At a GMHS athletic department meeting on Thursday night, I was asked to choose just one word to describe our boy’s soccer program for the 2023 season. I thought about the feedback I received from the players and parents throughout the summer. On the fourth day of Team Week, the consensus among the team was that success will be defined by us bonding, playing for each other and ignoring individual stats. Teamwork. Pulling each other through the fight.
Together
That’s the word I chose based on what the boys told me was most important to our success this year. Come what may, we do it together. I think the boys are onto something.
We have a big first week.
Week of August 7th: Here is a rundown on tryouts Monday through Thursday, training Friday, all day scrimmages Saturday, and player/parent meetings.
Monday – Tryouts 4pm – 5:30pm
Fitness Test: 10 120s
1v1s, Defending, Small Sided Play & Finishing
Tuesday – Tryouts 5:30pm – 7pm
Fitness Test: Shuttles 5-25
1v1s, Defending, Small Sided Play & Finishing
Wednesday – Tryouts 4pm – 5:30pm
Fitness Test: The Mile (bring running shoes)
1v1s, Defending, Small Sided Play & Finishing
Thursday – Tryouts 5:30pm – 7pm
Fitness Test: Makeup Fitness Tests (if you did all three, no fitness test Thursday)
1v1s, Defending, Anything the Coaches Need to See
Friday – Training 4pm – 5:30pm
Light day with strategic planning for Saturday scrimmages and upcoming games.
Saturday – Scrimmages at Mullen
Varsity Scrimmages 8am – 1pm
JV Scrimmages 1pm – 5pm
Players will be told on Friday, August 11th which scrimmages to attend. Some players might attend part of the varsity scrimmages, and part of the JV scrimmages. Please be flexible, and block this day off for Green Mountain Soccer.
Player/Parents Meetings
We will meet with each player individually to assess their role on the team as we see it starting off the season. We want to welcome parents to participate in these initial meetings. To facilitate this, we will hold many of the meetings at the Mullen scrimmages during our down time. If parents are there to watch your players, we will try to get as many of these short (five minutes-ish) meetings done as possible. This is not a time to talk about soccer program policies, tactics or strategies. This is a time to talk about one player’s strengths and opportunities, and their role on the team.
Feedback and Ideas
As always, all players and parents are encouraged to share ideas, thoughts, concerns or insights. Please contact me as things come up, and let’s get ready to Defend the Mountain, Rams!