Staying Engaged While We Wait
Throughout these uncertain times that are a result of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we are committed to continuing to provide a high standard of support to all of our members. Below is a list of activities and resources from some of our great partners as well as some staff favorites to keep administrators, parents and players engaged in the game, and their programs.
Players
Training At Home? SCORE Has You Covered 
SCORE Sports is more than just great uniforms, if your player is looking to keep their skills sharp while training at home SCORE Sports has you covered. check out their YouTube (SCORE Sports) and Instagram (@scoresports) pages for great tips and drills!
UKI Training At Home Skills Challenge
In these difficult times, we understand how hard it must be to provide your children with a sense of normality. With this in mind, UK International Soccer has created skill challenges for all the players in your programs to have a go with at home. Each day this week they have given individual skills for the players to have a go at home! Below are the links to the skills, please share with all your teams and encourage them to have a go at each one of the skills per day.
Here's some helpful tips to reminders:
• Take your time
• Break down the skill
• Start slowly & speed up
• Once you get it right…repeat!
All you need is a ball and a small amount of space.
Day 1 - Step Over Turn
Day 2 - Drag Back
Day 3 - Outside Hook
Day 4 - Inside Hook
Day 5 - Cruyff Turn
Day 6 - Ronny Chop
New York Red Bulls Skill of the Week
From Youth Soccer Insider and Ian Barker
"Many websites offer excellent "how to" videos with narration. These challenge the player by providing clear images of techniques they might execute alone. Some sites set "levels" of achievement for self-referenced improvement, and others gamify the experience. Many of these resources are "open source," that is, free, while others offer features that can be purchased. Dave Jervis and his staff coaches at New York Red Bulls, Abby Katz and Richard Scott, shared with me this impressive site the club has developed"
EA Sports FIFA 20
From Youth Soccer Insider and Ian Barker
"While I cannot speak from personal experience, Coach Educator Vince Ganzberg suggested asking players to enter the “practice mode” in the FIFA video game. Certainly the player is not getting off the couch in this solution, but the game in this mode engages the player’s creativity and imagination. Players can also save their highlights and share with their teammates."
kickwalls.com
From Youth Soccer Insider and Ian Barker
"One of my favorite ideas comes from James Brown, a colleague in Pennsylvania, who built a kick wall for his son and then shared the costs and specifications on Twitter. A garage door, a wall, or any rigid surface offers a rebounder for a youth player. James’ website shows how to use multiple rebound surfaces and how to build a kick wall that gives the player more freedom to create technique and skill challenges. It also provides instructions on how to build a kick wall.
Coaches
Positive Coaching Alliance
Given the challenges facing our communities during the current COVID-19 crisis, Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is committed more than ever to its mission of transforming the culture of youth sports, so that all kids have a positive, character-building experience. They aim to provide PCA’s community with the full measure of our resources, so that you may continue to offer positive play opportunities.
Changing The Game Project
The mission of the Changing the Game Project is to ensure that we return youth sports to our children, and put the ‘play’ back in ‘play ball.’ as coaches you can be learning if you are not coaching or driving your kids to practice. Use the link above to access the Changing The Game Project's recommended reading list!
Administrators
Sports Connect
During unexpected circumstances, the top priority of a sports league is to look out for the health and safety of their members. Sports Connect is here to support you and has many tools to enable you to communicate and take action during such situations. Sports Connect hours and operations will continue as normal while taking every precaution to make sure all of their team members can safely and responsibly support you.