It gives me a chance to write a little and go through my notes. I write on small pieces of paper about things that I want to stress in the future. Details. Little details. I get caught up in all the details. Some examples:

· Never strike a dead ball; move it and then pass it. I see so many players who trap a ball and strike it from a dead stop. That is not the game.

· Never wait for the ball to reach you. Go to the ball. A simple statement, but seldom followed. Rinus Michels said it years ago. "Go to the ball!"

· Never run straight down the field. Players who run straight tend to run into an offside position. They also have their backs to the ball. How can the ball be received when the player is running straight away? How? Also, those players cannot see the ball of the field of play. They are out of the game.

· Years ago a friend of mine was coaching a high school team. During practice one player made a back pass. My friend yelled, "hey fella, the goal is the other way!" I explained that the back pass does many things. It reduces pressure near the ball. It changes the pace of the game. It helps keep possession of the ball. It conceals the real point of the attack.

· Every professional coach that I know stresses the importance of stretching out after the game. Let`s be honest. How many youth coaches have their teams do that?

· Talking. I am tired of seeing coaches talk to their teams. Kids fall asleep listening to adults talk. The major reason kids choose soccer is the action and movement of the game. My son gave up baseball at the tender age of ten because he stood in the outfield and never touched a ball. Then he pitched, but was limited to the amount of innings he could pitch in a week. The rest of the week he sat on the bench. Then he became a catcher. Then a friend called. And baseball was history. Kids want to be on a field doing something. Sitting on the bench or on the ground is not what kids want to do. They are full of energy; they want to move. All the time.

· I could go on forever, but will end with one more. My biggest complaint. The kids who are placed on the back line, the defensive line, who are forced to stand in front of their own goal while all the action is at the other end of the field. Let us assume a three-three-two formation. Three defenders, three in the midfield and two strikers. Now picture the midfield players and the two strikers up attacking the goal. The three defenders are in front of their own goal standing. And ordered by the coach, "stay there. Do not move up!" The result is that the five field players are attacking a goal defended by nine opponents! Is there any doubt why this causes frustration? Anger? Valid reasons to leave soccer? "All up and all back," is the way that I put it. Not some up and some back.

It is winter. Ponder a little. John Dewey, the old educator from Columbia University said, "All life needs a period of gestation." I will ponder and gestate for a while. In cold Florida. Well, it beats Long Island!

Alan Maher
Sunshine Square

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