Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

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Be Considerate of All Refs, Especially Our New Ones

 By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Ref_equipment_for_WebAssociation
 

April 28, 2023-What happens when you see a car with a Driver’s Education sign on it? Chances are, you stay away from that car and if any inexperienced mistakes are made, you understand. 

In 2014, there were over 4,000 registered refs in Eastern New York which remains our peak. The players eventually returned after the pandemic but many of our refs did not, causing referee shortages in both Eastern New York and throughout the United States.

We lose more than half our referees in their first two years of officiating with the number one reason being verbal abuse by the so-called “adults” in youth soccer, coaches and parents. So the next time that you yell at a ref, you could be contributing to our referee shortage.

Currently, we have approximately 3,000 registered refs, many of these referees and assistant refs are new since they took certification courses over the winter and although they may be enthusiastic, they need time and experience to develop into excellent officials. Many are not going to get there and will quit if they are yelled at and soccer is no longer fun.

So just as you would understand and not criticize mistakes made by a student learning to drive, we ask all adults in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) on the touchline this Spring Season, both coaches and parents, to do the same with our refs. So we can end our shortage of referees and assistant refs once and for all!

With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

South Shore Bulldogs Take the Peter Collins Cup Home to Long Island as Boys-Under-19 State Open Cup Champs

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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
June 21, 2023-The South Shore Bulldogs won their third State Open Cup title, defeating FC Somers Arsenal, 3-0, to win the Boys-Under-19 State Open Cup at Stringham Park in LaGrange on June 4. The State Cup was presented by LifeVac, the choking rescue device that has saved over 900 lives and counting.
 
The cup’s namesake, Peter Collins, volunteered as Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) President from 1977 to 2004, coached the Hicksville Minutemen to the Boys-Under-19 national finals and was a U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer and U.S. Soccer Life Member.
 
“We lost some guys who aren’t playing college soccer and could not commit to this level of play. We added some really good guys, we got some games in and have a good understanding of what we want to do,” South Shore coach Vincent Companion explained,  "Our defensive shape was excellent today against FC Somers, a really good team.”
 
David Akpen scored two goals, Alex Adou added one, Sean Gordon assisted on all three goals plus keeper Sean Romessi had the shutout in goal.
 
South Shore also won the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died seven years ago, started the LIJSL Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread throughout the world.
 
South Shore will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the East Regionals from June 23 to 29 in Loudoun County, Virginia as part of the National Championship Series. 
 
With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/

2014 Region I Leagues

 US Youth Soccer Region I sponsors a series of regional leagues to provide a higher level of competition for teams above the state level but below the region level. Each League is a fully sanctioned league under Region I. 
To find out more about Region I Premier Leagues and applications, please select here.
 

10 Million Handshakes Highlight the Spring Season

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer CJSL_young_players_for_WebAssociation
 
April 27, 2023-The first round of the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs is now ending. Much is going to be made of the fact that players and coaches line up in the sporting gesture of shaking hands at the conclusion of each hard-fought best-of-seven playoff series. There will be approximately 6,000 handshakes in total after the 15 playoff series.
 
But that pales in comparison to what is happening in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), where the ideals are sportsmanship, safety, fun and fundamentals. Our 100,000 players, both boys and girls from the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, plus their coaches and match referees will participate in approximately 10 million handshakes during this Spring Season. 
 
“Now that the pandemic has faded and youth soccer has returned to normalcy, it’s important that teams have started shaking hands and bumping fists after every game once again,” explained ENYYSA President Richard Christiano.
 
Shaking hands is not just a spring thing as it occurs throughout the year. It is estimated that 25 million handshakes will happen after Eastern New York soccer games in 2023.
 
With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/

Professional Soccer Trainers – Curse or Cure

Professional Soccer Trainers – Curse or Cure

 
 
 
Over the last 20 years the number of professional trainers working in ENY and indeed throughout the country has exploded. The reasons for this change in the culture of who teaches the game seem obvious:
 
1. Soccer parents wanting an educated, qualified and licensed teacher to help fulfill their child’s potential.
2. Parent coaches having less and less time to give to coaching as their free time has dwindled.
3. Soccer parents tired of the pressure placed on them by other parents in the group (playing time, win/loss record) not wanting to coach anymore.
4. Fewer job opportunities for college players, who then recognize the opportunity to earn some money because they played the game.
5. The culture of parents chasing the scholarship dream has helped promote the idea of professional trainers.
6. A consumer base that seems willing to throw money at anyone with an accent who can kick a ball.
 
The dictionary definition of professional reads as follows:
pro•fes•sion•al  [pruh-fesh-uh-nl] <http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html> Show IPA adjective
1. following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain:a professional builder.
2. of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/profession> :professional studies.
3. appropriate to a profession <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/profession> : professional objectivity.
4. engaged in one of the learned professions <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/profession> : A lawyer is aprofessional person.
5. following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged inas a pastime: a professional golfer
 
I believe, in addition, that the definition of professional soccer trainer must involve the words or phrases below;
• Formal education and ongoing training.
• Dedication to task.
• Innate desire to become as qualified as one can in the chosen field.
• Fair and reasonable reimbursement for work provided.
• Desire to uphold high level of ethical standards to protect the profession (job)
 
I do not believe that anyone can be considered a professional simply because they either get paid to do a job they have not trained to do or simply have some experience within the field. I have been on lots of airplanes yet I still could not fly one. Teaching the fundamental skills and tactics of the game in an age appropriate, developmentally fun manner must be the task of educated coaches.
 
 
The debates on the positives and negatives of more trainers working with teams of all ages and levels is an ongoing and interesting one, which motivated parents and team managers should be involved in. The minimum criteria which should be considered when employing a new trainer in are:
 
1. Background check.
2. Insurance coverage.
3. Level of First Aid and CPR training.
4. Teaching and education background.
5. Age appropriate coaching license. (year obtained)
6. Coaching licenses obtained and kept current
7. Last coaching education opportunity attended.
8. Playing experience and level of play.
9. Economics of situation – can the team afford the cost of the trainer without forcing hardship on individuals.
 
The game is bleeding players with more and more clubs struggling to field teams at older ages and an ever increasing number of players leaving the game. With this bleak reality facing all those involved, and concerned about the growth of the beautiful game, we must do all within our power to ensure that all soccer training environments are good experiences. Carefully examining the trainer issue is an effective way to try to ensure that youth players are placed in effective and fun training sessions.
 
ENYYSA has recently introduced a trainer certification program which will help team managers and soccer parents easily view a list of professional trainers who have had a background checks, insurance checks and their coaching license verified. This part of our website is a valuable resource for all soccer parents.
 
I would also encourage all soccer parents to find the time to observe at least one soccer practice a season and in so doing offer the following checklist which may help in forming a sensible evaluation of what they see;
 
1. There should be NO LAPS, NO LINES, NO LECTURES.
2. Activities chosen and progressions used should look like the game.
3. Ages 5-12 players should be touching a ball hundreds of time in each session.
4. The coach should be attempting to use questions which encourage players to think and solve problems rather than simply give orders.
5. Typically the practice should get more complicated as it develops.
6. Physical activities should never be used as a punishment.
7. The players should spend more time "doing" than listening.
8. Practice should go through the following stages, warm up (with ball), technical-tactical progressions (2 or 3) and scrimmage/game to end.
 
For parents or coaches who wish to have more guidance in terms of age appropriate content the new U.S. Soccer F license would be an ideal learning opportunity.
 
 
 
 

ODP Coach Ian Stone Wins His Second Sportsmanship Award With St. John’s University

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
November 15, 2013-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that our Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach Ian Stone, also the head coach of the Region 1 East ODP Girls-Under-17 squad, received the Bob Blitz Sportsmanship Award from the New York Metro Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NYMISOA) at The Sterling in Bethpage on November 11. The referees of NYMISOA selected Ian for the award based on their officiating of college soccer games from Westchester to Long Island. He also won the NYMISOA Sportsmanship Award in 1994, his first year in charge of coaching the St. John’s Red Storm women, and is one of only seven coaches to receive the NYMISOA Sportsmanship Award twice.
 
Bringing success to his teams on and off the field, Ian is the third-longest tenured head coach at St. John’s University. He has received many impressive accolades, including 13 postseason tournament appearances, 2009 and 2013 NCAA Tournament berths, the 1994 Big East Championship and 2002 ECAC Championship titles, 2006 Big East Coach of the Year honors and 2009 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year accolades. The Mineola resident is also a two-time winner of the St. John’s Herbert Hess Coach of the Year award, which he received in 1998 and 2008. A coach that values his team’s classroom and character development, he has coached 10 consecutive squads that have earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award.
 
His dedication to St. John’s Vincentian Mission has been evident throughout his two-decade tenure. In 2004, 2008 and 2010, the women’s soccer team received the Athletics Department’s Community Service Award, which is given to the team that exemplifies the qualities of the college’s mission by taking part in activities that extend it beyond its academic and athletic arenas. His teams have participated in countless community service projects over the past 20 seasons, including breast cancer walks, the Score For A Cure initiative that began in 2011 and several other service activities.
 
Ian emigrated to the United States by way of Bristol, England. He reached a high level of success in the youth soccer ranks, playing for the nationally-renowned Bristol Boys team. He graduated with honors from the West London Institute of Education (now Brunel University) in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and English. During Ian’s collegiate playing career, the team won the British Collegiate Championship three consecutive years, from 1986 to ‘88. He captained the team his senior year and set the school record for goals scored in a season. He also played on the reserve team of the English Premier League club, Chelsea.
 
In 2005, he led the Eastern New York ODP South Girls-Under-16 team to the 2005 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 championship. He also coached the two-time Region 1 champion HBC Magic of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) from 1999 to 2002.
 
"I have been refereeing Ian’s teams for the past 20 years, both in youth soccer and at St. John’s, and I have never heard him complain about the officiating decisions," commented NYMISOA Vice President Randy Vogt. "It’s very nice that he has achieved a good level of success with the Red Storm while continuing to develop the character of his players."
 
With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 12 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.
 

Eastern New York ODP Graduate Domenica Hodak Playing Professionally for the Washington Spirit

Domenica_Hodak_for_Web
 
Photo courtesy of the University of Maryland.
 
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
April 16, 2013-Congratulations to Domenica Hodak, who tried out for the Washington Spirit as a Discovery Pick and made the team. She is playing for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) squad during the inaugural season of the league.
 
"I am so excited to play in the NWSL," she said. "I’m so glad a professional league for women’s soccer is back and I’m excited for the experience it will give me. The players on my team and the other teams are going to help improve my game and grow as a player."
 
The 21-year-old from West Sayville played for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) for five years and the Region 1 ODP Team for four years. 86% of the American players in NWSL were members of ODP as teenagers.
 
Under the tutelage of head coach Paul Riley, Domenica played for the Albertson Fury 90 of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), helping lead the Fury to four State Open Cup titles.
 
Using her nickname, Coach Riley commented, "Minn’s competitive nature makes her a very good pro prospect. She is bright, intelligent and reads the game really well. Love her subtle touch and she always makes good decisions on the ball. Minn has a pro mentality and is tough as nails. We are extremely proud of her and her positional versatility will make her a valuable weapon for Washington."
 
She also played for Riley when she donned the red and navy blue of the Long Island Fury of the Women’s Premier Soccer League in 2007 and 2008 against opponents a decade older than her.
 
Before playing for the Fury, Domenica played for the LIJSL’s Bayport Soccer Club and then for the LIJSL’s Massapequa Crunch for one year.
 
She was a three-year All-State and two-year Newsday All-Long Island selection at Sayville High School in addition to being team captain for two years. She was also twice named the Suffolk County Small School Player of the Year.
 
Domenica’s varsity coaches at Sayville High School were Beth Bolger in the latter part of her junior year and Joe Nasta during her senior season. As a freshman, sophomore and at the start of her junior year, John Schroeder, who was also her first coach in ODP, coached the Golden Flashes until his sudden death in the middle of that season.
 
"It’s crazy to think that the last time I spoke to him, it was about which college I should go to and I was listening to his advice," she reminisced.
 
That advice led her to the University of Maryland. Her college life as a Terrapins defender was eventful as, after seeing action as a freshman and sophomore, she played nearly every minute of every game as a junior and senior, being named to the 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament Team as Maryland made the final.
 
In a nice twist of fate, Domenica made her professional debut for Washington in their inaugural game against the Boston Breakers on April 14, which would have been Schroeder’s 70th birthday. The game resulted in a 1-1 tie.
 
With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 12 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. Eastern New York exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. Eastern New York is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.
 

High School Soccer – Going Offside

 By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction
 
I have been involved in the high school debate for more than 20 years. I was actually drawn into it by one of my players, a young man in Rockville Centre, NY. Paul was one of those conscientious teenagers who got the developmental approach and readily understood the benefits of a possession based approach. On one of my free afternoons I offered to go to watch South Side play. Paul was visibly shaken by the idea and suggested that I avoid at all costs. I thought he was kidding and asked why, Paul explained that if he were to control it, calm the game down and pass sideways or backwards he would be immediately yanked off the field and crucified for doing so. I thought he was exaggerating and went anyway. Paul was 100% right and I felt bad that he had to prove his point.
Since the above incident, and after attempting to watch a few other high school games, my initial feelings regarding High School Soccer have simply been reinforced. I understand the issues more clearly now but remain convinced that the high school environment must change if our high level players are going to ever fulfill their potential.
I watched with interest as the Academy system led by the USSF initiated a rule that all Academy players must withdraw from their high school teams. I understood the reason for the rule, they wanted to protect our top soccer athletes and not place them in environments that would damage their soccer growth. I was disappointed that they did not try to educate first, they simply presented a rule (which I know has been broken).
We have many top level players that for a variety of reasons do not enter the Academy system and we have many players that love the game and simply want to be able to fulfill their potential. This article is for you.
Let us first consider the positives of a High School program:
  1. A good school has a sense of community – anything that helps students feel part of this is good.
  2. Concept of TEAM – the High school Varsity team may be the one team that truly inspires a good sense of being a loyal team member… players who make it are unlikely to do anything to let the program down.
  3. Social worth – rightly or wrongly the young men and women who make these teams are placed on a pedestal by the rest of the school community.
  4. Learning to balance – players invested in these programs, learn to balance the academic and athletic demands.
  5. Keeping them busy – during the hectic season with 2 hour practices a night and 2/3 games a week plus school work they are unlikely to get in any mischief.
  6. Endless pasta parties – this one sits in the middle of positive and negative. How much pasta is good for you and seniors driving around younger members of teams at strange times of night can lead to problems. The drinking culture somewhat associated with this is one which should be condemned by all.
The negatives that need to be considered:
  1. High school sport seems to have no concept of the issue of periodization – the fact that players need rest or their bodies simply start to collapse. Many high school programs under the disguise of captain’s practices started running weeks ago. Too many of these programs are the "old school" marine mentality.
  2. The rules of the games – constant re-entry means that the uneducated coach simply treats the athletes like pieces of meat. Players are told to run around at 100 miles an hour and when you can’t, I will substitute you for the next horse that can. The rules in high school soccer detract from the game being played in the manner which makes it the world’s most popular sport.
  3. Uneducated coaches – the majority of teams have coaches involved who have no coaching licenses or background in physical education at all. How can this system be supported? It is the biggest contradiction of all (I hope Principal’s and AD’s are reading this)! How can an establishment dedicated to education put someone in charge of a sport in which they have no education?
  4. LTADP – Long term athletic development plan – all Club sports have now morphed into annual events. Spring Soccer finishes if you are successful around the end of June. Players should take 4-6 weeks rest for their bodies to recuperate and recharge. High school soccer has already begun (please stop pretending the kids run while the coach sits in his car, this is an insult to all) …High school soccer 6 days a week September through November. As soon as that ends, training starts for College showcases with Club team. We are physically breaking our players down and giving them little chance to succeed.
  5. Athlete behavior – As a nation we seem unsure of how we expect our best athletes to behave. The knock on affect seems to be high school teams who are too frequently on the wrong side of model behavior. Our young men and women cannot be permitted to believe that putting on a uniform is anything other than a privilege.
  6. Rules – The rules of high school soccer must be changed to protect the integrity of the game. The rest of the world may have it right, adopt FIFA rules and perhaps the coaches will start treating the players like people rather than pieces of meat.
I hope that all parents and players consider carefully all sides of the high school soccer debate and make a informed decision based upon all the facts.
I have tried in my time in the US to help offer programs and advice to any high school coach interested and would like to take this opportunity to do so again.  Please feel free to contact me at this address if you are interested in any of the coaching education programs we offer.
 
 
 

Game Coach: Development vs. Winning and Finding a Balance

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
I see many well meaning and positive parent coaches. These people care, are honest, have good intentions and do all within their knowledge and power to ensure all kids have a good time. They give up their time willingly when many would not.
 
Despite all of the above, I frequently sit on sidelines with such people and find we are completely opposed in what we teach, how we teach and when we teach it. At the core of this opposition is the "winning vs. development debate."
 
Game coaching can be difficult for all, the basic urge to "help" your players in need, frequently leading to an array of orders and demands yelled at the highest possible volume that in truth make no sense when given or received.
 
In order to highlight the above differences one needs to look at comments or observations from a Under-10 game from both perspectives.
 
The developmental coach, pre-U17, who coaches to win but understands that development is the priority is primarily concerned at game time with;
 
1. Each player being a master of the ball…Being willing to express themselves and play without fear (not just kick it)!
 
2. Can we build out of the back and ensure all touch the ball?
 
3. Are we trying to play a possession based game?
 
4. Each players technical ability. Is the ankle locked when they play a push pass? Will they try a move? Does their first touch take the ball into space?
 
5. Do we try to get big as a team? Can we all attack? Do we offer width, support, penetration and mobility? And how creative are my players prepared to be?
 
6. Can we pass backwards to keep it?
 
7. Will we use our keepers feet to switch the point of attack?
 
8. Can I get the players to think by asking low and high order questions?
 
9. What is the next question I should ask?
 
10. At the final whistle, they consider what techniques and tactics their team performed well today.
 
On the other hand. the parent coach trapped in "winning must come first" mentality can often be heard and seen stressing the orders below,
 
1. Defenders never go forward, after all they are defenders.
 
2. If in doubt kick it out.
 
3. Never pass backwards.
 
4. Never pass across the box.
 
5. When in possession only the attackers get attacking shape.
 
6. Never try a move in your own half.
 
7. The further you launch it the happier I am.
 
8. Don’t think. just do it.
 
9. At the final whistle, they talk only about the result.
 
Any parent wishing to understand the dynamic of the team their child plays on, need only record the game coaching comments. Upon review you will quickly understand if your child is in a good development situation.