There are many weekday games now being scheduled at the fields used for the U11 and U12 games. Please check the ASA Information line (703-532-2088, ext. 396) for fields used for games each week.

Tournament Participants,

Thank you to everyone - field volunteers, referees, coaches, parents and players - for a great first tournament!

Despite chilly temperatures and threatening rain, spirits at all the fields were high and our ASA players showed off some great soccer. Special thanks to everyone for their patience, flexibility and can-do attitudes as we adjusted schedules and locations "on the fly" to accommodate field conditions. It is very much appreciated.

Tournament t-shirts are available at $5 each, including shipping. Watch the Tournament website for details.

Thanks to all coaches. See you next year,

Bob Waffle, Director
Arlington Columbus Day Soccer Tournament

When you are running your session for players younger than U8-U11 make sure you have all of them doing things with a ball.

All exercises, whether you are doing a technical drill or a simple warm-up each player should be moving with a ball at their feet. The development of their coordination and their ability to change direction and speed can be enhanced with their ability to handle a ball while in motion.

Dribbling is an excellent way to warm players up as they get multiple touches on the ball. You can limit the area in which they can handle the ball to improve their ball handling skills and start to get them to get their heads up frequently to avoid running into players.

If you want to do this with pressure after the warm-up and stretch, you can create restrictions. For example:

1. Half the players with a ball and half without. The players without the ball try to win it and push the ball out of the grid.
2. Half the players with a ball, and half without. Players with the ball must dribble and control the ball and hand tag players without. Players without have to walk.
3. Create teams to make it competitive.

Reward their hard work with a game at the end of practice. Focus your coaching instruction on whatever skill you warmed up with and did in the technical part of your session. Try not to move straight to a game, but develop proper technique for whatever skill you are focusing on for that day.

Have fun and don’t forget to be creative when you are encouraging them. Nicknames and other fun things help them really look forward to training!

Thanks,
Grant Smith
Director of Coaching
Arlington Travel Soccer Club

This league is aimed primarily at house teams.

• U8 – Coed
• U10 – Girls
• U10 – Boys
• U12 – Girls
• U12 – Boys
• U14 – Girls
• U14 – Boys

Team Fee: $440.00

• Registration begins October 9th, 2006
• Registration deadline is November 10th, 2006
• League begins Saturday, December 2nd, 2006

League is sponsored by the Arlington County Department Of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources. The contact person is Cheryl Krage at 703-228-1809, ckrage@arlingtonva.us.

• Boys & Girls Coach of the Year
  Nominations must be received in the VYSA office by Wednesday.
• Boys & Girls Coach of the Year
  Nominations must be received in the VYSA office by Wednesday, October 11, 2006.
• Young Male & Female Referee of the Year
  Nominations must be received in the VYSA office by Thursday, November 9, 2006.
• Volunteer of the Year
  Nominations must be received in the VYSA office by Thursday, November 30, 2006.

Our Price: $ 18 a ticket