Play Date?

It really might be a good idea to do a play date during the week. The kids are still getting to know each other and for those that are still warming up to it all. Having said that, our schedule is crazy full the other nights (I won't bore you w/the details but it really is jam packed). But please don't let the stop you'all from setting up something. When you comment, give a suggestion to the day/time/location- once more than 3 kids can make it, we'll post the details :) The more kiddos that go, the better off the team will be.

This Weeks Practice 9/28

I can't wait till practice tomorrow. We'll still start out with a warm up/stretch, a quick jog, some drills, THEN (and most importantly) do some mini game scenarios (one at a time, one on one, etc etc). We’ll wrap up with a longer jog and then a cool down but... what we’ll focus on really explaining the concept of soccer.

We’ll discuss how the ball “belongs” to the field. That it is our job as a team to get it into the opposing team's goal while we protect ours. We'll work on terms and do demonstrations (the parents will participate in the demonstrations I hope) and I'm sure the kids will absorb more now that they've played a real game.

I did some research to better understand the ins and outs of the game, this is what I came up with incase you find it helpful too… each quarter will begin with a kick-off at the center mark. Both teams must be on their own side of the field, and the opposing team must remain outside the circle until the kick is made. The ball is in play when it moves forward into the opposing side of the field. (We did pretty good at this part).

Then we’ll just probably simplify kicks to the idea that if our team is kicking, we should stay close and try to get the ball if they pass it or at least prevent the other team from getting it. Then we’ll explain that if the other team is kicking in the ball- we have to back way up (10 yards). But we’ll let them know that once the ball is in play (being kicked) we can try to get it and kick it toward their goal.

Goal Kicks are a lil’ complicated for them to understand but we may want to know… a goal kick is awarded when the ball passes completely over the goal line, but not into the goal, after having last been played by an attacking player. A goal kick can be taken from anywhere within the goal area. All opponents must be at least 10 yards away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is in play once kicked. If a goal kick is kicked directly into the kicking team’s own goal, the goal is disallowed and the kick is retaken.

Corner Kicks are also a lil’ over their heads but for those who don’t know… a cornerkick is awarded when the ball passes completely over the goal line, but not into the goal, after having last been played by a defending player. A corner kick is taken at the corner closest to where the ball left the field. The corner flag cannot be moved. All opponents must be at least 10 yards away from the ball. The ball is in play once kicked. A goal can be scored directly on a corner kick.

I also want to teach the goalie not to stand in the goal and to be willing to pick up the ball if it is in the area around the goal.

Just so we're all on the same page. I'm also open for suggestions; I just really want them to feel comfortable playing so they can have fun.

Pictures Sat 10/1 at 8am

The company that is doing our pictures is called The Sports Section. We will be taking individual and team photos. They asked that you arrive for pictures 1 hour before the game- our game starts at 9am so we need to be there are 8am. Wow- that's early huh?

I will give out picture information this Wednesday, Sept 27th (please remind me if I forget)- our pictures are scheduled for Oct 1st. It is a good idea to fill out your purchase information prior to picture day. Payment will be due on picture day. They accept cash, check, Mastercard, Visa and Solid Gold.

There is a about a 30 day turnaround from the time the pictures are taken to the time they are delivered to the coach (me). It looks like we should receive them by the weekend of Oct 29th at the games.

Their site is www.sports-section.com/djames (see links)
Their number is 817-251-8251 & their email is djames@tssphotography.com

We'll turn it around... 9/26 Update

Okay so our first game was a good learning opportunity. We’ll focus on more game-type scenarios during practice and get all the kids more comfortable being on the field. One parent mentioned it might be a good idea to have the kids sit separately from their parents. I love this idea. I’ll be bringing the blanket from practice to the games and we’ll make that the place for them to sit. I’d also like to have one parent (Amber?) to ensure the kids stay seated and for the other parents to hang back and just focus on cheering and encouraging the team.

Please continue to tell them what a good job they are doing and drive home that we’re here to have fun. Last year my son’s team came a long way from the first game to the last- I know ours will to. Now that I can see that 3 – 4 year olds can “do more” we’ll work harder at practice to bring up their skill level. Having said that, we've got some young 3 year olds and there will be some old 4 year olds so the level of ability is just going to be different from team to team.

We’ll get there,
Coach Kristy

Go Titans!!!

Jerseys

GREAT NEWS: our jerseys are in! I'll be passing them out before the game- please try to be there by 11:30 so we're ready to go by 12pm.

UPDATE 9/19/05

Hey Everyone, I've spoke to Teresa and she informed me of the following...

Our Team Colors are now black and red (no longer black and orange) and our game location is now in North Arlington at River Legacy (East WHITE).

The schedule is set and can be found either on this blog (below) or by going to the link.
I've updated the info on the rest of the blog also.

Next Practice, Wed 6:30pm

Hey Everyone, thought the last meeting went well last night.

We'll continue to do our best to get started right at 6:30 and we'll stay in the same place BUT the parents will sit between the practice area and the playground. Next week I'd like to work on some 3 on 3 (maybe 2 on 2). We'll practice throwing in the ball and kicking. I'd like to take turns but that will mean we'll need Mommies or Daddies to chase down the balls and at least 1 parent to be near the kids to tell them when their turn is and to ensure they stay seated. Maybe we can even have a designated parent to "retrieve" wandering kiddos? I would like to wrap up around 7pm and then allow the kids to play on the playground as a reward (but that portion is up to you).

We'll do a warm-up, run, work on drills/mini-games, run and then cool-down.

If you see that there is an opportunity to jump in and help, please do.

Rainout? Call...

Wondering if your scheduled league game is rained out?
Call the rainout number at 817-462-8441.

If there's lightning- there's no game.

If there's rain- there's no practice

Kiddos

Trevor, Andrew, Jack, Coleman, Max, Bryce, Caden,

Morgan, and Caitlin

Please do your best to familiarize yourself with all the kiddos.

Volunteer Info

For more information on becoming a volunteer assistant coach, contact the Athletics office at 817-462-3706." There's a short form to fill out- easy breezy.

Potty Time

Don't forget to have your child potty BEFORE practice and games.

Cheers

I really want to see all the parents participating and encouraging the lil' ones. They are looking to you to set the tone. While it isn't usually a problem getting parents to cheer for their kids, please remember to cheer for the other kiddos as well.

No negative talk- it’s not nice and we're here to have fun.

For alot of players, this will be their first experience with sports and I know we want it to be positive.

Things to Buy

They're going to wear black soccer shorts and black soccer socks over their shin guards (which are mandatory). Plastic cleats are what I'd like to see the kiddos wear; the black ones look really sharp and can be purchased inexpensively at Academy (and many other places). The jerseys will be supplied by the City- we'll get them by the first game (I'll distribute them as soon as I receive them). The color I requested was black but now we've been switched from orange to red.

You'll need to bring a ball with you to every practice; the ball should be size 3.

Also PLEASE bring a water bottle with you to practices and games.

Team Name

I had to give a name to Teresa for our team so I went with Team Titans.
Our jerseys are red and we're wearing black socks, black shorts and black cleats.

Welcome

This is our very own blogsite for our lil' tikes soccer updates and general info.

Right now what you need to know about this blog is that...
Security measures are in place to protect our privacy but to be extra safe- we're not going to use last names or post phone numbers, addresses, things of that sort. I will be vague about some details on purpose but always feel free to call me for more specifics. For now I'll allow anyone to comment on our postings but that may mean we'll get some advertisements and some of those won't be nice. Soon I'll only allow registered users to comment but for those of you that aren't familiar with blogs, I'm trying to make things simple for you until you become a registerd user (it is just a few clicks and there is no charge).

Please know I do a decent job of updating my blog(s) so this will still be a great place to get up-to-the-minute team info.

Not only that, but this is a good place to put your comments, thoughts, and suggestions. I just ask that you be kind. Having not met many of you, I say this ahead of time just as a precaution.

I will be posting a snack schedule, a game schedule, special event info, etc here. We'll see where this goes but if you're not comfortable with this format for communication, everything will be discussed verbally and likely be written down for you.

I'm lookin' forward to a fun season as our lil' tike's enter the wonderful world of soccer/sports.

Thanks,
Coach Kristy