West Side Little League

News Detail

9

Mar, 2016

Welcome!

Dear Parents, Welcome to the team Alyssa, Dulce, Maya, and Michela! For our new families, my name is Becky Piscitelli and I am a High School Science teacher by day and soccer mom by night. I grew up playing AYSO soccer in the Bay Area from age 8 to 16, and continued playing adult soccer until my children came along. I am also really happy to have our Assistant Coach, Phillip Rose, back this season. My daughter (Penny) and Phillip's daughter (Olivia) are both returning to the team this season. In addition to Penny and Olivia, we have Amelia, Ashu, Isabella, Leslie, and Lucy returning. Our team is a great mix of players with a variety of skill-levels and experience- many were brand new to soccer last season! Coaches Goals: As the Coach, I want to continue working on the same goals I set for last season, including: 1) Make the soccer experience a fun and enjoyable chance for the girls to develop self-confidence! 2) Develop the concepts of “team” and “good sportsmanship”. 3) Emphasize healthy habits- exercise, positive attitude, and healthy food as fuel. 4) Improve their coordination and balance through training activities. 5) Challenge them at their individual skill-level to foster their confidence on the soccer field and prepare them for future seasons! Expectations for Practice: Most of the “learning” during the season will occur during the 2 practices each week. Practices will be held every Tuesday AND Thursday from 5:30-6:30 pm at Selma Olinder Park. During practice is when we have the greatest opportunity to teach the girls the skills that they’ll perform in the games. Practices will be fun but very important for skill development and team-building! Please support us in making these practices successful, by doing the following: Notify me by text or call at 408-914-0617 if your daughter is unable to attend practice. Please include her name in the message!Arrive on time and ready to play (shin guards, soccer ball, water bottle, absolutely no earrings or jewelry).Walk your daughter all the way to the field to meet up with the team, and return to the field to pick up your daughter after practice so we can ensure she is safe.If you are not staying for the practice, be on-time to pick up your daughter after practice. Expectations for Games: Our first game is this Saturday, March 12th at Selma Olinder Park at 9:00 am. "Home" games will always be at Olinder where we practice; "Away" games will be held in Cupertino (field TBA). Games are 1 hour long (four 15 minute quarters, with a break at halftime for fruit and water). In U10, the teams play 7 players against 7, including goalies. In the first few games the girls will be rotated through all of the positions, so that they get a chance to try offense, defense, and goalie. All players will also be rotated out for 1 quarter per game so that everyone has the chance to play. Being on the sidelines is a chance for the players to catch their breath and get re-hydrated, but is also an excellent learning opportunity since they will get to help me make observations as we watch their teammates play. Please support us on game day by:Notify me by text or call at 408-914-0617 if your daughter is unable to attend OR will be late for the gameArrive 30 minutes before the game and ready to play (uniform on, soccer ball, water, no earrings or jewelry).Walk your daughter all the way to the field and return to the field to pick up your daughter after the game. If you are not staying for the game, be on-time to pick up your daughter after it is over. As a parent, your primary responsibilities during the game are to shout your encouragement and cheer! Please be mindful to avoid negative comments and poor sportsmanship. Your comments and behavior will communicate the “meaning” of the games to the girls. Our children are watching us, and learning from us about how to treat other people:No argumentative, rude, or negative comments directed toward the referees or opposing team. Anyone who makes these types of comments will be asked to leave the sidelines immediately. Avoid coaching from the sidelines. Shouting out instructions, such as “Take a shot!" can be distracting to the girls, or worse yet, could interfere with plays the team has learned in practice.Treat the referees, opposing players, and opposing coaches with courtesy and respect. Remember that the coaches and referees are all volunteers! Finally, the best thing you can do to help with your daughter's soccer development and to maintain her enthusiasm for the game is to spend 10-15 minutes per week kicking the soccer ball with her. Encourage her to show you what she's learned in soccer practice- she will be more focused in practice knowing that her parents will be interested in learning from her! And please remember, “It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about the kids.” I look forward to seeing you at practice this week (Tuesday, March 8th and Thursday March 10th). IN CASE OF RAIN, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR A NOTICE FROM ME ABOUT CANCELLING PRACTICE! -Coaches Becky & Philip

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