These are e-mail communication with the 2024 U8 team parents/guardians sent over the 2024 U8 season.
Players name have been changed to preserve privacy.
Back to soccer! - Coach introduction (August 5th, 2024)
Hi All,
U8 Soccer season is about to begin! My name is Sebastien Mirolo. I am the head coach for the WCSC U8 Soccer team your boy is in. This e-mail is to introduce myself, rules, and schedule.
I played competitive soccer in France until 15 year old. I started soccer again when I moved to the USA 20 years ago, mostly through pick-up games. In the past couple years, I've been teaching my 2 boys and a few of the kids in the neigborhood. Last year, I had a chance to watch from the side line when my elder son was playing the U7 recreational league. Making the step to be an official coach this year, I hope to earn the trust you are placing in me to teach your kid soccer.
Safety of the kids is paramount. The U8 rules reflect that: - no headers - no tackles - no goal kick, punting, etc. - shim guards mandatory at practice and games (soccer cleats are optional at practice, but will be required for games) - bring a bottle of water at practice and games - parents, keep a playful attitude. it is just a game!
The tentative schedule is to have two practices per week: Mondays and Wednesdays 4pm-5pm (so Kids are back home on time for dinner). Both training will have a different focus, so please plan for your boy to attend both. If for any reason, those days/times do not fit your schedule, please let me know. There is some room for change if a majority of parents ask to do so. Otherwise, by the end of week, I hopefully will be able to confirm the first practice: Wednesday Aug 14th, 4pm.
The first game should be on September 7th, and the team picture on September 14th. There will be further e-mail to confirm that as the date approaches.
Imagination! Imagination is the theme of the team. I want kids to discover everything they can do with the ball, and imagine their own combination with teammates.
Let's have fun, looking forward to see you at first practice!
Thank you, Seb
Game 1 - Game Analysis (September 7th, 2024)
Hi Team,
We lost Today. The other team were lucky on some early defensive mistakes. It is OK. It happens. Despite the early goals, despite a few hits and cries, our players kept calm and in the game. Seeing resilience at a young age is really good! I was also able to see great runs with the ball from our players, and some good passes.
At practice, we will be working on keeping eyes on the ball - especially if you are on the pitch :). Otherwise I am relatively happy with what I saw in the game. Imagination is the theme of the team. Let's have kids imagine what they can do with, and without, the ball by themselves, and then try to do it. It takes time, but ultimately develops more intelligent players.
Thank you, Seb.
Game 2 - Game Analysis (September 14th, 2024)
Hi Team,
It seems our players only wake up in the second half. Next week's game is at noon, so hopefully that will solve that problem.
Otherwise I have seen some good things in defense, and half of what we practiced on building up from the goalie, seems to have been internalized. That's awesome!
The weather is cooling down this week. This gives us a chance to run more, and more intensely at practice. We will do a lot of that, while continuing to increase everyone's focus on what happens on the field.
Thank you, Seb.
Game 3 - Game Analysis (September 21st, 2024)
Hi Team,
Progress. Our players have been more focused overall. They have been calling for substitution themselves when needed. There has also been a few good off-the-ball movements. I also made sure to thank the opposite coach on behalf of everyone for teaching our players how to do a proper kick-off. He coached our team as much as his, and that was really nice.
Our players are still too often bunching up on the ball. Our attacking players came back in front of our goal to steal the ball. We have to start trusting defensive players will win the ball back, and be ready upfield when they do.
Now that we have some focus in the game, next step is for each player to work on what is expected of their position, and trust others will do the same.
Becoming a reliable teammate and trusting others will be the focus on this week's practices.
Thank you, Seb.
Preparing Saturday Game (September 25th, 2024)
Hi Team,
Tuesday and Wednesday's practice have been productive! Most players seem to have integrated that we play in a diamond formation, and what it means:
"If you divide the field horizontally and vertically, you have 4 equal zones. The player in defense is responsible for the two zones in front of our goal. The player in offense (aka striker) is responsible for the two zones in front of the opposite goal. Left and right wingers are responsible for the two zones on the left and right side respectively."
At least the players are able to answer those questions when asked. Now let's see what they remember when running on the field!
By the way, if you are looking for a game to watch on TV Friday night, the following is a U8 game (our team age group) recorded at the beginning of the year:
Hope everyone gets inspired for Saturday.
Following the rooster rotation, the goal keepers will be: - Henry (1st quarter) - Austin (2nd quarter) - James (3rd quarter) - Hugo (4th quarter)
Let's have fun! Seb.
Game 4 - Game Analysis (September 28th, 2024)
Hi Team,
Something clicked this week-end! Players were focused. Everyone kept their position, and was dedicated to team efforts. We even opened the score for the first time.
The weather forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday is again above 39C (100F). Anyone who wants to skip practice is welcome to do so. For the players coming, please bring regular tennis shoes as we will most likely practice under the roof shade once more.
Stay cool and safe. Seb.
Game 5 - Game Analysis (October 5th, 2024)
Hi Team,
Players can celebrate a first win Today!
Each player came eager to play, ready to jump in on substitution. Defense was strong. The ball moved up the sideline well. Our players also managed to keep possession for three passes in a row at some point. More than victory, it was a good game!
Some school district are on vacation this week, but it doesn't impact WCSC. Practices and game are happening as scheduled. (if you can't make the game because traveling just let me know.)
Weather, though still around 28C (~82F), should permit to practice on the grass field. We will be working a live geometry course this week - distance, angles, and triangles - moving the ball forward from one goal to the other.
Remember to bring water, and a smile.
See everyone Tuesday! Seb.
Game 6 - Game Analysis (October 12th, 2024)
Hi Team,
The team is more balanced. Possession of the ball and shot opportunities are getting more evenly distributed amongst teammates. On the other hand, too many times our players still seem to be watching the game on TV, waiting for the ball to come to them, or sometimes running alongside an opponent for no other reason than admiring their dribbling apparently.
The aim of practices this week will be for players to dirty the shirt. Everyone needs to give 100%. We need to break through the mental barrier where players walk out of a game without even breaking a sweat. Running, a lot of it, will do that.
There are two games left. Since some players can't make the last game, we are going to have a potluck party to celebrate the end of the season after the last training of the year, Tuesday Oct 29th.
Please use TeamSnap "assignments" to share what you will be brining (or let me know directly if it is easier).
We are trying to get everyone there for the end-of-season celebration, so if Wednesday Oct 30th is easier for most, we can schedule the party then. Just let me know if Tuesday is really impossible for you to be there.
Thank you, Seb.
Game 7 - Game Analysis (October 19th, 2024)
Hi Team,
I asked two things of the players before the game: keep eyes on the ball, and non-stop running. For most of the game, all players were present and engaged. I am happy with the efforts this week.
There is two practices and one game left, then we will have the potluck party on Oct 29th at 4pm in Walnut Heights Elementary.
Parents will setup food and drinks, while the kids will go through a "graduation" course on the field, to validate their progress with dribbling, passing, and shooting (about 20min).
I received medals from WCSC to distribute, so we will have some speeches and photo opportunities, as everyone starts on the food.
We will attempt to wrap up by 5pm.
As logistics is concerned, I would kindly ask:
- Players wear their WCSC blue or white shirt (it will be a picture day!)
- If someone can bring a bench, maybe a camping table as well, that would be awesome (the lonely table present there might not be enough).
- Please indicate the food and drinks you plan to bring in the "Assignments" tab on TeamSnap so we can all coordinate and have a great potluck!
Thank you, Seb.
Final Game Saturday (October 23rd, 2024)
Hi Team,
A hand count shows 5 to 7 players available Saturday. Please make sure to update the "Going" / "Not going" status for Saturday's game so we can be sure who is coming. Thank you.
Otherwise I received and distributed team and player pictures Today. For the players that were not at practice, please remind me to give you your photo package at the game Saturday or at the season end potluck next Tuesday.
Let's have fun! Seb.
Game 8 - Game Analysis (October 26th, 2024)
Hi Team,
This final game was a good reflection of the progress our players made over the past two months. I have seen intelligent positioning and good movement without the ball multiple times Today.
We didn't reach the skill level I had in mind for U8 players, but we managed to turn individual players into a real team. That doesn't always happen. Everyone, players, parents, and other fans, can be proud of it!
Tuesday (Oct 29th), players will have a pick up game, while everyone arrives. Then we will have a small medals ceremony.
If you are not sure what to bring to the potluck, take a look under the "Assignments" tab in the event. You will see the list of everyone that self-assigned food and/or drinks. We are still looking for a bench and picnic table if you have them, as the lonely tables there might not be enough.
A small reminder for players to wear WCSC jersey (blue or white as you wish) because each player will be handed out a medal, with lots of opportunities to grab one last photo.
See you Tuesday! Seb.