Playing Past College: Is it Realistic?

November 4, 2010 by Spirrs Guy
Filed under Playing, ZONE

So, What is the next step here in America? Every year thousands of Collegiate Soccer Players from each NCAA Division graduate with the same questions at heart: Where’s the next team I will play for? Some will find themselves trying out for local and domestic teams, some will settle for recreation leagues, some shoot for trials in the MLS, D1, D2 or PDL, some might seeks trials overseas, some might settle for weekly games on the Tele and stop playing indefinitely, but either way they have this uncertain feeling of “what next?”

Let’s take a step back and see how many players get to the MLS in America. According to recent research, only 1.6 percent of all NCAA male senior players will be drafted by a MLS team. So, you think, what about the 98.4 percent of players?

As I mentioned in my College Glimpse post, for some it is quite liberating to feel that another soccer chapter has completed, and of others a bit saddening to know how uncertain the future will look in terms of kicking the ball around. Juggling between taking a break from the game and traveling, finding a job and working right away, and pursuing teams and trying out, the possibilities are quite daunting.

When I graduate in 2008 I didn’t stand alone with this overwhelming feeling as to what I should pursue. I certainly wasn’t in the 1.6 percent of college seniors drafted to the MLS. What did I do? Like most, I took some time away from the game, packed my bags and traveled a bit. At that time I started this blog with my first post “Note from Spirrs Guys” highlight this very feeling of where to and what to do next.

After spending significant time volunteering in South Africa, I returned to the states and sought comfort in what I was passionate about. Although I did not come back to playing on any professional team, at the time, being apart of the game through coaching and amateur teams was just enough to satisfy my need to be in and around soccer. As the weeks went by, the restlessness grew and returning to part-time teams and coaching kids really made me reflect on how much time I have left to play. The fire burning from within changed my mentality toward getting to the next level. It prompted me to write “Essential Components of getting to the Next Level” where I reflect on how prepared I was at that time to get signed by a pro club. The reflection made me realize a few very important aspects of becoming a professional and absolute thing I needed to have before I even consider trying out for any teams: 3 Pre’s; Pressure, Preparation and obvious Prefix (prior to).

Setting goals, applying pressure to be prepared and doing all in advanced will give anyone a good measurement of readiness and ultimately success. If you are one of the 98.4 percent out of college looking for direction, ask you self: how much do I want to get to any next level? Do I have to determination to apply the right amount of pressure on myself? Do I have and can I get what I need to be prepared? And to address the third “Pre” (doing it all prior to trying out): If the club of your choice invited you to a trial tomorrow, will you be ready?

Evaluating personal goals and determination will get anyone closer to get that break. Proper planning will get you to the do the door step and proper execution will get you through. Please Share your stories and experience with the Spirrs Team and we will highlight your personal “NCAA to Pro Start” story!

Next, we will look at Goal Setting and Finding the Right Level and Club. Stay Tuned.

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

April 22, 2009 by Spirrs Guy
Filed under Training

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LIU 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!

Tags: Training

College Glimpse…

December 24, 2008 by Spirrs Guy
Filed under Playing, ZONE

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So, I never thought this day would come. Yes the day, when College ball was something of the past. Just a couple of months ago I graduated from Long Island University in Brooklyn. It almost seems like yesterday I was gearing up for games, training early mornings, and attending classes. And it really seems so weird not being in college anymore. No longer a collegiate athlete, no longer a student athlete.

Anyone else have this feeling? The feeling of suddenly waking up in a class called “Real Life” and not remembring resigistering for it? Looking back I really miss it. They always say, “stay in college for as long as you can” or “college will be the best times of your life.” I like that one….cas although I know college will not necessarily be the absolute best thing to come, i do know there will never be a time like that ever!

Anyway, more on this topic late when thoughts can be collected and experiences reflected upon. For now, just some thoughts on my current situation. Graduated 6 months ago, ok maybe a bit more than a couple months, and in the real world. Took the summer off from playing and training. I figured after 5 years of college ball (ye I know 5 year plan, its a good one) I can take one summer off, Right? But still i couldn’t help the fact that when august rolled around I felt the presence of Pre-Season, and it was almost an empty feeling of not being able to attend a training camp we used to complain about so much. When September hit, with playing still burning from within, I did the real world thing or “working” as some might call it, Soccer stuff here Soccer stuff there…you know. More on why I didn’t pick up and get trials for Pro teams later. Anyway, this brings me to my current situation, sitting here staring at a computer screen in South Africa typing this blog. Yes South Africa, a long way from home. What am I doing here? You might ask. Finding life I guess. It really comes to shows how unexpected paths can lead you in directions you would never anticipate, no matter how much you train, practice or prepare for it.

So, in this first blog on College Soccer, I just Thought it would be appropriate to look back just a little bit, and say from half way around the world, “Cheers LIU, Good Times.”

More on this particular journey in other blogs to come. And Yes I said South Africa, Durban to be exact. Still tuned for more on World Cup 2010.

For more information on what I’m doing in South Africa read: Note from Spirrs Guy
For more information on where this Spirrs Guy came from read: Who’s This Spirr Guys Anyway?

Tags: graduate, liu, ZONE