeper pick-ups, saves, stances, all throws (including throw-ins) and kicks
- Multidirectional running
- Correct Running Techniques
- Proper Soccer Stances, including Defense Ready and Game Ready
- Multi-surface juggling, developing feet before thighs
- Legal and Fair tackling, blocking and basic ball challenges
- 1 v 1, 2 v1, 2 v 2 and 3 v 3 dynamic 2-way play
- And more...
(If taught properly and creatively, the players will also get a great deal of aerobic cardiovascular training, another essential athletic skill that is rooted in this development period.)
A consistent, step-by-step building block approach to teaching these core "Genius" skills really gives young players a massive head start in their soccer and athletic lives. It is often far too late to learn these skills by the time the player is in their late teenage years. They will likely be in a constant catch up mode with their age-group peers, especially at the highest levels of performance. (Just think how hard it would be to join a Calculus math class if you didn't know how to write a fraction.)
So, are you focusing your precious time on mastering the foundations of these skillsets? Or are you spending all your time standing in lines, running laps, playing one position (part-time) and competing in games to win?
Or are you listening to the 7 to 13 year old players as they shout out "Give me Technique, Technique and More Technique!"?
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What's Your Soccer Genius Level?
| In last week's article "Benchmarking for Success", I talked about the Soccer Genius Benchmark System that I've created. The purpose of this system is to give players, coaches, parents and clubs an objective picture of a player's current skills, knowledge, and overall development in relation to established standards of soccer and athletic excellence.
The great news is that developing Soccer Genius players have a much clearer path to follow because they now have clearly defined goals to shoot for - what I've called Soccer Genius Star Levels. Players progress year by year from Soccer Genius Star 1 starting at 7 and 8 years old all the way to Star Level 9 by the time they're 15 or 16; each level building toward more challenging standards of soccer excellence. The levels finish off with the demanding and very rewarding 1st and 2nd Degree Soccer Genius Diplomas for the 16-17 players.
So, what goes into these Soccer Genius Levels you ask? Great question! Below is a list of only some of the highlights of the program:
- Global foot and handskills
- 21 essential fakes and feints (and more)
- Left and right foot ball speed and control
- Endurance and stamina on the ball
- Essential Rules Mastery
- Multipositional skilled play (this includes goalkeeper for all youth Soccer Geniuses!)
- Fair Play skill development and testing
- Leadership and Community Responsibility
- Participation, attendance and commitment
- Systems of Play Mastery
- Essential to advanced soccer geometry
- 12 Genius Kicks and Kicking Technique Mastery
- And much, much, much more...
Let's take an example of a Star Level 1 standard that players are required to meet before graduating to Level 2: Genius Juggling. The standards for this Level (ages 7-8) include a) One
bounce rhythm juggles: 10 in a
row, b) Speed
juggles: 8 first
foot, 6 second foot, c) Hand
juggles: 10 in a row
each hand.
Of course, there is a lot of fun training and learning that the players go through in order to successfully meet these standards. It's wonderful to see how thrilled they are when they make it!
Think you're up for challenging yourself to meeting this Level 1 Juggling standard right now? Give it a go! I know there's a Genius Star 1 in you just waiting to be unleashed!
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Charles' "Better Out Than In!"
| Charles' weekly video clip highlighting an area of youth training, play and/or development that is in need of some serious updating. At the end of the day, it's better to get it out than to keep it in. Enjoy!
Focus on "How to KISS like a Soccer Genius"
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Weekly Genius Tech Tipd
Each week in this section I include a detailed description of a specific technical skill or ability. This information is offered to help you achieve technical mastery through perfect practice. After all, if you're going to practice you might as well do it perfectly!
The Railroad Track Goalkeeper Pick Up & Treasure Chest Hold
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Learning to pick up and safely secure a rolling or ground level ball is a 'must have' skill for all young soccer geniuses. Players begin to master this technique right away in their Level 1 Soccer Genius training. Follow along right now to perfectly practice this essential skill.
All you need is a ball and a small clear area.
Step One: Without a ball
- Stand with feet slightly more than shoulder width apart and arms out to the side 12" (30cm) away from the body. Elbows are slightly bent and palms are facing forward.
- Imagine a ball is on the ground 2-3 steps in front of you.
- Focus
your eyes on the bottom center of the imaginary ball. Keep focusing on the 'ball'
throughout this practice.
- Step forward with one foot.
- Make a small step forward with the other foot so that the heel is in line with the toes of the first foot.
- Bend at the knees and bend forward at the waist.
AT THE SAME TIME (eyes still focused on the 'ball')
- Bring your hands together in front of your body with fingers pointing down.
- Make sure the baby (smallest) fingers are touching to make an 'M' shape with the two ring fingers.
- Bring the elbows close together - making straight "railroad tracks".
- Focus your eyes completely on the space at the ends of the fingers where the 'ball' is on the ground.
- Scoop the 'ball' up by putting the hands underneath it.
- Pick up the 'ball' and keep the hands wrapped around and over top of it with forearms in the railroad track position.
- Bring the 'ball' to your chest and hold it safely like a treasure.
- Eyes are still focused on the treasure you hold in your hands.
Repeat perfectly 3 times.
Step Two: With a Stationary Ball
- Place a ball 3 steps in front of you.
- Complete the same steps as in Step One above.
- Really feel the ball in your hands as you wrap them tightly around the outside and top of the ball, securing it tightly to your chest.
Repeat perfectly 3 times.
Step Three: With a Moving Ball
- Stand 5 steps away from a solid wall (one that' ok to kick or throw a ball against ;)
- Throw or pass-kick the ball against the wall.
- Complete the Railroad Track Pick Up and Treasure Chest Hold, as above.
- Work on your timing to scoop up the ball safely and easily each time.
Repeat 21 times. Taking a small break after 3 in a row to remind yourself of the perfect technique.
Make it a fun challenge game to see how many you can do in a row.
And remember to celebrate your success at learning to master this hugely important soccer technique by giving yourself a pat on the back and shouting out "I am a Soccer Genius!"
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Weekly Genius Success Habitd
Each week I provide a Genius Success Habit for you to practice perfectly for the next 7 days. If you're already doing the habit, then keep on keeping on!
And did you know that practicing the habit everyday for at least 42 days will give you a
far greater likelihood of making it a permanent success habit.
Some habits are harder to practice and make part of our life than others. Some are guaranteed to push a few buttons, as well.
adsf
| This week's Genius Success Habit
Make friends with the ball. Make friends with life.
What is your relationship with the soccer ball? Are you uncomfortable with it? Excited by it? Afraid of it? Is it constantly 'running away' from you? Do you love kicking it as hard as you can, everytime? Do you keep it close by so you're ready to play at any moment?
How about life? What is your relationship with your life? Are you struggling with it? Are you constantly trying to improve it? Are you happy and content on a daily basis? Do you wish you were living someone else's life?
This week's Genius Success Habit - Make friends with the ball. Make friends with life. - challenges us all to open ourselves to the unconditional acceptance that comes with true friendship. The ball is simply the ball. Life is simply life. Opening ourselves to discovering what each of these 'friends' has to offer, teach and be in our own lives may just allow us to enjoy the Game a whole lot more.
So, I encourage you to "Make friends with the ball. Make friends with life."
Make it a Genius Success Habit starting today!
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See you next week!
Thanks for spending your time enjoying this week's Soccer Genius Planet.
Be on the look out for next week's issue loaded with new tips, challenges and more words from the heart, mind and spirit of Charles.
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