James Palumbo

Our fall season is nearing the completion of one month of learning sessions and games.  Throughout this time period, we believe that there has been a collective awareness that we are experiencing an unusual fall season from years in the past.  We thank the many families, players and staff members who have been responsible with their actions and respectful to the procedures. 

With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the area, we must reinforce the rules of the facility and make you all aware that there is a ZERO tolerance approach to anyone not abiding by these rules.  With the purpose of ensuring the safety of our members, we ask that everyone carefully read the below protocols: 

• ALL PLAYERS MUST REPORT TO THE FIELDS WITH THEIR MASKS ON
• ONLY DURING SESSIONS ARE THE MASKS ALLOWED TO BE REMOVED
• ALL PLAYERS MUST PUT THEIR MASKS ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SESSION AND LEAVE THE FACILITY
• ALL PLAYERS AND COACHES MUST USE THE HAND SANITIZER WHILE ENTERING AND EXITING THE FIELDS
• TEMPERATURE CHECKS MUST BE TAKEN BEFORE ENTERING THE FIELDS
• DROP-OFF AND PICK UP SYSTEM ONLY FOR TRAINING SESSIONS
• NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO PARK
• NO ONE IS ALLOWED OUT OF THEIR CAR EXCEPT PLAYERS AND COACHES
• THERE IS NO CONGREGATING IN THE PARKING LOT
• ALL PLAYERS ARE TO REMAIN ON THE FIELD FOR THE DURATION OF THE SESSION
• WHEN PARKING IS ALLOWED, YOU MUST STAY IN YOUR CAR FOR THE DURATION OF THE SESSION.  IF ANYONE IS OUTSIDE OF THEIR CAR, THEY WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE.
• ALL PLAYERS MUST REPORT TO THE FIELDS WITH THEIR MASKS ON
• ALL PLAYERS MUST PUT THEIR MASKS ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SESSION AND LEAVE THE FACILITY
• ONLY 2 SPECTATORS PER PLAYER ALLOWED AT GAMES (STRICTLY ENFORCED)

**Anyone that has been tested for COVID-19 and has not received a negative result may not enter the facility.**

**Anyone who has been notified that they could have potentially been exposed to the virus should avoid attending any sessions or games until there is news of a negative test.**

Dear JPSC Parents and Players,

Welcome to the 2020 Fall JPSC season!

Thank you in advance for your commitment to JPSC and trust in our organization for your child’s soccer development.  Through our motto of skill, sportsmanship and self discipline we believe that each member of our club develops as a person and a soccer player.  These three key values of our club should consistently be reviewed, encouraged and reminded by all.  We define these values as the following:

SKILL
It is the acquired ability, that has been learned with time, to choose and perform the right techniques at the right time, successfully, regularly, with a minimum of effort and under pressure (time/space/opponents). Skill is acquired and therefore has to be learned from a reliable source.

SPORTSMANSHIP
It is the conduct and attitude of participants in sports, especially when considered commendable as in fair play and courtesy. It encompasses both ethical behavior and acts of integrity. Sportsmanship exemplifies character, respect and social responsibility as it relates to instilled family values.

SELF-DISCIPLINE
It is the ability to forgo instant and immediate gratification and pleasure, in favor of some greater gain or more satisfying results, even if this requires effort and time. Self-discipline gives you the power to stick to your decisions and follow them through.

As we return to the field from a long pause due to the ongoing global pandemic it is imperative that we work together to maintain the safety and well being of our players and families as well as staff members.  This has always been at the top of our priorities and will continue to be as we welcome everyone back to our home facility.

The halt in construction for over 2 months due to Covid-19 puts the completion date of the new building at the JPSA facility back about 2 months.  Due to construction, parking restrictions and the global pandemic that we are navigating through, we are forced to operate with new procedures.  Change is a challenge for all of us and we understand there continues to be a sensitivity towards our current lifestyle.  Again, we believe these new procedures are for the safety of all during operations.  Our club procedures are outlined below:

DROP-OFF SYSTEM:   

• There will only be drop off and pick up.  Parents are not permitted to get out of your car.
• Adults are required to wear a mask when dropping off and picking up.
• When picking up, please be aware of the waiting lanes to maximize the number of cars for pickup.

This drop off system will continue until larger gatherings are permitted and parking constraints improve at the facility.

PLAYER ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL:                                                                                                                                      

• Players must arrive prepared in JPSC gear and limited belongings
• Players must use hand-sanitizer at the appropriate stations before entering the fields and at departure.
• Players should be conscious of a 6 foot distance during water breaks.

TEMPERATURE CHECKS & PARENT SIGNATURE

• Temperatures will be taken of all players being dropped off.
• Parents must bring THEIR OWN pen for initialing child’s drop off and pick up.
• For tracing purposes, the facility must keep a daily log of all people who enter the property each day.

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PLAYER APPROACH TO SESSIONS:

• Learning sessions are mandatory and punctuality is expected
  • If there is a conflict with attendance it must be communicated to the coach or a club staff member.
  • If a player is late, players MUST have a reason for late arrivals.
  • Proper club attire is mandatory for all club events (sessions, games, etc)
  • Proper Protection for Practices and games (Shin-guards and cleats at all times)
• Coaches teach the game
  • Sessions are referred to as learning sessions.  Players must approach the session eager to learn and with a good attitude.
  • Effort will be recognized by the club.
  • Humility will be reinforced by all staff members and is expected from players.
  • Coaches strive to make every session an enjoyable and positive learning experience. Players should look forward to coming to training and leave each session content.
  • Players must strive to be a better player on and off the field.
• Individual responsibility
  • Continue self improvement outside of learning sessions and games.
  • Follow the game (favorite professional soccer teams and players)
  • Develop good eating habits and daily physical activity.
  • Ask questions when something is not clear.

We are looking forward to beginning the fall 2020 season with learning sessions and soon followed by league games.

 

Yours in soccer,
James Palumbo
President
Just Play Soccer Club

For me, you can watch soccer in 3 ways, which is as a fan, as a spectator, and as a student.

As a fan you want to see your team competing to win and representing the identity of the club.  You will recognize certain things that reoccur because you watch your favorite team often but the end result is usually the main focus of the fan.  Since the nerves and anxieties of wanting your team to win are present, the concentration tends to only be on the ball and what is happening in that exact moment.  Every dribble, pass, shot is scrutinized or praised throughout the game and then referenced as the reasons for the win or loss.  A narrow view of watching the game because the focus is on the end result!

When you are a spectator of a game it is a more casual approach where the game is on but you have no interest in who wins and what is happening until there is a goal scored or some drama occurs.  The game can be on in the background while you are doing something else because you would like to know the updates of the game and watch a replay you missed but there is not much care put into the observations of the details of the match.  This is often the approach to many games from people due to our capabilities of always watching the replay of a game.  Your opinion on the game after watching only as a spectator serves little weight as you are either going off the information you heard from the commentators or media or by the little moments you did see.

The final way of watching the game is the most work!  A student of the game is one who watches more than just the ball.  The challenge is to not watch the ball but what is happening around it from both teams. The movement, the spaces, the time, etc.… First, you must be looking for something otherwise when watching the highest level you will get lost by just witnessing everything going on, as the speed of things happening is too much.  You must narrow down what you would like to focus on for the game and then keep searching for when it happens, why it happens, where it happens and how it happens.  Watching as a student is the hardest task, as it requires expertise, knowledge, commitment and effort.  The best students are true practitioners of the game.  Of course being at the stadium to watch the game live will give you the greatest chance to see everything!

Enjoy watching the game whichever way you prefer!

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

We plan and prepare for the outcome that we envision yet there are no guarantees.

When we win, we must give credit to the work that was put in towards achieving the victory.  There are few successful accidents.  When you think of an accident you think of a glass falling, or a foul in the game, or a car accident.  These are all negative outcomes that occur from a lack of concentration, awareness, preparation and many other factors.

As we move forward, we are going to be guilty of causing accidents or making mistakes and limiting them from happening is unavoidable.  It is more about enduring the pain while going through the learning process.  The major losses are sometimes the most necessary steps towards progress.

Barcelona losing 8-2 to Bayern Munich is a terrible result for such a huge club, however this global embarrassment will promote radical change. Everyone has been witnessing a team that is not up to the standards of Barcelona for a while since the last treble and the necessary on field signings have struggled since the departure of Neymar.

All of the teams who entered the champions league quarter finals this past week had every right to believe they could pass to the semis however nothing was certain.

All games start 0-0 and all victories are earned.  There is no guarantee wins based on the money spent, sacrifices made or the amount of hours studying and training.

That is life.

You can work your whole life for something and still not achieve it but chasing that something is better than just sitting around…

Although our outcomes are not certain we must always keep going.

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

What is the right thing to do at the correct time to do it?

Everyone talks about finding the balance, which makes sense since we are consistently pulled and pushed in different directions. What is challenging is that whatever side you might be leaning on more at one time, the opposite side is receiving less.

Individual balance connected with collective equilibrium is a goal to strive for.  As you make efforts to balance yourself it is inevitable that people will not be a part of your life due to the actions or sacrifices you must make.

However, when that individual stability is being formed for the purpose of the collective group and what you can add then you become determined to improve each day…a greater purpose.

This form of balance is similar to focusing on your personal development so you can provide substance to your team as you improve. I wrote about this in my recent blog about falling in love with the ball.

In soccer the more balanced the team, the greater chance of success.  Too much reliance on one person or a few will leave a team with weaknesses soon to be exploited.  There is a difference in players on the field in terms of the function that they serve however they are all important.  One poor performance can threaten the outcome of the game.

At the moment there are too many accolades conversations dedicated to individuals rather than the team success.  I believe this is because the individual success is easier to out and gather the most people to discuss or vote on it.  To recognize the balance of a team and why each player and role compliments each other is much harder…

This past weekend, I enjoyed a nice meal with the Arraiano’s, where we discussed business, life and of course soccer.  We played one of our (my) favorite games where we go person by person to select a player in each position on the field. This past weekend we played in a 4-2-3-1 where the first pick was the GK.  Each person selects his or her GK before moving on to the next position.  The first pick has an advantage so we put Christine there…She is improving so this might be changing soon!

As you move along with your picks you naturally begin comparing players and how they would connect with each other.  In other words, finding the equilibrium, just like life…

Below are the teams…Who has the best team?!

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

The domestic league and cup competitions in Europe have come to a close this past weekend.

Now, the focus for 12 European teams is becoming the champions of Europe.

Friday, August 7^th, City will play Madrid and Juventus will play lyon.

Saturday, August 8^th, Barcelona will play Napoli and Bayern will play Chelsea.

After these games there will be the official quarterfinal matchups.

Game 1	Real Madrid / Man. City	Vs.	Lyon / Juventus
Game 2	Leipzig (GER)	Vs.	Atlético (ESP)
Game 3	Napoli / Barcelona	Vs.	Chelsea / Bayern
Game 4	Atalanta (ITA)	Vs.	Paris (FRA)

About 3 months ago, when we were going through the toughest moment of the global pandemic there was very little hope of the professional game finishing. Especially after the decision was made to postpone the Euro.

Thankfully, we returned to watching games being played at the highest level only without fans present in the stadiums.

These final games in Champions will be interesting to see.

This has to be one of the most difficult seasons ever for all of the clubs that remain and for this reason it makes it harder to predict a winner.

The final will be played at a stadium that our Academy happens to be very familiar with!

Our Partners S.L. Benfica will host the finals at Estádio da Luz.

We all are looking forward to the upcoming games and witnessing which teams will make it to Lisboa!

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

There is always something that matters to us and adds pressure in the things that we do.  It can be the desired outcome that you want so badly and the uncertainty that you will receive it or the opinions of others watching.  Either one there is pressure that exists and is usually put on oneself.

Why do people develop the certainty in the mind that they crack under pressure?

Statements such as; I always choke in those situations.  I am not a good test taker.  No I can’t take the penalty kick.

The first reasonable answer for these thoughts I believe is that we don’t have the quality or knowledge to perform that exercise.  For example, I will for sure “choke” if I have to take a test about spaceships and give a step-by-step guide on how to construct one. However this is not choking, this is failing because I am not prepared for a test in which I lack the understanding on how a spaceship works.

The dangerous part to this outcome happening consistently is that people develop a mentality that they are not a good test taker.  This self-confirmation can then transfer into all pressure situations and this has an affect on people not pursuing things they should be pursuing. We need people who truly know the material and possess the quality in a specific subject to show up and perform so we have a great outcome!

Yesterday was staff game and All-Star game day at the camp with multiple games going into penalties.  I overheard someone say, “I can’t take one, I crack under pressure”.

This inspired me to write today’s blog because the statement wasn’t that I am not good at taking penalties.  It was that I crack under pressure.

These are the moments where we need leaders to inspire those who do not see their capabilities in the tense moments.

“Hey! Hey! Come kick, come kick. You hit them well!”

This quote is from Ronaldo in the 2016 Quarterfinals of the Euros, which Portugal went on to win.  This message was to Moutinho to encourage him that he must take a penalty because of his quality and the team needed his contribution for the outcome that Moutinho and all of Portugal wanted.  To win and move on in the tournament!

 

 

This is a great moment of leadership that was necessary to provide some security to a player who was capable but uncertain.

Managing pressure is a challenge!

Don’t be afraid to execute as long as you have prepared yourself!

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

Quitting has developed a reputation as something you should never do.

 

The goal is to always honor your commitments to the fullest however quitting happens daily by most people.  The commitments the majority of people honor consistently are the promises made to others and not themselves.

 

How many times have you quit on yourself when no one is watching or no one knows about that thing you want to improve on?

 

I bet it is more times than you realize.

 

I am sure you believe you have been a committed person to the teams you have been on, the family members you have and friends that count on you.  I have to be there because the team needs me or I have to do this because I told them so…

 

Individually we need to be there for our own promises.  Not to diet for 3 months to feel a little better and then go back to our ways.  This is a short-term fix.

 

A few personal lessons with a soccer coach are not going to change anything IF that is the only time you are individually committing to the game.  It is a personal commitment to improvement and not the responsibility of anyone else.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best examples of keeping self-promises and none of us truly know to what length he goes.  His consistency in his performance, his incredible physical appearance and continued success is the results we are able to see.

 

It is easy to say well that is Ronaldo…He is different.

 

Let’s be our own Ronaldo for every day.  Stay committed to yourself!

 

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

Today is evaluation day for the kids at the camp!

 

My father developed a basic skills test over 30 years ago that has been taken by tens of thousands of kids!

 

The test was created with the focus being on the 5 basic skills or techniques of the game; dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting and heading. There are a few variations of each skill such as short passes on the ground and an aerial cross, while there is close control dribbling and speed dribbling to finish.

 

The game has evolved so much since the creation of this test however these simple demands of skill are necessary to possess in order to have an impact on the game.  There are no opponents to avoid in the test but the pressure is added by the time tracked!

 

The quality of the technical executions is rated on a scale of 1-5 and the players must try to finish the course in the shortest amount of time.  A low skill score and low time is the goal of each camper every week.

 

Change in all areas of our life is inevitable and so this year we have added a physical evaluation for the campers as well!  They will be tested on pushups, V-ups, and power jumps with both legs and single leg!

 

This has added a motivation for those returning campers to beat their previous weeks scores.

 

Good luck to the campers today!

 

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

Guiding the ball with my head before I could walk is not something I remember doing but it makes sense to me.  It is not that I stumbled around a random soccer ball while I was crawling around the house but it was intentionally put in my surrounding areas by my parents.  Why did they do this? Well, this game is not just a game we like to play or watch in my family, it is very much life.

Yes, there are more things in life than just soccer if you look at it in terms of a sport where you try to kick the ball into the other teams goal and win.  That is the casual disconnected way to look at things that do not interest you.  Many things happen before a goal is scored that the majority of people will not notice.  In life, most people will not witness the small details or work that is being done consistently; they will only recognize the success or failure of that person or group.

The way I see the game is the way I see life.   Nothing great can be accomplished on your own but you must have ownership in your individual contribution.  This is the approach to anything that we want to succeed in, whether it is building a family, competing on a sports team or running an organization.  Play your part and everyone else must play his or hers. I often find myself describing situations in life through moments and situations that have taken place in a soccer game.

If my environment and soccer cultured family didn’t promote a soccer ball being close to me then I wouldn’t have dribbled the ball with my head and I am unsure if I would see the game in this way.

My topic for today was to express the importance of a close relationship with the ball from a young age.   This thought was inspired as I walked with Marcos through the building to make a few decisions on the walls that could be used for training to hit the ball off of.  This type of individual behavior is necessary and refers back to your own individual contribution to your team and the game.  Finding new challenges by passing and shooting off the wall or juggling records to break are essential to add technical quality to your game.

Instead of listing things you can do on your own with a ball to improve, I feel the environment and culture that you are in is more important and will promote this individual motivation to be with the ball.

So live the game, don’t just play it!

It would be a good idea to befriend people who also live the game!

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo