Chance's Video Picks: Oops....

Sergio Ramos, defender for Spain’s Real Madrid, shows why he is not a basketball player or goalkeeper. While celebrating the Copa del Rey Championship they had just won by beating Barcelona, Sergio mishandles the 33 pound trophy on top of the team bus……watch what happens next…..Ouch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXxSuzRpTps&feature=player_detailpage

Nice Action Shot

Photo:  Bob Solomon

 

From the G93R (U17) match against Crossfire last Tuesday night.  Bob Solomon captured a great header on camera.

Nicole (32) plows the runway for Air Jackie (30) taking off on KirtenO's corner kick and heading it home!

Chance's Video Picks - Did I Just See That?

In soccer, some players are known to take dives and simulate fouls. This is frowned upon and in recent years, steps have been taken to end this type of play because it takes away from the game.

In today’s video pick, a Chilean U20 player, Brian Carrasco, demonstrates how far an actor can go when trying to play soccer.

Crazy!

For those receiving our blog via email, you can view the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUJSJI1MPqE

Winter Tryouts

Photo:  Ksenia Tutttle

Photo: Ksenia Tutttle

Photo: Ksenia Tutttle

Photo: Ksenia Tutttle

Photo: Ksenia Tutttle

Check out these photos sent to us by Ksenia Tuttle, a local photographer who captured these images at Robinswood Park during the older boys' tryouts on Tuesday.

Chance's Video Picks - Love Your Keeper

It is widely known that to be a goalkeeper you have to have a unique personality. You can go for long stretches without being heavily involved and then in a split section are called into action. Here are some of the world’s best putting their bodies on the line to keep the ball out.

Enjoy this and then give your goalkeeper a pat on the back at your next practice!

If you receive our blog via email, you can watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsJn8h_8PDw

Chance's Video Picks - Dutch Delight

Wednesday Feb 9 was a day for international teams to play and there were some great goals scored but none better than Wesley Sneijder from Holland against Austria. In this clip, it shows the incredible strike from multiple angles.  Great foot skills.  Great teamwork.  Great sense of space and timing.

Enjoy!

For those of you receiving our blog in email, you can view the video here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPbJ4Z5D-n4

Chance's Video Picks - Celebration Icelandic Style

Check out Stjarnan FC from Iceland as they celebrate a goal. With the long, cold winters in Iceland, they have time to think up these wacky celebrations.  In Iceland, here's how they reel in a goal....

Enjoy!

For those of you receiving our blog in email, you can view the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QieyCqOVb-M

Chance's Video Picks - You Can't Play Soccer If You're Dead

This is a powerful video.  With an important message for all of us, but particularly our older athletes who are at the beginning of their driving careers.  The dangers of texting and driving seem obvious. The temptation to text while driving is real.

We all think it won't happen in our family.  Until it does.  Don't let this happen to you.

For those of you receiving our blog via email, you can watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs

Chance's Video Picks - Goal of the Year

Today’s video pick is arguably the best goal that will be scored in the English Premier League this season. When 2 teams from the same city play, it is called a “Derby”. Emotions always run high and the supporters of each club look forward to the match with great anticipation.

One of the most intense rivalries is that of Manchester United and Manchester City and Saturday the fans of both were treated to a winning goal by Wayne Rooney that he is calling his best ever. I’m not going to lie….I wept with joy when I saw this highlight….it is that special.  It is moments like these that fans of all sports live for..….moments when top class athletes rise to the occasion and execute astonishing feats in high level games.

I have attached 2 links for this one……check out 2 things on the second link….first watch the players on the bench… their reactions and pure astonishment give you an idea that what they saw does not happen every day……second…listen to the stadium singing and the energy that is coming out of Old Trafford. I have been fortunate to see a Champions League game in this stadium and it amazing when 76,000 voices become one….it’s no wonder its nickname is the “Theatre of Dreams”.
Enjoy!

VIDEO #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAHgSrCy10Y

VIDEO #2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqCi4NWp4lw

Chance's Video Picks - Never Give Up

Today’s video pick comes from a match in the English Premier League this last weekend between Arsenal and Newcastle. Watch, enjoy and remember……Never give up!!!

Arsenal went into the second half with a four goal lead but Newcastle came back strong and equalized 4-4.

Watch the video here

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&brand=foxsports&from=foxsports_en-us_videocentral&vid=72fac470-7441-4bef-b690-43960c76b663&src=FLCP:sharebar:email


Chance

Chance's Video Picks - Enjoy Your Playing Time

Soccer is a very emotional sport.  One of the reasons is that fortunes can change on the kick of a ball.  Luck goes from good to bad and bad to good in seconds.  If you play long enough, you will find yourself on both ends of that spectrum.

In today’s video pick, a Brazilian striker named Saulo had to put on the keeper's jersey because the starting goalkeeper was injured and the team had already used all of their substitutions (you are allowed 3 in the pros).  In the 90th minute the game was tied 1-1.

Saulo ventured forward for a last minute free kick and scored a great header! JOY! 2-1! Unfortunately, that joy lasted for less than 5 steps.  As he ran to celebrate, he fell behind the goal clutching his knee….in that moment, he tore his ACL and was out for 6 months.
None of us know what the future holds or how quickly things may change. Please enjoy every moment you are on the field.

For those of you receiving our blog via email, you can watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYR-0rvJ0Eg

Chance

Chance's Video Picks - George Best

George Best was one of the best soccer players who ever lived. He had fame, fortune and was an international playboy….dubbed “the fifth Beatle”, George was as famous off the field as on, playing the first 10 years of his illustrious career for Manchester United .

Tragically, he died early from complications from alcoholism in 2005 but left behind some amazing moments.

I will have more George Best in the future but this is a great tribute video with good music to boot.

Enjoy!

Chance's Video Picks - This is Why We Practice Foot Skills

Here is one of my favorite goals of all time. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of Sweden’s best players and currently plays for AC Milan in Italy. Here he is early in his career with Ajax of Holland, showing why it is important to work on foot skills.

Amazing! Enjoy!

If you receive our blog in email, you can watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgqsaDnsEq8

Chance's Video Picks - The Scorpion Save

Goalkeepers….   check this out!   Tom Bunnell will be teaching this move in upcoming sessions.  Make sure you do plenty of stretching in preparation.

Enjoy!

For those of you receiving our blog via email, you can watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a633kGljLnk

Chance

Pic of the Week

Sarah Dieker, GU11G (Coach Kevin VanGaver), takes a shot on goal in the Elimination Round of the Challenge Cup.  Julia Gottlieb is cheering her on.

Pics of the Week

Lucia Rosenast from Coach Danny Jackson's Girls Dev Red team (U10) "plays up" against an Emerald City U11 defender.

Photo:  Jeff Rodgers

Geneva E (GU13B) just in front of HPFC Eagles.

Photo:  Michelle Riley

Katey R (GU13B) in control against HPFC Eagles.

Photo: Michelle Riley

Meredith T (GU13B) goes airborne to save the ball vs HPFC Eagles.

Photo: Michelle Riley

Pics of the Week

Here are four pics of players on Coach Emily Cole's GU13W team.  They were submitted by Maggie Brower and Mike Monk last November and slipped past me and hid in my Inbox.  Argh.  They're from a game played against the Spokane Shadow on Nov 11, 2009.  Score was a 3-3 tie.

Tracy Monk on the left, Elle Henke on the right.  Putting the ol' tag team on an opponent.

Photo:  Maggie Brower

Kellcy Emory, on the run.

Photo: Maggie Brower

Gabby Brower, airborne.

Photo: Maggie Brower

Tracy Monk attempting the slide tackle.

Photo:  Mike Monk

Pics of the Week

Here are five new images from photographer David Pang.  These were taken at the recent US Club Soccer Washington Cup.  The team is the G98R (U11) girls, coached by Michelle French, playing against FC Crush.

David's shots are consistently high in quality.  I've talked with him about his camera, it's setup, where he tends to shoot from, and what part of the field he concentrates on.  Despite duplicating all those factors, my images come up short in comparison. 

Which goes to show image quality comes from the mind and the eye of the photographer - not necessarily the equipment.

Enjoy.

Eastside FC keeper Sophie Butterfield fights through the crowd to block a corner kick.

Photo: David Pang

Maud Van der Kooi clears a ball before an on-rushing Crush player.

Photo: David Pang

Alexa Kirton (Eastside FC) fights off a determined Lauren Hudson (Crush) for a header.

Photo: David Pang

Sophie Butterfield passes the ball to start an attack.
Photo: David Pang

Catie Buck advances the ball up the field to continue another Eastside attack on Crush.

Photo: David Pang

Pics of the Week

Michelle Riley gives us the pics of the week.

Meredith T (GU13B) right up in there vs FC Alliance White

Photo:  Michelle Riley

RJ (GU13B) manages to sweep it away vs FC Alliance White

Photo: Michelle Riley

Sarah R (GU13B) as she serves it up vs FC Alliance White

Photo: Michelle Riley

The Penalty Kick plus Pics of the Week

After a busy couple of days, we continue our series on the Laws of the Game, this time focusing on Law 14 - The Penalty Kick.  The penalty kick, for all intents and purposes, is the result of a direct free kick foul that occurred in the penalty area, also referred to as the 18 yard box.  (Note - the penalty area has dimensions of roughly 44 yds wide by 18 yards deep).

Source:  FIFA Laws of the Game 2009/2010

What distinguishes a penalty kick from a direct free kick is the following:

1. 
   
   the offense occurs inside the penalty area.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   when taking the direct free kick, the ball must be placed on the penalty mark.
   
   
   
3. 
   
   the defending goalie must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked.
   
   
   
4. 
   
   players other than the kicker and the goalie must remain on the field, outside of the penalty area, behind the penalty mark, and at least 10 yds from the penalty mark (which is why you have the semi-circular penalty arc at the top of the penalty area - it is that portion of a 10 yd circle around the penalty mark that is outside the penalty area).
   

Here is a sequence of photos that show a direct free kick foul being committed inside the penalty area, in this case by the defending goalie.  This young goalie, in the heat of the action and facing an imminent goal in the last minute of a game, goes a little over the top in his efforts to stop the goal from being scored....

Thanks to Todd Ames for this excellent series of images that illustrate the circumstances under which a penalty kick should be awarded.  The Eastside player is Nihar Baxi of the B95W (U14) team.  In this case, a penalty kick was called.  In a later post, we'll cover the circumstances under which a yellow or red card may be issued.  This sequence could easily have called for one...

We thought they qualified as Pics of the Week.

Photo:  Todd Ames

Photo:  Todd Ames

Photo:  Todd Ames

Photo:  Todd Ames

Photo:  Todd Ames

Photo:  Todd Ames

Photo:  Todd Ames

Photo:  Todd Ames

Photo:  Todd Ames

More on Laws of the Game

The Direct Free Kick - Continued
The Direct Free Kick
Hand Ball!
The Field of Play
Sideline Guideline
Hey!  That Player is Offside!!!