Day 5 - The Grand Finale

First, let me thank all of you who have taken a few moments out of your days to read my Blog and share some of my experiences from the convention. I tried to share with everyone the most pertinent information I could while not diluting them with every single detail and lesson learned. I hope that a few of you were able to take away some thoughts and it gave you some encouragement to improve as player, or a coach or a player's parent or club manager. That is my ultimate goal for writing this Blog and I have had a great time writing it! So with that...........

The Last Day!!

To be 100% honest, I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. The very busy week was most certainly catching up with me. When that alarm went off, I struggled to not hit the snooze...more than twice ;-). Then I began to focus. Today was the last day and the day of the extra session I signed up for, Meulensteen Method: 200 Level Course "Training the Difference: Developing Creative and Confident Players" with Rene Meulensteen, Former First Team Manchester United Coach and  Erwin van Elst, President, SportPartnersUSA - Meulensteen North America. I mean, Rene Meulensteen worked side by side with Sir Alex Furgeson  and coached players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Rinaldo!!!

So that got some pep in my step and off I scrambled to get ready, check out of the hotel and grab some coffee. 

The five hour session was all that I had hoped for. It would realistically take me 4 hours to go over everything we covered in two lectures and two field sessions. In summary, the Meulensteen Method is all about a player development curriculum based on age and developmental stage. It reinforces the importance of basic skills at the youngest ages, but also suppliments that with a philosphy of adding the building blocks of creativity. The curriculum accomplishes this through reinforcing a certain type of coaching style, the repetition of skill building activities and the freedom of letting the kids play!!! I was really excited about everything I was hearing in the lecture and then saw some very talented U10 and U12 boys learning from the activities.

I will list a few very important key points about this ideology for everyone's consideration:

• Identifying, developing and building successful players and teams
• A four piece puzzle to the player's development
• Technical, tactical, mental and physical
• All aspects have overlapping priorities depending on the player's age and skill level
• Providing skill moves at an early age for building blocks to use in creative play
• Kids respond to the environment that coaches create
• Constant positive coaching and reinforcement during training
• Training guidelines include:
• Purpose
• Challenge
• Quality <> Intensity (Directly related, adjust for each)
• Fun
• Meulensteen said the art of coaching included
• Don't talk too much
• No negative coaching (e.g. you did that play wrong!)
• No shouting or coaching from the sidelines
• Don't coach failure, recognize success
• Develop a CULTURE for the player, the team and/or the club

There's that word again.....culture.... three of the five days at this convention, I have heard world leading experts overstate the importance of culture when talking about soccer programs and players. I couldn't agree more!! But what I need to figure out is am I providing that culture to my players? Am I creating the correct culture for my J4K goalkeepers? Am I leading the NSSC in making sure our culture is one that truly places development of the player first? And is it a culture that is building creative and confident players? Not just a winning mentality? 

I promise to think of all of those things and use my new found knowledge from Rene Meulensteen to make sure I am in fact, creating the best possible culture for all of the players that I affect.

Much to reflect on as I headed back to the hotel, grabbed my bags and had some lunch before I made my way to the train station. I guess one thing I didn't think about was how was I going to carry all of my stuff back home???? :-)

So there you have it!! Another awesome NSCAA Convention!!! I definitely enjoyed myself and absorbed a great deal of information. Of course I could have done without the cold and the cold weather, but all in all a very positive experience. I certainly hope I don't have to deal with the cold weather when I go to next year's convention....it's in Los Angeles!!! You coming along????

 

  

Day 4 - The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful

Greetings Readers,

And welcome to day 4!!

I am happy to say that I continue to feel better. This is important because I knew today would be a busy day. I am also happy to report that there was plenty of hot water for the shower!Add my hot tea and my bakery breakfast, I was charged and ready to go!!!

First up with coffee in hand was a field session called "My Favorite Games, The Gene Chyzowych High School Clinic" with Tom Durkin, Technical Director, Boston Breakers Youth Academy. Coach Durkin led some very talented U14 boys from the Baltimore Celtic FC through a progressive session on transitional play. Although I was familiar with two of the four activities, it is always great to see it from another coach's perspective. As coaches, no matter what level of education, certification or experience, we must always be willing to learn from other coaches. You can always pick up on one or two key points or add a couple of coaching points for our players. I did just that from Coach Durkin and it was a great way to start the day!

Right away, headed upstairs to my next classroom session, my true passion, Goalkeeping with Lisa Cole, Technical Director, U20 National Team Head Coach, Centre Soccer Association, Papua New Guinea and Jill Loyden, Goalkeeper, Sky Blue FC. I had the pleasure of listening to Coach Cole at last year's convention and was really looking forward to her addressing the finer points of age appropriate Goalkeeping. Jill is no longer playing and is now only coaching. However, having been a goalkeeper at the highest levels, I was ready to soak up any and all information she was willing to share.  Did you know that 82% of what the modern goalkeeper does, is with their feet?!?! That's why we work on footwork agility and ball control at almost every Just4Keepers training session! It was good to hear some common philosophies between Coach Loyden and my J4K training programs. Beliefs in the importance of leadership, communication and motivating goalkeepers to motivate themselves. This made me feel proud to be working with goalkeepers in the Capital Region and can't wait to get back to training!!

I had just a little bit of time to kill before my next required class, so I decided to head to the exhibitors hall and do a little shopping. It wasn't long before I found my buddies at Orono Sports who always have great prices on decent equipment. The father-son team recognized me from past conventions and greeted me kindly. So I bought some needed training equipment that will be used for both J4K and NSSC U17! Nothing fancy, but some stuff to add to my soccer toy box :-)

So next I was off to the Hilton's Grand Ballroom, which was conveniently turned into a Futsal court where I watched  "Training Activities to Teach Attacking Principles" with 
Vince Ganzberg, Assistant Director of Coaching, NSCAA and Jason Sisneros, Director of Analytics, University of North Carolina. This was my first time watching Coach Ganzberg and he did not disappoint! He was working with U14 Girls and he was having a blast! He kept them moving, laughing and learning all while progressing nicely through attacking principles. He also took time to coach the coaches with key points to reinforce during our coaching sessions "back home". It was a very enjoyable session and I gained a great deal of information and tips, including......... The Secret goal Game!!

Now I had 30 minutes before I had to get back to the ballroom for the second half of the session "Training Activities to Teach Defending Principles", which was my last required course for the special topics diploma. I thought that I would go grab lunch in the exhibitors hall....silly me! Of course, as I started wandering around, I got involved with several vendors talking about player tracking software, more training equipment and said hello to my friends at Ohle Sport. So next thing you know.....no lunch and running back to the Hilton!

So next up was Jason Sisneros. And to give an honest report, it wasn't worth anyone's time. I don't want to judge Jason's coaching ability, but if he runs his sessions with his regular team, the way he worked with these U12 girls, they are in for some tough seasons. He talked way too much and didn't let the girls play. He wasn't simple and clear in setting up any part of his activities and once he finally got the activity set up, he would usually stop it in the first 30 seconds or so to make a coaching point. This poor style was repeated throughout the session. As coaches, we need to remember to be concise in our explanations. If you can't set up an activity within a minute or two at most, you need to rethink your explanation. Once an activity begins, let the players work through it for a few rounds to get the feel and see if they can begin to figure out their own problems before any coaching points are made. This way when you do finally give the correction, it has a better chance of sinking in. Also, remember that guided discovery is a great tool for teaching. Ask leading questions, get the players thinking and reinforce positive answers. Heck, I have learned so much from my players over the years by getting answers to my leading questions that I hadn't thought of!! This is one way we all can be better coaches.

This sub par session was soon replaced with an outstanding field session "Decision Making: When to Counter and Go to Goal Versus When to Build Out of the Back" with Denise Schilte-Brown, Head Women's Soccer Coach, University of South Florida. Now I didn't remember the name, but as soon as I saw her and heard her voice, I quickly realized that I had observed this great coach at some point in the past. Her high energy, positive enthusiasm and great coaching spirit was infectious. I couldn't decide if I wanted to get out there and coach or play!! Truly a great coach. The topic is one near and dear to my heart as well. I have for years been developing the NSSC boys to be confident to build up from the back to develop an attack. Coach Schilte-Brown showed me some activities and methods for developing a team's ability to determine when playing from the back is OK and when it is better to quickly counter attack. I took great notes and can't wait to help my players take their decision making to the next level!!!

Well that was the last field session and no more classroom sessions available either :-( But guess what? It was still daylight out, just barely. And having skipped lunch, I was hungry! So I finally had the chance to walk down to the Harbor and catch a little Baltimore atmosphere and scenery!!

And of course, dinner at........

Normally they would be watching a German or English Football match, but as I ate my delicious chicken sandwich and fries, I sampled a local Seasoned Wheat brew and on every TV was......American Football!!!! And you know what???........ That was just fine by me :-)

One more post tomorrow!!! The great Rene Meulensteen..... I can't wait.

Day 3 - Adapt and you will be rewarded.

Evening Folks,

Caution!! Grab a cup of coffee, glass of wine or a beer, whatever your preference, because this will be a long entry!!! I thank you in advance for following along on my journey at the 2016 NSCAA Coaches Convention.

First off, a good night's rest had me feeling just a bit better, still not top form, but up on time at least to tackle a full day's schedule. Unfortunately, the day started with a cold shower because there was no hot water!! I guess all of the coaches were looking to make the 9am sessions and all got up at the same time :-). So once again, some hot tea, medicine and some breakfast set me up for my seven minute walk to the convention center. Breakfast however, was not that simple! Once again the hotel bakery was a popular breakfast spot and the line was out the door!! Although I was on time, a wait in that line would make me late.... so I opted for a change and stopped somewhere along the way.

Up first on the list was my second required class for my Small Sided Games special topics diploma, Introduction to NSCAA Small Sided Games - 4v4, 7v7, and 9v9 with Ian Barker, Director of Coach Education, NSCAA, David Newbery, eLearning Coordinator, and NSCAA Mark Spiegel, Founder, Make Your Own Ball Day. Very interesting presentation and discussions regarding the new USSF mandate of 7v7 for U10 and 9 v 9 for U12 players. Yes, we talked about field size and goal size, but the idea behind these discussions was coaching objectives regarding these small sided games. It was nice to be one of the coaches who was able to raise their hand when asked, "Is your club ready for the mandate?" However, the league that the New Scotland Soccer Club plays in is the CDYSL. The CDYSL is still playing 8 v 8 for U12. So we will have to wait and see what transpires. No worries though, CDYSL League Operations Director, Italo Carcich  was sitting two rows behind me, so I am sure he is on top of things!!

Now, I was originally headed to listen to Carlos Menjivar, on technical training for U11 - U13, but when I arrived at the double sized classroom, it was overflowing with coaches!! Standing room only and spilling out into the halls. Now all good coaches know that in order to be successful, you have to be able and willing to change on the fly.....so I did. I quickly went down the hall to catch another leadership presentation "LEADERSHIP: Knowing What It Takes" with Joe Cummings, Founder and President, Manage Your Soccer Club, Amanda Duffy, General Manager, Louisville City FC and Thom Meredith, Executive Director, Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. Now as the president of the New Scotland Soccer Club, Inc., I was interested in their perspectives on leadership and what it takes to manage a soccer club. Now of course NSSC is not an MLS organization, nor a for profit premier club, but it seems that some of the leadership traits should overlap, right? They discussed the differences between 'Transactional' vs. 'Transformational' leadership and talked about vision, ownership, empowerment, responsibility and culture. The latter was something importantly stressed by yesterday's speaker,  Chester Elton. They continued with reinforcing ideas of 'ready to change', 'be a self assesor' and the importance of mentors. All of which were very thoughtful insights to managing a club. I will be thinking on some of these items and try to be the best leader I can for NSSC.

Time for lunch. I went to a local place called Potbelly Sandwich Shop down a block or two and had a nice toasted sandwich while listening to a local jazz guitarists. It was a nice break!!

Next, running back to my next required class Top Ten Activities to Coach 7v7 and 9v9"
Vince Ganzberg, Assistant Director of Coaching, NSCAA, Ian Mulliner, Technical Director, Massachusetts Youth Soccer, David Newbery, eLearning Coordinator, NSCAA. We got back to soccer talk! Further going through coaching objectives in the 7v7 and 9v9 formations and principles of play. I encourage every coach out there to make sure they understand the fundamentals of the principles of play for both attack and defense, in order to make sure that they incorporate them into their coaching sessions. What was most interesting was something I have heard several times before, that the club's best and most qualified coaches should be at the younger levels. Something that very few clubs practice. I am pleased to say that NSSC is beginning to adopt that philosophy and will look forward to continued improvement over the years.

Finally, time for a field session!!! "Transition To Defending and How It Can Dictate The Tempo of A Match" Brad Friedel, Head Coach, U-19 USMNT. Now even though Brad was presenting a field players topic, he is a world renowned goalkeeper, so I was anxious to hear his views on coaching a full team. But hang on!!!! As we all gathered around the mini field, an announcement was made that Brad would not be able to do the session! Although dissapointed, we were rewarded with a more than effective substitute in Stuart Pearce Former Premier League Manager. He took the crowd through a progressive training session on defensive formations and how to use them to manage the game. He stressed communication, quick movements and purposeful passes to make sure the intended outcome was achieved.  I always ask my players, "What's the score", "How much time is left", "What outcome do we need"? They should take these things into consideration while making their decisions on the field. Just another thing to worry about...... and you thought soccer was an easy game ;-)

 With classroom and field sessions done for the day, I decided to head over to the job fair (No worries everyone, I don't think Coach Knight is going anywhere). But I wanted to see what it was all about and if the dream job was out there for me. Sadly, the job fair was a new item for the convention this year and it wasn't well attended. Maybe a dozen places looking for coaches and most of them were the big organizations like NY Redbulls and Lonestar FC. So I decided to head back to the exhibitor hall for a more in depth interaction with the vendors. Here I saw some of the crazy contraptions everyone is inventing to help our young soccer players become great. Re-bounders, trainers, conditioning equipment, high tech software tracking and video analysis just to name a few. There were so many soccer tour companies there as well. Bring your team to Europe, Costa Rica, England and even Trinidad and Tobago!!!  Maybe someday, maybe someday! I made a few purchases, had some great talks with a few vendors as I was on a mission for some J4K goalies and their parents, all with good success!

My last purchases were two books by D.C. Freedman. Now, learn more by clicking on the link for his name, but in summary, he's a soccer journalist that has created a novel series about a young American boy playing soccer in England. The novels are aimed at the young readers but I have heard that adults can't put it down either. I can't wait to dive into them! Here's the good part! I was making small talk with the lady who sold me the books. From a good friend who posted me on FB, I knew that D.C. and Brad Friedel were supposed to be at the convention, but I also knew that Brad had to cancel one of his sessions today. She informed me that not only were they both here, but they were going to be doing a book signing upstairs at five o'clock!! It was 4:45pm....so off I ran. Sure enough I caught the last bit of Brad's discussion on the philosophy of youth soccer, including goalkeeping. Then I was one of the first few in line for the signing!!! I am really looking forward to reading these books and sharing them with some of the young kids I coach.

At that point, my day was done. No more classes or sessions to attend and the exhibitor hall was closed up for the evening. I was well rewarded for adapting to the day's challenges. I took my bounty, headed back to the hotel and immediately opened the computer so I could share with all of you!

Now it's time for dinner and maybe a drink....but I think I know what my bedtime story will be! Can't wait!!!!!!

Talk to you all tomorrow!!

Day 2 - Must press on!!!!

So as fate would have it, the cold came on full force last night and I got a very late start to Day 2!! But after some hot tea, some medicine, a hot shower and some breakfast, I was good enough to press on. After all, it's not every day you have the chance to see some of the world's greatest coaches in action all under one roof!!

While the big event for most people today was the 2016 MLS Superdraft, I tend to avoid the mayhem since I don't really know anyone who might be drafted. Instead I head to my first field session today was watching "Principles of Attacking" Pekka Clewer, Head Coordinator of Coaching Education, Finland FA & Tommi Kautonen, Finnish FA. Although the very strong accent made it difficult to understand everything he was telling the players, the language of soccer is universal and I could see the sessions he was developing and the attacking concepts he was reinforcing with the players. Quick decisions, can you play forward first, can you pass and then make the correct run to receive the ball back and score...? All items I will look to reinforce with my U17 Boys team this spring.

Next up was a classroom clinic, "Performance Analysis to Enhance Technical Development" with Ian Donnelly, Managing Director, Performance Innovation Ltd. Basically, it was how to use video and other technology to address performance analysis. Some very interesting perspectives and use of software to make game and player evaluation easier and more meaningful. Did you know that the human capability for recalling a specific event is only about 40% accurate at best!?!?!? That's why video is and should be used at every level of the game. Coach Knight used video last year with the U16 Boys to evaluate their shooting technique which proved very beneficial for many players. I also video most of my Just4Keepers training sessions so I can watch them later to evaluate not only the players, but myself and the training session. So make sure to be on the look out for more use of video to help all of our development.

After a mad dash down the halls of the Baltimore Convention Center, I was getting ready for one of my highlights of this year's convention.... "All In" Chester Elton, Author, Co-Founder & President, The Culture Works. Why was this a highlight for me, when it didn't have to directly deal with soccer? Well, this was a leadership presentation and if you didn't already know, I LOVE watching great leadership presenters discuss the finer points of leading teams in both business management and coaching. I have to say that Mr. Elton did not disappoint!! He kept us all engaged and energetic, which in turn enabled us to focus and buy into the culture examples he was sharing with us. Those three "E's" were something that I believe I have always had in my coaching style. Now it's time to take it to the next level to help my players and teams achieve their goals!!

Alright, so back to true soccer with a field session, "Effective and Efficient Goalkeeping in The Modern Game" with Phil Wheddon, Head Women's Coach, Director, Syracuse University! J4K Goalies watch out!!! Coach Wheddon gave me a bunch of ideas and concepts, to go along with a few new activities to work into our programs!! It was very interesting to see some of the differences in caching proper technique. Some of the things this top level coach was showing a group of 3 U14 boy goalkeepers, were in contradiction to what Coach Tony DiCicco has taught us over the years. It just goes to show that the position of goalkeeping is continually evolving and as coaches, we must evolve right along. For example, for years coaches have asked keepers to exaggerate the prep step of a collapse dive at an angle.... Coach Wheddon says that the game is too fast for that these days and it is more important to quickly shift your foot in the direction you wish to dive. I'm gonna have to think about that one and for all of my keepers out there....you do the same.

I then went to the grand opening of the Exhibitors Hall. Gigantic!!! Probably twice as large as last year's convention. I decided I would take a quick walk through the entire venue, collect a few freebies and not get involved in any lengthy discussions. There should be plenty of time to do that tomorrow and Saturday. Besides it was time to get some more medicine and some dinner. Hopefully a good night's rest will get me well prepared for tomorrow's FULL schedule!!! 

Won't you join me for the recap???
  

Day 1

Well Day 1, or should I say evening 1 is in the books.

After a nice relaxing train ride first down the Hudson river, followed by the Delaware river I arrived in Baltimore on time and ready to go!

Checked into the hotel, nice room, not such a nice view of the demolished building across the street, but otherwise a fine place to call home for a few days.

Headed over to the Convention center less than a half mile away and took a lay of the land! NSCAA registration was of course on the opposite side of the center from where I entered, but that allowed me to get good vantage points to become familiar with my surroundings. Although the registration line was a couple hundred people deep, it moved fairly fast, got my badge, my T-shirt and welcome packet and made it just in the nick of time to the first clinic of the night!

6:15 Full Squad Attacking Activities" Ian Barker, Director of Coach Education, NSCAA . As usual, Ian did a great job working with some Maryland elite U12 Boys and gave us all something to think about as he worked on a developing session that included goalkeeper involvement and building the session, simple to complex, allowing these boys to have a great deal of fun trying to score on their fellow keepers. You can see the full session on Ian's twitter page: (https://twitter.com/barkernscaa) .

Then at 7:30, my buddy Tony DiCicco held a session on "Advanced Goalkeeping" Tony DiCicco, Director, Founder, NSCAA Goalkeeping Academy, Soccer Plus. I have had the pleasure of getting Goalkeeping education from Tony for about 5 years now. He is truly one of the worlds best GK coaches and tonight he did not disappoint. He worked with a full team of U16 Maryland elite Girls including 4 Goalkeepers and progressed them through 'Saving the Point Blank Shot'. It was reassuring to see that some of the activities Coach DiCicco used in this session were the same ones I used. But I guess that makes sense since I have learned a lot from him in previous years. What was really great to see in this session was how Tony worked with each of the girls to help them coach themselves so they could each improve in the areas they needed to, to become great goalkeepers! I look forward to continuing this type of training in my Just4keeper training sessions as well as all positions for my U17 Team.

So back to the hotel for some dinner and some rest. I feel a cold coming on.... worse possible timing!!! I hope it doesn't get worse and in the way of tomorrow's full day of activities!!!

Hope to talk to everyone then!

Coach Knight 

Welcome to Coach Knight's NSCAA Convention Experience Blog!!

I look forward to sharing all of the great activities, sessions, clinics and classes that I am attending during five awesome days in Baltimore, Md during the 2016 NSCAA Annual Convention. Coach knight plans to hang out with over 10,000 soccer coaches, administrators, vendors and athletes while we all network, learn, discuss and share our soccer experiences of  the year. Highlights hope to include:

• Clinics and discussions with the great Coach Tony DiCicco

• Field Sessions with NSCAA national Staff goalkeeping coach Deb Raber

• Club and Player development discussions with NSCAA eLearning Coordinator David Newbery

• Field Sessions,player and coaching development discussions with NSCAA Director of Coach Education Ian Barker

• Special training session with the great player and former Manchester United and Fulham coach Rene Meulensteen

• Seeing all of the latest and greatest soccer innovations, equipment, services and toys in the exhibit hall

• Many, Many More!!!

During this year's convention, Coach Knight hopes to receive the following education certificates:

• Special Topics Diploma - Small Sided games

• Meulensteen Method: "Training the Difference: Developing Creative and Confident Players"

So I hope you will join me and follow along. I will try to update the Blog several times per day....but I will be having so much fun, don't be angry if I miss a post or two :-)


See you in Baltimore!!