Uncategorized

How do we identify our strengths?

I believe this is a balance between what we understand has worked by our actions and the feedback from qualified outsiders.

Some of the responses that our coaching staff has recently received from our players on their strengths and weaknesses are interesting.  There can be a variety of reasons behind their answers but the most important thing is to begin the conversation and make them feel comfortable expressing these views.

Some people do things so well without realizing it.  When something is done repeatedly with success it becomes normal to the person performing the task that they do not see it as a strength.

Discussions with people that we respect, trust and know are qualified in a specific area can help with the understanding of what we do well.

We must seek out these people in the areas of life that are important to us however always understanding that no one will know us better than ourselves.

I believe we have a responsibility to share a kind message to those who are repeatedly doing well in a specific area that we have knowledge in.

You won’t find me giving feedback on a ballet performance…

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

The majority of the teams in the club will be competing this weekend against clubs from various locations in NY/NJ/CT depending on the league participation.

As a club, our hope is to see that some of the principles, concepts and behaviors that are being developed in learning sessions are transferred into the competition. Practice should be the rehearsal for the game and not something players are supposed to be at before the games on the weekend.

A committed team is not a group with perfect attendance but is a collection of individuals who are able to use their personal strengths in a specific role to contribute to the united goal.  Anyone can be present, yet there is a difference from just being there and contributing to the cause.

One of the greatest challenges is finding the right competition and the best role for each individual player to truly contribute.  Yes, there can be a positive result and that makes everyone feel like they played a part in this achievement however only the educated eye for the game can notice the story behind the outcome of the game.

Everyone wants to win and I believe this is particularly important when it comes to development. This desire to win will drive the players, coaches and club to continuously improve.  With that said, the how and why a team wins or loses is more important in youth development then the actual result.

To the players of the club; I hope you are envisioning the role you may play in the game this weekend and that you believe you are capable of contributing to the team, competing against the opponent and enjoying yourself!

To the parents of the club; we appreciate and recognize your sacrifices, support and love for your children. Being the most influential person in your son or daughter’s life you all play a very important role when witnessing these games. Before and especially after the games you all have the opportunity to impact your child through your actions…

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

By definition a celebration is doing something special or enjoyable for an important event. Sometimes we celebrate by praising someone or something for a great outcome.

In soccer and in life there are many earned celebrations.  The most common celebration is for a goal due to the great importance of scoring in order to win a match.  Of course there are many important moments in a play that leads up to a goal and for that reason a team celebration is the usual event.

The emotion felt and shared by others who witness an accomplishment is a great feeling. Sometimes it can be recognition from the least expected people however there is no denying the greatness that was displayed.

That is why you’ll see events such as a standing ovation for Ronaldinho’s performance at the Bernabeu, same with Del Piero at the same stadium.  Another example is when the Juventus fans applauded the bicycle kick of Ronaldo when he was playing for Madrid and they knocked Juventus out of the Champions league.  The opposing fans offering a moment of respect and appreciation for greatness is what sportsmanship and respect is all about and deserves to be celebrated.

Goalkeepers will celebrate their save of a penalty, defenders might express their relief and pride in a perfectly timed tackle and forwards might point to the midfielder who played the perfect ball for them to finish the play.

There will be various reasons to celebrate while we navigate our way through our own game of life.  As we fight and push towards achieving our goals we should acknowledge and celebrate the important challenges conquered. It is ok for us to celebrate going 1-0 ahead as long as we understand that the game is not over.

The ball will return to the middle of the field and it is back to work defending our territory and beliefs while attacking the areas that will lead to another goal.

Celebrations do not come natural to me, however I understand the value in them.  I am sure there will be many celebrations for all of us this year and we should not let them go unnoticed…

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

There would be no good times without struggles.  We would not be able to distinguish a good day from a bad day if everything went as planned.

We need the surprises, the corrections and feedback from others who surround us in order to develop.

For this reason, there are going to be moments where players are not happy, confused, disappointed or low on confidence.  These emotions are part of the process of development.  The more a person is exposed to situations such as these the more resilience is developed and a greater appreciation for the good moments.

The worthy moments will inevitably arise for those who have a great work ethic, desire to learn and a respectable attitude.  These three traits are easily identified and the more consistent a player is in these areas the higher the ceiling goes for them.

As much as some would prefer, there is no secret shortcut to improvement.

An image can be painted for someone to believe this will be the future outcome, however the person who is attracted to that image must pick up his or her own brush and begin…

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

The most committed players in our club are the ones who are taking ownership of their personal development. Through a growing passion for the game as well as internal and external competition we are witnessing players reaching new personal targets on and off the field.

At some point, if a person is doing something only for someone else or because they “have to” there will be a time where it is over and that person will be filled with relief compared to accomplishment.

Our greatest desire to improve and learn comes from our environment.  When others who are passionate and hard working in a specific subject surround us we take a natural interest in it.  I believe this comes from the observations of their knowledge, experience and emotion.

If we have the craving to be better at something we feel connected to then our commitment will be tremendous and the work might be perceived as effortless.  The workload towards success will always be a large amount; it is just managed differently by those who find meaning in these struggles.

Of course we want our youth to follow their dreams however I believe their dreams are only a future vision of what has already been experienced by them to some degree.

The daily exposures of our youth will shape their future dreams.  The most influential areas for each individual will be the paths that they will follow with the greatest desire to learn.

With this basic approach it makes the process that much more enjoyable for coaches and players.

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo

We want to go forward but we don’t want to be rushed.

We want to go forward but we don’t want to lose the ball.

In the end, there will be consequences for going forward at the wrong time and in the wrong direction.

When those negative outcomes arise it is how we deal with them that will continue our progress forward. If there are only a few people willing to get the ball back after it’s lost then that one lost ball will turn into bigger problems. Of course there will be special players and people that have an unconscious way of solving problems because of

If we respond collectively to get the ball back or solve the problem we are then dividing the load and increasing the speed of correction.

The easy thing to do is to complain to the referee for the last foul missed or act frustrated with a teammate’s mistake. There are outside factors that we cannot control and we must work with the understanding that these moments will challenge our character and mental strength.

Problem solving is developed over time and is not a gift we are born with.  Of course there will be special players and people that have an unconscious way of solving problems due to instinct and repeated exposure to similar scenarios.

When approaching these problems we should be united and confident there is a solution, although the answer might require actions we do not like to do…

Yours in soccer,

James Palumbo