Arlington Aces U15G White: Welcome

Hi all,

If we have a change in schedule, please email me and I will update as the info. becomes available.  I will add maps to the schedule also.

Thanks,

Today's game was a tough one.  I want you to know that it did not reflect the effort I saw you make, nor actually, the improvements in play that I saw today.  Some of the improvements were literally spectacular.  A good number of the goals they scored were extremely well played and finished balls.  The breakdowns we suffered that allowed them to develop were not major and not solely at one position or group of positions.  The breakdowns were it seemed to me fairly slight, but layered on each other in such a way as to give them some excellent advantages.  For example inadequate coverage in the midfield as our mids might have been wide or forward or back at the time, allowing back passes to restart the opponent's attack at another, weaker point in the defense, then perhaps an over aggressive or off balance defender's attack allowing a player behind and then a little ball watching instead of player covering.  All of these things done, it seemed to me less than before, but just all happening at once and they could shoot today.  

Player's I was very pleased with your response at half time.  Parent's and friends, I did not lack in the least from technical advice on what was going wrong in the first half and how to fix it!  Where we were weak and the formation changes to meet it were suggested.  I did not make the all the changes at the time, but as the game continued in the 2nd half, it seemed Mara had moved to a forward position in any case and actually pretty effectively pressured their defenders.  It was hard to tell if the remaining defenders had completed the shift to a 4-3-3 formation but it seemed they may have.    

I appreciated the way you all kept your head's up and played out the game with all the energy you had left.  Nicole and fullback's I could see you getting down over all the goals being scored.  It is a team effort, it is not any more on you than anyone else including me.  Everyone of us appears to me to be bringing all we have to the games, nothing more can be asked.  I have been able to spend more time preparing for your practices the last couple of weeks, and I hope it is showing for you.  I'd love to see the same effort (that I see in your games) in practice to really focus on learning our fundamental, individual techniques.  I'd like to see real focus and intensity on sending, receiving, finishing, body position, balance and fitness activities.  Then on the games we play a true abandon in your style of play.  What I mean is to practice intensely, throwing yourself into our practice games with so hard, trying what you  cause you to crash, fail, fall and collapse in exhaustion. 

Here is a secret, by exhausting yourself, you create more energy and personal power, not just strength but the power to will yourself to accomplish things you did not think possible.  If you want things to be different, you must become different, extreme effort and focus is how to create change.  To be able to exert extreme effort is in itself a huge advantage, as most do not know how, do not believe they can, do not look at it as a good thing.  Most believe that being comfortable and relaxed is somehow the objective.  The more often you can have a good time getting so winded you can't talk, so worn you can barely walk, the more powerful you become, the more exceptional you set yourself up to be. 

I'd like to see each and every one of you decide to become exceptional.  Decide that your life is going to be exceptional.  This does not require a special talent or physical ability, this only requires that you commit to intensely do whatever it is you have decided is worth doing, to never fear failure, fear only losing the  will to keep trying, to never be limited by anyone's doubts, especially not your own, in your pursuit of that outrageous, excellent life. 

Tomorrow, you, our players will determine two things prior to the game.  The formation and the starting lineup.  Coach Dave and I will assist you by helping you understand the responsibilities of each position in the different formations and the strengths and weaknesses that you will have to manage.  We will do this between 2 and 2:30 as we prepare for our warm up.

Today's game did not come out well, but you all did well, and that is what matters to me and should matter to you.

Coach Ben

1. Make a commitment to Honor the Game in action and language no matter what others may do.
2. Tell your child before each game that you are proud of him or her regardless of how well he or she plays.

1. Fill your children's "Emotional Tank" through praise and positive recognition so they can play their very best.
2. Don't give instructions to your child during the game. Let the coach correct player mistakes.
3. Cheer good plays by both teams (this is advanced behavior!)
4. Mention good calls by the official to other parents.
5. If an official makes a "bad" call against your team? Honor the Game—BE SILENT!
6. If another parent on your team yells at an official? Gently remind him or her to Honor the Game.
7. Don't do anything in the heat of the moment that you will regret after the game. Ask yourself, "Will this embarrass my child or the team?"
8. Remember to have fun! Enjoy the game.

1. Thank the officials for doing a difficult job for little or no pay.
2. Thank the coaches for their commitment and effort.
3. Don't give advice. Instead ask your child what he or she thought about the game and then LISTEN. Listening fills Emotional Tanks.
4. Tell your child again that you are proud of him or her, whether the team won or lost.