Unpredictability

un⋅pre⋅dict⋅a⋅ble
–adjective
1.
not predictable; not to be foreseen or foretold: an unpredictable occurrence.

–noun
2.
something that is unpredictable: the unpredictables of life
Being unpredictable is crucial to success in soccer. Once a defender or opponent can read what you're going to do, you're going to have massive amounts of trouble beating them. You must mix up your game so a defender never knows what you're going to do.
First time you get the ball pass quick, second time dribble at a defender, third time play a long ball, fourth time shoot, etc… Never allow obvious patterns to develop, go right, go left, go forward, go backwards.
Soccer is an athletic game of chess. You have to think ahead and outwit your opponent. Keep yourself unpredictable and your results on the pitch will be favorable.

Michael Bradley

Michael Bradley is the defensive central midfielder for the US National Team. He plays his club ball for Borussia Monchengladbach in the German Bundesliga. He's a fantastic player and is also the son of US National Team coach Bob Bradley.
Bradley is a very simple, steady midfield player. He is strong in the tackle, industrious, and a very good passer of the ball. He's a perfect role player to build a team around.
He had a great FIFA Confederations Cup and unfortunately got a red card in the semi-final against Spain which ruled him out for the final vs. Brazil. For me, it was an incorrect call by the ref which makes it even more unlucky. Keep your eye on Michael Bradley; he's going to just continue to get better with time.

US National Soccer Team

I want to take this time to salute the US National Team and their performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup. They upset the world's current #1 team Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals and lost a heart breaking final to Brazil 3-2. They were leading the South American giants 2-0 at halftime.
In the group stages they lost to Italy and Brazil in their first two matches and needed a 3-0 victory over Egypt in order to advance. They magically pulled off the feat and went on to play some impressive soccer.
Even though Brazil came from behind to win the final, I was definitely proud to be an American soccer player after watching our national team play these past 2 weeks. Our nation is absolutely making strides to becoming a soccer nation.

1v1 Defending

1v1 defending is a necessary skill to learn in order to play at any level of soccer. The basic stance is to have your legs staggered one in front of the other and your body at a slight diagonal angle facing the player dribbling at you. You never want to be standing with your body square to the player dribbling at you; it’s a very unathletic, immobile stance.
Having good agility and flexibility in your hips is crucial. As a player cuts and swerves, you must constantly adjust your stance. The obvious goal in 1v1 dribbling is to win the ball and start a counter attack.
Watch outside defenders defend on-coming wing players; you'll get a good visual of exactly how 1v1 defending is meant to be done. Whether you are playing pick-up with your friends or you're in a cup final, you'll be encountered in a 1v1 situation. Take the time to learn this skill so you're ready!

The Differences…

Two very high levels of soccer that are attained by very few players are NCAA Division I and Professional. It takes tons of hard work and training to make it to these levels. Even though these are both great achievements, there are numerous differences that dictate which players can make that final leap into the pro's.
For me, speed of thought and understanding of your personal strength's are the key. The higher you go in soccer, the faster the game becomes. You have less time and space to make decisions. Being able to think ahead of the game is crucial to success in the professional rank.
Understanding of your personal strength's is probably not often mentioned. Different players bring different skills to the table. Some players are great passers, some are great in the air, some are great defenders, some are extremely athletic, etc… Knowing exactly what makes you a good player and bringing that to the table every day will make sure your name is on a professional team roster.
These two details can be the difference that pushes you over the top!

Kaka

The new Real Madrid midfielder/former AC Milan star is a truly spectacular player. For me, he's a combination of Brazilian flare with European power. He plays internationally with Brazil and developed his game in the Sao Paulo youth system.
The tall attacking midfield player has all the skill to work his way out of tight spaces. He adds to that a long stride to eat up ground as he powerfully penetrates through the opposing defense like it's a walk in the park. His clean striking ability and nose for the goal makes him a total attacking threat.
He scored many important goals for AC Milan and I'm sure he will continue the trend in La Liga with the Galacticos. Keep your eye on Kaka to have a truly remarkable season this year in Spain.

Real Madrid

The Galacticos are my early prediction to win the 2010 UEFA Champions League. They are a talent-filled team as it is, and the offseason transfers they have made in the past few weeks are just downright frightening. Coach Ramos is going to have some chore trying to figure out who his top 11 will be.
Real Madrid has been without a trophy for the past 2 seasons which is completely out of the question to their board of directors and fans. They boasted world class talent such as Arjen Robben, Ruud Van Nistelroy, Wesley Sneijder, Sergio Ramos, and Iker Casillas just to name a few.
The summer transfer pickups of David Villa from Valencia, Kaka from AC Milan, and the heart breaker for me, Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United are making waves around the soccer world. I'm just curious to see who else they will pickup. Keep an eye on Real Madrid in 2010; they are going to have the fire power to be something special.

Proper Hydration

With the summer months of camps, tournaments, and leagues approaching, hydration is the key to staying at your peak performance. There's really no science to hydration, drink a ton of water before you play, sports drinks during the activity, and a combination of the two within 30 minutes of completing the activity.
For those of you who have trouble with cramping, get some electrolyte packages and Pedialyte. You're probably asking yourself, "Does he mean the stuff that babies drink?" Yes that’s exactly what I mean. It's legendary for re-hydrating yourself when your muscles are telling you they've had enough.
So parents, before sending your kids to their U.S. Premier Soccer Academy Summer Camps which start the second week of July, make sure they have coolers filled with water and sports drinks! It'll ensure a much more enjoyable experience.

Speed of Play

The major difference between a world class soccer player and a mid-class professional has all to do with speed. If you're thinking the answer is how fast the person runs…you're wrong! It all has to do with speed of thought, also known as, speed of play.
Andres Iniesta, Andrea Pirlo, Xavi are all central midfield players with not much to speak about athletically. Then how can they be three of the best midfield players in the world? Where there legs don't rapidly turn over, their brains are making decisions at a quicker rate than everyone around them.
Soccer is a thinking man's game. I've mentioned in earlier blogs that 90% of the game is played above the neck. My advice to young players out there, get pickup games with the older kids in the club who are bigger, stronger, and faster than you. There superiority in athleticism will force you to think quicker in order to keep up. This will make you a far better player.

A perfect pass speaks 1000 words…

Everyone has heard of the saying a picture speaks 1000 words…well the same goes for passing. Today we are going to discuss foot communication. There are numerous different ways to give a pass: straight, lobbed, driven, hard, soft, curling, etc… You can also strike the ball with either the inside, outside, laces, or sole of the foot. All of these variations make up foot communication, there's a time and place for each one of these passes.
I learned this training with a professional coach from the Sao Paulo FC Youth System in Florida. Sao Paulo is one of the largest clubs in Brazil. To give a wall pass, or a 1-2, it's best to use the outside of your foot. This way you can pass the ball in your stride and disguise the pass so the defender can't read it. A cross for the most part should be a driven, curling pass.
There are no absolute definitions when it comes to foot communication. The game itself dictates what the right pass is at that particular time. The examples listed above are merely two of an endless list of scenarios. How many words does your passing speak?

Soccer in Argentina

Argentina has not won a World Cup in many years, but they are a perennial favorite every four years. There must be something in the water there because the talent that comes out of this nation is not of a human standard.
They currently have players such as Lionel Messi, Kun Aguero, Javier Zanetti and an up and coming talent Jonas Gutierrez. They play very quick, sharp combinations all over the field and make the sport look extremely simple to play.
They are coached by the legendary Diego Maradona. Keep your eye on Argentina in the upcoming World Cup. Also look at your local listings to see them play in World Cup qualifying. They recently beat Colombia and should have another game coming up soon.

Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona is arguably the greatest soccer player to ever live. He's a short, stocky attacking player with endless talent and ability. He was born in Argentina and has played for Boca Juniors and Napoli in the Serie A amongst many other top European sides.
He scored a famous goal against England in the World Cup called, "The Hand of God." He punched the ball with his fist over the goalies head and was not caught by the referee. Argentina went on to win that World Cup. You can see this controversial goal on YouTube.
He is currently the Head Coach of the Argentinean National Team. Despite his rocky off field life, his talent is undeniable. Go to your local soccer shop and buy a video of Maradona, he is truly a special player to watch.

Soccer Adult Open Summer League

The U.S. Premier Soccer Academy is proud to announce the Adult Open Summer League for the summer of 2009!
The Adult Open Summer League is a fun competition for players over the age of 18. The league starts the week of June 22nd and ends the week of August 10th. There will be 8 games over that time period on a day of the week that is most convenient for the teams participating.
The Adult Open Summer League is played in a 6v6 format (5 field players and a goalie). The cost is $800 per team.
The location is Como Park in Seaford right off of the Seaford Oyster Bay. Additional locations can be added.
The U.S. Premier Soccer Academy will cover registration, scheduling, and referees. Email ddesroches@uspsocceracademy.com and/or
mavellino@uspsocceracademy.com to register

Technical Base

When developing young players, the term "technical base" is used a lot. For those of you who are new to the sport I'll take the time to explain what this means.
A player's technical base is simply their ability to perform the fundamentals of the sport. A technical base to soccer is the same as the foundation of a house. In order to play in a full sided game, a player must be able to pass the ball, control the ball, dribble the ball, shoot, and tackle. These are the techniques that make up your technical base.
Before you move on to doing Cristiano Ronaldo moves and freestyle juggling tricks, make sure your technical base is sound. Without a foundation your game is sure to collapse!

Driven Soccer Balls

There are a bunch of small details that make up the difference between professional and amateur players. One of these details is driven balls. You can tell the quality of a player in warm-ups just by how he drives a ball to his teammates.
The key to a driven ball is to strike through the center of the ball cleanly with your laces. You want the ball to travel on a straight path about head height all the way to the target. The harder you drive a long pass the better. The quicker the ball reaches your teammate, the more time he/she will have to make a decision.
At the lower levels of soccer players tend to float balls real high in a looping pattern to each other. It's an easier technique to perform, but to make it to the next level you must be able to consistently drive the ball firmly over distance.
Homework assignment, go to a local park that has a wall, tape a box on the wall, and drive balls until you hit the box 10 times in a row.

AC Milan

The Rossoneri are one of the biggest teams in world soccer. AC Milan has been uncharacteristically trophy less for the past few seasons with the emergence of inner city rivals Inter Milan taking over the Serie A. They call the San Siro home and share it with Inter Milan as well.
They play a very attractive style of free flowing soccer. Their midfield is a treat to watch consisting of players like Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Kaka, and the ever famous, Ronaldinho. America's favorite soccer player David Beckham plays for them as well.
Despite the lack of a championship, they have still finished quite respectably in the Serie A the past few years. They are a very good team to watch and learn from. Go on YouTube and watch some Milan highlights, you won't be disappointed!

Paul Scholes

One of my all-time favorite players. The Dandy Red Head is a creative midfield player for the 2009 Barclay's English Premier League Champion, Manchester United. He is a red devil through and through considering he grew up as a young boy playing in the Manchester United youth system.
I had the pleasure to watch Paul Scholes play in person when United took on Juventus at Giants Stadium a couple of years back. His passing and movement is so sharp and crisp. He hits 50 yard driven balls with the accuracy that most players hit 10 yard inside of the foot passes. Truly remarkable.
He is known to score many goals on balls laid back to him at the top of the box or balls cleared off of corner kicks or crosses. His clean striking technique is his trademark. He is very quiet and laid back off the field, but his game makes a lot of noise. Look out for the #18 the next time you watch United, he has bright red hair, you can't miss him!

Club Teams Wanted!

At the U.S. Premier Soccer Academy, we are dedicated to giving the most professional training available to the youth of Long Island at a reasonable price. We want to positively impact as many players as possible to help them achieve their dreams. Whether the dream is to play professionally, or to use soccer to get into a great university, we are here to help you make it there.
Our professional coaches are available to train your local club team. We have coaches strategically placed all the way from Montauk to Queens and everywhere in between. We give a scholarship to every team that registers with us and you become part of the U.S. Premier Soccer Academy family for future events.
We are so confident in the coaching services we provide that we give a free demo session for every team interested. Let us send one of our professional coaches to your team practice at our expense so you can see first-hand what we have to offer.
For more information on having a U.S. Premier Soccer Academy professional coach train your team, email mavellino@uspsocceracademy.com.

Soccer Summer Camps

The U.S. Premier Soccer Academy is running summer camps starting in July. Come down to work with our professional coaches and improve your game in a fun-filled atmosphere.
The developmental camp is scheduled for the week of July 13th to the 17th and the week of August 3rd to the 7th. The cost is $195 for 1 week of full day camp and $125 for 1 week of mini camp.
The sessions run from Monday thru Friday, 9:30am to Noon for mini campers and 9:30am to 3:30pm for full day campers.
The team camp is scheduled for the week of July 20th to the 24th and the week of August 10th to the 14th. The cost is $195 for 1 week of full day camp and $125 for 1 week of mini camp.
The sessions run from Monday thru Friday, 9:30am to Noon for mini campers and 9:30am to 3:30pm for full day campers. Registration done as a team (6 player minimum).
For full itineraries and registration go to www.uspsocceracademy.com. Register early to ensure your spot to work with these professional coaches!

Soccer - An alternative route to the Ivy League

Harvard, Yale, Brown, Princeton, etc… are some of the most prestigious academic institutions not only in the country, but in the world! There are two ways to achieve an acceptance letter to these universities that are so incredibly difficult to get into.
The first way is to study very hard to maintain a perfect GPA and get a perfect score on your SAT's; and be President of at least 4-5 after school clubs/committees.
The second way is to play a sport you love, become very good at it, also study hard, and get an opportunity to get that degree that so many young people long for.
Plain and simple, being good at soccer can open up doors for opportunities that you normally wouldn't have. One of our coaches, Sean Lynch, is studying at Princeton. He's a smart kid, and he's using his talent to set himself up for the rest of his life. Moral of the story, when you're done hitting the books hard, go out in the yard and work on your technique!

Tackling in Soccer

I always love the look on young player's faces when I'm coaching them and tell them they have to tackle their opponent. They get a puzzled look as if I want them to wrap their arms around the person's shoulders and bring them to the ground. Tackling in soccer is very different than tackling in football!
The key to tackling in soccer is to keep your eyes set on the ball at the opponent's feet, keeping good balance, protecting yourself with your arms, and going through the ball hard with your foot. Tackling when done correctly, results in winning the ball and neither attacker nor defender getting hurt.
Believe it or not, in soccer, someone gets hurt in tackles when one person goes hard and the other person goes soft. If both people go in hard, everyone walks away fine for the most part. Tackling is not something that should be neglected when coaching young players. Being taught this technique properly at a young age can lead to the players avoiding many injuries in the future.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Arguably one of the best players in the world today. Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays for the national team of Sweden and Inter Milan in Italy. He is a tall striker who can literally do everything well. His size makes him a good target player, he has speed to get behind the defense, and if he has you 1v1 on the wing there's a good chance your cheeks are going to be red with embarrassment after he effortlessly passes you by on his way to goal.
He became well known in his younger years playing for the legendary Dutch club Ajax. Some of the things he does on the field are unthinkable to even try in practice for normal players. The venom behind his shot is absolutely unbelievable as well. He's the perfect combination of raw power and creative flare.
Aside from being a great goal scorer, he has tremendous vision as well to pick out passes for his teammates. If you type Zlatan Ibrahimovic in YouTube, there will literally be enough highlight footage for you to sit in front of your computer for days on end. He is a special player, take the time to watch him and appreciate his talent.

Serie A

Serie A is the top flight of soccer in Italy. Every country in the world has a hierarchy if you will in regards to soccer. In Italy, every player aspires to one day play in the Serie A.
Some teams that compete in the Serie A are Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Roma, Sampdoria, Fiorentina, Palermo, Genoa, etc… From top to bottom, it can be argued that the Serie A is the most competitive league in Europe.
The last few years have seen Inter Milan crowned as champions of Italy. AC Milan and Juventus have won a great deal of Scudettos as well. Scudetto is another term used for Serie A. Italian Serie A matches are played on FSC and Goltv. They are very entertaining to watch so I strongly suggest taking the time to watch these teams compete.

Inter Milan

Inter Milan are once again the champions of Italy. The giants of the San Siro, the stadium where both Inter Milan and AC Milan play, are taking over the Italian Serie A. The combination of a brilliant coach and players with endless talent is a formula for consecutive championships.
Inter is coached by Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea coach. Mourinho is an unbelievable tactician and demands the best from all his players on both sides of the ball, attacking and defending. It takes a great coach to be able to manage the massive egos that comes along with having a team filled with the best international talent the world has to offer.
Some impressive players on Inter are Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Sweden, Maicon from Brazil, Esteban Cambiasso from Argentina and a promising young talent Mario Balotelli from Italy. Every player on the team is world class; these are just a few I happen to enjoy watching. The combination of experience and young talent will see Inter at the top of the Serie A table for years to come.

Individual/Small Group Soccer Training Sessions Now Available!

The U.S. Premier Soccer Academy is excited to announce the addition of Individual/Small Group Sessions to our program schedule. These sessions are designed to give the player(s) customized training for their specific needs. We limit these sessions to 4 players maximum to ensure each individual will receive the greatest amount of feedback from our top level coaches.
Individual/Small Group Sessions are offered to anybody interested in becoming a better player. The cost is $80/hr for 1 player, $60/hr each for 2 players, $50/hr each for 3 players, or $40/hr each for 4 players. The times and locations are set between the player(s) and coaches.
The cost drastically reduces with more players so invite a friend to join you in your venture to becoming a better player. Individual/Small Group Sessions are especially great for the offseason months to sharpen your game and improve your weaknesses!
For more information, go to www.uspsocceracademy.com. Every player must register individually at the website.

Shooting- Placement or Power?

We've all heard the old cliché saying, "If you don't shoot, you don't score." This is absolutely true in all sports especially soccer. What's also true in regards to shooting like everything else in soccer, every player has their own style with how they shoot.
Some players are known for overpowering keepers with straight drives. A good example is Adriano from Brazil. There's nothing particularly artistic about his style, he just hits the ball absolutely as hard as he can without much thought of placement. This works for him because he is a massively strong player.
Other players choose to beat the keeper with pin point precision. Andrea Pirlo is my favorite example of a placement shooter. He calmly strikes the ball so cleanly and with so much bend and dip, the keepers can't track his ball through the air. This is all about technique.
My advice to you…practice both. Work on the power of your straight drives and the placement of your curved shots. Having both weapons in your arsenal will lead to many goals in your career.

Technical Director Matt Avellino signs with Sevilla F.C. PR!

I am proud to announce that I have just agreed to my second professional contract with Sevilla F.C. Puerto Rico. The team is located in Juncos, PR and plays in the Puerto Rican Soccer League's 1st Division.
I spent my rookie season with the Wilmington Hammerheads of the United Soccer Leagues 2nd Division. I was also called up to the New York Red Bulls reserve team of the MLS for 5 games after my season in the USL concluded.
I mention this information because at the U.S.Premier Soccer Academy we feel our selective choice of coaches separate us from the competition. Not only have our coaches played at a high level, but they continue to further their careers as players. This only adds to the information we can pass along to the young players we work with.
I will still be very much involved with the operations of the Academy so feel free to contact me for any questions on upcoming programs or having a U.S. Premier Soccer Academy coach train your travel team. My email is mavellino@uspsocceracademy.com.

The U.S. Premier Soccer Academy announces new staff additions!

We are very pleased to announce the additions of Jerome Vivona and Hristo Kaloferov to the U.S. Premier Soccer Academy staff!
Jerome played NCAA Division I soccer at Quinnipiac University. He is a very experienced coach with numerous diplomas from the FA and NSCAA. He was also the intramural and developmental coordinator in the East Meadow Soccer Club.
Hristo played internationally in his native country of Bulgaria. He was assistant coach at Concordia College and has over 6 years of experience coaching teams with Ultimate Athletics.
We are very excited to have these two professionals on staff with us and look forward to having them develop your aspiring young players. For more on Jerome, Hristo, and upcoming programs from the U.S. Premier Soccer Academy, please check out www.uspsocceracademy.com

F.C. Barcelona

The team emphasized this week will be Spain's finest F.C. Barcelona. The Catalan giant's are having a spectacular season which can potentially end up in a Treble. They are top of the table in La Liga (Spain's top league), looking forward to a Champions League Final against Manchester United, and also have a Copa Del Rey Final against Athletic Bilbao.
There list of talent is endless. Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi, and Thierry Henry are just there striker force! The way this team picks apart the opposition with clean passing and combination play is truly a joy to watch. Anyone who saw their 6-2 demolish of Real Madrid can vouch for that last statement.
If you have GolTv, you can watch loads of Barcelona games because they air every game live and then replay it all week. I personally go to sleep every night with the pleasant sights of Barcelona's free flowing passing moves.
The Champions League Final is right around the corner where you can watch Barcelona take on Manchester United. Take the two hours out of your week to watch the pinnacle of world talent, you won't be disappointed!

Andres Iniesta

It's safe to say that unless you are a major soccer enthusiast in America, you have not heard of Andres Iniesta. This is precisely why I want to write the player spotlight on him this week because he is a world talent that deserves much more attention than he receives. Iniesta plays in a roaming midfield role for F.C. Barcelona and the national team of Spain.
Iniesta is an extremely versatile player. He plays as a winger, attacking midfielder, link-up player; he can basically do it all. He's the ultimate utility player. He's a very hard-working and solid defender within a system, but his clean technique and mature decision making make him stand out to me.
There is nothing flashy or Hollywood about Iniesta. He plays simple, buzzes around the pitch very busy, and just makes incredibly difficult passes look effortless. He's nothing to brag about in size, strength, or speed, but his mind for the game and ability on the ball separates him.
Please check out the Champions League Final coming up in the next few weeks to get a glimpse of Iniesta playing for Barcelona. He's a great talent for young players to study because he's hard proof that smart, simple, steady players can make it to the top of world soccer.

90% of Soccer…

Many people don't know that athleticism in soccer accounts for merely 10% of the game. Do you know what the other 90% boils down to? I'll give you a hint, the area of the body is from the neck and above… The body part is your brain and the answer is Decision Making!
If you look into the history books of this great sport you'll see names like Pele, Diego Maradona, and Franz Beckenbauer. These guys were not spectacular in their size and strength, but they are three of the greatest players to ever play the game. How could that be? They had brilliant soccer minds and made sublime decisions close to every time the ball was at their feet.
This is what makes soccer such a special sport. There are so many different routes players can take to be successful. If you study the game, develop a sound technical base, and work very hard, you can make a career out of playing soccer! Don't think it’s easy because nothing in life that's worthwhile comes easy, but if you are willing to put the time in the options are endless. Soccer is a thinking man's game primarily so a smart player will always have a place in this sport!

Soccer Coaches and Helpers Wanted!

The U.S. Premier Soccer Academy is always looking to expand its staff. We are dedicated to giving the children of the New York Metro area the best training around. If you are a professional, NCAA Division I, or international player, we are very interested in speaking with you about how you can become a full-time coach. We are very selective with who we hire as coaches to ensure the young players get the best.
If you are a young, aspiring player and looking to make some extra money and get started with a potential coaching career, we also have helper positions that we always need to fill for future clinics, camps, and programs. Your job is to assist the coaches and keep the kids involved. It's a very good opportunity to learn from our coaches and work in a fun, friendly environment.
Anyone interested in either of these positions can contact me, Matt Avellino by emailing mavellino@uspsocceracademy.com, or our business manager Don Desroches, at ddesroches@uspsocceracademy.com. We look forward to hearing from you and building relationships in the near future!

Wantagh Park Soccer Clinic

The U.S. Premier Soccer Academy is currently running an 8 week spring clinic out of Wantagh Park. We have young players looking to develop their skills coming down every Sunday from 10:30am to 1:00 pm to work with our top level coaches. The kids receive 30 minutes of technical training followed by 30 minutes of small-sided games.
The emphasis is on teaching the young players the fundamental techniques that will allow them to enjoy playing the sport. We strive to get the children into good habits from the first day they start playing the game. These parents and children are at such an advantage to be a part of a proper training environment from such a young age!
We always encourage people interested in seeing how we work to come down to the clinic. See for yourself what the U.S. Premier Soccer Academy has to offer and feel free to ask questions of anyone on staff.

Fullback vs. Wingback

Fullback and Wingback are two terms, or aliases if you will, to describe the position of the outside defender. Though both of these names describe the same position, the style associated with these names is very different!
A fullback is a more traditional outside defender. They steadily play their role. You can count on a fullback to win their tackles, win their headers, and be disciplined tactically. On the attack, a fullback will likely play simple to their midfielders, swing the ball to their center backs, or play a long ball into a channel. There specialty is there defending and they take pride in not being beat.
A wingback is the newer era of the outside defender. They are good defenders in their own right, but it is vastly overshadowed by their attacking flare. You will see a wingback flying up and down the line overlapping outside midfield players and serving dangerous crosses into the box. They are very exciting to watch. They are still technically defenders, but their specialty is definitely their ability to join the attack.

College Is Expensive!

Going to college is extremely important in order for young adults to have the freedom to design their own path in life. All parents encourage their teenagers to attend college, and those four years are honestly some of the best years of your life. For a majority of people however, at the conclusion of those four years, you realize that you now have to pay off all those student loans you accumulated! Why not go to college for free?
Keeping your grades up is crucial to getting into a good college, but soccer can be a great avenue as well. Being a very good athlete can get you a scholarship to go to a well-recognized University that under normal circumstances, you wouldn't be able to afford! So my advice to all the young players out there is do your homework early, and once your done, make sure you go into the backyard and spend some time with your ball. Your time and effort now can save you over $100,000 in the future!

Ginga:

Ginga is a word used to describe 'The Soul of Brazilian Football!' (Aka soccer!) It is not a commonly used term in the United States. To me, Ginga stands for a lifestyle and an attitude. It's having a love for what you do and the people around you. If you watch Brazilian's play, there's a style that goes along with their game that makes them so entertaining to watch. They have a smile on their face, a care-free love for the sport! Soccer is part of the culture in Brazil and it is evident with the comfort on the ball shown by the vast amount of professional players that come from there. The best way to gain mastery of the ball is to spend as much time with it as possible. My advice, get a little more "Ginga" in your life, and your game will see drastic benefits!

Are you mentally tough?

Mental toughness is a very common phrase for those of us who have played college soccer. Whether you're struggling to finish a 6 mile run in preseason, lifting weights that are too heavy to be lifted, or playing through a ripped muscle, mental toughness is always the solution. These are extreme cases, but to be completely serious, mental toughness is crucial to success in sports and even more importantly, success in life.
I feel it is very important when coaching, especially with young kids, to find a good balance of instilling confidence and mental toughness. You always want to celebrate the kids when they do something correct, but not to the point where every little thing is a spectacle. At the same time, you want to correct them when they are wrong, but not to the point where you are shattering their confidence.
A lot of the life lessons I have learned (a vast majority actually!) have come from experiences on the soccer field. At the U.S. Premier Soccer Academy, we strive to develop mentally tough players, as well as mentally tough people.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The player that is being highlighted this week is none other than Portugal's own Cristiano Ronaldo. If this is a new name to you, I strongly suggest going on to YouTube right now and watching some highlight tapes before you even continue with this blog…
…Ok, now that you have seen him in action we can continue. This guy is over 6 feet tall, has rapid pace, is a force in the air, finishes with both feet, he does it all! He also happens to play for my favorite team, Manchester United!
Every time he touches the ball, you can feel a sense of expectation. What is he going to do next? To me, his 1v1 ability is second to none. The tricks he does in games are unheard of. He is the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year and scored over 40 goals in all competitions last year. Some people are just born to do things, please take a chance to watch this rare talent compete.

Manchester United

I recently decided that since I talk about a different player every week in this blog; why not talk about a team as well. It would only be appropriate for me to start with my favorite team of all time, Manchester United!
The Red Devils play out of the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford Stadium. Their roster boasts some of the most talented, highest paid players in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes….I can name the whole roster!
They are the reigning English Premiership Champions in addition to being the reigning UEFA Champions League Champs (more information about the UEFA Champions League to follow).
Manchester United is currently top of the table in England and still competing in the Champions League, take some time to check out their games and support them. Come on United!

UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious competition, in my opinion, in European soccer. The top teams from every country in Europe compete to see who the best of the best is.
To qualify, teams have to finish either at the top of the table in their domestic league, or in the top few teams for the power house countries like England, Italy, Spain, and Germany. These teams are then broken into groups and play each other twice to see who moves on.
After the initial group stages, the top 2 teams from every group are put into another group stage and continue to compete. After this group stage is complete, the teams move into a playoff style tournament with games home and away against each other. The team with the better aggregate score moves on with away goals being the tie breaker.
The mighty Red Devils of Manchester United are the current Champions. The 2008-2009 Champions League is in the Semi Final Stages with only Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona left. The games play on ESPN2 so definitely take the time to watch some of the best players in the world perform!

Fresh Air and Fun for the Family

Watching games on television can be a very good learning experience as I have mentioned in an earlier blog. You know what an even better way to watch soccer is? IN PERSON! Go check out a local game in your area whether it's an MLS game, USL game, or PDL game. USL (United Soccer Leagues) makes up the second and third division of professional soccer in the United States. PDL (Premier Development League) is a summer league that all the top college players compete in to get in shape for their upcoming season.
While you're in the stadium you can see just how quickly the players move the ball, how athletic the players are, and hear the constant communication that takes place during a game. At the same time, it's a great chance to spend time with the family and be part of a great sports atmosphere! Schedules of local games can be found on www.mlsnet.com or www.uslsoccer.com.

Preseason Soccer Camps for Long Island High Schools

The US Premier Soccer Academy is offering preseason camps to all the high schools on Long Island. Our coaching staff is comprised entirely of Long Island natives who have become very successful players. We only hire professional, NCAA division I, or international players/coaches to be on staff.
The normal high school preseason is run by the school coach one week before school starts. Why not show up for that week sharp, fit, and ready to go!? We will have 5 day camps that will be scheduled the week before normal preseason begins.
All camps will include soccer specific fitness training, technical training, and small-sided/full-sided games. Any specific area of soccer that needs work can be brought to our attention as well and we can address it over the course of the 5 days. Please contact Matt Avellino or Don Desroches if interested. Contact information available at www.uspsocceracademy.com. Sign up early to ensure availability of your local coach!

Andrea Pirlo

For those of you who don't know Andrea Pirlo, he is a creative midfield player for AC Milan and Italy. His passing and vision is the catalyst of many goal scoring opportunities for both club and country. The most unique quality about Pirlo that makes him stand out is the fact that he does all his creating from a deep midfield role!
Most creative midfielders play right behind the strikers in a withdrawn position. Pirlo sits right in front of the central defenders and controls the tempo for his team. While he plays he calmly jogs around the pitch and just picks out these incredible long range passes. It looks effortless, like a walk in the park. Some games it looks like he's barely even breaking a sweat!
His ability to strike a dead ball (free kick, pk, corner kick) is uncanny as well. He's one of the best free kick specialists in the world, accounting for majority of his goals. Take the time to check out a Milan or Italian National team game and watch this artist perform his craft. He's perfect proof that 90% of the game of soccer is played with your mind, and athleticism makes up the other 10%.

Defense Wins Championships

Hypothetical situation, if you were to go to a local New York Red Bull game and ask 50 fans what the key to victory was in the Red Bulls 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire, majority would say, the 1 goal scored. However, in most 1-0 victories, the key number in that equation is the 0 goals allowed. Defense is monumentally important in all sports, especially soccer, and just as overlooked and underappreciated. Ironically to me, the stamp of a good defender is a player who you don't really notice on the pitch. They go about their business, win their tackles, win their headers, keep the teams shape, and then play simple passes to keep possession. It's nothing that's going to get the fans on their feet screaming "Oh and Ah," but it's their steady, disciplined work that allows the midfield players and attacking players to have the freedom to perform their jobs. Next time you find yourself at a soccer game, appreciate the selfless work of the players in the back. Without them, none of the goal scoring you appreciate would be possible.

1v1 Dribbling, Entertainment or Math?

As a wide midfield player, taking on defenders 1v1 is a very crucial part of my job. It's a chess match between you and that defender; a battle of wits if you will. The key to success is being unpredictable. Sometimes go right, sometimes go left, sometimes look to combine, sometimes play the ball backwards to keep it, etc… If the defender knows what you are going to do, you're in big trouble! There is a simple formula for offensive success.

Misdirection + Change of Direction + Change of Speed= Success

Simply fake you're going one way to get the defender off balance; go the other way; accelerate past him and you have successfully dribbled by a defender. Becoming a very good 1v1 dribbler takes practice, but it's a very rewarding skill set to possess.

World Gym Soccer Clinic

As some of you may know the US Premier Soccer Academy is currently finishing up with Winter Clinics out of World Gym in Wantagh. We've had two great groups of kid consisting of 10 year old girls on Thursdays and 4-7 year old boys on Sundays. The first week we had young kids walk into these clinics that have just played intramural for fun and never had professional level soccer training. 6-8 weeks later these kids are passing the ball with proper technique with both feet, doing basic foot sequences, and even some beginning juggling. It's very rewarding as co-founder of this academy to see how quickly these young players are improving under a systematic methodology of training and the guidance of the high-level coaches we have on staff here. I commend the players, parents, and US Premier Soccer Academy coaches for a job well done this winter!

Lionel Messi

Every week starting from now, I am going to take a day to appreciate one of the super talents of world soccer. The first one goes out to one of my favorite players, Lionel Messi. Messi plays for FC Barcelona in Spain and is a member of the Argentina National team. Every time I watch this kid play, I am simply in awe of what he is capable of. His close control, speed with and without the ball, and balance is second to none. It's scary to think he is roughly 5 years from his prime! The next time you are watching a Barcelona game, pay close attention to the way he works out of tight spaces. The combinations he orchestrates are really something to applaud. If you don't have Goltv where you can regularly see Messi in action, type his name into YouTube and take your pick at the various highlight compilations people have made of him. You'll get a firsthand look at some of the remarkable things a soccer artist can do on the pitch.

Do you watch soccer games? Or do you WATCH soccer games?

Believe it or not, there are two different ways to watch soccer games whether it's live from the stadium or from the comfort of your own home on the television. The first is very basic and it's what 95% of people do while viewing a game. You follow the ball as it rotates from player to player in an attempt to score. This is fine if you are simply a fan of the sport and want to enjoy the game. The second way is for the serious player looking to pick something up and learn from the game. You watch the player who plays your position regardless of where the ball is. You watch him defend, you watch his movement off the ball, you study him and compare what he is doing to what you do yourself. This is such an incredible way to learn! There's a reason why those players on television are there, why not try and pick up pointers from them. Try both approaches and see which you like better.

Always Consult a Professional Before Starting a Weight Training Program!

This article goes out to my fellow 5'7, 145 lb players out there. A lot of small or skinny players think the solution to their problem is to rack up 180 lbs on the bench press and push out 2 reps. Well I have news for you, not only will you still be small in the grand scheme of things, you just made yourself slower as well! My advice is to consult with a personal trainer or any sort of fitness specialist before starting a weight program. Just like everything else regarding training for soccer, there's a specific, unique way for soccer players to lift. Keep the weights moderate to light, keep the reps high, and go through functional movements. For example, instead of doing squats with 150 lbs on a bar for 5 reps; hold a 10 lb medicine ball over your head and do 3 sets of 10 squat jumps. See how your legs feel after that! Working out with weights can be extremely beneficial when done properly, just seek the proper assistance if you're not sure.

Why Soccer Specific Stadiums Don't Have Tracks!

I never understood the purpose of having teams run around the track. Most training sessions are only an hour and a half long. Why take a portion of that time and use it on running which players can do by themselves? All fitness should be done with a ball. Soccer is not a sport where you can go long periods of time running at one pace. It's constant bursts of speed, constant changes of direction. Track running can be very useful in the offseason to develop power and strength in your legs. But when you have a group of 15-18 players together, you have to make use of the numbers. Do a circuit with the ball, even better, play short sided games where the loser has some sort of punishment. Compare the way you feel after running a 6 minute mile on the track to how you feel after playing 6 straight minutes of intense 5v5 in a moderate space. Not only are you increasing your VO2 max, you're also becoming more comfortable on the ball.

The Lost Art of the Simple Soccer Pass

I've noticed the way people think about youth development in America has drastically changed since I was growing up playing….and that wasn't really that long ago! Everywhere I go kids are being taught to do drag backs, Cruyff turns, Step-overs, and all sorts of moves/tricks. What happened to the inside of the foot pass? The most basic fundamental and most commonly used technique in an actual game is vastly overlooked in the development process. Don't get me wrong, all the above moves I listed are very useful in the right situation…but soccer is an 11 person game so if the young players can't simply pass the ball to each other, what's the point!? I feel the inside of the foot pass is almost a lost art in the youth development process and it's time for it to be brought back!