Fall 2010 Captains

I’ve named Mallory Charlton and Grace Guthrie as Captains of the U16 squad and Haley Anne Cork and Gracie Razo as Captains for the U14 squad for this season. Traditionally Captains are picked less for star status and more so for leadership qualities. This can include team spirit and a willingness to do what ever [...]

Mars Twitchell

Shockers Nation: Mars Twitchell is out for the season with what appears to be an injured ACL. An MRI is pending. So, stay tuned. Mars went down Saturday fighting the ball towards the net against the GFC Badgers. I called Mars this evening to check in with her. The first thing she said to me [...]

the virtuous shockers Mom

The telling of the tale will be fodder, not doubt, for the robust legacy of our Shockers Nation. So… I’ll likely send out a more detailed email tomorrow morning summarizing the ferocious match schedule we have this weekend (five matches across both days between the two squads). But, in the mean time, I need to [...]

another Mary’s Call to action

Mary Guthrie is the Mother of two of my Shockers (Claire and Grace). She is also a reader of this Blog, and apparently found a form of stimulation in one of my recent posts: from whence our Inspiration, and, a co-worker. Divine afflatus /1 certainly abounds. Mary’s own story is rather moving – and, pretty great – [...]

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 [...]

being pleased or being satisfied

Wednesday night at practice, with some ill-advised shenanigans afoot, I found myself relating a story to our Shockers about “being pleased or being satisfied”. I think most of them will remember the moment. If not the words, well, perhaps the catch in my voice – hopefully my heart, certainly. We have a lot of soccer [...]

Leadership by Example

Shockers Nation: No practice tonight. I realize this is obvious. But, I’ll not take a chance of having an eager Shocker standing in the rain forlornly awaiting her coach. Some thoughts… We’re having another terrific season. With a total of nine matches played between the U14 and U16 Shockers, we have a combined and undefeated [...]

leadership

Because the message clearly speaks for itself, I’ll add naught to this post but the original email from AC’s (our U14 Captain) Mom: “Coach Brian, I will not be at the game tomorrow because I am going to Alabama for a HUGE Event that we have in our hometown each year. I wanted you to [...]

character defined

So… Winning is great. Shockers tend to do that. We call it Shocker Ball. Before the match I advised this hearty and ferocious U16 crew that certainly Shockers have a legacy and a history of U12 and U14 winning. But this was their team, and a chapter in the history book was for their own [...]

coaching citizens

Hannah is probably aware that she has a family at large in Shocker Nation. In fact, in so many ways, she represents and reflects the core philosophy of why I coach, and what we have accomplished as a team over the past three years. The truth is Hannah is often silly and goofy. But, we [...]

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 [...]

Match #10: Finishing Well

It always feels good to win. However, last night match against Fusion Storm may have been one of our most balanced efforts to date. The difference in our play from this past weekend was simply that of night-and-day. Our defense lived up to its vaunted reputation, but this time was actually led by our Keeper [...]

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 [...]

Match #7: A Return to Form

After Saturday’s match against Fusion Storm it was greatly evident that our Shockers were keen on returning to form and ready to play NSA Revolution. The majority of the team was at the pitch early and eager to warm up. I reminded them that we still control our destiny and need to keep points to [...]

CRCT and Soccer Forge Character

I believe come mid-May we have scholastic CRCT testing afoot. I have made some inquiries. It would take a herculean, and possibly unreasonable effort to coordinate RILS, other teams, refs and fields at this point to try and effect rescheduling those matches. And, we just flat-out run out of room going into tournament season. Just [...]

Double Header

This past blustery Saturday our mighty Shockers played a double-header against NSA Magic and Revolution. That is a lot to ask of any team. However, they conducted themselves brilliantly both in terms of character, as well as play, at naught but the highest of levels. The first match against NSA Magic saw the Shockers a [...]

Match #1: Shocker Ball

It feels as though it’s as simple as wanting the ball – and, then force of will.

Transitions

Our girls added new meaning to “wanting the ball”. Not one Shocker, I tell you, failed to fight with all their might for every single ball.

the Difference

Thinking through the tournament this past weekend, it struck me that every player made a difference. They – each one of them, are unique, and bring something special to our team. For me, perhaps the most gratifying part of being a coach amongst young citizens is having a small part in realizing something of their [...]

Notes for Thursday Practice

Our skills sharpen each practice – as does confidence and team unity. Erin joined us last night, and she fit right in – mostly because the girls have big hearts and Erin put forth a solid effort. Our Defense needs to FOCUS. Our Forwards are being encouraged to SHOOT.  But, also to fearlessly dribble the [...]

on Being mighty champions

I want to teach and inspire the young padawan to be mighty champions whether they win or lose. Coach Brian

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 [...]