4th Grade Boys Game Going Forward

Off again then on again. We're going forward with the 4th Grade Boys game at 1:00PM, and I'm recruiting different players from different places to take on our team. Lots of communication, and I'll try to do better.

Always remember to check the Johns Creek UMC website for information regarding weather and games. Assume we will play unless the website says games are canceled or if we've communicated that the game is rained out. I'll update this blog, and we'll send out an email if a game is canceled.

Schedule Out

We just received the schedule for the first two games of the season. Emails have been sent out with the roster of each game. Just in case you missed it, here is the schedule (with initials of players). Please use the lineups emailed as the final approved roster. Boys should be at the game twenty minutes prior to kickoff for proper warm-up and to ensure we're ready.

17 March

• 1:ooPM, 4th grade squad GREEN UNIFORMS
• Roster: AT, CS, DP, HR, JR, JC, MC, MR, RV, SP, WC, YB
  
• 2:15PM, 3rd grade squad BLUE UNIFORMS
• Roster: AC, DJ, ER, GM, JN, KM, MK, MD, NW, RC, RK, RC, YL, TS
  

24 March

• 3:3oPM, 3rd grade squad GREEN UNIFORMS
• Roster: CS, GM, HR, MK, MR, MD, NW, RC, RK, RC, WP, TS, WC, YB
  
• 4:45PM, 4th grade squad GREEN UNIFORMS
• Roster: AC, AT, DP, DJ, ER, JR, JN, JC, KM, MC, RV, YL

Snack schedule will be emailed later. We only have a schedule for the first two games and will forward the remaining schedule once it is completed.

A Great Practice!

Terrific practice this week! Thanks to Coaches Scott, Greg, Brad, and Angie for helping throughout. It is truly going to take a team effort to maximize our time together each week.

Our schedules are out. Look for an email with the rosters and times for each game this Saturday and next. Our goals for each game:

• Zero goals allowed (strong defense); this will always be our #1

• Passing
  
  • Into space (meaning forward of a player if possible)
  • Giving the ball up when under defensive pressure vs dribbling through players
  • Crosses from the wings toward a striker ready to score
  • Good decisions (not putting our defense at risk with dangerous passes)
  • Into space (meaning forward of a player if possible)
• Position
  
  • Being in the proper position vs chasing the ball
  • Advancing to being more flexible in positions, moving into space without the ball, finding open areas to receive passes
  • Getting back on defense in position when we're under pressure
  
  
• Being in the proper position vs chasing the ball
• Energy
  
  • Hustling whenever on the field
  • Aggression
  • Attacking the ball
  • Taking on offensive players coming down the field
  • Attacking defenders to steal the ball or force poor decisions
  
  
• Scoring
  
  • Taking a shot on goal with accuracy and power
  • Understanding your power and taking a shot with high likelihood of reaching the back of the net

I will keep this blog updated with current information regarding the team, as well as additional input. I won't be posting the names of our boys due to security concerns nor will I post their photos. Additionally, we won't be giving this URL out to anyone except the parents of our players. We're excited about the new season and hope you are too. Have a great week, and see you Friday.

Boot Camp and Next Practice

Great job by all the Champions today. We had 20 boys turn out for the Boot Camp, and it was a great time to work out some of the kinks. Great effort, and terrific listening by the boys. A couple of small tactical changes to practice this season:

• We will put our water bottles on the far benches to keep the distraction at a minimum during breaks. We'll also start and finish practice over there.
• Balls will be put next to that area on the open area behind the benches. This is primarily to keep our boys from losing soccer balls and to prevent horseplay. As different drills require a different number of balls, this will keep things a bit more organized for us.
• Some of the boys had #5 balls. If they do not have a #4, they should bring the #5 with them. We will have them use one of our #4's during drills unless we run out.
• We will have a similar structure during practices, with some warm-ups, individual drills, 4v4 scrimmage, and then full field scrimmage.

Thanks to Coach Brad and Coach Jason for joining in. Friday's, we will need additional coaches, so please feel free to come to me. I'll give you a schedule and put you to work. I'd prefer to float more between stations, so if we can have a couple more coaches I can do that. Please work on the following items this week with your son:

• Throw-in's: please emphasize proper technique (two hands over your head in a throwing motion, no feet to leave the ground). We were very poor in this area this week.
• Juggling: we're going to introduce this Friday. We'll start juggling the ball with your thigh/knee. Goal is to get players into double digits by the end of the season.
• Heading and chesting the ball: We need to be transitioning into these skill areas. Please work with your son on proper heading technique as well as starting to chest the ball to trap it.
• Catching/stopping ball with feet: from five-eight yards away, start throwing the ball to your son waist high and below. Work with him on stopping the ball with one of his feet or part of his leg.

If you did not pick up your uniform, please be sure to do that Friday. Thanks again, and have a great week.