It was a perfectly beautiful saturday morning as U12 kicked off their 2011 fall season. A 9:00am start in Raymore on field 7 against the Raypec Spartans. We had come off a rough practice on Thursday and the team still wasn’t coming together. The game started off with good pace with both sides playing hard. Not much possession but lots of good pressure and strong challenges all over the pitch. Hunter crossed in a perfect ball on an indirect kick across the box and Trenton headed it into the net. Unfortunately, the linesman called it off. In the 12th minute, Hunter got a break away and finished strong to put us up 1 to 0. The half would finish with us up 1 to 0 and both team had several chances to score with 305 taking 11 shots to Spartans 10.

In the second half, Spartans had the downhill run and put the pressure to us. In the 4th minute, Spartans tied the game. In the 6th mimnute, Spartans went ahead 2 to 1. In the 9th minute Dylan Hayden got on the end of a nice  ball from Hunter and put us back in the game 2 to 2. In the 13th minute, Spartans went 1 up at 3 to 2. The play was really wide open, and I was confident the boys would find the net to get us back in the game. But in the 18th, another defensive let down saw Spartans go ahead 4 to 2. In the remaining 7 minutes of the game, we just coudln’t get any possession going and it was a lot of individual play and not much team play. Spartans scored again in the 24th to seal the win, 5 to 2. It was our first game of the season, but we left our team play, skills and good first touch on the training ground and didn’t bring it with us to the game. Spartans played really hard all over the pitch and had a really good game.

The U12 season kicks off on Saturday with a 9:00am game at Raymor Peculiar.
Sat 8/27/2011
9:00 AM U12 Elite Spartans v Sedalia Soccer 305 Spin 99 RPSC – Recreation Park Field 7
We are the Away team – Let’s wear our new Sky Blue strip. Bring the Red/Black for backup
This game is at RayPec Field 7
We will start our warmup at 8:20am
Please make sure you leave Sedalia by 7:00am to give yourself plenty of time to find the fields.

Here is the link to the directions:
http://305spin.sedaliasoccer.com/2010/03/11/raypec-raymore-peculiar-soccer-fields/�
Directions:
1. Head west on W Broadway Blvd/US-50 W Continue to follow US-50 W 63.8 mi
2. Take the MO-291 S/Jefferson St exit toward Harrisonville 0.2 mi
NOTE: this is not the first 291 exit coming from Sedalia – it is the 2nd 291 exit for 291 SOUTH
3. Slight left at MO-291 S 33 ft
4. Continue to follow MO-291 S 7.1 mi
5. Turn right at MO-58 W 3.5 mi
6. Turn left at S Co Rd J/S Lincoln Ave 0.5 mi
7. Turn right at E Lucy Webb Rd 1.0 mi
8. Turn left at S Madison St/School Rd 0.5 mi
9. Turn left into Park

Our third and final full day. We awoke to sunny skies, but there was a huge cloud in the valley working its way up the hill to the town of Victor. When we came out of the Fortune Cafe after breakfast, the town was completely blanketed in the cloud. The temperature dropped into the 50′s. This morning was go to Bison Reservoir and hike day. We left the camp at 8:30 in the cloud but as we drove to Bison Reservoir we drove out of the cloud and back into the sunshine. Bison Reservoir is private land only open to members and residents of Victor. We knew it was going to be beautiful, but it was truly breathtaking.

We hiked up to the top of one of the peaks and the views were spectacular. It was such a great experience for the boys and the training was much better than going for a 3 mile run. We hiked most of the morning and got back to camp around 11:30. After lunch, we headed back down to the Gold Bowl for our last “training” session. It was a two hour workout on defensive play and the boys really did well. It was such a LONG way from Monday’s afternoon session. The boys were focused, patient and in the groove. A little tired yes, but their focus was keeping them in the learning mode.

After training, we had our community service project. We divided up into three groups and went to specific locations to pick up trash. The community was very receptive of our efforts and the boys worked hard at it. After the trash pickup, it was off to the General store to load up on snacks for the ride home. Then back to the school where coach Mark had a special soccer treat waiting – the Ball Machine. Built in the 70′s by the founder of the RMSC, this ball machine was really sweet. Loaded up with 15 or so Adidas Tango balls, it would cross a ball 25 yards or more and the boys were hitting volley’s and half volley’s into their choice of three goals. After a while, the overhead kicks and attempts at bicycle kicks came out. And so did the video camera. What a blast.

After Dinner, we headed down to the Not So Secret Soccer Destination for our last games of camp. Some spirited games and the boys had a blast. We had changed our schedule to accommodate the USA v Mexico game. Chris had ordered some pizza’s and the boys ate pizza and we watched Klinsman coach his first USA game. Lights out at 10 and the boys are sleeping, dreaming of going home.

Today it was pretty easy to see why Rocky Mountain Soccer Camp is without question one of the best Soccer Camps anywhere. The level of training, the quality of programs and the diversity and richess of soccer and non-soccer activities. The boys will NEVER forget going to Bison Reservoir. What a day. What a week.

Today was the second full day. Coach Perdew and I were both optimistic we could dial in the activities and get the boys back on the right track. The boys were once again up early and off to another amazing breakfast at the Fortune Cafe.

We had another great morning soccer sesson working off the foundation we developed yesterday. Everyone was on and the boys worked hard. U11 was definitely giving U12 a run for their money and winning a few of the “games”. Then we were off to the World’s Largest active Gold Mine. Several players now have Gold Fever instead of Goal Fever. It was a great field trip and we got lots of great pics and the boys found lots of interesting rocks.

The girls left before lunch and said their goodbyes to the boys…….The boys were in team building and this time, u11 completely smoked the U12 boys. Then everyone came together for the final team building challenge and they really worked well together. 15 boys somehow got on 3 12×16 carpet mats in the middle of the hot lava. 20 is the record.

Then lunch (made sure everyone ate) What is up with all these picky eaters? It is crazy that they are starving but won’t eat something as basic as a sandwich. So I stayed after them today and made them eat. It takes energy to do all that we are doing and just living on applesauce or chocolate pudding doesn’t cut it. After lunch we had our down time – a trip downtown for a few and everyone else playing ping pong or fussball. Then the afternoon session. Unlike yesterday where they completely fell apart, today they did much better. A great afternoon of soccer training.

Dinner was chicken and rice and it was more encouragement to get some of the boys to eat. We watched the game from the Movie Victory while we ate. Then off to the now NOt So Secret Soccer Destination and played hard for about two hours. Boys played really well. the Altitude doesn’t affect them anymore and they LOVE the cooler temperatures.

After soccer it was back to the classroom for our meeting. Landon, Logan and Nick all got the Red Socks tonight. Alex was awarded the blue jersey. Most everyone went to bed after the meeeting but a few checked out some stars via the telescope. Lights out at 10:00 and no one had to be asked twice to go to bed. We have had amazingly beautiful weather. Bluebird skies and sun from morning to night. The air is so clear and fresh and the temperatures are warm during the day, but nice. Hopefully we will get a couple more nice days.

The first full day of camp. Starting at 7am and going to 10:00pm. The boys were actually up early and were ready to go down by 6:30am. A good start to what was going to be a long very hard day. In the end, everything worked out, but along the way, there were some really rough spots – too much ice cream during free time – then getting sick, only eating desert stuff at dinner, getting sick. Not being focused, not paying attention, not listening to Coach Pardew leads to a very unhappy coach Perdew. Lots of tough love today. But the sessions where the boys hung in there and gave it their best shot, were brilliant. A whole new level of communication and working together on the field.

During our morning run through town (ending up with a wonderful breakfast at the Fortune diner) we met the mayor and the Dallas Cowboys Dr that was apart of the Super Bowl team that beat the Denver Bronco’s. He showed the boys his super bowl ring.

We ended our soccer sessions after dinner, first playing a full field scrimmage with just the boys. THen we watched the U16 girls team from Golden, work a very technical defensive drill. Then we divided all the players (girls and boys) into 3 teams of 9 and played 5 minute games. it was a blast. the boys were back on their game and having fun.

After this soccer session, then the boys went on a hike to check out the stars and spend an hour or so hiking (really cross-training). It was beautifully clear out and the air was cool but not cold. Then back for the team meeting. Ian and Hunter were awarded the infamous Pipper Red sock (from our OU days) for doing “something stupid or pretty dumb” and the Hunter got the blue jersey as voted on by the girls and Coach Perdew for schooling one of the girl players earlier. So a fun way to end the day. Lights out at 10:30 and the boys are out.

It has been an amazing day. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed driving out with the boys. It was uneventful all the way and we made great time. Thanks so much to Chris Wallen and Cindy Schreiner for driving.

I am so glad these boys were able to make this trip. All ready they have had significant experiences. We got to Victor, Colorado (9,652 feet) at about 6:40. We were in our first meeting at 7:15 and on the pitch doing warmup and skills by 7:45 (Mtn time). We then took a long hike through town down to the secret soccer destination and played some 5×5 until 9:30. Then the hike back up hill to the school (in the dark) and then the final meeting for the day. This camp does feature some tough love and Coach Perdew is making sure everyone is dialed in participating. There is no time or opportunity to slack off.

So day 1 – 12 hours of driving and then a couple hours of great soccer training – at altitude. After the meeting the boys went straight to bed and it was quiet in about ten minutes. Tomorrow our day starts at 7:00 am and goes until 10:00 pm. This is the real deal. Thanks again to everyone for letting your players participate. I can assure you 100% that everyone is having a good time, but they are also getting the opportunity of lifetime to train at this level (and altitude). Everyone of these boys have already grown since we left 305 this morning at 5:45 am.

I have limited bandwidth so will only be able to upload a few pictures. I will upload more when we get back to Sedalia.

15 of our players are heading to the Rocky Mountain Socce Camp in Victor, Colorado, on Sunday. Here is their camp schedule.

Depart Sunday, August 7th 5:45 am –drive to Victor, Colorado
Sunday, August 7
TIME ACTIVITY
19:30:00 Arrive
08:00 Orientation-Rules-Snacks
08:30 “Secret Soccer Destination”
09:30 Clean Up
10:00 Lights Out

Monday, August 8
TIME ACTIVITY
07:00:00 Wake Up
07:30 Warm Up
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Soccer Session
10:30 Team Builders
11:00 Shooting – Video Session
12:00:00 Lunch
01:00 Team Challenges
02:00 Free Time – Ice Cream – Shops
04:00 Soccer Session
05:30 Dinner
06:00 Team Characteristics
06:30 Soccer Session
08:00 “Secret Soccer Destination”
09:30 Goal Setting Session
10:00 Clean Up
10:30 Lights Out

Tuesday, August 9
TIME ACTIVITY
07:00:00 Wake Up
07:30 Warm Up
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Soccer Session
10:30 Field Trip – Hike – Explore
12:00:00 Lunch
01:00 Team Challenges
02:00 Free Time – Ice Cream – Shops
04:00 Soccer Session
05:30 Dinner
06:00 “Student of the Game”
06:30 Soccer Session
08:00 “Secret Soccer Destination”
09:00 Stargazing – Telescope
10:00 Clean Up
10:30 Lights Out

Wednesday, August 10
TIME ACTIVITY
07:30:00 Wake Up
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Bison Reservoir – Climbing
12:00:00 Lunch
01:00 Soccer Session
02:30 Service Project
04:00 Skit/Talent Show Practice
05:30 Dinner
06:30 “Secret Soccer Destination”
08:00 Skits – Talent Show
09:00 Campfire
10:00 Clean Up
10:30 Lights Out

Thursday, August 11
TIME ACTIVITY
07:00:00 Wake Up
07:30 Clean-up and Pack-up
08:00 Breakfast
08:30 Closing Ceremonies
08:45:00 RMS See Ya Later!

Drive Back to Sedalia – Home by Midnight