Greg Bibeau - Academy Director

As Summer kicks into full gear in Helena, this is a good time to thank our amazing Academy Coaches for a great Spring season. 

Thanks to you we were able to provide fun soccer for 110 Academy boys (u9-u11) and girls (u9-u11) this past season.  Coaches, you are the best!

This is also a great time to reflect on how individual players improve.

Soccer practices help individual players improve a little, but not nearly as much as when individuals spend time playing the game they love for fun and working on skills with a ball on their own.

For parents with children who love “screen time”, consider this.  Create a daily checklist for your child to complete before they are permitted to view any screens.  You could have them read for a certain amount of time, complete basic daily house chores, and exercise (or play outside) for a predetermined amount of time before they can have access to screens.

Within the exercise piece, as a soccer coach and parent, I might insert an amount of time playing soccer or a number of touches on a soccer ball, doing moves, juggling, or kicking a ball against a wall.  Players that do a little bit with a ball every day show marked improvement over players who only touch a ball at official club practices and games.

Food for thought, and happy Summer!

Greg