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

December 16, 2015-As the New Year kicks off, the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) will have a new leader.

Addie Mattei-Iaia is retiring as President of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) after 10 years at the helm. Anthony Maresco has been elected as the new President and will become the 10th President during the 48-year history of the LIJSL. Addie served as President for the second-longest period after Peter Collins’ amazing 27 years as leader.

As President of one of the world’s largest youth soccer leagues, Anthony will lead the Board of Directors, an office with an Executive Director and staff of five, oversee the scheduling of over 11,000 games and management of the Peter Collins Soccer Park grounds in Plainview, all while not being paid a dime.

Not surprisingly, Peter, Addie and Anthony have all been inducted into the LIJSL Hall of Fame for their decades of volunteering.

Anthony has volunteered for the LIJSL’s Terryville Soccer Club for the past two decades and started in the intramural program. In 1995, he was elected to the executive board as the travel team treasurer. From 1998 to 2004, he was an assistant coach for the Terryville Fire and from 2000 to 2009, he served as President of the Terryville Soccer Club. It was on his watch as club president that the Fire won the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) national championship in 2007. He is currently the coach of the Boys-Under-19 Terryville Rush who play in the Eastern New York Premier League (ENYPL).

The South Setauket resident was elected LIJSL Trustee in 2008, and moved up the ladder to Treasurer, then First Vice President before being elected President last month. He has also volunteered on the LIJSL games, supervisory, rules and coaches arbitration committees. The LIJSL also hosts and directs the Long Island Cup, one of the the largest cup tournaments in the world, and the LIJSL Convention every March, which are both under the direction of Anthony’s wife Holly.

“At first, I’m going to take some time to evaluate all the programs that the LIJSL runs and review them with our Board of Directors,” Anthony stated. “We want to ensure that we continue to put out an excellent product focused on the children. Addie did an awful lot for our league and we always worked very well together.”

Anthony can draw on his success as the Terryville Soccer Club’s President for guidance. When he became President at the turn of the millennium, the club faced many challenges. With the help of the board members, he rewrote the constitution and then distributed it to the coaches and members of the club so everyone had a written set of directions. Anthony also put the club finances in order by hiring an accountant and establishing Terryville as a non-profit organization. As a result, the club could focus on its intramural, interleague and travel team programs.

It was through the Terryville Board of Directors' dedication to its players that has helped build up the club to what it is today. They have increased their programs, providing an outstanding soccer club for more children.

The new LIJSL President will surely continue the league’s inclusive policies as he has always believed that every child who wants to play soccer, no matter the level, should be able to play. He’s helped numerous families so that their children can participate in soccer programs without worrying about the financial burden.

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 11 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.

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

December 15, 2021-One reason for the failure of many businesses is that there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians. The West Hempstead Soccer Club has been nicknamed the Chiefs since its inception four decades ago yet there are many Indians running the club, making sure that everything goes smoothly. Consequently, West Hempstead has both a vibrant intramural and TOPSoccer Program and for these reasons is being honored as the December Club of the Month in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).

 

West Hempstead intramural players

West Hempstead is currently led by two Co-Presidents, John DeCristoforo and Loraine Magaraci. John’s son, Kevin DeCristoforo, was recently selected as one of the Top 100 Boys Soccer Players on Long Island by Newsday. Kevin was a 3-year starter at West Hempstead High School, was named All-County and selected to play in the Exceptional Seniors Game. In club soccer, Kevin is the team captain of the Boys-Under-19 West Hempstead Titans, who he helped lead to a first-place finish last spring in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Premier Division.

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 nine 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/

GU12 Coliseum Inferno

BU12 Cedar Stars Brooklyn

GU13 SDA East Blasters

BU13 Hauppauge Hurricanes

GU14 Massapequa Fury '03

BU14 FC Somers Benfica

GU15 Levittown Wildcats

BU15 Cedar Stars Staten Island Green

GU16 Lynbrook/East Rockaway Screaming Eagles

BU16 HBC Flash

GU17 HBC Impact

BU17 Cedar Stars Orange County

GU18 Red Hook Heatwave

BU18 Dix Hills Hurricanes

GU19/20 Brentwood Freedom '98

BU19/20 Dix Hills Elite
 

Mexsport photo of Nicole McClure on left and Dominique Bond-Flasza, who scored the winning penalty kick, after qualifying for the Women’s World Cup

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

October 23, 2018-A 28-year-old woman who lives in Jamaica, Queens helped lead the island of Jamaica to qualify for the Women’s World Cup final, becoming the first Caribbean nation ever to do so. Nicole McClure is eligible to play for the Reggae Girlz as both her parents are Jamaican.

In the CONCACAF Women’s Championships, Nicole played one game in the group stage, a 9-0 shutout of Cuba. In the third-place match last Wednesday against Panama with the winner automatically qualifying for the Women’s World Cup, the score was knotted at 2-2 in the 120th minute when Nicole was brought on for the shootout, replacing current UNC Wilmington goalkeeper Sydney Schneider in goal. Nicole saved penalty kicks from Panama's Lineth Cedeno and Kenia Rangel while Jamaica converted all four of their shots to send the Reggae Girlz to the Women’s World Cup.

Nicole commented, ”The feeling is indescribable. I am incredibly honored and humbled by all of this. It's truly a dream come true and such a surreal feeling. It hits me in spurts as to what I did for my country. It's amazing!” 

She grew up playing in the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) for the Auburndale Strikers from 1998 to 2003 and the East Meadow Shooting Stars from 2003 to ’07. With the Shooting Stars, she won the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Girls-Under-15 State Open Cup final in 2005. Nicole also played for Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP).

After playing and studying at the University of Hawaii and the University of South Florida, Nicole has travelled around the world as a professional soccer player. There have been stops in Iceland (UMF Selfoss in 2012 and HK-Vikingur in 2013), Switzerland (FC Neunkirch in 2013), Norway (Klepp Elite in 2015), Israel (Ramat Hasharon in 2015-16), France (ETG Ambilly in 2016-17), Croatia (Split in 2017) plus Sweden (Ostersunds DFF in 2014 and her current club team, Sundsvall DFF).

Nicole flew back to Sweden last Thursday for her Saturday game. When she walked into the locker room Friday, her teammates applauded and surprised her with a cake adorned with the Jamaica flag that read, “Congratulations, Nicole” in Swedish with Bob Marley music blasting.

“It was a really cool cake,” Nicole said. “It was really, really sweet.” 

With over 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 nine 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/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

The new champions, FC Dutchmen

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

August 5, 2015-FC Dutchmen became the boys of summer for 2015 as they won the Eastern District Soccer League (EDSL) Men’s-Under-23 title. The new champs did not give up a goal in the Final Four played at Stringham Park in LaGrange last Sunday, August 2.

These games for state supremacy pitted the top teams from the Capital District Soccer League (CDSL), the Greater Hudson Valley Soccer League (GHVSL) and Long Island Soccer Football League (LISFL). Most of the rosters grew up playing in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA).
 
“This league comes together only through great cooperation between Eastern New York’s adult and youth associations,” commented EDSL President Peter Pinori.
 
In the semifinals, Ty Aderou scored in the 10th minute while Rafik Mehhoudi and Mike Fanelli added second half goals as the FC Dutchmen of the CDSL cruised to a 3-0 win over the GHVSL’s East Fishkill. In the other semi, Port Jefferson of the LISFL defeated the GHVSL’s second representative in the Final Four, LaGrange 2-0.

As the Rosedale Super Eagles won last summer’s championship, LISFL fans were hoping that Port Jefferson would keep the title in their historic league, which was founded in 1948. But coach Joe Duffy and his very impressive FC Dutchmen team had other ideas. Way Ayger scored in the 22nd minute and Connor Rubin added an insurance goal just before the final whistle to bring the championship trophy to Albany County for the first time in the seven-year history of the summer competition.
 
“Our league gives players home from or entering college the opportunity to keep in shape during the summer,” GHVSL President Jim Eleftherion said. “All in all, it was the perfect soccer day.”

With over 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 11 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 YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH SPORT PINS INTERNATIONAL

Rockville Centre, New York (April 1, 2020) – The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is pleased to announce that it has extended its Preferred Supplier agreement with Sport Pins International, Inc. (SPIä) through 2024.

“We are very excited to have SPI continue as the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association’s Preferred Awards Supplier,” Eastern New York President Richard Christiano stated. “SPI has a great tradition and we look forward to continuing the partnership as well as the quality product SPI provides.”

“Sport Pins is excited to continue as the Official Pin, Coin and Medal Supplier of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association” said Sport Pins Director of Sales, Jeff Bivens. “We have been proudly serving the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association for over 20 years and are excited to continue this relationship.  We look forward to helping each association, tournament, club and team any way we can through our great products, outstanding graphic designs and customer service.”

As a partner of ENYYSA, Sport Pins offers special rates for ENYSSA Members. Sport Pins will continue to be promoted to ENYSSA’s audience through several communication methods, including social media, email blasts, the ENYSSA website and Tournament Calendar.

About ENYYSA

Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is a 501c(3) public benefit corporation and is the official youth soccer association of the United States Soccer Federation and the United States Youth Soccer. ENYYSA is comprised of more than 120,000 players and more than 25,000 volunteers. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, Long Island, Westchester, and upstate New York east of Route 81. While ENYYSA member leagues administer their own local programs, the leagues also take advantage of the assistance provided by ENYYSA to develop and educate their coaches and players; to provide insurance coverage for their participants; and for administrative assistance.

ENYYSA’s mission is to promote and enhance the game of soccer for the youth of Eastern New York between the ages of 5 and 19-years-old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered for the recreational player who is out to enjoy the game and "just have fun"; the club or travel team player who enjoys the spirit of competition and the premier player who is looking to play at the highest levels.www.enysoccer.com.

About Sport Pins International, Inc.

SPI was born in 1980 as the vision of Connie Bivens. She turned her enthusiasm for youth soccer (and her sons’ Jeff and Mike’s teams) and a personal hobby of pin collecting into a home-based business. In January of 2006, SPI moved into a new 7400 sq. ft. office and warehouse facility in Upland, CA.

SPI has offered its customers the finest quality awards in the industry for more than 39 years. SPI offers a full range of award and recognition products including pins, medals, coins, bag tags, decals, magnets, laser engraved wood, crystal, or acrylic products, plaques, trophies, silk-screened t-shirts, soccer balls and a number of additional customizable products.

The soccer market continues to be a major part of SPI’s business, providing awards to thousands of soccer tournaments and events. However, softball, schools, commercial, corporate and other markets grow in importance every year.

For more information on Sport Pins International, please visit www.sportpins.com/.

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

October 12, 2017-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is very pleased to announce that Emily Atassi has been selected as a TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year. She will be honored at the ENYYSA Holiday Party on December 17 at Marina del Rey in the Bronx.

TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a wonderful program for Children With Special Needs. Although the program is now national, its roots date back to 1978 in Eastern New York and the Staten Island Youth Soccer League (SIYSL) has a vibrant TOPSoccer Program today.

Emily plays soccer (both forward and goalkeeper) and golf exceedingly well and she’s a very good swimmer too plus participates in seemingly every fundraiser on Staten Island. She has been volunteering in the SIYSL TOPSoccer Program for the past three years as she wanted to give back to the community and help others play a sport she loves. Emily received three glowing letters of recommendation.

SIYSL TOPSoccer President Christopher Rooney wrote, “Emily has shown tremendous effort with the children. They get excited when they see her and when she cannot attend a session due to her games, she makes every effort to attend the following week. She helps the children with their soccer skills and always makes sure they have a chance to score a goal and have fun.”

Dorothy Zissler, the recently retired Principal at St. Joseph Hill Academy, wrote, “Emily is an outstanding student and a model to others as far as behavior is concerned…A few years ago, as part of our program where fifth-graders buddy-up with kindergarten students, Emily was very comfortable in this role, nurturing the children, drawing them out in conversation and serving as a mentor. More currently, Emily has excelled in her morning monitor role escorting lower grade students into school and getting them to their proper destination. Emily shows great kindness, sometimes having to separate them from parents and has lots of patience as well.”

Matthew Acanfora, the Dean of Students at St. Joseph Hill Academy who taught Emily for three years, wrote in his letter, “Emily is a model student, whose behavior and manners serve as a role model to all students. She is a thoughtful, caring and kind person who is always willing to help both teachers and students. Emily is a well-respected student among her peers and faculty.”

Congratulations to Emily Atassi, a 2017 TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year!

With over 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 11 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 on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

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

May 12, 2014-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has taken a leadership position in the important topic of coaching education by requiring all youth soccer trainers to have a pass approved by Eastern New York. This requirement is effective September 1, 2014 for trainers to continue to participate in our games.

Sam Snow, the Coaching Director of the United States Youth Soccer Association, recently wrote the following to the leaders of the 55 state associations:

The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association has adopted a professional trainer pass program. In basic terms, this program demands a certain level of those wishing to earn a living as a soccer coach. The intent of this process is to ensure consistency of trainer qualifications, risk management eligibility, insurance and to provide a resource to organizations that desire to hire a trainer. Eastern New York does not recommend or endorse any individual trainer. They check their diplomas and licenses, and for a fee, provide them with a trainer pass that allows them to coach at games. One of the positive consequences of this program has been that a huge number of "coaches" are now starting some type of educational journey. Does your state association have a similar program?

“We are doing everything within our power to ensure that all youth players within Eastern New York have a qualified and well-educated coach/trainer to teach them the beautiful game,” stated Tim Bradbury, Eastern New York’s Director of Coaching Instruction. “I remain convinced that the single most important fact in both a child's development and their love for the game is the quality of the coach. It is great that Sam (Snow) has recognized our efforts and I look forward to programs like ours becoming commonplace throughout the country.”

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 11 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.

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

It is fair to say that coaching tools and the use thereof is a frequent debate within coaching schools all over the world. The ability to recognize the best moment in which to use each tool is an essential skill for any coach. When the moments chosen synchronize well with the tool used, practices have wonderful flow and the players barely notice the coaching intrusions. I am both pleased and saddened to say that it is not one of those academic debates that is restricted to the classroom and theory. Any focused observer can go to the fields of the 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, college and professional players and see that it is a tool that coaches of all ages use. Far too many, unfortunately do so in an ineffective manner with an approach more akin to that of a butcher than a surgeon.

The educational justification for the approach is straightforward enough, players remember approximately 20% of what they hear and close to 70% of what they see, feel, do. If you add to this simple educational fact that when a coach stops the game (a freeze should only be used when big numbers can learn), the FUN stops and THEREFORE ALL MUST  BE EDUCATED, it becomes simple to extract how the tool should look and when it is best used.

Indeed, it would be true to say that the freeze moment is the best way to combine decision making and tactics while also being able to address the associated key skills at the forefront of the action.

As Doug Lemov notes, “If you’re trying to coach decision making and tactics, this is the one most important tool. It appears to be simple but it’s complex to execute effectively. Plan to spend time mastering it. And then more time perfecting it. It will pay your investment back in droves.”

Recently advanced research on how players learn, associated with the use of questions and check for understanding practices, combined with additional discussions on how perception impacts decisions are made, simply reinforce how important the FREEZE tool can be and adds awareness as to how its best practitioners should utilize it.

In an attempt to breathe new life into what is a forgotten skill, I offer the following key points (Review, Rehearse, Restart):

1. It is essential that upon FREEZING THE ACTION the coach has a full understanding of the global picture, knows where each player was and through careful positioning of themselves and questioning of the players (on and around the ball) has a complete understanding of the moment they captured.

2. That the moment chosen and captured is truly frozen which means that the language, tone and volume of the coach freezing the action should truly stop them in their tracts and capture a moment in time. This is a moment and tone that needs practice. Your players should be accustomed to your freeze language, tone and volume. They should appreciate that you have spotted a key moment in time where a group “learn” can be achieved and should be well rehearsed in knowing when to “FREEZE!”

3. That upon freezing the play, the coach can quickly, through crafted questions and answers, establish the reason for the decisions made and take a player through a REVIEW of the action and in so doing raise their awareness of the situation and possible alternative options.

4. That linking this review of the problem a coach can articulately and skillfully guide all players to what a better solution is, one that is based on the games TTPs, and key qualities of a player, one that is proven to work and one that involves global movement. A great coach tries to move big numbers on a freeze, so all feel involved in the learning process. This stage becomes the REHEARSAL. The very best coaches also ensure that technical excellence is addressed throughout this stage.

5. That in helping the rehearsal be as effective as possible, the coach can either help demonstrate a key skill or guide a player to perform the key skills so that the picture created is vivid, clear and successful.

6. That having shown a different solution to a problem well-articulated and shown the coach has the skill to send the action live in a manner that allows the solution to be reproduced and therefore reinforced. The manner of the RESTART is indeed crucial.

7. That done well, the whole process takes less than 1:30, involves large numbers of players and leaves them excited about the fact that that although the game was stopped, they have a new skill set and idea to help in the game.

It would be irresponsible to produce an article on the importance of using the freeze tool without giving some additional guidance on both best practices and common problems I have seen over the last 20 years when coaches have tried to use this tool.

Best practices:

• Have a definite and decisive one-word freeze command “FREEZE!” not “and freeze” or “freeze, freeze, freeze” or any other mumblings. You do not need to be moving players back to the blade of grass you think or know they were on.

• Install and make as a habit with your team that when you say “FREEZE!” players know it is their responsibility to stay put. The freeze only works if we can recreate the scene as it was. To problem solve, we must see the problem we were originally dealing with.

• Have a tone and emotional state that informs your players that you have identified a learning moment that many can learn from and that when you freeze the action, the growth mindset of all should be at a premium. That you and they see mistakes as simply opportunities to learn. If anything, they should sense your joy that you're delighted to help and that is why you coach.

• Be able to successfully demonstrate or guide a player to do so.

• Plan your language and questions. Yes, map out the moment you think it will go wrong and plan the language and questions you will use.

• Display an energy and positivity that helps all your players celebrate the fact that the more we can learn, the better we can become, and that training sessions along with freeze moments are key in the development process.

• Be a surgeon – be concise and get them playing again within a maximum of two minutes.

• Be a great sales person – your solution must be based upon the key principals of the game and must be sold – they players should all believe in your vision and understand why it works.

And so, some things to avoid:

• Ineffective freeze tone or voice – you try but they just play on – all coaches need a commanding voice at times one of volume, command, confidence and clarity.

• Use one word – you would be surprised at how long coaches can make the “ANNNNND” in “AND FREEZE.”

• No figment. You must know exactly the picture you froze it if becomes a debate you lose.

• Don’t go withering on. If it takes forever, you lost them.

• Use all three steps they must see, feel and do, which is experiential learning at its best.

• Do not freeze it for one player! How would you feel if the game got stopped and you were not invited to the party?

• Make sure your solution makes soccer sense and fits in with your overall game plan.

• Plan your questions and know how you will allow them to be answered, including how you will guide responses.

• Be aware, due to time constraints, that you may have to use some command (it’s okay, really).

In conclusion, it is true to say that in a quality player-centered environment that the freeze tool should be used sparingly and that the use of other coaching tools that protect flow should be more commonly used. It is also true that the importance of a good freeze when well executed is a priceless teaching tool.

Acknowledgements
Doug Lemov for his guidance and help.