Ok, this has just become my favorite commercial

living the dream

FC Dallas May 18th

Confirmed Reservation:

Wear Blue!

Name
Papakostas
Patterson
Sarrazin
Habrard
De Papp
Steinberg
Miller
Fraser
Madhavapeddy
Damez
Webb
Nedelec
Chia
Sauvage
Voyiatzis
Moebel
Benavides
Catrevaux
Allen-Kettle
Fitzpatrick
Sorel
Gassin
Loudon
Carbajal
Myny
Sadek
Reynolds
Ramsay
Préaux
Brown
Priam
Mellon
Garcia
Dewannain
Gachelin

Story of Emo

I post this because this an interesting example of soccer development in the US. We sometime worry about size but if you take a moment, you can hear some interesting insights to this issue.

What is not talked about in this story is Emerson is pondering a deal with Newcastle United in England. He might be youngest US player to sign a professional deal.

HYNDMAN SOUGHT BY NEWCASTLE

Family time helps refine special qualities for Hyndman...link to complete story on topdrawersoccer.com

“The basis for everything ahead is to develop skill at a young age,” he said. “There are so many kids bigger and faster who just get by with size and speed, but it doesn’t take long until they are 14 or 15, and the technical players, the ones we hope to see later, have caught up. The problem is I think we lose a lot of those kids because they get discouraged with what goes on. Coaches spend all their time trying to win games and keep those big players around, they don’t really train, they just keep running and running. So the small players are not as effective (in that style) and they lose interest or whatever.”

Tigressess 4.12.08

Mini Tigers 4.08.08

DIS at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco May 18th

Do you want to have your child see David Beckham live?

A new chance is coming with the FC Dallas hosting the LA Galaxy on Sunday, May 18, 2PM at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco. For $20 in the east Sideline, Section 124, Row 27 and 28, you will be able to watch a genuine MLS game with its stars; check the location on www.pizzahutpark.com, these seats are really close to the center, almost at the top of the section.

I have 40 seats reserved until Tuesday, April 15 for this event, that I want to propose to DIS Tigers first. Let me know before Tuesday as they are flying fast and the FCD won't hold them much longer!

Unfortunately, we won't be given a chance to access the field, as they give priority to teams buying a second set of tickets for another game, which I think we can commit to. However, we shall return later in the season to do it with much less restrictions and crowd.

Also, our coaches will perform the usual School Break Soccer Camp next week. Contact Yohannis Guirmahi fo more info, if you didn't get the camp brochure (yguirmahi@dallasinternationalschool.org)

On behalf of Sophie,

Philippe HABRARD

Tigrettes 4.5.08 by J. Woods

Football Development

Player Pathway"Scientific research has concluded that it takes eight to twelve years of training for a player / athlete to reach elite levels. This is called the ten year rule or 10,000 hour rule, which translates to slightly more than three hours practice daily for ten years. Unfortunately, parents and coaches in many sports still approach training with an attitude best characterised as "peaking by Friday", where a short term approach is taken to training and performance with an over emphasis on immediate results. We now know that a long-term commitment to practice and training is required to produce elite players / athletes in all sports. A specific and well planned practice, training, competition and recovery regime will ensure optimum development throughout a player / athlete's career. Ultimately, sustained success comes from training and performing well over the long term rather than winning in the short term. There is no shortcut to success in athletic preparation. Rushing competition will always result in shortcomings in physical, technical, tactical, mental, personal and lifestyle capacities". Source "Building Pathways in Irish Sport" the National Coaching and Training CentreBased on this framework, fun, fundamental motor skills and soccer specific skill development should be strongly emphasised at an early age. Competition for younger children needs to be balanced with the need to develop skills. At present in Ireland there is an overemphasis on competition to the detriment of opportunities to practice. If younger players are to develop their skills and decision making, they need to be exposed to enjoyable practices to develop their capacities on a regular basis. There is a need to review existing competition structures to ensure that the right balance is achieved between training and competition at the different age groups. The FAI in consultation with the NCTC and international player / athlete development expert Dr. Istvan Balyi have developed a six phase model of long term player development (see figure 3). The main elements of these phases are presented below in a modified form;



Phase 1 - The FUNdamental PhaseAge: Males 6 to 9 / Females 6 to 8 yearsThe main objective of this phase is to learn all the fundamental movement skills using a well-structured, positive and fun approach. Soccer skills should be introduced, with an emphasis on fun, skill development and small sided games. Appropriate and correct running, jumping and throwing techniques are taught using the ABC's of athletics. Participation in as many sports as possible is encouraged. The development of these fundamental movement skills will contribute significantly to future at achievements.



Phase 2 - The Learning to Train PhaseAge: Males 9 to 12 / Females 8 to 11 yearsThe main objective of this phase is to learn the specific soccer skills in conjunction with FUNdamental skills from a range of other sports. These skills form the cornerstone of all player development. An emphasis on technical development should be a key part of this phase, with the 7 v 7 game being introduced, progressing to 9 v 9.



Phase 3 - The Training to Train PhaseAge: Males 12 to 16 / Females 11 to 15 YearsThe main objective of this phase is to consolidate basic soccer skills, introduce the basic elements of tactics and to address the two critical periods of physical development namely the aerobic base and strength of players. It should be noted that both aerobic and strength trainability is dependent on maturation levels and not solely chronological age.



Phase 4 - The Training to Compete PhaseAge: Males 16 to 18 / Females 15 to 17 yearsThe main objective of this phase is to optimise fitness preparation and soccer, individual and position-specific skills as well as performance. More advanced tactical elements of the game are introduced. During this phase, high intensity individual, and position-specific training is provided to players. Soccer specific skills are performed under a variety of competitive conditions during training. Special emphasis is placed on optimum preparation by modelling training and competition.



Phase 5 - The Training to Win PhaseAge: Males 18yrs and older / Females 17 yrs and olderThis final phase of player preparation aims to maximise fitness preparation and soccer, individual and position-specific skills as well as performance. All of the player's capacities are now fully established and players are trained to peak for major competitions. Training is characterised by high intensity and relatively high volume with frequent periods of rest.



Phase 6 - The Retainment PhaseThis phase refers to the activities performed after a player has retired from competition permanently. The aim of this phase is to retain players for coaching, sport administration, officiating or recreational participation in the game. For semi professional and professional players this phase will include career planning and transitionAs part of the implementation of the Technical Development Plan an outline of the key capacities that should be developed at each phase of the development of players was developed in consultation with over 150 of Ireland best coaches operating at all levels of the game. These capacities were then subject to a final review by national and international experts before their adoption and publication. The model now forms the basis of a comprehensive Player Development Manual that guides the development of the FAI Coach Education Courses and Emerging Talent Programme.


To download the Player Development Model Click Here PDF (51KB)