Weather update (posted Saturday @ 7 AM): Saturday morning games have been canceled, but we have a plan B. Girls from the 9:00 and 10:15 AM games at Riverline will play a 7v7 intra-Academy game at 12:00 noon at the Metro North Tops field. (Warm-up starts at 11:30 AM.) Girls scheduled for the 1:30 PM game at Metro North will play as scheduled. Check back at 10:30 AM for any potential weather-related changes.
Our next game day is Saturday, April 16. We have a mixed schedule. We start with two morning 7v7 games at Riverline Park (Mableton / Smyrna area), and finish with an intra-Academy afternoon 5v5 game at Metro North Park. Link: team assignments and schedules (posted Monday morning, April 11)
Game day links:
- April 16 team assignments and schedules
- about game days
- Reminder: No jewelry! It’s a rule, not a suggestion. Link: jewelry rule
- Spring 2022 game day schedule (added a Sunday, April 24 7v7 event )
Dribbling moves of the month:
April:
We practice dribbling moves (changes of direction or fake changes of direction finished with a burst of speed) very often. Our April emphasis is on stop and go dribbling moves.
Stop and go moves are particularly effective when you’re dribbling up the side of the field, or when a defender forces you to change directions when you’re dribbling toward goal. You pretend you are going to turn the ball, but you finish the move by exploding into space with a getaway touch in the same direction you were originally dribbling.
There are a bunch of stop and go dribbling moves, but we emphasize these three moves:
- the pull-push (a fake pullback)
- the cookie (a fake U-turn)
- the yo yo (a fake stop turn)
Parents, we recommend you challenge your daughter to the electric fence and snow cones dribbling games. Both games are well-suited to dribbling turns and stop and go moves. (Sisters and brothers are welcome to join in!) You don’t need past soccer experience of your own, just some time and energy. We’re confident that both you and your daughter will have fun, and your daughter will gain skill and confidence!
March:
We practice dribbling moves (changes of direction or fake changes of direction finished with a burst of speed) very often. Our March emphasis was on three types of dribbling moves:
- pullbacks
- twist-off turns (also called hook turns or shielding turns)
- V-pull moves
All of the above moves are aimed at helping a player keep the ball when under pressure, instead of dribbling into an opponent or teammate (what we call “bones & shin guards”).
These moves rely on ball manipulation, not wizardly body fakes or foot fakes. Some of our players use these moves in games (often with success), but the majority of players either forget them come game time, or lack the confidence to try the moves.
Parents, you can help with your daughter’s development! The key is to take the mindset of being your daughter’s training partner, not her coach. For example, start by asking her about her favorite dribbling moves, or which ones she wants to improve. Then take a ball into the back yard or garage and have her show you. You’ve now opened the door to a productive “fun with a soccer ball” session.
We encourage you and your daughter to spend 5-10 minutes 2-3 times a week to review moves, and then play games (such as Texas Draw or Snow Cones) that reward the use of dribbling moves. (Sisters and brothers are welcome to join in!) You don’t need past soccer experience of your own, just some time and energy. We’re confident that both you and your daughter will have fun, and your daughter will gain skill and confidence!
Check the above links for descriptions and demo videos of the moves and games. Most of the activities can be done in small spaces, such as a 10-yard square. If you’d like a personal demo of a move, or want more details about a dribbling game, feel free to check with your coach after an upcoming practice.