Season wrapup

What a way to end a wonderful season! Our Cougars played awesomely on the pitch yesterday and deserve a hearty round of congratulations. The moment that seemed to sum up what we accomplished this year was the sequence that began with Jordan stopping a ball on the goal line nd turning it upfield.  By the time the ball went into the back of the net every player on the field had touched it.  It was an incredible sequence to have witnessed.At the beginning of the season I said that my objectives were for the kids to learn some soccer skills, learn teamwork and have fun.  I think we accomplished everything.

It was a joy to coach them and to watch them play and have so much fun.

I just want to take a moment and thank everyone who helped out this season.  Thanks to David for his work as my assistant.  Thanks to Kelli for volunteering to be Team Mom. Thanks to Thann and Tracy for letting us use their house for our party.  Thanks to everyone who brought their kids to practice and to the games.  Thanks to all of our guests who had the pleasure of watching the kids play.  Thanks for the autographed soccer ball.  

And, last but not least, thanks to the kids for going out there and having fun.

Some odds and ends

As the season winds down I would be remiss if I didn't send "shout outs" to a couple of people who have made this season possible.

First, I want to thank Kelly Siblik for being this season's team mom.  Thank you for organizing the snacks and the end of the season party.  I know you have your hands full back at the ranch and I really appreciate your hard work.

A also want to thank David Renshaw for lending a hand as assistant coach.  With the drills we've run during practice this season, it would not have been possible for me to manage it myself. Thanks, David.

I think we all need to send a well-deserved Thank You! to Steve Blair, the outgoing commissioner for St. Mark soccer.  Steve has done an incredible job organizing our teams and making certain the fields are ready for Saturdays.  Steve's e-mail address is steve.blair@fasersolutions.com.  

In addition to coaching a kindergarten team next season, I will be taking over Steve's duties as commissioner.  I have some HUGE shoes to fill.

While this season has been a joy to watch, what makes it even sweeter is remembering how our kids looked at the beginning of last season.  I have had the pleasure of watching them mature not only as soccer players, but also as members of a team.  Words will never be able to express how proud I am to have had the privilege of coaching them and I look forward to seeing them again next year.

I have had a couple of parents ask me about the drills I've used during our practices.  I was inspired by a book the league handed out to the coaches last year.  The name of the book is The Baffled Parent's Guide to Coaching 6-and-under Soccer by David Williams and Scott Graham. Here is a link if you want to order a copy.

I will bring the banner the kids signed last night to the game on Saturday for team pictures before the game.  Be sure to bring your cameras - because the kids will be running through the banner onto the field for the season finale.  I will need all of our parents and fans to form a tunnel for the kids to run through before the game -- and to hold the banner up.  Saturday will be our Cougars' day to have some fun and enjoy what they have accomplished this year.  I can't wait.

  

Practice - 11/17/08

Here's what we'll be working on Tuesday night...

1. Red Light, Green Light -- time for the kids to try a bit of juggling.

2. Elmer Fudd -- dribbling under control and shooting/passing at a moving target; moving without the ball.

3. Star Wars -- passing with the inside of the foot; trying to hit a stationary target.

4. Crab Soccer -- protecting and controlling the ball while dribbling.

See y'all there!

Game Report 11/15/08

Saturday was a rough day for soccer with the cold temperatures and the bone-chilling winds. While it was the first game this season we didn't spend controlling the ball in the other team's end of the field, there were some fine individual performances from a number of the kids and, most importantly, they never quit playing hard until the final whistle blew.

We had a couple of promising breakaways that didn't result in goals -- but I was very happy with the effort in getting the ball down the field.  Sometimes the results of a play don't tell the whole story.

I thought the kids put up a very valiant effort in the face of the rough conditions - and I think everyone who came out to cheer did the same thing.

As we approach the conclusion of another season I just want to thank everyone who has ferried the kids to practice and to the games as well as those of you who have invited aunts, uncles, grandparents and friend to come and see our kids learn, play and grow.

Game report - 11/8/08

Sorry for the late posting, but it was another wonderful game for our Cougars this past Saturday as they showed that teamwork and hardwork pay off.  I'm seeing more kids each week really getting into the action.  While some of our shots are missing the mark -- at least it shows that we're playing more of the game in the other team's end of the field. 

Our soccer photos are in and I will be picking those up this afternoon and will distribute them on Saturday at the game.

I'm still looking for photos from the game.  If anyone has some, please feel free to e-mail them to me.

Practice - 11/3/08

Here's what we'll be working on Tuesday night...

1. Red Light, Green Light -- more work on trapping the ball and dribbling with control.

2. Aligator Pit -- ball handling (cutting and turning).

3. Star Wars -- passing with the inside of the foot; trying to hit a stationary target.

4. Elmer Fudd -- dribbling under control and shooting/passing at a moving target; moving without the ball.

* NOTE * The votes are in and practices will begin at 5pm for the rest of the season.

See y'all there!

Game Report - 11/1/08

Another fantastic performance by our Cougars on Saturday. After a rather disjointed start - brought about by staying up late and eating candy, I'm sure - the Cougars brought it home in the 3rd quarter. Once again, I'm happy to report, we weren't fighting each other for the ball. I was quite pleased to see players trailing the ball just in case something happened.

I was also quite impressed by some of the defensive plays I saw - especially kicking the ball off the goal line to prevent a goal. I also saw our kids turning the ball and kicking it into space.

There was quite a bit of pushing and shoving from the other team yesterday but I was impressed with the way our kids handled it. Had the game been a closer affair I would have spoken to the other coach about it but I didn't think it would be an issue - and it wasn't. I also don't think it's a bad thing if some of our kids learned to play (a bit) more aggressively. All in all, quite a show.

And, once again, if anyone has any photos from the game you'd like to see posted on the blog, just e-mail them to me and I'll get them up.

A special thanks to Thomas Jackson for the action shots from Saturday's game.  Enjoy.

Practice - 10/27/08

Here's what we'll be working on Tuesday night...

1. Red Light, Green Light -- adding trapping the ball to the mix.

2. Aligator Pit -- ball handling (cutting and turning).

3. Star Wars -- passing with the inside of the foot (I'll even be quacking like a duck).

4. Elmer Fudd -- dribbling under control and shooting/passing at a moving target; moving without the ball.

* NOTE * With the time change just around the corner (November 2) we will need to move practice up to 4:30 starting November 4, 2008.

See y'all there!

Game Report - 10/25/08

It was another excellent all-around effort by our Cougars on Saturday.  We are starting to see some real tenacity out there on the pitch by the kids.  What has really impressed me, however, is to watch how much more organized and focused our kids are than the opposition.  I also like seeing the skills we work on at practice show up on the field during the game -- we saw another pull-turn executed along the sideline on Saturday.  I was also very happy to see we weren't fighting our teammates for the ball on goal-scoring opportunities.

And for those who didn't catch it, we had a new goal scorer on Saturday.  Congratulations!

P.S. if you took pictures at the game, please e-mail them to me and I will update the blog with some action shots.

Practice - 10/20/08

Here's what we'll be working on Tuesday night...

1. Red Light, Green Light -- more work on the "pull-turn".

2. Follow the Leader -- ball handling (cutting and turning) and listening skills.

3. Trash Day -- kicking with the instep/shooting.

4. Elmer Fudd -- dribbling under control and shooting/passing at a moving target; moving without the ball.

See ya'll there!

Game Report - 10/18/08

Another fantastic effort by our Cougars yesterday.  We saw some excellent teamwork and buildup leading to our goals.  And, best of all, we didn't fight each other for the ball.

We also saw some of the skills we've been working on in practice.  The kids were kicking the ball (hard) with their laces, turning the ball and dribbling with speed.   I even saw a pull-turn executed wonderfully.

Unfortunately there are no pictures of our kids in action because our team photographer was out of town and her assistant (me) forgot to bring his camera home from the office.  If anyone took pictures from their cellphone, please forward them to me and I'll post them right here.

Practice - 10/13

Here's what we'll be working on Tuesday night...

1. Red Light, Green Light -- we will add "pull-turns" to the mix.

2. Follow the Leader -- ball handling and listening skills.

3. Trash Day -- kicking with the instep/shooting.

4. Elmer Fudd -- dribbling under control and shooting/passing at a moving target.

See ya'll there!

Game Report - 10/11/08

Another outstanding effort by the Cougars this weekend - playing shorthanded.  Everyone did plenty of running and working on the field Saturday and it paid off in the end.

Our kids continue to control the ball in the other team's end of the field.  I saw a lot of kids out there fighting for the ball, stealing it, dribbling it and kicking it with their laces.

We continue to see awesome

 effort on defense -- chasing down the ball, getting between the ball and the goal and getting the ball turned around.

Remember, our game this Saturday is being moved to the other Pre-K field at St. Mark's (in the northeast corner of the complex).  

Here are some shots of our Cougars in action...

End of the season party

Mason and Hannah's parents, Nathaniel (Thann) and Tracy McCollum have volunteered the use of their house for our end of the season party following our final game on November 22, 2008. The McCollums live at 2316 Bauer, Houston, 77080.

More details to follow.

Team building, Cougar-style

After our photo session at St. Mark on Sunday afternoon, everyone is invited to come out to the pumpkin patch at Halter, Inc., located at 17410 Clay Road.  This will be a good opportunity for the kids to get together and play outside of practice and gamedays.

For information on Halter's pumpkin patch, just scroll down the "pumpkin patch" link.

Hope to see ya'll there!

Practice - 10/6/08

Here's what we'll be working on Tuesday night...

1. Red Light, Green Light -- dribbling with speed and "cutting" the ball.

2. Follow the Leader -- ball handling and listening skills.

3. Trash Day -- kicking with the instep/shooting.

4. Alligator Pit -- "cutting" and turning while dribbling.

See ya'll there!

Game Report - 10/4/08

It was another incredible performance from our Cougars. I'm just amazed watching how they get after the ball, hustle the entire game and dictate the action. They are also a very tough group of kids -- I lost count of the number of times someone went down and then hopped right back up and get in the middle of scrum again.

I think they're beginning to really understand the "team" concept. Every player on that field is important and everyone is contributing to the goal scoring machine that the Cougars have become. From blocking to kicking the ball away to passing to shooting -- everything they're doing on that field is helping the team.

Here are some action shots from the game...

Picture day

Once again it's time for soccer pictures.  The pictures will be taken at the soccer fields where we practice at 2:20 pm on Sunday, October 12, 2008.  If it's raining we will go to the cafeteria.

Please arrive about 20 minutes before our scheduled shoot so we can take care of the paperwork.  Have you child dressed in his or her uniform, including shinguards and cleats.

Practice 9/29/08

Here's what we'll be working on Tuesday night...

1. Red Light, Green Light -- dribbling with speed and "cutting" the ball.

2. Follow the Leader -- ball handling and listening skills.

3. Trash Day -- kicking with the instep/shooting.

4. Alligator Pit -- "cutting" and turning while dribbling.

Game report - 9/27/08

All I can say after this weekend's game is "Wow!" Everyone got after that ball and hustled throughout the game. It was good to see that anytime someone went down, they got right back up and ran after the ball. I was also impressed with the amount of focus the kids played with out there.

I want to thank the parents and their guests who came to the game. It was a great crowd and I trust that everyone had a great time watching the Cougars.

We will practice again on Tuesday at 5:30pm at St. Mark's. Our game next week is at Chapelwood at 1pm.

Here are some action photos of the kids. Enjoy.

If you have any photos you would like to see posted, please e-mail them to me and I'll get them up.

This season's schedule

Here is our schedule for this season. I've listed the date, time, location and "Snack Mom" for each game.


9/27/08 @11am: Memorial Drive Methodist #2 (Snacks - Siblik)

10/4/08 @1pm: Chapelwood (North) (Snacks - Renshaw)

10/11/08 @10am: St. Mark's (Pre-K) -- across the street (Snacks- Henderson)

10/18/08 @10am: St. Mark's (Pre-K, North Field) -- across the street (Snacks- Smith)

10/25/08 @9am: Chapelwood (North) (Snacks- Jackson)

11/1/08 @10am: Memorial Drive Methodist #2  (Snacks- McCollum)

11/8/08 @11am: Chapelwood (North) (Snacks - Kennedy)

11/15/08 @1pm: St. Mark's (Pre-K) (Snacks - Siblik)

11/22/08 @12pm: St. Mark's (Pre-K) (Snacks - Albright)

Please arrive at the game site about 10-15 minutes before the scheduled kickoff. We will hold a short practice before the game.

The games will consist of 4 five-minute quarters with a waterbreak at half-time.

The 10/18/08 game will (most likely) be moved to St. Mark's since we are playing St. Mark's other Pre-K team.

Uniforms 9/25/08

Good morning, everyone!

 

I just spoke with Steve and the uniforms are in.  I will be picking them up this afternoon. 

 

I will be at St. Mark tonight at 6pm outside the entrance to the school if you want to come by and pick up your uniform.  Otherwise, I will have them with me on Saturday at the game.

 

The coaches meeting is tonight and I will be posting the schedule and maps on the blog (http://stmarkcougars.blogspot.com) either tonight or tomorrow.  

Practice 9/23/08

Here's what we'll be working on tonight...

1. Red Light, Green Light -- we will add dribbling with speed to the mix.  

2. Switch -- a little like musical chairs with soccer balls...teaches the kids running to the ball.

3. Alligator Pit -- cutting and turning while dribbling.

4. Follow the Leader -- ball handling skills.

9/22/08

Good afternoon everyone!

I hope that more of ya'll have gotten your power back and are getting your lives back to normal.  Due to the current situation, once again I will ask everyone who receives this e-mail to reply so that I know who I need to call tonight about the upcoming week.

We will practice tomorrow night (Tuesday) at St. Mark's (same field as last time) at 5:30 pm.  I will be attending a coaches meeting on Thursday night where I will receive our schedule for the upcoming season.  The first game will be on Saturday, September 27 and the final game will be on Saturday, November 22.

Steve has notified me that the uniforms are in and I will be picking them up later this week.  Please let me know if your child needs one.  If you do not already have a uniform, please have your child wear a green shirt on Saturday.  I have two extras that we can rotate around if need be.

I will be creating a blog for our team later this week and will post all of the information in the e-mails, in addition to the schedule and maps to the various fields on it for easy reference.

I hope to see everyone tomorrow night.