Want to help your female athletes think and play with confidence? Write it down
Have you ever noticed that girls like to ponder things? Me too. Have you ever wondered what they’re thinking about? Me too. Do you know the best way to find out? Ask them. But don’t expect it to be that easy. You have to read between the lines. Which means…get it in writing. I’ve had […]
Helping Our Female Athletes Be Confident, not Cocky
Talk about being surrounded by beautiful women… John Daly is loving this. He would tell you so; the ladies would just nod and smile – and defer to their teammates. Here’s how I know. I got to enjoy the company of four of these young ladies over brunch at the William and Mary Celebration of […]
Save the Knees: Beating ACL Injuries with Prevention
On July 10, 2011, Ali Krieger pounded home the penalty kick that advanced the U.S. Women’s National Team past Marta and the Brazilians in the 2011 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. Remember? We couldn’t stop watching the replays. Now, it’s 2012 and time for Olympic gold, but where is Ali? Out with an ACL, an anterior […]
Strengthening Our Girls Against Concussions, Three Simple Ways to Build Neck and Core Strength While Keeping it Fun
Concussions are rampant in youth soccer, especially with our girls. We know what symptoms to look for. We have taught them proper technique. But girls need to be physically stronger in the challenge in order to protect themselves from injury. Check out the Fit2Finish video for three ways to strengthen your players that are simple, effective, and […]
Concussions in Youth Sports Part II: What Parents, Coaches and Players Can Do
Read part I of this concussion series here. Paul Rupp, head Athletic Trainer at Oakton High School in Vienna, Va., has an extensive concussion protocol that is well-documented in athletic training literature. First, when he diagnoses a concussion, the student’s circle of teachers, administrators, counselors and parents are all notified. The athlete is counseled to stay home, […]
Penn State, USWNT coach Erica Walsh headlines “Celebration of Women’s Athletics” event at William & Mary
Erica Walsh, assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team and current head women’s soccer coach at Penn State, took time out of her packed schedule to address a gathering at the Third Annual Celebration of Women’s Athletics at her – and my – alma mater, the College of William & Mary, last month. The […]
Thank you, Vienna Youth Soccer Striker Parents
Author’s note: I just finished six weeks working with the Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS) Strikers, 3 teams of U14 girls soccer players who compete in WAGS and ODSL. They are professionally trained by Gerardo Ramirez, Elise Fasick and Andon Tsarev. They invited Fit2Finish to introduce soccer-specific fitness and injury prevention. Dear Striker Parents, You have a […]
GMU Women’s Soccer, Playing to Win Like Women
Do you struggle to help your female athletes play confidently because they’ve been raised to step back? Check out today’s Soccer Wire to read my article about the “leadership council” initiated by Head Women’s Soccer Coach Diane Drake. She has created and defined an environment where the cooperation natural to women plays host to internal […]
Girls Soccer Needs Less Force, More Finesse
Boys play differently than girls do, even at the top levels of the youth game. Take a couple minutes to watch this video from US Youth Soccer National League championship play. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU1zrybZG8I It begins with boys games, then at about 4 minutes it shifts to the girls’. Watch how the girls are heavier on their feet. They come […]
Dynamic Youth Fitness: Wall Jump
Here’s a look at girls performing the wall jump. They are asked to jump off of two feet using their arms to propel them upwards, and to land quietly on both feet. Then to spring up again. Their verbal cue is to jump “straight as an arrow” and to land “light as a feather.” This is a […]