May 2007

This Game is not for the Faint of Heart

Long before we had the feast of soccer on TV that is available now, soccer fans had the pleasure of watching Soccer Made in Germany, an abbreviated form of the Bundesliga "Game of the Week" reported by the great Toby Charles. He is an articulate and incisive reporter whom many of our new reporters would do well to emulate. When the game would get tough or when an individual would have his efforts thwarted or when the dominating team experiences unexpected disaster, Toby Charles would say "Football is not for the weak hearted!"

In soccer perhaps more than any other team sport, dominance does not necessarily guarantee a win. The better team does not always win and dominating the game in terms of possession and scoring opportunities does not necessarily predict the eventual winner. One might say this makes soccer a maddening game which inexplicably adds to the passion of supporters rather than discourage them.

What are some of the reasons for this apparent aberration? There is very little scoring and every goal is precious and it is very hard to predict how the goals are going to be scored. These truths mean that a single error or momentary complacency or lack of concentration can result in a goal which creates frustration and nervousness for the team that is scored against. While the team that created a multitude of scoring chances has nothing to show for it, the opponent's score increases on a fluky chance. The obvious remedy for this is to remind players to keep their concentration and be alert at all times. However, this is easier said than done. A player may be thinking about the last missed opportunity or about getting beaten on a dribble or the last error and may lose momentary concentration as a result.

When a team is favored based on past performances, there is the danger of over-confidence which is a recipe for disaster. In such cases, the overconfident team shows up for the "coronation" and forego the dirty job of actually contesting for a win. Concurrently, the opponent realizing that they are facing a stronger team may come prepared to fight hard and outwork the theoretically superior team. These two situations are synergistic and the outcome is likely to favor the lesser team. The situation worsens where there is the misapplication of the "transitive theory" which goes somewhat like this: since A beat B by three goals, and we beat A by two goals, then we will beat B by five goals. The game of soccer has no respect for mathematical theories! It has been said about someone who misuses statistics in such a foolish manner: "He uses statistics in the same way that a drunk uses a lamp post, for support rather than illumination!"

On the other hand, the lesser team may give too much credit to the opponent and become overly nervous which would cause them not to play at their best. The stronger team will then sense that and play with even greater confidence. This would make the outcome predictably favorable to the stronger team and perhaps deceptively disproportionate. In cases where the stronger team was unprepared and ready to be had, the opponent misses a golden opportunity.

There are many other variables that are under one's control and others that are out of the control of the team or the individual. In dealing with the things one can control, we must help our athletes develop good consistent habits of eating, sleeping and taking care of minor injuries. The coaching staff will often attempt to make things as familiar and routine as possible and keep such things in mind when scheduling games, trips and special events. Often young players will think nothing of missing scheduled team meetings on days preceding tournaments and thinking that being on time for the warm-up on the day of the game is good enough. This thinking will change as they learn the importance of consistent patterns of preparation as a team and as an individual. The coaching staff will use such meetings to prepare the team for some specific adjustments against opponents' tactics and other playing conditions. Perhaps the most important but elusive task is that of keeping players on an even psychological plane. Being physically together and reviewing the game plan help in such situations.

Things that are not under one's control include opponents' tactics, field conditions, weather etc. For example, when a team has a technical advantage, it is not unusual for the opponent to try and even the game by rough play. The biggest adjustment in such cases is psychological. If the rough play gets the team off of its game then the opponents' tactics will have a higher chance of success. This action shows it is not enough to be a technical team and that in order to be successful a technical team must learn to have a higher level of skill. In other words, "TECHNIQUE UNDER PRESSURE" is what is required. Top level players not only have the technical ability to receive, keep and deliver the ball but can do so under physical duress with the necessary skill, timing and composure. By aspiring to that, young players can learn to have the ability of dealing with rough play and the composure to neutralize and overcome such tactics.

Players must be aware that the game presents many unpredictable situations and opponents will do whatever is necessary to maximize their chances. In addition, there are environmental and other uncontrollable variables. In order to avoid such pitfalls, players must be aware of the unpredictability of the game and make a serious effort to have a consistent approach to the game. It is easier said than done, but developing the habit of preparing the same way and concentrating on your team is helpful. Knowing what the necessary adjustments are to such variables will give a team the ability to make those adjustments but also to do so without losing their composure. Many athletes in professional sports develop routines of preparation in practices and games. It may sometimes go to the ridiculous levels such as which sock to put on first and which shoe next and whether or not to wash an article of uniform when on a good streak. But there is no need to go to such extremes. There is an element of logic to trying to maintain a consistent approach physically and mentally so that the game does not devour you when you are least prepared for it.

When I was about ten, my hometown team won the Eritrean championship and had only lost one game that year. The game they lost was to the last place team that only won that game all season and was relegated to the second division. I remember my buddies and I being so frustrated and unable to sustain our boisterous bragging rights for a week or two! Obviously the superior team was unprepared and perhaps counting their chickens as the lesser team played their hearts out to avoid a winless season. Ours is such a delightful game that evokes great passion but may also humble you when you least expect it. Definitely not a game for the weak hearted!

The first month of the Boca Skills Academy has been delightful and inspiring. Each Monday, the numbers have dramatically increased, especially with the U8 Academy. It is a beautiful sight to see as one walks onto Larchmont Park to a mass of yellow and blue Boca shirts skipping and clapping in a rhythmic beat. Our coaches are very excited about the turnout and we encourage everyone to continue to attend the Skills Clinics in the month of May.

GO Boca!!!!

• May 1 - U11 & U12 Subgroup Meeting, 6:30-7:30 PM
• May 3 - CASA Staff meeting, 11:30-1:00
• May 3 - U15-U18 Registration, team, club meeting, 6-8 PM
• May 7, 14, 21 - Spring Foot Skills Clinics, 5:30-7:00 PM
• May 8 - U13 Boca '94 Boys Team Meeting, 6:30- 7:30
• May 15 - Coaches Meeting @ Larchmont, 6 PM
• May 15 - Manager's Meeting, 7-8 PM
• May 17 - CASA Staff meeting, 11:30-1:00
• May 18-20 - Boca '89 Boys to Tacoma Showcase
• May 25-27 - NSCAA Youth National Diploma Course, hosted by CASA
• May 28 - Memorial Day - Office Closed
• May 31 - CASA Staff meeting, 11:30-1 PM

For a detailed calendar, view our website's calendar tab.

Dear Boca Players and Parents, On Sunday, June 24, we will have our summer Club Picnic.

• Coach vs. Coach game
• Lunch by Texas West
• Club Picture

Come out and join the fun. Go Boca Jrs.

More detailed info will be provided to your team managers.

Coaches for 5-12 year olds are encouraged to attend the NSCAA Youth National Diploma Course, hosted by CASA. The course is 21 hours and costs $180.00 for NSCAA members and $233.00 for non-members.

It is a 21 hour course running Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 25, 26, 27).

To register, use the NSCAA website link above.

For more information, call the office at 489-2272.

Beginning April 9 through May 21 on every Monday from 5:30 - 7:00 PM, CASA coaches we will run free, optional Foot Skills Clinics for U8 - U14 players

Our turnouts have been great. Come join the fun!

The U.S. WOMEN vs. JAPAN at SPARTAN STADIUM in San Jose. The action takes place Saturday, July 28, at 7 p.m. This is your chance to see two of the top national teams go head-to-head as they measure themselves just a few months before kicking off the biggest event in women's sports - the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, hosted in China this September.

Tickets start as low as $22 for Endline seats; $33 for Corners; $45 for Sidelines; $60 for Midfield; and $85 for VIP Midfield. All prices do not include convenience and handling charges (which are added through Ticketmaster).

And don't forget to support the U.S. Men's National Team when they battle China at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, June 2, at 5 p.m. It's the Americans' final tune-up before defending their CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship and then competing in the prestigious Copa America tournament this summer.

Dear Friends and Family,

The Boca players and I recently accepted the challenge to raise contributions to support the Komen Sacramento Race for the Cure® on May 12, 2007 in the fight against breast cancer. One in eight women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime, the money we raise will go to breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in our own community and support the national search for a cure.

Click on the link below to visit our personal page and make a contribution to show your support, or to join our team.

Please join the BOCA players and myself in the fight by contributing in support of our participation in the Race or contributing generously to the Komen Saacramento Race for the Cure. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved communities in Sacramento Valley and national breast cancer research. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make a contribution online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below. Whatever you can give will help! I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Sincerely, Melissa Cavitt