Rabona (ie- tricky kick): to cross your dominant foot behind your non-dominant foot and kick the ball.
Here's a great example to set up a goal. Watch close as this right-footed player figures out how to cross with his right foot while dribbling down the left.
Here are some more examples (around 3:33). There is great skill throughout the video, but check out my favorite (the player I used to emulate) Maradona leading the way with the most stylish Rabona.
Definitely something to practice in your next backyard session.
Skill of The Week: Rabona
Celebrate The Goal
A goal is something special. Something to celebrate. Here is a list of 10 Memorable Goal Celebrations from the past & a video to give you some ideas.
I'd like to purpose that every eXtreme goal from here forward gets a proper celebration (even if that celebration is simple, like everyone on the field gives the scorer a hug and a high-five).
Have Your Say!
Put your favorite Goal Celebration in the comments thread.
No Training Monday Oct 26th
I'm canceling training tonight.
Give yourself a few days to rest and recharge and we'll train Wednesday & Thursday to prepare for Reno.
See everyone Wednesday.
Midfield Support
Here is a great analysis of how midfield players support the forward line.
This is a great example for players to learn from. Watch closely and see how they look for each other as there first option.
This is very close to how our #8 & #10 support our #9 (the center forward). But it is a good lesson for all our players to learn.
After Placer Pizza Get-Together :: Saturday 5-7pm
After the games Saturday, head to Round Table Pizza near Hughes Park.
View Larger Map
We got the back room from 5-7pm.
Hope to see you there and I'll make sure there are nutritious things for healthy athletes to scarf-down.
Showoff
Here is a good little video of some flicks & tricks from last weeks soccer action.
This should give you some new ideas about how deception and disguise play a part in successful attacking movements. Maybe you could even practice some of these at home & try them in practice.
GOTM Winner Sept
And the envelope.. I mean video please...
And the winner is...
Congratulations Maddy Cook! I will have the Prize for you tonight at Futsal.
Tandem Chilean (Bicycle) Kick
Leave it to Brazil. While it might not be in the running for GOTM, it might be Goal Of The Year!
Juggle Score Update
| Player | High | Total |
| Julia | 36 / 74 | 150 |
| Mo | 21 /31 | - |
| L. Bock | 25 / 46 | 120 |
| Alondra | 51 / 69 | 265 |
| Kayla | 242 / 289 | 272 |
| Gabby | 22 | 135 |
| Jo | 42 | 124 |
| Francesca | 11 | 142 |
| Jaime | 17 | 190 |
| Claire | 63 | 178 |
| T | 31 | - |
| Maddy | 18 | 147 |
| Sierra | 172 | 248 |
| Stacy | 18 / 43 | 113 |
GameNotes: Sac United 1 - 2 Manteca Arsenal
eXtreme Family,
A tough loss this weekend. In cup games you must prepare for an intense atmosphere but I think we were caught off guard by the level of physicality on such a postage stamp of a pitch.
I believe we had problems in the first half, especially to find our game. They stopped us from playing, they played a very good game - committed, aggressive, well organized.
The early goal was a testament to their pressure and our car-lag.
In the second half we had plenty of opportunities but we took one of them very well after a very good pass from Julia setting Sierra on her way (much like last weekend). After that we had many opportunities to score the equalizing goal. We were more imposing in the second half but Manteca always looked dangerous on set pieces & on the counter attacks.
While the referee didn't do us any favors by letting the game degrade into a physical battle, we have to be able to adjust our game to both the opponents, the field conditions & the officials.
On that tiny pitch, with opponents playing as aggressive as they were, we should have looked to quickly transition the ball out of pressure after winning it. Instead we too often relied on dribbling to solve our soccer problems. In the end this caused us problems in midfield & the final third, leading to a few bumps & bruises along the way. It is disappointing because we worked on SPEED OF PLAY over the last few weeks(supporting angles, one touch soccer, identifying open space), but were unable to use our skills to control more of the game (I also think the pitch played a part in that as well).
That said, I think the girls showed excellent spirit & unity in the second to claw one back and to create several chances. Keeping the pressure on until the last minute in spite of all the injuries.
Training Next Week:
No practice Monday! For those that are injured, rest and recover. For those fit enough to train, either hit the field/road for a personal session OR go to the U16G training Monday 7-8:30pm @ Granite
Wednesday: 7-8:30pm @ Granite - Possession: Speed of play, Playing out of pressure
Thursday : 7-8:30pm @ Granite - Practicing the System: 1-4-3-3 + Set Pieces
Contest Notes:
GOTM-
You still have a few days to enter the GOTM contest. GO HERE & leave a comment of which goal you liked the best. If you guess the best goal, you win a $25 gift certificate to Kombat Soccer.
Juggle Month:
Keep practicing to raise your juggle scores as there will be prizes for the player who raises her total & consecutive high scores the most. And don't be surprised if there is a lightning bonus round for headers in the next week. ;)
September GOTM Contest
**UPDATE** - You have still have time to enter and remember it's OK if someone already picked your favorite goal - If more than one person picks the GOTM the winner will be drawn from those who guessed right.
Pick your favorite and leave it in the comments thread (click on the number a the top of the post) to be eligible for the $25 dollar gift certificate to Kombat Soccer. Like this:
This contest is open to all eXtreme players & parents. I will also take any baby name suggestions...
#2 , Esmerelda
For a Higher Quality Video Click Here.
Goal recap:
(1) Could you track an attacker to your own 18, make a gut busting 80 yard run with the ball, and still be cool enough to make a great pass your teammate could coolly slot away?
(2) Clever turn. Used his body to turn the defender. Buried the finish with his weaker foot.
(3) Great Chilean! (Americans call it a bicycle kick though... not sure why.)
(4) What makes this goal great is the teamwork you don't notice. The first header from the goalkick finds a teammate. Then the layoff and run by the forward to draw the defender out of his central position. Then the good finish. Overall excellent execution.
(5) Good run. Good decision. Great turn. Better Hit.
(6) Great goal from a Center Back*. Wins a header in midfield. Continues forward playing a one-two with an attacker and ends up on the edge of the box with a great strike. (* please keep in mind he does play for Arsenal**)(** Watch Arsenal play and you'll understand)
(7) Another Striker using his body to shield and roll the defender. But the speed and the finish are top class.
(8) This goal starts with great anticipation by the left back to cut out an attack. but the rest is All Fernando Torres. Moves, Speed, Power and the ability to FINISH.
(9) I posted this goal a few weeks ago but it gets better and better every time I see it. My new favorite part: if you turn up the volume, even over the commentator, you can hear the ball RIP THE NET! Whao!
(10) Great combination play around the box. An inside wall-pass, backheel flick, fake shot to draw a defender and a strong finish.
So there they are!
Pick your favorite and win. The winner will be announced Oct 18th.
(One vote per person. If there are multiple votes for the GOTM, a winner will be chosen at random)
Juggle Scores
| Player | High | Total |
| Julia | 36 | 150 |
| Mo | 21 | - |
| L. Bock | 25 | 120 |
| Alondra | 51 | 265 |
| Kayla | 242 | 272 |
| Gabby | 22 | 135 |
| Jo | 42 | 124 |
| Francesca | 11 | 142 |
| Jaime | 17 | 190 |
| Claire | 63 | 178 |
| T | 31 | - |
| Maddy | 18 | 147 |
| Sierra | 172 | 248 |
| Stacy | 18 | 113 |
Play Up Opportunity : eXtreme & U16G
eXtreme Family,
I wanted to make sure everybody is kept up to speed about news with the team.
An extra playing opportunity has arisen within the club for some of the girls. The U16's only have 13 players on their roster and because there is no U15G team to pull players from, the coach, Dave Rubio, has asked permission for six of our girls to get some extra playing experience with them.
A few notes about this playing opportunity:
(1) The players #1 priority is to the eXtreme. The is simply an extra playing experience that will benefit the player and the club. These players will never miss one of our games to play with the U16's. There is never an obligation for these players to play with the U16's. There are only a few dates when it is possible to work in these games because of scheduling conflicts.
(2) Players were selected by the coaching staff (myself, Dave Rubio, and Assistant Coaching Director Jason Drury). Players were chosen because they filled a specific positional need & could physically compete in the older girls age group.
Because of the way NorCal State Cup Rosters work, the coaching staff had to finalize the selections by last Friday.
The six players selected are: Sierra, Stacy, Julia, Tarryn, Kayla, & Gabby.
This is an excellent chance for these players to gain experience and benefit from the challenges of a higher speed of play. They then share that experience with our team which raises our level.
Four eXtreme players participated in todays 4-1 win over San Juan this afternoon.
October Is Juggle Month
The Benefits of Juggling:
Players gain more confidence on the ball while increasing overall skill.
Juggling is a fantastic exercise to develop touch with the soccer ball. When juggling, learning to control the body is very important. Being able to make quick, bodily adjustments with all muscles is developed through juggling.
Juggling also improves Balance & Coordination . With good juggling skills, players will become better passes, beat defenders more easily, and be able to hold the ball against defensive pressure, because of better touch on the ball.
And Juggling Will Help You Score! Don't believe me?.. Here are three examples. Enjoy.
Valencia's Pablo Hernadez. Take a bow!
One of the best goals you might have missed from last week.
Rivaldo for Barcelona. Probably one the the best assists of all time, although I think he meant to score. What a first & second & third touch.
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