Jimmy Durante was a stand-up performer whose career ended in the fifties. He attacked the piano. His partner, Eddie Jackson, wore white tie and tails with the top hat and a cane. Pretty girls were all over the stage. The performance was good clean fun. Every performance began with the song; "You've got to start each day with a song." Durante's theme song.

The words rang in my memory bank. "You've got to start each day with a song." Now what has all this to do with soccer? Well you might ask such a question. Start each day with a song? Where is he going with this?

My friend reminded me that I had said that each activity should begin with a pass. That way the activity does not start with a dead ball! Start with a passed ball. The player receiving the ball starts the game/activity! This makes all the difference in the world. Is there a situation on the field of play that starts with a dead ball other than one called by the referee?

So in my head, I was singing, "You've got to start each activity with a pass." The same song with new words!

This is a basic concept for teaching young players how to play the game. Do not start a games or activities from a dead ball situation. Rather start with a moving ball. A moving ball!

Now go back and check your inventory of games/activities and see how many begin with a dead ball. Change them! Start with a pass.

Roll out the piano. Put on the top hat. Bring on the pretty girls. Because... "You've Got To Start Each Game With A Pass!" Learn the song and sing it at every practice.

It would be unfair to write about starting a game/activity with a pass without giving and example:

This is a half field game that ends with a shot on goal.

1. The keeper passes to A who then starts the game.

2. A passes to B who back passes to advancing A who passes to C. This player should be standing sideways so that he can see D and pass to him.

3. Player D runs a give-and-go combination with E and ends the sequence with a shot on goal.

4. Now the keeper starts the game with a pass to the new player A. There is no reason why A cannot start the game, except that he would be starting with a dead ball at his feet. The pass from the keeper forces him to look at the keeper and also locate teammate B. This way all is done with motion. Game like. That's it. Game like.

So, start each game with a pass.

P.S. No, I did not explain how the players rotate. You should be able to figure that out.

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Alan Maher

Editors note:
Alan Maher was keynote speaker at the National Soccer Coaches Convention (NSCAA) in Cincinnati. You can correspond with Alan Maher by writing to:
Alan Maher
340 Euclid Ave.
Massapequa Park, NY 11762
alanmaher@aol.com