Today I received an interesting call from Paul in Flint, Michigan.  Quite frankly it was a call that I never  expected.  Paul and his wife have taken on the challenge of helping coach their children’s soccer teams.  With a little research he some how found reference to my “Successful Soccer” podcast, but was not able to find links to the actual files.  So he called to find out if the podcasts were still available anywhere.  Of course they were not.

Since Paul went to all of the trouble of finding me and calling me to ask if the podcasts still exist, the least I figured I could do is post the files again.  I am not sure if any of the episodes are very helpful for coaching real young kids, but perhaps a few.  If memory serves me correctly, possibly #3 – “Goal Kicks” could help with teaching kicking and #8 – “Receiving” could help with controlling a ball.  Then maybe #4 – “Defending 1 on 1″ but that may be a bit technical.  If, however, you are coaching or are a player that is in middle school up through high school and beyond, all of them are worth a listen.  Well at least I hope they are.

Who knows, perhaps this is just the kick in the pants I need to start recording new episodes.  Since my daughter Olivia has decided to play again after taking a few years off, maybe I can get inspiration and topics from watching her.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions, add a comment.  If there is interest, I will make more.  Thanks for listening!

Here are the nine that I did record.

Episode 001- “The Big Thing” [10:04]

Episode 002 – “Catching” (goal keepers) [13:46]

Episode 003 – “Goal Kicks” [18:41]

Episode 004 – “Defending 1 on 1″ [15:38]

Episode 005 – “No Hands” (goal keepers) [13:19]

Episode 006 – “Space” [16:01]

Episode 007 – “Crosses” (goal keepers) [20:03]

Episode 008 – “Receiving” [11:59]

Episode 009 – “Evaluation” [30:56]

So thank for calling Paul!  I hope one of these are at least a bit helpful.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to play in the WUSTL Soccer Alumni game.  (No, the photo above is not me making a save.)  I believe this was my 17th alumni game.  Unfortunately it might be my last.  While in the net, I was out at the top of the box when a long ball was played down the attacking right wing, my left.  It was not going to be caught by the winger, but out of habit I sort of shuffled/jogged back towards the goal line.  As I was going I felt a very sharp pain in my right calf.  Almost as if I had just been hit with a rock or for some reason I thought perhaps a golf ball.  I started looking around for whatever just hit me, but found nothing.  It was right about then that I knew I was done.  Strained calf, out for the game.  Actually it is still tough to walk on today.  I can’t stretch my right calf.  Try walking without stretching one calf muscle.  It is hard to do.

Fortunately this put me back on the sideline, with a camera in my hand.  A much safer place for me.  Unfortunately the Alumni ended up losing 2-0.  I sure it would have been worse if I played longer.  The Alumni were skilled and strong, the images below show Matt Twardowski easily shruging off an attack from behind and jogs away.

It was a great showing by alumni, even if the score did not end up in our favor.  We had over 20 alumni play and even had three alum who played in the 60′s.

To see the rest of the photos from the game, visit my SmugMug.com page.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Jeffrey

Olivia’s brownie troop was fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Mother’s Day with a special brunch prepared by Chef Jason Sparks at L’EcoleCulinaire. The brownies served the food that Chef prepared. Assisting that day was a true assistant and soon to be graduate of the school, Mike, along with a very helpful newbie, John, and of course a guy who spent most of his time behind a camera, me. However, I did make the whipped cream by hand.

The brunch started with a fresh fruit and yogurt parfait that was prepared almost exclusively by John. That was followed by an amazing quiche that was made completely from scratch, (Tip: For a great crust, use ice cold water.) along with a fantastic balsamic salad. To end the feast was some type of chocolate waffle topped with my whipped cream and fresh strawberry sauce.

The girls were eager to serve their mothers and I believe the moms had a wonderful time.

To see the rest of the photos from the day, visit my Flickr page and look at the Brunch at L’Ecole Culinaire Set.

I have been taking photos of the Washington University Men’s soccer team for the past couple of years. This year I got one of the seniors before a game. A great group of guys. In the back from left to right are Alie, Ethan, Onyi and Matt while the two in front are Marshal and Brian. All the photos from the season can be found on my smugmug page.

Olivia had her first real soccer game on Sunday, September 24. She is on the Jackson Park Kindergarten team and they are great! She played three quarters on the field and then jumped into the net for a quarter as the keeper. You can see more photos of Olivia and all of her teammates on my flickr page with the tag jpsoccer.

Olivia went to her first soccer camp, the Joe Clarke Soccer Camp at Washington University. She had a good time and loved the swimming the most. She said it was hard work, but she liked it. See more pictures of Olivia by looking at my flickr site at photos tagged with Olivia. See more camp photos under the tag JoeClarkeSoccerCamp.