Monday, November 21, 2016
Warm Up / Cool Down Podcast
This is a podcast consisting of what a proper warmup and cool down should look like. Image credits to http://washburn.edu/alumni-friends/ichabod-communications/feature-stories/Feature-Winter-2016-New-Soccer-Coach.html .
Pregame Superstitions
As soccer girls get older and older they begin to notice the little things that "cause them to win." This doesn't mean the skills demonstrated on the field, but more superficial things. These things have become known over time as classic soccer superstitions and I am going to share with you the top five.
1. Team members must sit in the same seats on the bus.
If your team travels to an out of town game and wins the match it was obviously because of the seats everyone sat in on the bus. There is no need to mess that up.
2. The same meal must be consumed before each game.
I wish I could say that this is not relatable for me. But sadly I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I ate a Chipotle bowl before every single JV soccer game my freshman year of high school. Yikes!
3. It's all about the headband.
If a soccer girl wears a pink headband and scores the game winning goal then she will definitely be wearing that same pink headband the next game.
4. Why wash a winning uniform?
This ritual isn't for all soccer girls, but for some teams who are on winning streaks they don't want to wash off all of the good luck.
5. Smelly socks
Some girls take it a step down from #4 and think that all of the good luck is located in the socks. This obviously makes more sense because soccer is played with your feet.
No matter what your pregame superstition is, never forget that team chemistry and positive attitudes always help a little with the magic.
1. Team members must sit in the same seats on the bus.
If your team travels to an out of town game and wins the match it was obviously because of the seats everyone sat in on the bus. There is no need to mess that up.
2. The same meal must be consumed before each game.
I wish I could say that this is not relatable for me. But sadly I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I ate a Chipotle bowl before every single JV soccer game my freshman year of high school. Yikes!
3. It's all about the headband.
If a soccer girl wears a pink headband and scores the game winning goal then she will definitely be wearing that same pink headband the next game.
4. Why wash a winning uniform?
This ritual isn't for all soccer girls, but for some teams who are on winning streaks they don't want to wash off all of the good luck.
5. Smelly socks
Some girls take it a step down from #4 and think that all of the good luck is located in the socks. This obviously makes more sense because soccer is played with your feet.
No matter what your pregame superstition is, never forget that team chemistry and positive attitudes always help a little with the magic.
Guide to Emailing a College Coach
This post goes out to high school soccer players who are aspiring to play at the college level. One of the hardest things to do in the recruiting process is sit down and write an email to a college coach that contains enough detail about yourself to peak their interest. Today I am providing a sample letter that will help get you started.
Hello Coach ______,
My name is ______. I am __ years old and a ____ at (school name) in (City, State). I play club soccer for (team name). (Here is where you write details about your team such as what division you play in.) I also play (Varsity or JV) soccer at _______. (Now explain why you are interested in the school of the coach you are emailing. Let them know what stands out to you about them)
(In this paragraph talk about yourself as a soccer player. Let them know what positions you can play and where you are most useful on the field.)
(In this paragraph talk about the tournaments your team will be playing in. That way the coach has an opportunity to come and watch you play in person.)
I have attached my game schedule below. Please feel free to reach out to my club coach (coaches name) at 000-000-0000 for more information about me as a player. Or you can reach me at 000-000-0000. Good luck in your season and hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely, (your name)
Whether or not you choose follow this exact format is up to you. But this email provides a baseline with all the information that should be included in an email to get recruited for college soccer.
Best of luck!
Hello Coach ______,
My name is ______. I am __ years old and a ____ at (school name) in (City, State). I play club soccer for (team name). (Here is where you write details about your team such as what division you play in.) I also play (Varsity or JV) soccer at _______. (Now explain why you are interested in the school of the coach you are emailing. Let them know what stands out to you about them)
(In this paragraph talk about yourself as a soccer player. Let them know what positions you can play and where you are most useful on the field.)
(In this paragraph talk about the tournaments your team will be playing in. That way the coach has an opportunity to come and watch you play in person.)
I have attached my game schedule below. Please feel free to reach out to my club coach (coaches name) at 000-000-0000 for more information about me as a player. Or you can reach me at 000-000-0000. Good luck in your season and hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely, (your name)
Whether or not you choose follow this exact format is up to you. But this email provides a baseline with all the information that should be included in an email to get recruited for college soccer.
Best of luck!
West Virginia to the Elite 8
The NCAA tournament is currently being played and West Virginia is ranked as the top dog. West Virginia barely beat number eighteen, UCLA this week. The teams battled the game out in double overtime which resulted in penalty kicks. WVU took the lead with a final PK score of 4-2. This was the first time that WVU ever played UCLA and it was a tough game for the Mountaineers.
The team advances to the "Elite 8" of the NCAA Division 1 tournament for the second season in a row and third time in program history. They will take on Duke at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown.
Other teams competing in the Elite 8 include South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgetown, Santa Clara, Auburn and USC.
The team advances to the "Elite 8" of the NCAA Division 1 tournament for the second season in a row and third time in program history. They will take on Duke at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown.
Other teams competing in the Elite 8 include South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgetown, Santa Clara, Auburn and USC.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Top 3 Soccer Fields in Kansas
This post is most relatable to my fellow Kansan's, but can also be very useful to those who have played in Kansas tournaments or plan on playing in any.
1. Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex - Overland Park, KS
This complex is where I played the majority of my soccer games throughout middle school and high school. It includes twelve lit fields with turf, scoreboards, stadium seating, and a clubhouse with a weight room on the inside. The turf is also heated for chilly, winter games. This complex is ranked as the third best in the country according to Sports Planning Guide USA.
2. Swope Soccer Village - Kansas City, MO
Although these fields are technically in Missouri they are just too good to not add to the list. This complex includes 6 synthetic turf fields and 3 natural grass ones. It is located in the heart of historic Swope Park and provides training facilities for professionals such as Sporting KC, Swope Park Rangers, and FC Kansas City.
3. Lone Elm Soccer Park - Olathe, KS
Lone Elm is home to Kansas Rush Soccer Club but it surprises those who visit to play on the fields. It includes 4 full grass fields which are maintained daily and six 8 vs. 8 fields for youth games.
1. Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex - Overland Park, KS
This complex is where I played the majority of my soccer games throughout middle school and high school. It includes twelve lit fields with turf, scoreboards, stadium seating, and a clubhouse with a weight room on the inside. The turf is also heated for chilly, winter games. This complex is ranked as the third best in the country according to Sports Planning Guide USA.
2. Swope Soccer Village - Kansas City, MO
Although these fields are technically in Missouri they are just too good to not add to the list. This complex includes 6 synthetic turf fields and 3 natural grass ones. It is located in the heart of historic Swope Park and provides training facilities for professionals such as Sporting KC, Swope Park Rangers, and FC Kansas City.
3. Lone Elm Soccer Park - Olathe, KS
Lone Elm is home to Kansas Rush Soccer Club but it surprises those who visit to play on the fields. It includes 4 full grass fields which are maintained daily and six 8 vs. 8 fields for youth games.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Why College Athletes Rarely Wear Makeup
Walking around a college campus it is very unlikely to see a college athlete wearing makeup. The reason isn't because we don't like it, because the truth is when I go out I love to wear makeup. The reasons are actually quite understandable.
Reason 1: We just don't have time.
Simply put there are very few athletes who feel motivated enough after 6am practices to go put on makeup before class. That time is most likely used to take a nap.
Reason 2: We may cry at some point during the day.
Whether it is after running five 120 sprints or having a serious talk with coach, chances are tears might be shed.
Reason 3: We don't know where to start.
Most of us still don't know what conturing your face even means. This is why we have our non-athlete, makeup genius friends help us fix our face for those occasional nights out.
Reason 4: We will sweat it off.
After being in the training room twice a day and going to practice the makeup will most likely be sweat off.
Reason 5: We are naturally beautiful.
Sure all of the above reasons are true, but at the end of the day the biggest reason is that we are naturally beautiful girls, of course.
Reason 1: We just don't have time.
Simply put there are very few athletes who feel motivated enough after 6am practices to go put on makeup before class. That time is most likely used to take a nap.
Reason 2: We may cry at some point during the day.
Whether it is after running five 120 sprints or having a serious talk with coach, chances are tears might be shed.
Reason 3: We don't know where to start.
Most of us still don't know what conturing your face even means. This is why we have our non-athlete, makeup genius friends help us fix our face for those occasional nights out.
Reason 4: We will sweat it off.
After being in the training room twice a day and going to practice the makeup will most likely be sweat off.
Reason 5: We are naturally beautiful.
Sure all of the above reasons are true, but at the end of the day the biggest reason is that we are naturally beautiful girls, of course.
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