We have a partial double-header schedule:
Saturday, April 23:
We have a series of five 5v5 games against the NTH Buckhead girls. All available girls will play in our Saturday games.
As of Sunday night April 17, we’re waiting for confirmation of Saturday’s match-ups. This will delay us posting team assignments and schedules, since we want to make our best attempt to ensure competitive games instead of potential mismatches.
Handling match-ups is easy when we play intra-Academy games, because we control rosters for both teams. When we play outside competition, we always try to match up teams with similar experience levels as our opponents. This adds an extra layer of communication that sometimes results in delays.
Sunday, April 24:
We face the NTH Marietta U9 girls in two afternoon 7v7 games. Roughly 65% of the girls will play in our Sunday games. If your daughter would like to play in Sunday’s 7v7 games, please e-mail Ward. If spots are over-subscribed, priority will go to players born in 2014. Link: Sunday April 24 game day page
Game day links:
- April 23 team assignments and schedules (delayed)
- April 24 team assignments and schedules (partially posted Sunday, April 17)
- about game days
- Reminder: No jewelry! It’s a rule, not a suggestion. Link: jewelry rule
- Spring 2022 game day schedule
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.