Aleks Mihailovic
| May 2008 |
TIP OF THE MONTH
May 2008
When you are perfecting a technique, it takes approximately 12 to 14 thousand touches to master a particular skill.
Repetition in any sport is vital, but where problems occur is when a young player is allowed to execute skills improperly. When this takes place, basically players are developing bad habits and technical growth is being restricted.
We see this in many new players when they arrive to us from other programs. From an individual point of view our first four to six months are geared towards undoing bad habits and then rebuilding the player with a proper technical foundation so they can progress in their development.
Repetition is important but quality repetition is the key to success. In Soccer Made in America DVD Series, DVD #1 "In the Beginning", proper execution for every major skills are properly featured and defined. DVD #1 is based on proper body mechanics and is a tremendous learning tool for any age.
Take advantage of developing your game by watching professional games, through training sessions and games, and of course when you are training to perfect your skill make sure you are working towards quality execution.
Best wishes,
Aleks Mihailovic
| September 2006 - Goalkeepers (Aleks Mihailovic) |
PO Box 5345
Oak Brook, IL 60522
630-257-6900 Fax 630-257-9455
TIP OF THE MONTH
September 2006
Goalkeepers are special athletes who require special preparation.
This highly skilled and important position never seems to receive enough attention during practice sessions.
Throughout the game, goalkeepers should always be in motion, and constantly adjusting their position according to opponents, teammates, and the ball.
Coordination is a large part of allowing goalkeepers to execute. Coordination training for goalkeepers should focus on individual objectives and be age-specific.
Training should be:
Coordination training should focus primarily on short distance 5 yards, with quick changes of direction.
Besides physical preparation, goalkeepers must be mentally tough. Everything relies on self confidence, technique and decision making.
Here are several common mistakes goalkeepers need to avoid.
The Stance
Focus and Concentration is Essential for Goalkeepers.
There is not a second during the game the goalkeeper can afford to take the eyes off the ball and the opponent.
By nature, young soccer players have less focusing ability than older and more experienced players. However, good habits should begin to be taught at a young age.
Throughout our club we have some goalkeepers with a lot of potential. Goalkeeping training will be offered to all of our keepers at no charge during the fall and spring seasons. The schedule for goalkeepers training will be announced within a week. Please make every possible accommodation for keeper training.
Best wishes,
Aleks Mihailovic
| April 2006 - April Soccer Tips (Aleks Mihailovic) |
In every successful athletic program, quality preparation is the key ingredient. An athlete will never become as successful unless 100% effort has been achieved physically, technically, tactically, and psychologically.
There are players on our teams that have tremendous potential for success but don’t realize how far they can advance in soccer. It truly depends on them.
Charlie Cafaro is a perfect example. This boy left an impression on me several years ago with his determination and discipline. It was his hard work and focus during games and practice sessions that have elevated his playing level. The fact is Charlie has developed in a Chicago Blast White team and this spring he will be in a starting position on the U-14 Blue Team with Milos .
To us as training and coaching organization, this is important because it confirms that our philosophy on development does work. We have created levels for developing players at their speed and physiological makeup.
Some players develop faster than others, and some players mature later both physically and psychologically.
Here is a description of four areas that make up a soccer player.
Technical - Development of skills. Focus on first touch both on the ground and in the air. Speed of taught. Speed of execution.
Tactical - Understanding how to play with and without the ball; understanding how to play in a chosen system; understanding how to play through thirds of the field, defensive, midfield, and attacking third of the field; and decision making.
Physical - Focus on aerobic and anaerobic conditioning. Endurance. Aerobic capacity, the ability of the cardiovascular system to sustain activity, 2 times at 45 minutes. Anaerobic capacity, the ability to repeat explosive movement over 2 times at 45 minutes.
Psychological - Development of positive attitude for all aspects of the game. The application and implementation of technique, tactics, and fitness.
There are many players in our club who are willing to learn, work hard, and who will experience enjoyment and success. The opportunities are there, it is up to you to take advantage of all areas the club has to offer.
| March 2006 - Viewing Soccer (Aleks Mihailovic) |
P.O. Box 5345
Oak Brook, IL 60522
630-257-6900 Fax 630-257-9455
March 23, 2006
TIP OF THE MONTH
One of the biggest advantages European and South American countries have is the convenience of watching quality soccer on television. Players and fans are keeping up with the game all week long.
With the arrival of Fox Sports International and Goal TV, we in the United States have the same opportunity to be able to appreciate the best quality of soccer played in the world.
For a player, watching players like Ronaldino, Nessi, and Beckham is a tremendous learning experience. It gives players a dimension of appreciation of higher level play and makes all of us fans.
How to Watch a Game
The most electrifying part is a beautiful dribble, a fake, or a spectacular goal.
In soccer there are many incredible areas of the game which makes soccer the world’s most popular game. Internationally, soccer is known as the beautiful game.
Depending on whom you are watching Chelsea , Arsenal, or Bayern Munich; you are going to see different styles of play. Traditionally, teams in South America play at a slower pace. In Europe , the game is played at a much faster pace. This is highly accurate with teams in the Premiership League in England .
When watching a game don’t just follow the ball. If you can see Arsenal play, you will see incredible simplicity camouflaged with deceptiveness at the right moment. The great thing about Arsenal is their ability to play without the ball. This style requires constant movement to provide support for the player with the bail. It also provides the player with the ball many different passing options.
What makes Chelsea a great team is their well-organized defending. The majority of their defensive concept is based around providing support with one, two, or three defenders. They are extremely good at taking away passing
angles, particularly in the midfield or in the back. Once they regain possession they break on the wings very effectively.
Key points to watch for:
1) Individual brilliance.
2) Playing with and without the ball.
3) Speed that is used to breakout when the ball is regained, which is called transition.
4) Speed that is used to get organized defensively when the ball is lost is also called transition.
5) Changing the point of attack means the ball is switched from one side to the opposite side to attack space where there are fewer opponents.
6) Accuracy of passes short and long distances, weighted pass. This means the proper speed when the ball is delivered short and long for crossing.
7) Possession means to maintain possession of the baD used for build up in the attack, used for creating openings on defense, or by puffing the opponent out of balance in the middle, left, or right side of the field. This also requires emphasis on making timely runs to unbalance defensive alignments.
7b) The art of goalkeeping is a specialized skill that requires mental toughness hand ball coordination, shot stopping, and excellent decision making. When watching goalkeepers you watch to see how they command their defense, distribute the ball and provide leadership and confidence for the team.
8) Formations most teams use are 4-4-2 4-3-3, 3-5-2 and 4-5-1. The system chosen is based around the ability of your players. Some systems are strictly defensive, some more attacking, and some systems like 3-5-2 are everything in between. When a team is playing at home, teams are usually more aggressive and offensive minded. When teams are playing on the road, they usually play a lift le bit more conservative.
9) Timing of runs in the attacking third. This is a constant challenge for attacking players. For goals to be scored, players on attack have to battle many challenges. Timing of the pass has to be perfect; timing of the run has to be perfect. Shielding the opponent has to be perfect, timing of being offsides has to be perfect, accuracy of the shot has to be perfect, and decision making: when to move when to pass, when to shoot, has to be perfect. Losing a defender is an art all by itself Above all, individual brilliance has to be perfect. Mental toughness is a trademark of a goal scorer. Watching a goal being scored might have a different meaning for some of us. This is the reason why goal scorers are the highest paid players in the world. The best goal scorers are players who can work hard and relax and at the same time, while making quick decisions and creating shooting opportunities for teammates and others.
10) When I watch a professional game I can also appreciate two different individual styles. The high level of individual skills in the best players in the world like Ronaldino is shown by how he uses his teammates to create
openings for himself and his teammates, as well as how he puts tremendous pressure on opponents with his speed and deceptiveness. At any point of the game he can decide the game. This is why soccer is beautiful to watch even if it ends 0-0. Rona plays for Barcelona and Brazil . The other player I enjoy watching is Zinadin Zedanz. Zedanz is the best player in the worfd who plays simple. He sees the entire field, but does not have the speed of Ronaldino, but makes quick decisions under heavy pressure situations better than anyone. Two different players, two different styles. The answer is simple; you don’t have to be the fastest, the tallest, or the strongest to play soccer. All you have to do is try and prepare yourself to be the best you can. The rest will take care of itself These are some of the things I see and look for when I watch a game on Fox Sports or a Chicago Blast game. For me, every session is an opportunity to learn or make you better.
I know that some of the points in this letter might not be age appropriate. Nevertheless, it’s here for you. As you become a more experienced player or student of the game, these points will make more sense. No matter what, it is here for you.
Sincerely,
Aleks Mihailovic