1-Place a cone on the half-way line. 			(Anywhere on the field - is OK)
2-Appoint a 'team leader'  				(Each player gets a turn)
3-Point to the cone and say, 
	-"As quickly as possible, 			(Event can be timed!)
	  line-up the team				(Order counts)
	 and give each player a number" 		

4-No further instructions				(Turn your back on the team)

5-Observe!						(Take an occasional peek)	

 1-Ask the players to get a partner			(They can pick a friend)
2-One in charge of cones 				(Any object will do)
   One in charge of ball				(See if they use their hands)
3-Point to the field and say, 
	-"As quickly as possible,   			(Event can be timed)
	 lay-out your field				(Order counts)
	 and begin playing"				

4-No further instructions				(Turn your back on the team)

5-Observe!						(Take an occasional peek)

The following symptoms will tell you if, in fact, you have been contaminated by this sinister international virus: The players are able to line-up without assistance. The players are able to give each other a number. The players can line-up faster and faster with each go around. Look out the virus has been planted.

If the symptoms of the second experiment are as follows, you know for certain you have been contaminated: The players stand around holding balls and cones in hand looking puzzled. When you turn your back, some put cones on their heads or use them as a megaphones. Those with the ball either sit on it, toss it to themselves or throw it at others. Finally when you ask them what they are waiting for, they reply, "The next instruction!" Beware, the virus has taken over.

You are not alone with these results. The experiments mentioned have been conducted in more than 20 states. The teams and players used in the experiments ranged from U6 to U18 Olympic Development players. The results were always the same:

	Able to organize and stand in line       = 100%

	Able to organize and play a (1 v 1) game =   0%

We must reverse these statistics by asking ourselves, "Is standing in line part of the game?" Since the obvious answer is a resounding NO. Stop asking your players to stand in lines during practice sessions! Now, take the same approach used to perfect the standing-in-line technique, and use it to teach what does occur in the game. You must begin with the 1 vs 1 foundation game.

Think about it. While our young players are waiting 'their' turn to have a chance at touching the ball, all other players around the globe are playing a variation of the 1v1 game. (A "sandlot style" soccer game). They play soccer around the world like we play basketball. It goes something like this:

	-One player -One ball -One basket   =Imagination game of 1 vs 1 (I'm Michael)

	-Two players -One ball -One basket  =They begin by alternating taking shots
					    =Then they play a game of H O R S E
					    =They, always, end up -playing 1 vs 1

		-As more players show up -- the sequence repeats itself
		-Seldom will you see them going toward Two baskets.

Now, lets' look at the scenario taking place in our US soccer communities. It goes something like this:

	-One player -One ball -One Goal  	=Leave field and find a basketball court

	-Two players -One ball -One Goal	=Begin -by Alternating taking shots
						=Leave field and find a basketball court 

It is our duty to instill a soccer conscience into our players. First, we must understand that all it takes is a ball, a goal (object) and two players to play a 1 v 1 game. Then, in practice we need to teach them to obtain a soccer ball. We need to teach them how to place an object (tree, hat, cone, etc.) on the ground to represent a goal. Teach them, when they have possession of the ball (Attack), they can score by touching the ball to the object. Teach them, when they don't have possession of the ball (Defend), to protect the object from touching the ball. We must teach them (at practice) to confidently find an object and automatically begin playing the 1 v 1 game. Once they are independent, encourage them to play 1 v 1 soccer at home.

What we need to teach is that

Lets' show the world we can cure the virus by teaching our young players to

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