great promise but even better delivery

The U16 JBS Shockers Nation put everyone on notice this past weekend at the 2011 Spring Lanier Cup. The finals was a gritty barn-burner. Our newly formed squad exceeded even my own expectations dropping the final to perennial state champions LSA Jaguars 1-0. Details with some pictures are pending. And, we have our schedule for [...]

U14 JBS Shockers are 2010 UFA Cup Champions

The 2010 U14 JBS Shockers continued a season of dominance by winning the 2010 United Futbol Academy Tournament. The Shockers scored a tournament high thirteen (13) goals with only one (1) against through the finals where they met the vaunted SDY Lady Jaguars and pulled-off magnificent and courageous 2-1 come-from-behind victory to secure the gold [...]

U14 Shockers Are 2010 Kohls Cup Champions

JBS U14 Shockers Nation are 2010 Kohl’s Cup Champions We had a slow start Saturday morning losing to the Hinesville Gators (that apparently were undefeated through the regular season and the tournament with no goals against), but surged in the last fifteen minutes to set the pace for the rest of the tournament. We saw [...]

Finding the will to win

Our hearty and ferocious Shockers found themselves in unfamiliar territory this past Saturday at the RYSA 3v3 tournament. However, as it turns out that format matches both the way we train and our style of play. We fight for the ball and score on smart passing. The U14 Shockers learned quickly and adjusted with improved [...]

Back to State Cup

Our hearty and ferocious U14 Shockers are heading back to State Cup in Columbus. We had a great District round with a record of: 2W-0L-1D. Keeper Paige Mitchell extended our season-long unbeaten streak with her fifth, sixth and seventh shut-outs of the season. Here is the District Cup summary: Saturday Shockers 4 vs. Jackson Bulldogs [...]

little things with big impact

The great stories from the Athens Finale tournament are numerous. And, they will be chronicled, as best I am able here, over time – and, elsewhere. I’ve coached Michelle Higgins since she was eleven. She was on my first Shocker team and created a lot of learning opportunities for me as a coach. I think [...]

Tuesday’s Practice

Shockers Nation: Last nights practice was one of those times that makes being a coach extra fun and interesting. It was like a family reunion. The girls had not been together en masse for almost two weeks. And, they were clearly delighted to be together. There was a great deal of laughter, and catching up. The [...]

2009 ASA Cup Summary: Proving our fortitude and demonstrating our nerve

Much of this story, of course, began last Fall. Christy, Haley Anne, and Hannah E. were coming off an undefeated U12 season at ASA. Christy and Haley Anne were invited to play-up for the struggling U14 Blast in the ASA Cup. This gave Christy and Haley Anne an opportunity to rejoin Shockers alum AC with [...]

U16 Shockers Win 2009 ASA Cup

Our 16 Shockers are the 2009 ASA Cup Champions. Coach Brian

2009 Fall Kohls Cup

Shockers Nation: I’ll consider this past weekends Kohls Cup tournament naught less than a worthy success. The U16 Shockers pulled through, demonstrating a lot of character, while up against some very mature and tough teams. We had our own destiny in our collective hands each and every match.  And, we were an odd ball bounce [...]

Fall 2009 Season

Time to start thinking about getting fit ladies. We are looking for a tournament in August. Who wants the ball? Coach Brian

Savannah

Today Shocker Nation descends on Savannah for the Shamrock Celtic Cup. We appear to have a very good draw for our match schedule. We need to rally to our Keeper more than ever. Let’s show everyone we Want The Ball! Coach Brian

Shocker Nation Notes

Shocker Nation: Please consider showing the video below to your daughters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6MhAwQ64c0 I know the people at GrassHopper. They tell me that much of the video was inspired by many elements of my own background. I honestly think the future of this nation will be in the hands of entrepreneurs. This is how I want [...]

2009 District Cup

My mind whirls with thoughts and emotions around this past weekend and the 2009 District Cup. I’ll not detail each match because they have combined to make for a powerful and dramatic total experience for our Shockers. Every moment was, in itself, a highlight. I believe we emerged with vital lessons learned about establishing goals [...]

Match #9: Lessons Learned

I can begin this post regarding yesterday’s match against NSA Magic with some highlights… Our defensive unit was solid. AC Anderson had a brilliant fast break the entire length of the pitch – and, darn near scored. Ironically our Strykers were off-sides and diffused the play. But, that was a ‘shocking’ reminder of AC’s blistering [...]

Underdogs

So… If Facebook exchanges, texting and parent telephone calls are an indication, our Shockers have realized their own pain, and are quickly rallying themselves. Can this signal and set the stage for their best days of the season – and, perhaps their finest hours as citizens? We have a winning season behind us. No one [...]

Shocker Nation

Shocker Families: Our 2009 Spring campaign is drawing to a close with our final matches of the regular season this coming weekend. Saturday we play a surging Fusion Fury, and then Sunday we play, what may be our most pivotal match of the season, against NSA Magic at Pickneyville Field. Count on that being a [...]

2009 Lanier Cup Tournament Notes

We are certainly the Shockers.  But, this weekend, I would submit to you we are legion. It was my view, and hopes, that we would accomplish three primary objectives this weekend at the Lanier Cup: 1.  Bond and come together as a team; 2.  Clarify strengths and weaknesses while identifying critical areas to focus our [...]

Haley Anne Scores a Goal

It was nothing less than a THING of beauty. There is my Haley Anne, age 12, playing “up” ( a full year early) at U14 with her next generation Fusion Shockers at their first tournament together (that would be the 2009 Lanier Cup). As you probably know, Haley Anne is a FORMIDABLE Defender. /1 It’s early in our third match [...]

Tournament Preparation

We need the players at Lanier no less than 40 minutes before the first match. 7:45am is a good time. Carpooling is not a bad idea. Try to avoid sleep-overs. Let’s make sure all the players have cold weather gear.  I recommend Armor or Warrior gear with the extra layer.  Black is the best choice. [...]

Kits and Tournament Preparation

Our new “kits” (United Kingdom vernacular for uniforms and that related) have arrived. Each player will be issued Fusion blue Adidas shorts, and Two Adidas jerseys – Fusion Blue (Home) and White (Away). With some luck, we are hopeful Alex Rodriguez at Totally Soccer, will have our sweatshirts, custom tie-dye socks (yellow I think), and [...]

Monday’s Scrimmage

For Monday’s scrimmage at Fusion, I am looking and hoping for three things: 1.   Our wanting and fighting the other team for the ball. 2.   Controlling the ball; don’t kick the ball wildly. 3.   Communicating with and encouraging one another. Those things represent foundation and the potential for our greatest growth as [...]

A Team Comes Together

This story – call it a journey if you will; and, certainly an adventure, begins at the Atlanta Soccer Academy (“ASA”). In the Fall season of 2008 two dynamic groups of young female soccer players were preparing to cross paths and converge. Haley Anne Cork, Hannah Erger and Christy Tovar were Captains of the ASA [...]