It’s been few weeks since my last post….it’s a little tough to have a soccer blog when there is no soccer right now I guess, but in reality, I have been pretty busy. Who would have thought zoom training could keep you so busy!
ZOOM TRAINING ACTUALLY WORKS
I was not sure how this Zoom training thing was actually going to work. Could we find the right type of content? Would it be engaging and fun? Would players actually enjoy it and show up? There were a lot of questions surrounding how to train in a world with no live contact. So we created some content focused on ball mastery, dribbling, and juggling and also threw in some roundtable discussions to help the players engage with their teammates. And guess what….players showed up.
I can remember my first session, sitting on the Zoom Account and waiting for the start time. I had the session opened and I was just waiting for the first player to join. Start time 5:00. 4:55 and still no one but me, huh. Getting a bit anxious now. 4:58, still just the coach. 4:59 and then an image appears on my computer….yes!….a player has joined and then quickly lots of faces, smiling faces and the coach finally relaxed! It was a little like a live session when you are at the field setting up cones and getting organized and waiting for cars to drive up and players to arrive. There is always that moment when its getting close to the start time and no one is there yet! But they all roll in just before the start time….same on Zoom! And attendance has been excellent, really not much different than live training over my time as a coach.
The quality of the training is pretty good as well. The good side of this process is players are on the ball a lot, not much idle time in a line waiting for your turn on a drill or technique. Just you and the ball. That’s good, lots of touches. The tough part is how do you create a competitive environment. We have had to be a bit more creative on that one. Timed challenges has been a way we have developed some competition. Every player on the ball and trying to complete the most moves in 30 seconds. As well, challenging players to improve their own scores in 30 seconds has added a nice element. We have even tried a relay race style set up and that was interesting. Forces you to watch on zoom the player before you and created a little chaos, but good chaos to be sure. And the other cool thing has been the roundtable. Each session starts with the players discussing a topic. Some have been social topics like the impact of COVID. Some have been about team work. A few fun ones, like your favorite athlete, book, movie or TV show. We have even had a Coach Talk from a guest coach on making the transition to High School soccer (Thanks Kit). I guess we have just found a way to make it work.
The most impressive part so far….no question….the players. The girls I coach have really been amazing. Imagine their situation, sitting at home all day, doing schoolwork online, trying to stay busy, and just wanting to get outside and play soccer, play games and be with their teammates. And all they have is a 45 minute zoom training session. And they have been amazing. The focus, the energy, the participation, the effort, the willingness to just go for it has been the best part for me. The idea of Zoom training was all we had and conceptually, it was good, but it would not work without one thing….PLAYERS! A big Thank You from me and I think it has been the same for almost all the coaches. Participation and energy has been really good. 4 Sessions a week, prepping content, e-mailing players, finding videos, organizing an effective session….I am pretty busy coaching soccer. And I can tell you that 6 weeks ago, there was no way I thought I would be this busy coaching soccer…a pleasant surprise.
TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY
So what is next is the question of the day. When will WYSA and the State of WI agree on a phased in return to play plan. Other states are moving forward. MN and MYSA have agreed to a return to play on June 1 with Phase 2. Phase 1 is online only and Phase 2 its live training up to 10 players. We are still waiting on a return to play plan for the state of Wisconsin and everyone is anxious, but as well, no one is in a hurry to rush players back onto the field if we can’t do it safely. So there is the conundrum. To Play or Not to Play. With all apologies to William Shakespeare…….
To play or not to play, that is the question
Whether tis smarter to wait to play and suffer the disappointment
Or to take the field during a time of concern, and play the game
To play, to be at risk, that is the conundrum
So we wait on updates and we continue to train as best we can. And we also keep an eye on other states and soccer organizations for clues. How will clubs in MN actually manage the Phase 2. Will parents be okay with the process. With a 10 player limit, will coaches be able to social distance and still train effectively? Will it be just like zoom training but just together in a group on the field, everyone 6 yards apart? I guess you can now include some passing drills, pretty easy to social distance while passing. But what’s the next step….Phase 3. Larger group trainings? And at what point is social distancing not needed? And when will the time be right to scrimmage and play games. A lot of really good questions. There are some clues when we look at professional soccer.
Teams are starting to come back and train at their facilities. But I think this includes a bunch of testing of players….will we need to test players and coaches? The other clue and test is the German professional league, the Bundesliga. They have restarted their league and are playing games….in empty stadiums. What will happen if a player tests positive? How often will players get tested? A lot of really good questions as sports and soccer start to find the new normal.
Since they are playing games….let’s take a quick look.
Bundesliga Table
- Bayern Munich 61 Points
- Dortmund 57 Points
- RB Leipzig 54 points
- Leverkusen 53 Points
- Monchengladbach 52 Points
Game of the Week: Tuesday May 26th #1 Bayern Munich vs. #2 Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich has controlled this league for many, many years. Dortmund is in striking distance, so a big game for sure. Having won 28 of the 45 championships and the last 7, Bayern is a force in world soccer. The league is 27 games into a 34 game league season, so they are nearing the end of the season. Games are available on Fox Sports. The big game above is on Charter Spectrum Channel 672.
A big game from last week pitted #4 vs. #5, Leverkusen vs. Monchengladbach. Check out the highlights in the link below. Pretty weird to see an empty stadium. Strange to hear no crowd noise other than the piped in cheering after a goal. Pretty strange to see the cardboard cut out of fans.
Now with a little to report, and possibly the Premier League discussing a return top play, check back for some soccer updates. Sorry for the break, but I was busy with Zoom Training….who would have known it would be so busy!