Red Barons Update

Well, we've already reached the half way mark of the season and it has been so much fun! I'm still amazed at the great group of kids we have! Me and Coach Matt were observing the team we played last Saturday and there was a lot of bickering and arguing going on between the players and between the players and coaches. We don't have any of that and I never hear our boys complain, even when I have them running and working hard in practice. Our team chemistry is amazing and I hope we can all stay together for at least a few more years!

I want to congratulate the boys on another well played game! Shiven was out this week and I had a cold & no voice, but the boys really stepped up. The team we played had some big kids and they were probably the best offensive team we've played. They got a few goals on us in the first half but we pretty much shut them down after that. We worked on defense this last week and used a sweep in the second half and it made a huge difference. Kudos to the boys for picking up on the things we learned last Tuesday and  for implementing them in the game!

For the second half of the season - We'll be spending some time on defense but we'll also be moving our focus back to personal ball handling skills. Please continue to urge your kids to practice their ball handling at home. If they have a sibling or parent to practice with, it really helps. Have them dribble the ball around you, without trying to kick it through your legs. Also, next year (U8) is the first year we'll need goalies. So...I'll be introducing the goalie position to the boys, so we can get a head start for next season.

Pictures - I haven't received any pictures of our games for our blog. Has anyone taken pictures? If so, please email them to me and I'll add them to our blog. Also, if you haven't seen the pictures on the blog, you can find them under "important links" where our game schedule & snack schedules are posted.

Professional Team Pictures - I haven't received any feedback on getting a team picture done. I don't think it's too late, should I get it scheduled? I think they'll come right out to our practice field to take them. Please email me and let me know. Also email me if you have any suggestions, concerns or if you just want to talk.

Thanks,
Coach Ben

 Red Barons Update

WOW is all I can say! The boys have worked hard and were definitely prepared for our game last Saturday. Every one of the boys played hard and I can't be more proud of them, especially seeing the things we've been working on in practice come out in the games! Our game plan on Saturday was defense and the apposing team only scored one goal! So...congratulations to the boys for a well played game!

Coach Matt and I were talking and we're sooo excited about the chemistry of the boys. It's rare to find 6 kids that get along as well as they do and I don't see any exclusion going on. Maybe a little showboating, but everything seems to be very positive. This makes it so much fun for all of us, so thank you (parents) for raising such great kids and for sharing them with us!

Parents - please don't be shy! I see you waiting in your cars during practice and it's been so beautiful out! I'm sure you're enjoying some valuable "alone time", which is okay, but if you'd prefer to be outside and you don't feel like jumping in and helping with the practices, bring your lawn chair, a cold drink and hang out while we're practicing. It really helps when the parents know what we're working on so they can talk about it at home and encourage the kids to practice individually.

Our Focus - our main focus right now is on individual ball handling and passing. My feeling is...the better the kids can handle the ball, the better we are as a team! Everything else falls in place, especially when we have the opportunity to "practice games" or scrimmage during our practices.

I know I've mentioned this before, but the best thing you can do to help your child improve is to make sure they're coming to the practices and that they're working on the skills they're learning, at home. It's amazing how much they'll improve just by dribbling a ball at home, in their spare time, working on what they've recently learned!

Volunteers - Thank you to all of the parents who have offered to help! No need to go through and announce who is doing what because everything is covered. This makes me and Coach Matt's job so much easier because we can focus on coaching and teaching the kids instead of the administrative stuff! You guys are awesome and the kids will really benefit from your willingness to help!

Official Team Pictures - I need to know who would like to have a photographer come out and take a professional team picture. We have a couple parents/grandparents taking pictures but if you'd like to have someone come out, I'll get it scheduled. I'm good either way. :-)

Pictures - I am posting our current pictures on the blog, under "Important Links", on the top right hand side of the blog. Please share them with the boys, so they can enjoy them too. :-)

Thanks Everyone!
Coach Ben