Weather update (from Friday @ 11 AM): Friday’s weather forecast calls for lots of rain. If accurate, many grass fields could be closed Saturday. But our games are scheduled on indoor / outdoor carpet (Metro North TOPS field), so we don’t expect Friday’s rain to affect our Saturday schedule. Check our Twitter account Saturday at 7:30 AM for a game day status update: https://twitter.com/nasajracadg
Game day notes:
- Cool weather / label warm-up items: We may have chilly weather for the 9:00 AM game warm-up. Girls may want to wear a warm-up jacket and pants during warm-ups, and a long sleeve shirt under their uniform shirt during the game. (Undershirt color preference: yellow if possible, white as the next choice, black as 3rd choice.)
- Lost & found alert! The evil lost & found gremlin will likely show up and try to separate players from their warm-ups. You can help prevent this! Link: label warm-up items to foil the evil lost & found gremlin.
- “DH” players needed: We’re looking for a couple of girls to play twice:
If your daughter is scheduled for the 11:30 game, but is also available to play at 10:15, please e-mail Ward. roster spot filled Wednesday afternoon- If your daughter is scheduled for the 9:00 or 12:45 game, but is also available to play at 2:00, please e-mail Ward.
- Warm-up captains: Girls whose names are in bold print with a (C) indicator are warm-up captains. They are responsible for gathering their teammates and helping the coaches start pre-game warm-up. Link: warm-up ideas
Game Day: 2022-03-19
If you are using a small-screened device, you may need to horizontally scroll to see details of all five games.| Location: | Metro North TOPS | Metro North TOPS | Metro North TOPS | Metro North TOPS | Metro North TOPS |
| Uniform: |  | | | | |
| Warmup: | 8:30 AM | 9:45 AM | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM | 1:30 PM |
| Kickoff: | 9:00 AM | 10:15 AM | 11:30 AM | 12:45 PM | 2:00 PM |
| vs: | Cobb SA | NTH Smyrna | NTH Smyrna | NTH Buckhead | NTH Buckhead |
| Game format: | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 | 5v5 |
| Players: | Chisholm Hecht Michalke (C) Patel, Le Ragsdale Schemmel | Barron Brooks Jackson Kobliska (C) Moore Stephens | Cunningham Dahm Diaz Lovich (C) Patel, Li Roller | Augustin Dawson (C) Lancaster (1) Obradovich Otto Velotta | Brown Douglas Hoitink Jaillet (C) Lancaster (2) TBD |
Dribbling moves of the month:
We practice dribbling moves (changes of direction or fake changes of direction finished with a burst of speed) very often. Our current emphasis is 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.