By the way, Happy New Year, a little late I know, but better late than never.

2011 is the year of…… fill in the gap; it’s your call.

Maybe this year,

Your neighbour will stop playing loud music in the middle of the night and the other side will stop jumping on the trampoline for hours. Boing, boing.

Will the grass be greener with the shift in the economy and will interest rates fall or rise? Will the light shine at the end of the tunnel and will you start to train with the required diet that always seems to start tomorrow?

Will you start to justify that gym membership that has found its home in your wallet right next to the library card that never gets used?

Will you finally admit it and subscribe to Love Based Soccer while loving the people that deserve it?

2010 has come and gone and it’s time to place the 2011 bucket in place. What will you put in it?

Personally, 2010 was an interesting year although I predicted a “very interesting year” and my girlfriend continually reminds me of this. (giggle)

But here’s a thought.

Somewhere in the soccer world, new contracts were signed, new coaches got certified, new clubs were formed, new boots were designed and new talent was discovered.

More importantly, just like the last standing gladiator after his exit from the arena, soccer continues to dominate and slay any other sporting code.

2011 is a new year, with new goals, hopes and dreams. As you make your way through 2011 make sure to always bring the elbow grease. But before I finish the first post of the year I would like to add this; something new, a rant.

I see it every day!

Professionals, coaches and managers preying on the weak.

Do this, buy this and blah, blah, blah.

Before I polish my own halo try this on for size. Next time you visit a training session, bookstore, Amazon or even a blog like mine (applause), ask yourself,

“Do I really need this?”

The Internet has a plethora of soccer information with the well disguised affiliate links. Are they looking to help or are they hustling for your loose change?

Hmmm.

So the tip for 2011 is this, and my gift to you,

Do you really need this?

It’s a kick in the teeth sort of question, don’t you think? It protects you like a parent looking after you on the first day of school.

So before you open up your wallets or hearts, ask the question. “Do I really need this?”

Don’t get sucked into jargon or marketing hype that promises you or your child the world.  A perfect example of this is the term “aerobics”. Anyone know why this form of exercise is called aerobics?

Simple!

Fitness “gurus” and instructors got together and schemed,

“If we’re going to charge $15 an hour we can’t call it jumping up and down.”

If you have doubts about a product, coach, person or sales pitch, think about the motives. What might their other incentives be for selling soccer to you?

Wishing you a Happy New Year and without further delay,

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”

So I thought about this.

What is the secret to soccer?

Does such a thing even exist?

Since the beginning of time, players have searched just about everywhere in hopes of unearthing the secret.

Today, most players are trying to find joy in something or someone outside of the game.

As players, we search in all the wrong places. The secret to soccer is so close, so obvious and often the last place we look. We search everywhere blindly but WITHIN

Almost everything that happens to you around the green pastures, good or bad, originates from your perception, your THOUGHTS.

The happiness, which brings lasting worth to you, is not the superficial happiness that is dependant on 3 points.

Forget about the past. Forget about yesterday’s victories and concentrate on NOW!

As you put your boots on and pull up your socks, remember this, thinking, talking and worrying about what you don’t want can never bring you what you DO want.

The way you think can either multiply or diminish your game.

Here’s a thought.

Could THINKING be soccer’s little lost ark?

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”

“How can you be bothered writing, do you make any money?

At first it seemed arrogant, even odd.

How dare him, as angry, defensive thoughts trickled down my spine.

Funny thing is this, when I write there are no hidden agendas. I’m not aware of time or the money it costs me to host this site. Time flies when you’re having fun, rings true in this case.

Writing, thinking and even researching becomes easy, even during the late nights when the midnight candle burns.

Do you know why?

The answer is simple!

I imagine the reader,

YOU!

Who I conjure as an aspiring player much like my own younger version. Sometimes I envision a desperate parent wanting the very best for their children.

Either way, the vision is simple.

I hope to impart a little wisdom, inspiration and kick in the teeth motivation. Not to forget stories from the good old days and the depths of hard knocks, sprinkled with a few tricks of the trade.

That’s why Soccer Mastermind exists, the home of Love Based Soccer.

The answers you seek in Soccer are not found in what you have to do, but in what you love to do.

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”

The biggest battle in soccer, whether you’re a seasoned veteran, youngster or teenager is the battle within yourself, the battle to remain true to yourself and your beliefs.

When we talk about the battle within oneself I’m referring to the EGO. Whether we like it or not, everyone (not just soccer players) are plagued by their own ego.

What is ego?

If we flick to Collins or Webster we have the following explanation.

“A person as thinking, feeling, willing and distinguishing himself from the selves of others and from objects of its thought.” Or

“Egotism, conceit, self-importance, the enduring and conscious element that knows experience.”

The ego as I see it would be defined as,

“ Self centered anguish that ruins lives and any chance of success usually inflicted by someone telling the truth.”

If you sit back and listen to someone with a big ego the vocabulary seems to be limited to,

I want, I am, I need, I, I, I &I.

If you let your ego run free chances are you’ll never make it. To add insult to the wound you’ll become one lonely soccer chop. V-E-R-Y Lonely.

It’s only fair that I mention this, “I had the biggest ego once upon a time and had both my feet firmly planted in shit.” Did my ego serve me well?

Relying on your ego or delusions is a great way to fail in soccer. What would you bet on, “how good you think you are”, or “blood, sweat and tears.”

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”

The apparatus was a 5×5 patch of synthetic grass that puts the finest blade of grass that nature has to offer to shame, 4 cones, 1 soccer ball, 1 enthusiastic youngster that was demanding a kick all day, 1 patient old timer (me), and 2 smiles.

Method

Warm up: two goals and a quick run around to get the blood pumping. The game was played at a ferocious pace with Jack winning 6-2 on aggregate.

Once I got my breath back, we practiced the art of heading. A smaller, lighter ball was used to allow for correct technique.

After a few headers we moved straight into some zigzags which proved a little too difficult for the little guy. After battling through the cones for 3 sets we pulled the pin and opted for some shooting.

Shooting was definitely the highlight which involved an over theatrical goalkeeper trying to save shots from a distance of 2 meters. The theatrics and dives that followed would embarrass even the great Greg Lucanis.

The tension was building and after a long run up the backyard was filled with laughter. A 4 year old giggling hysterically at my attempts to stop the ball would motivate even the most cynical coach.

Such laughter not only inspires but also motivates you to continue the session. The only reward is the sound of laughter and a young child grasping his stomach.

Shooting was short lived when the ball was kicked over the fence and into the neighboring property. The pursuit for the ball began with a walk around the block that involved a piggyback ride and a few missing chunks of hair.

Skills, Development

The short session in the back yard focused on shooting, heading, passing, competition and fun.

Conclusion

Every time I see Jack he demands we play soccer. If it’s not soccer its jumping on the trampoline but that’s another story.

Does Jack really want to play soccer?

Maybe! Maybe not!

Does he want to hold his stomach in hysterics while trying not to piss himself?

What do you think?

The friendship, the laughter and the victories will echo in eternity. If the laughter continues and the jocks remain dry, there is no reason why little Jack couldn’t be the next Harry Kewell.

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”