Dear Players - I have just finished doing some very positive exit interviews for about 40 returning JV and
Varsity players. Firstly, I want to thank you all for a very successful soccer season that had so much
excitement and good play. There are so many good Girls Soccer Programs in Minnesota today and the
standard keep getting better as more players are choosing soccer, and the outstate/metro teams
continue to increase in number and in quantity. Local Coaches hold Edina Girls Soccer in high regard
and we definitely want to keep this reputation rolling.
My message at the Varsity and JV Banquet was "great job this year but we can all do better."
I want outline how we can all do better. The coaches should continue their education and return better
prepared and highly motivated. Players should also prepare themselves physically, mentally, technically,
tactically and emotionally. As Varsity coach, I am mainly talking to players who see themselves as
candidates for Varsity play, but the message is basically the same for all levels.
Physically: To play at Varsity level and against the best teams in the State - as we do week in week out you have to be in the best shape of your life. You will have to arrive with a base endurance that allows
you to play a full game if need be. Fast enough to run down the speedsters we play against and strong
enough to withstand pretty hard knocks from the side, win hard tackles and jump high enough to win air
balls. Consistent running, interval training during the season and some light lifting or dynamic core
training will help.
Mentally: You have to have toughness, passion and desire to play at Varsity level. That is more than
trying hard and working hard - we expect this of every player as a start point. That means stepping out
of yourself to make unbelievable plays on offense and defense. It means getting in where the bodies and
boots are flying. It means somehow being in the wrong place at the right time. It means having the
personal discipline and pride to make consistent plays over and over. It means being soccer smart and
figuring things out ON the field. It means communicating with authority so that your teammates have no
doubt what you mean. It means taking responsibility to shoot the ball. And it means focusing for 80
minutes even when the going gets tough.
Technically: What are you doing to improve yourself technically? Do you know what it takes to improve
skill? Purposeful, deliberate, focused practice. Making mistakes and correcting them. Building those
neurological pathways to and from your brain to your muscles, through repetition, so that soccer skill
becomes automatic responses. Do not expect to volley in a cross unless you have repeated that skill
many, many times. This is where desire and passion come in. Will the dream of making a phenomenal
soccer play ignite you into this practice mode? This obviously involves self- examination to determine
which area you need to improve. We talked about these in our exit interviews. Your school and club
teammates and your club team coach can help here. Intense Camps will help, to get a different
perspective from a different coach. Personal practice…..just you and a ball.
Tactically: Be a student of the game. Watch soccer and follow the rhythm of the game. If you are a
midfielder, watch good mids play and see how they are constantly working hard to get open. See how
they make great passing angles, receive and turn so quickly, transfer the ball accurately to forwards or
supporting players. Then watch their run after the pass. If you are a forward, start to analyze the runs
you make. The timing of them. The angles. The runs "off" the other forwards. How great forwards try
to get behind defenders. For goalies - are you just a shot stopper or part of the team defense and team
offense too? Defenders should become very familiar with zone and man to man defense. Concepts of
support angle, cover and balance should be second nature. The tactical game is huge, especially at the
high level. So play a lot and many of these tactical nuances will become innate.
Emotionally: Showing up every day at practice and games with a smile and the knowledge that you are
part of a great team and a great program is huge. We all love soccer. It's a great game. To be with your
friends and teammates 6 days a week, all sharing a common goal, is gift you will never forget. You can
choose to be a positive lifeforce. You can choose to grow every day. Think of "failures" as stepping
stones to success … not as black marks that forever define you a person or a player. If you have a great
game ... enjoy it. If you have a poor game … learn from it. Get better by working hard at the things you
can control. Own your own destiny. Do not make excuses by blaming others. Try to make your
teammates look good. Do everything for the team.
Jim Marshall played for the Vikings and the Cleveland Browns. In 1964 he recovered a fumble and
accidently ran the wrong way 66 yards into the wrong end zone. Was he a failure? Absolutely not. In the
same game, he went on to provide the sack that allowed Carl Eller to recover a fumble and score the
game winner. He has the NFL record for the most fumble recoveries - 30. He held the NFL record for
282 consecutive starts and played in 4 superbowls. Many hold up Jim Marshall as an exemplar of
attitude, spirit and commitment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eBrb00pdGw
OK - it's the other football….but you get my point.
In summary, enjoy all the activities you do between now and August 2013. Continue your tradition of
excellence in the classroom. I feel it will be a great Varsity Season for us if every player arrives well
prepared for the challenge. Keep in touch. You have my contact info.
Yours in Soccer
Simon Whitehead
(952)-220-1060 (cell)
Varsity Girls Soccer Coach at Edina High School