Welcome To 
"The Back of the Net"
Classics Eagles e-Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 10 (10/8/15)

Dear Classics Eagles Families,

As a soccer club, we have a commitment to player development as our core value.  We want to make our decisions based on what will help our players grow as players and persons.  In our Coach Spotlight and Player Spotlight articles, you can see how this is happening in some tangible ways. This week's The Back of the Net also features the third article by Brandon Koons on the player numbering system.

We are grateful for our coaches giving themselves to the cause of player development, and we are inspired by players who are giving their best to become their best.  We believe that when we help players learn how to play soccer with skill and heart and understanding, that results in the game will take care of themselves.  This year already, lots of Classics Eagles players have taken home trophies from tournaments.  That is fun, and we hope it has been encouraging.  Even better is what players have taken to heart and put into their game through these experiences that will grow on and help them move toward their bigger dreams coming true.  

We believe that it is important for players to have a healthy pace of soccer and take time off occasionally, but it is also important to be aware that the development of skills happens best when players work at it consistently year round.  That is why we incorporate a winter program into all of our age group academies.  Some players additionally enjoy and are helped by supplemental experiences.  Our partner SuperKick offers a number of fun and challenging development opportunities, with more information in the "Supplemental Programs" section below.
 
With the beautiful weather, and with soccer activities ending earlier because of darkness, it is a great time to go out and support your local high school teams by attending a game.  And, of course, our younger players can be inspired and learn as they watch!

Mike Lentz & Jeff Dybdahl
Classics Eagles Co-Founders
Brandon Koons
Director of Player & Parent Education
By The Numbers - Continued....
by Brandon Koons, Director of Player and Parent Education

Wide Defenders - #2s & #3s
To finish the defensive side of our number series, here we'll cover the #2s and #3s, the wide defenders. As we said in an earlier article, different regions of the world moved different players into the back line as they converted the 2-3-5 to a safer system.  The #2 and #3 used to be the only defenders, but over time, more players were brought back. Most teams moved #4s and #5s back, but some moved the #6 to center defender.  In South America, they moved the #6 to Left defender.  This is why Marcelo (Real Madrid) wears #6 when he plays for Brazil.

The Classics Eagles have moved the #4 and #5 to central defensive roles, so we will refer to #2 as the right defender and #3, the left. Wide defenders today cover more ground than they did in previous generations.  It's actually not uncommon for coaches to take #7s and #11s and convert them to defenders.  These are players with a natural tendency to want to attack, so coaches use that to create defenders who can off balance opponents by getting into the attacking third of the field.  This is often done through an "overlap."  This is the action where a player will run from behind a teammate, between that player and the sideline, to get into the space ahead of the ball.  A few wide defenders have also perfected an "underlapping run."  This is where an overlapping run is made centrally (as opposed to around the teammate in the wide areas of the field).  If done properly, teams can add numbers to an attack closer to the goal.  Leighton Baines of Everton, shown below, is extremely good at this type of run. 

Wide defenders now must be fit enough to make these 60-70 yard runs forward (and work their way back to defend).  Once they get into the attack, they have to be skilled enough to serve long / accurate crosses, or even take on opposing defenders.  Highlights in contemporary soccer show wide defenders assisting and even scoring goals.  Wide defenders can beat players 1v1 and go to goal, or wrap their foot around a ball and serve it into the box.  To do this well, you have to be able to bend it away from a goalkeeper, but keep it close enough to goal so that a teammate can put the ball on target (often through a header). Click HERE to read more....

Hopefully, this has helped give a basic understanding of the defenders' roles.  Next week, we will move into the midfield player numbers and roles.

Brandon Koons
Director of Player and Parent Education
Player Spotlight - Gavin Kiener
Gavin plays in the U11 Olentangy boys Red Pool.  This past weekend he and his team won the Platinum Division championship at the Fall Ball tournament.  Gavin made some key contributions  as he used skills he has been working on this year. Coach Tim Lawrence comments about Gavin: "Gavin is a true student of the game. Gavin always plays with a purpose. It doesn't matter if it's a game or training...Gavin pushes himself out of his comfort zone every time he steps on the field". Click HERE to learn more!

Coach Spotlight - Megan Dever 
Megan coaches in the U11 Girls Black pool in Olentangy.  Recently we received these comments from a parent of a player Megan coaches: "We've been with Coach Megan for two years now. She has been wonderful with the girls! She is firm, but can be silly. She is extremely encouraging and still challenges them. She pushes the girls in a way that makes them want to do better. We are continually impressed with her. She is a wonderful role model for these young athletes". Click HERE to learn more!
 
SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMMING AT SUPERKICK
Click on the links below to learn more about programs that will help your player achieve their skill development goals.
Orthopedic ONE's Sports Medicine Partnership 
with Classics Eagles is in full swing. Click HERE to check out all the details which include the Training Room schedule, how to utilize the 24 Hour Hotline, Concussion resources and many other services. 

We encourage all Classics Eagles players and family members to take advantage of the Orthopedic ONE and Classics Eagles Sports Medicine Partnership!

Classics Eagles Partners - Click On The Logos To Learn More!
Volume 2, Issue 10 - October 8, 2015
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