Players To Watch: Cristian Mora & Tony Angelicchia
September 26, 2007
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Wow, what a player at 7! Cristian can really put it in the back of the net. Now, I don’t know if Nike actually developed this or if Yamil, Cristian’s father edited this? Regardless, the kid has madd skills and needs to be in a development academy somewhere. Watch his footwork in tight spaces - it’s beautiful and amazing that at this age he thinks and acts with such technically precision. Cristian is currently playing in Mexico and then, there is Tony Angelicchia from Venezuela.
Tony is 11 and is an excellent distributor of the ball with fantastic vision. Just look at how many piercing passes he makes to set up goals and dangerous counter attacks. Tony’s father tells me that Antonio is in the trial process with Caracas FC. Good luck Tony!
If you’d like to learn more about both of these players just click on Cristian’s link and Tony’s link.
Your Body: Pregame fruit rush
September 20, 2007
Now this is an easy one to fix. Grab your blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple and add in some bananas and canalope. Then, you might want to add a french crossiant or maybe some toast.
Get some OJ while you are at it and a bottle of water. You might also want to grab some Gatorade or another favorite sports drink to flood your system. Down a few bottles and don’t worry about becoming liquid heavy it’s a farce - you need this hydration.
Coach Feature: Djair Garcia
September 18, 2007
If you don’t know Coach Djair Garcia you should. Coach Djair has been the most active Coach on ZZ and posts his training video’s regularly. Djair is the Head Coach of GREMIO BARUERI and has a deep passion for the game, helping players and loves to interact with other coaches.
If you are a coach and are looking for some great training tips, Djair is an excellent resource. Players, if you want to see the famous Brazilian football culture in action - check out Coach Djair’s Page.
Djair, I just wanted to publicly say Thank You for all that you do!
Blogged with Flock
Tags: brazilianfootball, joga bonito, soccer, coach djair
Your Game: Strengthen Your Ability to Create Attacks
September 14, 2007
To me getting better at whatever facet of the game you want to improve in requires repetitive and high-intensity practice, i.e. game pace practice. It does no good to practice at a lower intensity that what you can expect in a match. In my opinion, players and teams would be better served to compete if practices are consistently made more intense than matches.
With that, let’s look at a few match situational drills that can certainly be very intense and help to improve your opportunities to score. The diagram to the right represents a speed and conditioning drill performed by Liverpool and I’m sure many other professional squads.
In this situation, player A distributes the ball to player B who is making a run toward the cones. Player B receives the ball and plays it back immediately to player A. Player B then sprints around the last set of cones and checks back to player A, who serves another ball into B. Player B one touches the ball back and then makes a sprinting run around the pole or flag. In the process of the run player A serves a ball into space for Player B to run onto. At this point, Player B receives the ball and dribbles back to the original starting point for the next player to run through the drill.
Now, we could involve more players into this drill to increase touches on the ball and make it more match. For instance, a player who is resting at the starting point could placed a few yards/meters directly back from the pole/flag directly in line with Player B as they make the first run to start the sequence. So, when player A drives the first ball in for Player B, B would then make a one touch lay off pass to a Player C (this would be diagonally right from A). Player C would then control and play the ball back to A. Going forward, player B proceeds around the cones and checks back to player A and A serves the ball to B, B touches off to A and then makes the sprint around the flag/pole.
With player B sprinting around the flag, our add-in friend player C then tracks player B like a mark so that B feels match pressure coming on right behind him. Then again, player B dribbles back to the starting point where the sequence begins again.
Ok, we can build on this further and I will with the next post, which will be about a high intensity crossing & shooting drill. Until then, get stuck in!
Your Mind: Imagine All Eyes on You
September 13, 2007
Can you see yourself on that pitch? Are you dreaming about it? Do you ask yourself how? What does it take?
Committment, Visualization, Talent, Creativity, Determination & most of all PASSION!!!!!!! Football is 70% mental and 30% physical - Get Stuck In!
LIVE Interview with Jay Demerit of Watford FC
September 12, 2007
We’ll be talking with Jay tomorrow LIVE on ZigaZoga.com at 11:30 EST / 4:30 GMT ( 10:30 CST / 8:30 PST ). Jay is currently playing with Watford FC in the Championship League and is a member of the US National Team.
We’ll be discussing some of his experiences playing in the U.K. and his National Team experiences as well talking about what advice he has for young aspiring players.
If you have any questions you’d like us to ask Jay, please submit them here. Lastly, if you cannot be in front of a computer to hear the interview LIVE you can always download the podcast at a later time from the Ziga-Zoga player.
Check ya later,
Jason
Talking with Garry Littlefield
September 12, 2007
Via email Garry Littlefield and I did an interview as I am interested to know about the views, interests and cultures of our members. Gary is coach in Italy, originally from London and has recently become an Ambassador from Ziga-Zoga. So, here are a few questions I asked of Gary and I’m thankful for his participation - I hope you will get something out of this conversation as I will be featuring more coaches very soon.
Who are you and what do you do?
My Name is Gary James Littlefield, I’m 32 and I am football coach based in Italy.
Note: Gary’s coaching experience is as follows:
Serie D, Italy 2006/2007
Serie D, Italy 2005/2006 (under 20)
Semi-Pro, UK 2004/2005
Academy Youth Development officer, UK 2003/2004
Tottenham Hotspur Community Coach, UK 2002/2003
Amatuer Coach, UK 2001/2002
What can you tell us about the Italian football culture, style and unique attributes?
Over the last few seasons Italian football has had it’s fair share of up’s and down’s, scandals and World cup victories. All of which has happened in the time I have spent here. To understand the football culture is to understand life in Italy. Italians are excitable, passionate, reckless (in both positive and negative ways) and very social orientated.
In my opinion the football culture here has a unique blend of technical ability, tactical understand right down to the fans and a social network so intricate that it in enters all into every sector including the church and dinner table. Each week in the football stadia all over Italy controversial decisions and scandals erupt soon to be forgotten with wonderful individual performances or a particular excitement for an up and coming game.
The general aspects of the game here are tactical patience, opportunism in and around the penalty area including faking fouls to get an advantage and great technical ability (rather than physical prowess) throughout the team. Most of all I have found a magnificent ability to cope with stress and nerves, it doesn’t seem to affect their performances.
What type of game do you coach your players to play?
Ideally I prefer to play a particular way 4-2-3-1 but you have to be particularly adaptable in Italy, during the pre-season period you need to assess your players strengths and weaknesses as for the most part the Director of Sport has control over the players brought in to the side. The coach has an input but really has no chance to spend a budget.
When the squad has been assessed the main tactical game plan can be worked upon. If you have all players fit for selection then your able to field a strong side and perhaps dictate the match. This does depend on the opponents, how they play, what their weaknesses are and where their strengths lie.
I choose to play a free flowing short passing game in ideal conditions (pitch, weather etc) utilizing a strong forward who can score with both feet and head, who also has the ability to hold the ball, lay off to the three attacking midfielders whom are the better technical ball players, especially dribbling at pace in one on one situations. The rest of the team have set positions on the field depending on where the ball is and who has possession. Defending as a team I prefer to deny space by backing off into my own half and then pressing when a bad pass has been made. I don’t like to press to high up the pitch as it expends an exceptional amount of energy.
Talk about your training regime, How do you help your players stay fit and ensure they are healthy?
I hold six training sessions weekly, five if there is a mid-week match.
Monday 3pm-4pm recovery session, light jog and stretching.
Tuesday 3pm-5pm fartlek or endurance based session with tactical period at the end to express positive and negative points from the previous match.
Wednesday 3pm-5pm lots of ball work, small sided games with a certain emphasis on tactical preparation for the next game.
Thursday 3pm-5pm Internal practice match
Friday 3pm-5pm tactical and speed circuits DINNER TOGETHER
Saturday 10am-12 noon practice defensive and attacking set pieces (free kicks, corners, penalties) LUNCH TOGETHER
Sunday GAME (LUNCH AND DINNER TOGETHER)
What sorts of things do you do to get your teams mentally focused?
Keeping the criticism positive constructive, allowing time for group discussions. Gradual intensity of training throughout the week, information on opposition players. One to one meetings once a month for self/team assessment, problem solving tasks.
Occasional breaks from the norm to stimulate training possible guest coaches in specific areas. Prepared music or prepared talks on teams, players etc.
Tell us anything that you’d like to share that you think would add value to the Ziga-Zoga community.
I would like to thank the Staff of Ziga-Zoga for the time put into making this opportunity happen. I also hope the members of Ziga-Zoga will freely comment on my opinions and style of working on my home page. I have an open mind and am willing to listen and learn.
Again thank you very much!
Gary
Players You May Have Never Heard of Gettin Stuck In!
September 11, 2007
With Ziga-Zoga’s growth comes competition and with competition comes greater creativity and diversity of skill and people. Recently, players have been asking how they can be connected with professional agents, scouts or get a trial at a professional club. Well, I’d like to highlight a few players that are Gettin Stuck In by taking matters into their own hands. To me this also demonstrates that these players have a characteristic that many of you may want to take notice of and do the same.
First, there is Glen Magri. Glen is an attacking midfielder currently playing outside midfield with Naxxar Lions FC and a member of the Malta National Team. Check out Glen’s video here:
Then we have David Mayes of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. David is striker / attacking midfielder who recently won the Townsville Golden Boot award along with recently winning the Fisher Shield Player of the Year award. Check out his video here:
Last we have Diego Armando Contreras. Diego is from Monterray, Mexico currently attending University Tec Milenio and is looking for an opportunity to test his game at a higher level. See his video here:
LIVE Interview with Brian Ching on ZigaZoga.com
September 7, 2007
Today we will be doing our first LIVE podcast interview on ZigaZoga.com with Brian Ching of the US National Team & MLS Houston Dynamo at 4:30 PM CST. We’d love for everyone in the community around the world to join us. If you have a question you’d like us to ask Brian please submit it here.
We look forward to this show, it should be fun and exciting.
Cheers,
~ Jason
Your Body: Spinach & Tomato pasta toss
September 5, 2007
While watching the LA Galaxy fans chew up and spit out Lalas on Fox Fone In last night, I found this scrumptious pregame pasta dish (more on the Lalas thing later).
Here’s what the receipt calls for:
2 cups of penne pasta (7 oz.) uncooked
1/2 lb hot or mild italian sausage, casing removed
6 oz. baby spinach leaves
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic & oregano, undrained
1 cup mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp 100% grated parmesan cheese
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Cook pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile crumble meat into a large deep skillet. Cook on medium-high heat until cooked throughly, stirring occasionally; drain.
Add spinach, diced tomatoes; cook 2 min. or until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm.
Drain pasta; place in a large serving bowl. Add meat mixture and cheeses; mix lightly.
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Since we have discussed before that a high carb diet is exactly what you need prior to a match, it’s important that you continue to feed your system with carbs prior to the match. Without enough carbs, you can expect that Your Body will not keep pace with competition especially in the 2nd half. BTW, this is when most players begin to hit the wall internally because the great percentage of players are carb deficient before the match even starts.
Personally, I would advise players to eat a meal like this the night before. Then, the morning of eat lots breads and fruits like bananas and kiwis along with your favorite sports drink before and at half-time. For some more detail carb dieting practices check out this article that really supports the need for carb infusion.
Cheers,
Jason
