KC Kick

KC Soccer Blog

Author: Chase

  • Two Minutes That Matter: A Coach’s Guide for Ages 9–10

    Most coaches don’t fully realize how influential they are, especially at this age.

    From birth to around age 7, parents are the strongest influence in a child’s life.
    But from roughly ages 7 to 12, something shifts.

    During this window, coaches can have as much and sometimes even more impact than parents.

    That’s not pressure.
    That’s opportunity.

    I believe one of the most valuable things a coach can do is take just two minutes out of every practice to help kids learn how to:

    • Manage emotions
    • Do difficult things
    • Respond to mistakes
    • Support teammates
    • Keep going when things feel uncomfortable

    This isn’t about speeches or lectures.
    It’s about short, intentional moments that quietly shape how kids see themselves.

    Why two minutes actually works

    Two minutes might not sound like much, but it’s powerful.

    • Kids this age are listening (even when they don’t look like it)
    • Short messages land better than long talks
    • Repetition builds habits and culture
    • It connects life skills directly to the game they love

    We recently shared a 12-week lesson plan based on The Four Agreements, showing how its ideas can be applied to youth sports. The response from coaches and parents confirmed something we already suspected:

    Coaches want to help kids grow, not just as players, but as people.

    You don’t need to start from scratch

    One of the biggest barriers for coaches is time.

    That’s where AI can help, not by replacing your voice, but by helping you organize ideas faster.

    A simple approach:

    1. Choose a book or philosophy you respect
    2. Ask AI to turn it into short, age-appropriate lessons
    3. Deliver it in your own words, your own style

    Think of AI as an assistant, not a scriptwriter.

    Example prompt coaches can use:

    Create a 10–12 week lesson plan for 9–10 year old athletes. Each week should include a 2-minute coach talk focused on emotional control, resilience, effort, teamwork, and doing hard things. Keep the language simple, practical, and connected to sports.

    From there, tweak it so it sounds like you.

    Books that translate really well to coaching

    You don’t need to teach an entire book.
    One idea per week is more than enough.

    Here are a few great starting points:

    • The Four Agreements – responsibility, effort, mindset
    • Mindset – growth mindset in kid-friendly terms
    • Atomic Habits – consistency, small improvements, showing up
    • The Boys in the Boat – perseverance and team-first thinking
    • Grit – sticking with hard things

    Each of these can be broken down into simple, practical ideas kids can understand and apply on the field.

    A great free resource for coaches

    Another excellent resource is the YouTube channel Parenting with Sean.

    It’s full of grounded, real-world advice on:

    • Emotional regulation
    • Discipline without shame
    • Building connection and trust

    Many of those lessons translate directly to coaching youth athletes.

    Why this matters more than wins

    Wins fade.
    Records get forgotten.
    Trophies collect dust.

    But the way a coach helped a kid handle frustration, fear, or failure.

    If you’re coaching 9–10 year olds, you’re coaching during a critical window of development.
    Two intentional minutes per practice can change how a child approaches challenges for years to come.

    That’s a responsibility worth embracing and a legacy worth building.

  • KCL Practice Plan 1-28-26

    5:00–5:05 | Bounce Juggling

    We’ll start with bounce juggling to get focused and sharp.

    • Work toward 30 bounce juggles
    • Once you can do 30 juggles, next juggle twice and catch
    • Reset and repeat

    Focus: soft touches, balance, concentration

    5:05–5:15 | Shooting Drill (10 min)

    • Clean striking technique
    • Accuracy before power
    • Quick setup and finish

    The goal is to be composed and confident when shooting.

    5:15–5:25 | Passing & Skill Constraint Game (10 min)

    Same drill as last week:

    • Players must complete 10 passes or skills before scoring
    • Encourage movement, communication, and patience

    Focus: decision-making and supporting teammates

    5:25–5:40 | Scrimmage (15 min)

    • Free play with light coaching
    • Encourage creativity and application of skills

    5:40–5:45 | Team Discussion – The Four Agreements (Week 2)

    Be Impeccable With Your Word

    The Lesson: Words stick.

    We don’t label teammates as “slow” or “bad.” What we say matters, especially to kids. This starts with parents and coaches setting the example.

    If you tell a kid they are slow, they may believe it. If you build them up, they grow.

    Soccer Focus:

    • Saying “good effort” builds confidence
    • Encouragement helps teammates play better
    • We make soccer more fun by supporting each other

    5:45–6:00 | Box Time (15 min)

    Small-sided box play:

    • Lots of touches
    • Quick decisions
    • Game-like pressure

    This time allows players to apply what we worked on in a competitive setting.

    Theme of the Day:
    Your words matter. Build your teammates up.

  • KCL Practice Plan for 1-21-26

    This Wednesday’s session is designed to improve how we get open for teammates, and continue building the mindset we want going into the spring.

    Our normal practice time is 5:00–6:00 PM, with an optional extended session from 6:00–6:20 PM for players who would like to stay a little longer.

    Schedule & field setup

    • 5:00–5:40 → Red fields
    • 5:40–5:50 → Team break + discussion
    • 5:50–6:00 → Transition to large boxes
    • 6:00–6:20 → Large boxes (optional)

    The final 20 minutes are completely optional. If you need to leave at 6:00, no problem at all.

    Ball Mastery & Fake Shot Focus (5:00–5:15)

    We’ll open the session with our usual ball mastery work, but with a special emphasis on the fake shot.

    The fake shot is one of the most effective tools in soccer when it’s done correctly. We’ll focus on:

    • Selling the shot with body language
    • Getting the defender to commit
    • Changing direction and accelerating into space

    The goal here is technique over speed. Players will start slow, perform the move cleanly, and then explode rather than rushing through it.

    Freestyle Skills (5:15–5:20)

    For five minutes, players will work through freestyle touches.

    Each player will cycle through at least five different skills, repeating them and finding rhythm. This is about creativity, confidence, and becoming comfortable on the ball without pressure.

    Passing, Movement & Getting Open (5:20 –5:40 )

    For the extended portion, we’ll move into the larger boxes and work on getting open for passes and understanding where to go on the field.

    Players will work in 2v1 situations, with three groups of three running at the same time. The rule is simple:

    • Complete 10 passes or skills before you’re allowed to shoot

    Skip to 1:43

    Team Break & Discussion (5:40–5:50)

    We’ll take a short break to recap and introduce the first part of a mindset series based on The Four Agreements. I made a post about this a few weeks back.

    We’ll start with Controlling the Controllables.

    We can’t control:

    • Referees
    • Opponents
    • A bad play by a teammate

    What we can control:

    • Effort
    • Attitude
    • Decisions
    • How we respond to challenges

    The focus is simple: How do we still find ways to win and improve, even when things don’t go our way?


    Quote of the week:

    “It’s about always thinking. Always moving. If you stand still you can’t help your teammates or the team.”

    -Johan Cruyff

    Looking Ahead to Spring 2026

    We’re gearing up for the Spring 2026 Heartland season, and the seedings have been released. This year, we’ve been placed in Division 6.

    Here is a link to the seedings…

    As we prepare, our focus will stay on:

    • Off ball movement to get open for the pass
    • Better decisions and better shot selection
    • Blocking the shot when on defense
    • How to mark up the defender

    Every training session is a step toward that.

    We will also be selecting 2 captains for the year. Captains will be responsible for leading the team in warmups. They should also display leadership qualities like controlling the controllables.

  • January Player Evaluations

    Why January Will Look Different

    January is going to bring a change to our normal practice routine.
    Instead of our usual Monday at 7:00 and Wednesday at 5:00 schedule, we’ll be running evaluations from January 5-16. Initially the evaluation period was going to last for all of January. In order to maximize training sessions, the period has been changed from the 5th to the 16th.

    This is all tied to the upcoming shift from birth year teams to grade level teams. To prepare for that, we’re splitting practices by birthdate so we can get a clean look at where each player fits for the long term. This is to help prepare for the upcoming 2026 Youth Soccer Tryouts.

    Here’s how January practices will work:

    Players born Jan 1 – July 31
    Practice with the U11 boys

    • January 7th, Wednesday
      6:00-7:00 Red Field
    • January 9th, Friday
      6:00-7:00 Red Field
    • January 13, Tuesday
      6:00-7:00

    Players born Aug 1 – Dec 31

    • January 6th, Tuesday
      7:00-8:00 Red Field
    • January 13th, Tuesday
      7:00-8:00 Red Field
    • January 15, Thursday
      6:00-7:00 Red Field

    All players will go to the red fields. Players will be moved to the appropriate field to match their skill level.

    Back to Normal on Jan 17

    Once January wraps up, we return to our regular practice schedule on Jan 17.

    Metrics for the Evaluation

    We are being asked to rank players by age group on our current teams, the rankings will be based on 1v1 performance. This will determine which team and division they will play.

  • Life Lessons Inspired By The Four Agreements

    As we reach the middle of the winter season and head into a new calendar year, we’re adding a small mindset piece to our team huddles. Each practice we’ll take a minute or two to talk through a life lesson inspired by The Four Agreements, a book that has had a big impact on me. These ideas line up perfectly with what it takes to compete at a high level.

    Here are the twelve lessons we’ll be using the rest of the season:

    Week 1: Control The Controllables

    • The Lesson: We cannot control referees, opponents, bad bounces, or a blown play by a teammate. We can control our effort, our attitude, our communication, and how quickly we recover from mistakes.
    • Soccer Focus: When a referee makes a tough call, we focus on running back to defense immediately, not complaining to the ref. At that moment, think of how you will still manage to win despite the rough start.

    Week 2: Be Impeccable With Your Word

    • The Lesson: Words stick. We don’t label teammates “slow” or “bad.” We build each other up. It starts with the Parents and coaches. If you tell a kid they are slow, they are going to believe you. By setting the right example we can hope the players will treat their teammates with the same courtesy.
    • Soccer Focus: “If you tell a teammate ‘good effort,’ that builds their confidence. Use your words to make our team stronger. Soccer is so much more fun when you are playing on a strong team. We have the power to make the players around us play at a higher level by encouraging them.

    Week 3: Do Not Take Things Personally

    • The Lesson: A correction from a coach or parent, a frustrated teammate, or not getting a pass usually isn’t personal.
    • Soccer Focus: If a teammate misses your pass, they aren’t trying to ignore you. They just made a mistake. Focus on getting open for the next ball. Everyone has been there where it’s they feel like they gave up the winning goal or missed an easy shot. Teammates may say things in the heat of the moment. It’s not a personal attack, its just a response to frustration that is a natural part of the game. When YOU are the one who is under scrutiny, do not take it personal.

    Week 4: Do Not Make Assumptions

    • The Lesson: This shows up in a lot of ways. Don’t assume you know what a teammate intended, or assume the other team is too tough just because they look bigger. Never assume you will lose because the other team scores first or starts to comeback.
    • Soccer Focus: “Instead of assuming your teammate sees your run, call for the ball or communicate: ‘Man on!’ or ‘Time!’”
    • How it helps us compete: When we stop assuming and stay engaged, we make better decisions and stay in games longer.

    Week 5: Always Do Your Best

    • The Lesson: Your best changes from day to day. The goal is to bring whatever your best looks like that specific day. There are days that you may not feel well or might be dealing with distractions. It’s okay to have a bad game, as long as you are trying your best. One player not giving 100% impacts the entire team.

    Week 6: Reset Quickly

    • The Lesson: Mistakes happen constantly in soccer. The important part is how quickly we regroup and get back to work. The game is most exciting when the lead goes back and forth. Get comfortable with coming back from a mistake.

    Week 7: Courage Over Comfort

    • The Lesson: Trying new moves, using skill, receiving the ball under pressure, or taking risks requires courage. We reward bravery, not perfection.
    • Soccer Focus: “It takes courage to step in front of a hard pass to win the ball, or to try a move you haven’t mastered in a game. I want you to be brave and try.”

    Week 8: Your Effort Reveals Your Character

    • The Lesson: How the boys work when tired or challenged says a lot about their growth.
    • Soccer Focus: “It’s the 4th quarter and we’re tied. Are you tracking back on defense when your legs hurt? That extra effort often decides close matches.”

    Week 9: Respect Is Non-Negotiable

    • The Lesson: Respect for referees, opponents, teammates, parents, coaches and the game itself.
    • Soccer Focus: Shaking hands after the game, listening when the ref speaks, and never badmouthing the other team. Composure leads to better decisions and fewer distractions.

    Week 10: Body Language Sets The Tone

    • The Lesson: Never let the opponent that you are feeling frustrated. The leading goal scorers take the most shots and in many cases will also have the most missed shots. Always keep your head up and focus on the next play. Force yourself to smile even when you make a mistake.
    • Soccer Focus: When we miss a goal, we don’t hang our heads. We sprint back with confidence. Strong body language keeps the team confident and signals strength to opponents.
    • How it helps us compete: Strong body language sends signals to opponents. What message are we sending?

    Week 11: Be a Great Teammate

    • The Lesson: Support each other. Move for each other. Get open to help relieve your teammate from the defender. Celebrate each other when someone scores. If you score and someone makes a pass to you, make sure to tell them great pass.
    • Soccer Focus: “We move into open space for our teammates so they have options. That’s supporting them on the field. Teams with chemistry always outperform teams with better individual talent.”
    • How it helps us compete: Teams with chemistry always outperform teams with better individual talent.

    Week 12: Choose a Better Response

    • The Lesson: Pressure, frustration, and surprises always come with competitive games. What matters is how we choose to respond.
    • Soccer Focus: We’re down a goal with five minutes left. Do we panic, or do we respond with composure and execute our game plan? Get excited about how good it feels to come back at the last minute and win the game. Even if we are down by several goals, be the player that is still winning the ball. Be the player that is still encouraging others.

  • KCL Practice Plan for 12-10-25 ⚽🔥

    As usual, tomorrow’s session is split between our time on the red field and finishing inside the boxes. We’ll use the field for our technical work and small competitions, then wrap up with a fun challenge.

    Field Session – 40 Minutes 🟥

    Warm-Up 🔄

    We’ll start with a quick ball-mastery warm-up to get everyone loose. Light dribbling, inside/outside touches, toe taps, and a few feints on command.

    Featured Move: Feint → La Croqueta Into a Shot 🎯

    Our main focus is combining a strong feint with a clean La Croqueta, followed by an explosive touch into a shot. The idea is to learn how to shake a defender, slide into space, and finish quickly.

    Progression:

    • No-pressure repetitions
    • Cone defenders
    • Light defensive pressure
    • Finish with a quick shot after the escape touch

    This move is great for breaking out of tight situations.

    Chip Shot / Lob Technique 🟢

    Please review the Chip Shot post. We’ll spend a few minutes teaching the kids how to lift the ball with control instead of power, short swing, locked ankle, and getting under the ball. This leads to cleaner chip passes and better touch in the final third.

    Through Ball Drill With Chip and Finish 🚀

    Next, we’ll run a timing drill where one player chips a through ball into space and another player runs onto it. The runner finishes immediately. This helps with game awareness, timing runs, and finding open space.

    Competitive Play 🥅

    We’ll end the field portion with either:

    • Fast 1v1 battles with 2 lanes
      or
    • A quick 3–4 player mini tournament

    It depends on the numbers and the energy, but either option keeps it intense and fun.

    Box Session – 20 Minutes 📦⚽

    Back Wall Challenge 🔥

    Inside the boxes, we’ll run a scoring competition. Players take turns striking the ball off the front wall, and if the rebound reaches the back wall, they earn a point.

    Structure:

    • Two rounds, seven minutes each
    • Track points
    • Top players move into a short bracket tournament

    One of the best ways to get touches and quick striking opportunities.

  • How We Teach the Chip Shot (Lob Pass) ⚽✨

    We’re continuing our work through the Legend’s Ace Top Gun Series, where we introduce different finishing techniques to help the players become more complete strikers. So far, we’ve spent time on the semi-volley, toe poke, outside of the foot shots, and using the top of the foot. Each skill gives them another tool they can use in real game situations.

    The next piece in the series is the chip shot, sometimes called a lob pass. It’s a controlled lift designed to get the ball over a defender’s foot, drop a pass into space, or create a clever finish around the box. It’s one of those skills that feels advanced but becomes natural once the kids understand how it works.

    Here’s how we break it down in training:

    1. Approach at a slight angle ➡️

    Instead of coming straight on, players approach at a small angle. This helps open their hips and makes it easier to slide the foot under the ball.

    2. Lock the ankle & point the toe down 🦶

    The contact point comes from the lower laces/toe area.
    We remind the kids: “Toe down, ankle strong.”
    This foot shape is what gives the ball its lift.

    3. Get under the bottom third of the ball 🎯

    The chip works because the player strikes the bottom third of the ball. That’s what creates the upward lift and the softer, floating path.

    4. Use a short, quick swing ⚡

    Unlike a driven shot, the chip is a quick scoop, not a long follow-through.
    A short swing sends the ball up; a long swing sends it forward.

    5. Stay tall through the strike 📏

    Leaning forward drives the ball low.
    By staying upright (or slightly leaning back), the ball naturally lifts and gains backspin.

    6. Let the foot finish upward ⬆️

    Instead of a full follow-through, the foot rises at the end of the strike.
    This “pop” gives the ball height and makes it land softly.

    7. Yes — the knee should bend (just not too much) 🦵

    This comes up a lot, so here’s the simple version:

    ✔️ A slight knee bend is correct.

    It helps the player:

    • Get the foot underneath the ball
    • Shorten the swing
    • Control the lift

    ❌ What we don’t want:

    • A big wind-up
    • A full power swing
    • Dropping the knee forward (drives the ball flat)

    ✔️ What we do want:

    A small, functional bend that helps them scoop the ball cleanly.

    The easiest instruction for kids is:
    “A little knee bend to get under it — quick lift, not a big kick.”

  • January Updates, League Progress, and What’s Ahead for Liverpool

    Update: Instead of the entire month of January, the evaluation period will only run from Jan 5th-16th.

    As we approach the end of the year I wanted to provide a few updates.

    Strong Winter Performance

    We have had some success in both of our Winter Leagues.
    In 4v4, the boys have a winning record even while playing up against Division 3 and 4 teams most weeks. They’ve handled the pace and the physical side of those games really well.

    At Soccer Nation 7v7, we’ve also put together a winning record. Those games often end up being against older kids. It’s not supposed to work that way, but since player cards aren’t checked, anything can happen.

    Why January Will Look Different

    January is going to bring a change to our normal practice routine.
    Instead of our usual Monday at 7:00 and Wednesday at 5:00 schedule, we’ll be running evaluations throughout the month.

    This is all tied to the upcoming shift from birth year teams to grade level teams. To prepare for that, we’re splitting practices by birthdate so we can get a clean look at where each player fits for the long term. This is to help prepare for the upcoming 2026 Youth Soccer Tryouts.

    Here’s how January practices will work:

    Players born Jan 1 – July 31
    Practice with the U11 boys

    • January 7th, Wednesday
      6:00-7:00 Red Field
    • January 9th, Friday
      6:00-7:00 Red Field
    • January 13, Tuesday
      6:00-7:00

    Players born Aug 1 – Dec 31

    • January 6th, Tuesday
      7:00-8:00 Red Field
    • January 13th, Tuesday
      7:00-8:00 Red Field
    • January 15, Thursday
      6:00-7:00 Red Field

    All players will go to the red fields. Players will be moved to the appropriate field to match their skill level.

    Back to Normal on Jan 17

    Once January wraps up, we return to our regular practice schedule on Jan 17.

    Spring Heartland Plans

    The plan is to keep Liverpool together for the Spring Heartland season. I’ll be pushing for us to be placed in Division 6 so the boys can compete at the level that fits them best and get the right kind of games for their development.

    As always, if you have any questions along the way, just reach out. More updates soon as we get closer to spring.

  • 📝 KCL Liverpool Game Recap 11-8-25

    We earned our first regular season win in several months, and it felt great not just because we won, but because of how we played. The team looked different today. Players were looking to pass before taking on defenders, and that made all the difference.

    When we play on a bigger field, we need to always be aware of where our teammates are, scanning the field and planning the next pass before we even receive the ball. There’s a time and place for skill moves, but right now, our goal is to pass first, skill second. Think of the skills as a secret weapon for when you get in trouble or crowded.

    We’ll continue to build on this with 2v2 and 2v1 possession drills to help players make quicker passing decisions and move off the ball. We will try to incorporate large rondos to also help with possession and scanning.

    ⚽ Team Highlights

    The best part of today’s victory was that everyone contributed. We had multiple goal scorers, great passing, and a higher overall team level. It wasn’t one standout player it was a team performance.

    We’re also working toward certifying players as “Maestros” by mastering the Basic Legends Skill Moves and demonstrating them in games. There is also the Ace Top Gun shooting program where we will be using different parts of the foot for both passing and shooting inside, middle, outside, and toe pokes when needed.

    🟢 Weekly Training Routine

    Here’s what players should work on at home this week:

    1. ✅ 250 Bounce Juggles (ball can bounce once between touches)
    2. ✅ Master the Body Feint –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr6SZMDbzEA
    3. ✅ Work on Puskas, Scissor, and Matthews. Time to see how many you can do in 60 seconds.

    📅 Upcoming Wednesday Practice

    Focus:

    • 2v1 Possession Time – learning to move off the ball and create passing angles
    • 20 Minutes of Box Time – working in larger boxes again, emphasizing control using different parts of the foot:
      • Inside, middle, and outside
      • Occasional toe poke, banana shot to the inside, outside curve, and volleys

    We’re building confidence and control with every session let’s keep the momentum going!

  • Legends Ace Top Gun Series

    We had great success with the “LEGENDS MAESTRO” series for teaching the world’s best soccer moves. In the MAESTRO series, players are rewarded with an M for performing a good Drag Maradona, an A for performing a great Fake Shot, an E for demonstrating a good L Turn, an S for an efficient Matthews, a T for a faultless Spin Cruyff, an R for a superb Puskas, and an O for an effective Double Scissors.

    We also have a shooting training program called the “ACE TOPGUN” SERIES.

    In the world of fighter pilots, the best at shooting down enemy planes is either an ACE, awarded for shooting down five enemy planes, or a TOPGUN, which is the highest in ability, rank, or prestige in the squadron. Earning the prestigious ACE TOPGUN striker should be the goal of all Legends players.

    Our Kansas City indoor facilities have been designed to facilitate the quickest and most technically proficient shooting ability in world history. They have eight-foot-tall walls surrounding every game field and SoccerBox. The rebound walls have lines/targets at which to shoot. For shooting practice at home, it is recommended that players find a wall to shoot at or purchase a rebound net, because a ball that rebounds after each shot reduces the time lost to ball retrieval and shortens the learning curve. Players may have a basement or outside wall at home that will work. Or maybe use a garage door and a two-ounce tennis ball. Failing that, there’s usually a decent rebound wall in a local park or school. As a last resort, several good soccer rebounding nets are available online.

    The goal is for every Legends player to pass the ACE TOPGUN standard for pinpoint shooting technique. 

    Players who reach the highest level have invariably mastered the shooting techniques that are key to achieving their goals. The Legends Soccer Club’s ACE TOPGUN series is a comprehensive shooting program that helps every child develop the elite technical ability to score by mastering history’s most effective and devastating shooting skills.

    With our unique training facilities and the MAESTRO/ACE TOPGUN dribbling and shooting series, Legends players can create goalscoring opportunities and put the ball into the corner of the net in the most challenging circumstances.

    To conquer every soccer shot, five key technical areas must be perfected:

    1. Choose the approach that allows you to use your strong foot where possible.

    2. Choose the optimal placement of the non-shooting foot (hopefully the weakest one).

    3. Choose the best shape of the ball-striking foot at contact (the strongest foot if possible).

    4. Choose the optimal body position during the shot.

    5. After contacting the ball, shape the follow-through for the desired result.

    The ACE TOPGUN series covers every critical nuance of each shot for the nine key shooting techniques. Players should use their strong foot when possible.

    Let me explain how the ACE-TOPGUN shooting series works:

    In ACE TOPGUN, each letter relates to one of the nine key shooting techniques.

    The A skill is a straight shot with the top of the strong foot.

    The C skill is a straight shot with power using the inside of the strong foot (no bend).

    The E is awarded for a strong-footed “Toe Poke.”

    The T is earned for a Banana Shot with the inside of the strong foot.

    The O is earned for a Banana Shot with the outside of the strong foot.

    The P is the Chip Shot, where the ball rises steeply and drops quickly under the opposing crossbar.

    The G is the Full-Volley, where the shooter strikes the ball while it is in the air.

    The U is a Half-Volley, where contact occurs a moment after the ball bounces.

    The N is a Side Volley, where the ball moves laterally towards the shooter and is struck with whichever foot is closest.

    Try to use the strong foot whenever and wherever possible.

    ACE TOPGUN SHOOTING PROGRAM KEY CRITERIA FOR GETTING EACH LETTER AWARD:

    To earn the letter A, shoot accurately and powerfully with the top (usually the laces) of the strong foot (little bend).

    To earn the letter C, rotate the toe of the shooting foot 90 degrees outward and shoot accurately and powerfully in a straight line with the inside of the strong foot (no bend).

    To earn the letter E, shoot accurately and powerfully with the toe area (very front point) of the strongest foot.

    To earn the letter T, bend the ball maximally, accurately, and powerfully by using the inside of the strong foot to cut diagonally across, under, and through the nearest side of the ball.

    To earn the letter O, bend the ball accurately and powerfully, utilizing the outside of the strong foot to cut diagonally across, under, and through the nearest side of the ball.

    To earn the letter P, chip the ball accurately and deftly with the strong foot. To do so, stab the ball under the nearest side of the ball.

    To earn the letter G, volley an aerial ball accurately and powerfully with the upper part of the strong foot.

    To earn the letter U, half-volley an aerial ball accurately and powerfully. A half-volley is struck immediately after the ball bounces.

    To earn the letter N, volley a ball from the side (e.g., a cross) accurately and powerfully with the top of the foot. This is achieved by leaning away from the ball and striking through the ball’s mid-line.

    ACE TOPGUN SHOOTING PROGRAM KEY CRITERIA FOR EARNING A PASSING GRADE:

    To receive the ACE TOPGUN award, a player must demonstrate technical proficiency in each skill.

    The crowning glory is receiving the “LEGEND” part of the award. To earn this honor, players must complete each test stage without making a significant error as follows:

    L = Perform the 1st three shots with only one receiving touch between each.

    E = Perform the 2nd three shots with only one receiving touch between each.

    G = Perform the last three shots with only one receiving touch between each.

    E = Perform the 1st four shots with only one receiving touch between each.

    N = Perform the last five shots with only one receiving touch between each.

    D = Perform all nine shots with only one receiving touch between each.

    Note: The ball must be in constant motion during any “LEGEND” award category. If it comes to a complete stop at any point during testing, the examinee must start that letter segment over.

    Don’t forget to encourage your players to practice at home:

    For shooting practice at home, it is recommended that players find a wall to shoot at or purchase a rebound net, because a ball that rebounds after each shot reduces the time lost to ball retrieval and dramatically shortens the learning curve. Your players may have a basement or outside wall at their house that will work. Or maybe they can shoot against the garage door with a tennis ball. Failing that, there’s usually a decent rebound wall at the local park or school. Another option is to use one of the several good soccer rebounding nets available online.