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Dear Soccer Genius,
A short turnaround between issues 8 and 9 as I was working out some technical issues with the video links. All is well!
I'm gearing up for the start of Soccer Genius Training and that means that I'm literally and figuratively juggling several balls at once. For those of you who are parents, you'll be able to relate as the 'back to school' season is upon us. New clothes, books, backpacks and sports activities. Whew!
SGT is ready to rock with Level One and Accelerated One classes kicking off in September. Kids will soon be shouting out "I am a Soccer Genius!".
That powerful 5 word declaration is the focus of this week's featured article: The Five Words That Are Changing the Way Kids Learn and Play. As you'll see, the words are really just the beginning of an approach to development that goes far beyond the usual kick and chase recipe for youth soccer.
I've put together another "Better Out Than In" video - this time offering a few solid suggestions for parents to determine if they're 'helping or hindering' their child's development. Let me know what you think!
From My Soccer Genius to Yours!
Charles Cotton
charles@enlightenedsoccer.com
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Quote of the Week
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“You know what excuses are?
d
Excuses are just ways to fool yourself.”
Rafer Johnson, Olympic Decathlon Champion
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 Featured Article
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The Five Words That Are Changing The Way Kids Learn and Play the Game
I realized just how important it was (and is) to begin training the mind and heart of the young player when I was first creating the Soccer Genius long-term development model. Far too often I saw very talented athletes fall by the wayside because they either lacked strong self-belief or they were not getting enough positive encouragement on and off the field. I became increasingly determined to start turning this trend around.
It was quite a moment of synchronicity when the 'solution' came to me. Five simple words was all it took. They literally just blurted out of my mouth during a practice with a group of U10 players - whom I now affectionately refer to as the First Ladies of Soccer Genius Training.
These five words have gone on to shape the entire body of my work...
I AM A SOCCER GENIUS!
(The Soccer Genius Declaration)
This simple 5 word declaration was first intended to light the
inner spark in each young player I was teaching - to enhance their self-confidence, their sense of self-worth and self-belief. I wanted the kids to know that it was okay to make such a bold statement, to really mean it, and to have fun practicing and playing like a "Soccer Genius".
Now, as you can imagine, the players took to the declaration instantly. Before I knew it every one of my training sessions was starting with every player shouting out the declaration together. What an amazing - and powerful - way to start off a practice!
I've since found that almost all the players I coach have instantly taken to saying the declaration with noticeable, measurable and long-lasting positive changes in their play and personal growth, including:
- Incredible focus during practices - from start to finish
- A reported increase in self-confidence
- A willingness to challenge themselves in new positional play
- An increased 'open-mindedness' to new soccer skill learning
- An improved positive self-image
- An enhanced enthusiasm and love of the game
- Improved team unity, discipline and commitment
- Faster time to individual goal achievement
The Soccer Genius Declaration is a great addition to the world of long-term player development. I'm grateful that it 'came into my life' in the fun and genuine way that it did. And from repeated experience, it looks like kids everywhere will be wanting to join in and shout out...
"I am a Soccer Genius!"
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Better Out Than In!
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A weekly video by Charles about something that he's just gotta share with you!
Parents, are you helping or hindering your child's soccer development? (Part I of 2)
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Charles' Recommended Media
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Books have the ability to inspire us to new heights of awareness and transform our experience of everyday life. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is one such book. I highly recommend it.
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"...no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams."
"When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream."
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Charles' Tech Tip
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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!
Two Foot Power Throw-In
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- Get into a comfortable and grounded Genius Ready stance (see previous issues for that one) with a ball held in between the open palms and fingers of both hands at stomach height.
- Breathing relaxed.
- Make sure your feet feel strong yet spring loaded on the ground.
- Eyes focused straight ahead at an imaginary target.
- Bring the ball up and over the top of your head, touching it to the top center of your back.
- Arch backwards at the hips creating a bow shape to your body, breathing in deeply and coming up on the balls of your feet.
- Quickly "release the bow" and breathe out forcefully. Throw your arms straight forward overhead. You will bend forward at the hips and come down on the heels of your feet.
- Release the ball as you fully extend your arms and hands in the direction of the target.
- Continue pointing your hands in the direction of your target to help emphasize correct finishing technique.
- Count to 3 and then quickly sprint to retrieve the ball.
Did you keep both feet on the ground throughout the throw?
Do the excercise 10 times with your eyes open then 10 more with your eyes closed. You really want to feel the movement and power through your whole body each time.
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This Week's Genius Success Habit
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adsf
| Love Being You
BEING 100% YOU is probably the trickiest part about being human. The world is full of impulses, messages and subtle (and not so subtle) teachings telling us to be like "________".
Too often, the "_____" is either completely opposite of who we really are or very far from what we genuinely aspire to be. We end up not knowing who, what or how we're 'supposed to be' and we certainly don't seem to be loving ourselves for being who we are.
For fun, take a pen and paper and list off at least 10 people, qualities or 'ideal' "_____"s that you think you should be like. I recommend you keep writing until you get everything out and down on paper.
Now, read the list and get a sense (a feeling in your body, a voice in your ear, a knowing in your heart) of what the words means to you. Don't try to over-think this exercise. Just let all those background thoughts, feelings, judgments and whatever else come to the surface.
Does the list inspire a lot of love for yourself?
Yes?
Then smile and experience the love of being you.
No?
Then burn it.
Tear it up. Put it in a fire safe container and burn it.
Then create a new list called "Why I Love Being Me!" Write freely until everything that's inside you is out on the paper.
Have a read through of your new list. Smile as you experience the love of being you.
Loving being ourselves is one Genius Success Habit that will provide a lifetime of positive returns.
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About the author - Charles Cotton
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 The Soccer Genius Coach, Charles Cotton, is an internationally licensed expert specializing in teaching kids 7-17 how to unleash their own Soccer Genius - for on and off field success. He has over 30 years experience playing, coaching, and leading soccer communities. His accelerated training methods and unique soccer "Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit" approach help players and coaches achieve their highest levels of play and personal development. Charles lives in Calgary, Canada with his 3 beautiful daughters and shares time in Chicago with his "Dancing Genius" life partner. |
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