Follow Us on Facebook…

Hello Everyone! Now, you can follow Us on Facebook! Not that this is big news. In this day and age, who doesn’t have a facebook page? But it is certainly nice and convenient to be able to follow your favorite websites and companies on a social media platform you check multiple times a day. So, come by dropcheck out whats happening, drop a message, tell us how we’re doing, give us some though or just say Hi. Cheerio Facers….book on!

Link to Us on Facebook here.

Set to Launch the Long Awaited Spirr-it.com Website

After the long awaited deadline for the up and coming Spirr-it.com website, the SPIRR’s Network is ramping up for the launch of their News Aggregate website.  Set to go live by the end of the month, soccer players, parents, coaches and fans will be able to share soccer information on the internet with ease, precision and confidence.  Much like the strikingly successful news aggregation website digg.com the new soccer aggregate will produce the most note-worthy soccer content from all “corners” of the web.  The information, might it be articles,  images, videos or even websites, will be user submitted and user approved.  All web content submissions will be subject to the opinions and votes of other users.  Good, knowledgeable, helpful and most of all interesting content, will seeming raise to the top with more votes, while dull useful information will sink to the depths of the net.

So, get ready! Soon,  the Soccer community will be able to share the best football information while voting out the less admirable web content.

For more about Spirr-it.com, Click Here. Otherwise, Just Visit Spirr-it.com and Check out all it has to offer.

Claudio Reyna Foundation: Joining Urban Youth from Across the River

Sunday May 31, 2009 marked the first ever Claudio Reyna Foundation Brooklyn Vs Newark Season Wrap-up Game. All were welcome, as players, parents, coaches, fans and family gathered at St. Benedicts Prep in New Jersey to witness this fruitful game between the Brooklyn and Newark teams. The game culminates and highlights the hard work of the inner city youth hand selected to be apart of such a special program. In the Fall of 2008, Claudio Reyna started his foundation in hopes to create a Soccer Acadecy that would do more that just give children a place to play. The Academy welcomed young players from Brooklyn, NY and Newark, NJ to take part in this educational development program that exceeds the lines of the playing field. As founder Claudio Reyna describes, the mission is to “motivate and support underpriviledge youth around the globe by providing positive experiences through education, commnity involvement, and sport that grow healthy bodies, minds and spirits.” This game represented a full year of player, parent and coaching support and committment to creating this vision.

With the sun over head and not a cloud in site, the small turf field presented a nice hot surface for the 8v8 match. Each team dressed in their bright, bold jersey baring TEAM Brooklyn and TEAM Newark, were ready and eager to play. Anxious players and excited parents lined the field. As everyone gathered for the opening words from Claudio Reyna, smell of hot dogs and hamburgers filled the air. He explained the significant gesture of Jersey trading, how it is done all over the world and how especially important it was in the joining of two teams. The player representative of TEAM Brooklyn and TEAN Newark, shook hands and traded sign Jerseys, and the teams were ready to go.

To the surprise of many, as the players moved onto, their teams were divided. Team Brooklyn spilt and Team Newark separated. Before both team could realize, there were two evenly matched teams. Players stood side-by-side with new teammates from across the river. With one goal in mind, the lines of Brooklyn and Newark began to fade and game began. The coaches took the field and everyone was involved. The flare, character and personalities of the inner city kid displayed “fun” to the fullest. The sound of laughter and cheering combined with excitement of the game couldn’t depict a better sunday afternoon.

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A few word from Claudio on the day, “So nice to see the parents, kids, friends and guests enjoy the afternoon. Having the kids get to meet each other from the two Academies was my personal highlight.
They exchanged jerseys before the game and in keeping with the spirit of the afternoon were only concerned about getting to know each other and not so much on who was winning the game. We decided to mix the kids up so they can play with kids from the other Academy and I believe this made the game much more relaxing for the kids. I want to thank everyone for their work today and throughout the past year in making this happen. This is just the beginning and with continued hard work we will make an impact on more families in the future.”

For more information on the Claudio Reyna Foundation please visit www.claudioreynafoundation.org

Spirrs team is a Proud Supporter of the Claudio Reyna Foundation.

Puma v1.815 FG Ferrari Limited Edition

 

If you havn’t checked out these already…go to Prodirectsoccer.com for more….If anyone was lucky enough to get there hands on this, please comment.

Product decription provided by ProDirectSoccer:

 How do you make the fastest boot on the planet even faster? Simple – collaborate with arguably the biggest name in motorsport. This is exactly what Puma have done and the end result is the ultra-limited, highly desirable Puma v1.815 Ferrari Edition. At a quick glance the boot could look like a new v1 boot, but this isn’t just a cosmetic enhancement. The designers at Puma spent a over two years collaborating, creating and crafting the PUMA v1.815 Ferrari with alterations and additions to make the ultimate elite level football boot that everyone will want. The look of the boot is simply stunning and the flowing lines of the Puma stripe perfectly match the silhouette of the boot giving a sleek overall style. Along the side of the boot is the classy Ferrari Prancing Horse logo which gives a stunning final result.  The Ferrari red originates from the sport of Formula 1, where each country was assigned a colour. Red was assigned to Italian cars, Green to English, Blue to France and so on. The red for Ferrari has remained ever since and now is iconic with some of the greatest moments in the sports history.

 

 

Cheers!

Starting with the “Small Ball”

“The ‘Magic Pill’ to finding your touch…”

With a clear and focused mind ready to start training and jump back into the rhythms of pre-preseason and pre-season, I decided to use the “small-ball” as the main equipment to sharpen up my touch.  Many of you might have experience, worked with or seen people training with this “small-ball.” And if you haven’t tried it yet, and you are serious about training, developing and improving your touch, you certainly need to have this be apart of your training.

So, what is this magical method? Quite frankly, there’s nothing extraodinary about it.   Simply put, you training with a ball significantly smaller than the current size ball you compete with.  It can be a different size and a different weight or even a different material that effects the bounce or speed.

How to?  and  Why we do it?

Very simply, you perform all the same technical skills as you would practice with a normal ball, except with this different ball.  This includes all technical skills from your feet all the way to your head: dribbling, passing/receiving, shooting, heading.  Areas that small-ball training is particularly effective in is passing and receiving out of the air. This includes volleys, half-volleys, and work with the thigh, chest, and head. You can use anything from a skills ball (size 1.5  or 2), tennis ball, foam hand ball, or sponge ball be creative and make it challenging.  I choose to use a rubber bounce ball that is smaller than a size 3 or a rubber size 2 ball that is weighted a bit heavier.  This way the size, weight, and the type of bounce is altered. But remember when you get efficient and good with that this small-ball, be sure to change one of these attributes, so that you can maintain a challenging training method.

When training with a ball of different size, weight and bounce, you are subjected to a different kind of stimulus and therefore a different type of training.  Your senses and perception of the ball are effectively heightened and you become more sharp.  Concentrating on a smaller object will make your touch more efficient and more accurate.

So, if your looking to sharpen your touch and increase your accuracy try a small ball. And remember be sure to tell us how your working with it.  Cheers!

Pressure of Preparation for Preseason: Essential Components of Getting to the Next Level

So, a few months ago I really started playing with the idea of moving to another country and playing professional soccer for a season or two.  I began doing some research and started looking into clubs, levels, locations, seasons and time-frame for the near future. But as I began to explore my contacts and do my research on this new chapter in my life, my father asked me one question that would smack reality in my face (which he has done very effectively throughout my development). He said “Even if we got everything set in place… flight, living, clubs and trials…will you be ready to leave tomorrow?” 

Hello! The fact of the matter, and what he was hitting directly on the head was that I had just came back from a long trip to South Africa, having not played or trained for 3 months.  Although, I felt confident and optimistic, the truth was, I was not ready.  It’s funny how a player’s mentality can shift as they get older and more experienced.  I remember growing up, preparing or season after season, team after team, try-out after try-out, and being very successful at each step of the way.  And a big part of that was the pressure of preparation. I realize something strikingly similar about the feeling I had growing up each time I took playing to another level.  Every time the pressure of preparation seemed to decrease a little.  It was like getting use to taking tests, or feeling more and more confident and comfortable with preparing for something bigger.   It was like preparing was a task you got better at and the better you got the easier, more efficient and more concise it became. Now, although I feel very confident and efficient with getting into playing shape, this feeling can not by any means replace actually doing IT.

Things to be aware of.

Now, although confidences and comfort in preparation can be a good thing, it should not and cannot replace the work and effort of preparation.  There are 3 Pre’s in “pre-season” or “pre-tryout” that are absolutely crucial for success at any level. 

The first ”Pre” is the Pressure. There needs to be an initial urge, motivation, inspiration for training and getting ready.  There needs to be a balanced and healthy level of pressure for success and failure that is the fuel for training.  Because without the desire to succeed along with the aversion of failure, it is impossible to push to the next level. 

The second “Pre” is the Preparation.  There needs to be an effective and productive preparation that will train you in all aspects needed to get ready for the demands of the game.  This involves “controlling the controllables.” Enhancing, training and preparing individual skill, technique, tactics, mental sharpness, nutrition, and lifestyle.

The third “Pre” is the simple Prefix.  This is the simple meaning of “prior to,” “in advance of,” and “before.” This is a very easy concept, yet the one hardest to maintain. This takes discipline, consistency and planning.   It is vital that time is allotted and maintained before hand so that you can maximize potential.

Together these three very important Pre’s can set the tone for success. The first two, pressure and preparation, sets the foundation for getting ready and the third, sets the tone and time frame for success.  For anyone thinking about, or starting to get ready for preseason or any tryouts, here’s a bit of advise: “Control what you can, and do it with proper timing all in advance…Start early and be consistent.”

Stay tuned for Posts and Articles on My Training Schedule/Program. And Please…Share your current, past or future experiences about the Pressure of Preparation for Preseasons or tryouts, at any level. Cheers!

Spirrs Supports Hollywood Unites for Haiti

Spirrs Coverage of the Inaugural Setanta Cup.

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Press Release:

Setanta Sports, a leading broadcaster of Barclays Premier League soccer in the US and Official Sports Channel of the Field House at Chelsea Piers, announced today that it will be hosting the first annual “Setanta Cup” to celebrate its roll-out into the New York area. This all-day soccer festival will feature tournaments for youth (U-10 to U-14) and adult teams, with proceeds from team registration fees, merchandise sales and raffles going to the nonprofit organization, Hollywood Unites for Haiti and the Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund.

The day featured a star-studded exhibition match, presenting the world-famous soccer club, Hollywood United Football Club. HUFC’s famed dazzling line-up included:

Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a Trace”), Brandon Routh (“Superman”), Jimmy Jean-Louis (“Heroes”), Steve Jones (“Sex Pistols”), Youri Djorkaeff and Frank LeBoeuf (Former French Players and 1998 FIFA World Cup Winners), Gilles Marini (“Sex and the City”), Ethan Zohn (Co-founder Grassroot Soccer and “Survivor Africa” Winner), Costas Mandylor (“Saw”), Donal Logue (“Life”), Richard Gough (Glasgow Rangers, Scottish International), and Marc Consuelos (World Renown Actor).

But the real highlight of the day was the nonprofit organization all this publicity aimed to promoted, and that was the Hollywood Unites for Haiti Organization, who’s missions is to promote sports and cultural activities for the underprivileged youth of Haiti.

What HUFH’s founder Jimmy Jean-Louis had to say about the event, “Haiti has suffered many set many setbacks in its rich history and yet the Haitian people have never lost the character to face adversity with creativity, resilience and community.  Events like the Setanta Cup raise money that will help brighten their hearts and minds of kids and encourage them to build confidence, competence and community.”

To learn more about Hollywood Unites for Haiti, Click Here.

The Winning Formula

If you haven’t had a chance to take a look at this book or these set of tapes, you really have to find some time to do so. Really some remarkable information gathered from soccer’s history, cultivated and presents in the most direct and compelling way.  This set of informational tapes not only sums up decades of soccer evolution and depicts the changing trend in soccer of the years, it also set the tone of the rapidly growing game in an era when soccer instruction seemed so indifferent.  Truly, a break through in its time, providing the soccer world with invaluable technical and tactic instruction. 

When I was in middle school, I remember when my father first brought home the set of VHS tapes and the book. Then, he often bought a lot of soccer material. Every week, I could expect a different package with books, tapes, or equipment to arrive in the mail.  Exciting times for a kid who was always curious about new books, toys and things to watch.  Anyway, I would watch these particular tapes and browse through the book meticulously taking notes on what I thought would be most useful to me at the time.  Not the most typical thing to do during lunch time in the cafeteria at that age, but nonetheless it was fun and really helpful.

I would suggest certainly taking a look at this before you get any other newer tactical or positional DvD or book out there, because I think it truly sets a educational standard on what kinds of materials should and should not exist on the market.  Although the series was created a couple decades ago, it still provides information that holds true to the game. Perhaps an updated Winning Formula is due? I’ll be waiting.

Tell Us what you think of the series. Leave comments for all or email Us here.

Below are links for each DvD in the series.
Soccer Winning Formula: Defending To Win DVD
Soccer Winning Formula: Scoring DVD
Soccer Winning Formula: Goalkeeping DVD
Soccer Winning Formula: Direct Play DVD
Soccer Winning Formula: Winning The Advantage DVD

And it you want to check out the book, click below.
The Winning Formula: Soccer Skills and Tactics
The Winning Formula: The Football Association Soccer Skills and Tactics

In Assiciation with

Kopanya 2009 Offical Soccer Ball

Now, this ball speaks “New SA.”  In late 2008, Adidas unveiled this soccer ball design for the FIFA 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.  The name of the ball, KOPANYA, and it unique design truly pays tribute to the host country, South Africa.   The word, Kopanya come from Southern Sesotho, a  language spoken by nearly five million people in SA and Lesotho.

The Literal translation means “join together.” What a appropriate name, as the Confederations Cup will give people a taste of what is to come shortly after in South Africa.  Yes! The FIFA 2010 World Cup.  Hope You’re Ready. 

Check out the Official 2009 Confederations Cup adidas Kopanya Official Match Ball at our trusted affiliate website, Soccer.com.

And, if the Match ball is too pricey, perhaps the Replica will do.  Same look, slightly different feel…adidas Kopanya Replique Ball. Cheers!  Keep on Kickin’

 

(citation: MTNFootball.com)

Looking For Flights Yet?

So, you’re looking for a flight to South Africa? Prior to my trip over there I spent many hours looking for deals and prices changes from many different sites. My advice is start with what you are used to or the sites that you most frequently book with and one that you are familiar with.  Take a look at the prices, schedules, different airlines, stop-overs and transfers.  Once you have a good grasp on the overall price range of the ticket for that particular time period then you can begin to shop around and explore other booking websites for some possible deals. 

Don’t just settle for the cheapest ticket, ‘cas it might waste a lot of precious travel time.

Here’s what you do:

1. Look to buy tickets at least 21 day in advance. This will be considered an advanced purchased ticket. As we know they will only go up the closer you near take-off, seeing spikes at 15 days prior and even a bigger one 7 days prior.
2. Use travel search engines. These are your usual Orbitz, Priceline, Travelocity and cheapOair.com . Use the search engines you are familiar with to get an understanding of what the prices are looking like and overall travel stop, transfers and layovers.   NOTE: Search tickets that depart from other local airports around you. Also, try searching tickets with different departing dates.
3. Next search the search engines that searches the traval search engines.  You might have seen new flight and travel search engines that simultaneously search a whole bunch of discounts sites. If you haven’t try Kayak.com for example, they’ll search Hotwire, Priceline, Expedia, Travelosity, and Airfare.com all in one shot.
4. Search airlines directly.  If you see a ticket price that interests you, go directly to that airline website and look up that flight. This can save you some handling and other charges from the travel websites.

Good luck. This should be an exciting search. Cheers! You’re heading to South Africa!

To find out more on Getting there: South Africa 2010 and what I did to find my ticket,
Read Spirrs Guy’s Quest to Flying.

 Or, Click below  to visit our Affiliated Websites:

                               

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