1. More and more famous coaches were there all with the same message; stop over coaching players; just let them play. The time for coaching is during practice, not during game time. During a game, or scrimmage, the coach should take notes helping to plan the next practice. Mouth shut and pencil busy. Notes not noise.

2. Practice games should not be even a side. My notes show nothing but situations that favor the team or unit with the ball with numerical superiority. The notations read: 4v4+2 which in plain English means, six players with the ball and four on the defending unit. Then I saw 6v6+2, or 6v6+3. Never even sides. Let the attackers have the advantage and make it work. (Sound familiar?) Give the attackers confidence and courage. As I have written many times, "Make It Work.'

3. The third item did not please me. I found little attention paid to details. For me details means technique. Plain and simple. I would show players the proper technique and see what happens. It might work, but if never demonstrated, never learned. I am very strong on giving details, technique, to youth players. Many have never seen the details. Give them a chance to do things correctly. One chance at least. Do not ignore the chance to help a beginning player.

The conference was good with many interesting clinicians. I also had a chance to chat with people from all over the country. People from the west coast recognized me. I was amazed.

People do read what I write. I must be more careful of what I write in the future. I just want to share the dream!

Alan Maher

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