Inspiration in Motion: Getting to your next level
I thought I’d share an email I recently sent to a U11 team I help coach. It falls under the theme of inspiration—a word that can take many forms.
The goal was to create something visual—something players can watch again and again, and eventually bring to life in practice or during a game.
I still remember the moment I first watched Lothar Matthäus trap a ball in a crowd of three defenders, glance up while it was still in the air, and play a perfect half-volley pass out wide. I was in awe.
Later, in one of my own matches, I pulled off a similar move. Instantly, I connected that moment to what I’d seen from Matthäus. It sparked a drive in me—to learn, to train harder, and to chase that feeling of mastery every time I stepped on the field.
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Hey everyone,
I really enjoy when players ask Abe and me, “What can I do to get better?” That kind of initiative and confidence always stands out.
To support that drive, I put something together to inspire work away from practice — something simple that keeps their minds active and focused on improving.
Please read below and share it with your players. Encourage them with the idea that it only takes a few minutes a day (even 5 minutes!) to make real progress. With consistent touches on the ball and a positive mindset, their growth will come quickly.
If you have any questions or feedback, please let Coach Abe or me know.
Cheers,
Chris
"Chance favors the prepared mind"
APR - Awareness, Purpose, Resolve (FC8.soccer mantra)
Scanning, scanning, scanning ----- rarely ever just ball watching
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPWb6bHD_LJ/?igsh=MXV3MTY4eWYzYXd1MQ==
Great Rondo
https://youtu.be/uja_3g1VSsQ?si=-VMqayKQxjD8Ql4r
https://youtu.be/Ne7Qq6Q51wk?si=JIVH6nTLjot12NbE
- speed of play; ball moves quickly, its the fastest thing on the field
- Being ready
- mind: know where to play it; 3 options, map it out
- physical: body position to be able to play the ball in different directions; ready position, balanced
- this translates the ability in a game to move the ball quickly and into where there is a player in a better position relative to the defender
Watch youth players in European pro soccer clubs
PSG vs Juventus - https://youtu.be/ayoCrhBsF7E?si=FKUoIhGMvvzxElIo
- Kids your age playing for top Pro Soccer clubs
- Control of the ball
- Head on a swivel....scanning
- use of the space, not always wanting to press and go forward on attack.
- Structure of positions
- mix of jog and sprint, rarely walking. It's about change of pace: with and without the ball.
Pictures illustrating playing with your head up.
Get so comfortable with the ball that your head is up and still feel like you own the ball. You create your own time and space.....not at the pace of the defenders.
