KC Kick

KC Soccer Blog

Author: Chase

  • Outdoor Thursday Practice 8-28-25

    We had a great outdoor practice this past Thursday, and it was encouraging to see most of the team present and ready to work.

    🔄 Basico Drill to Start

    We opened the session with the Basico drill to get things moving. This continues to be one of our core warm-up activities, helping players sharpen their passing, first touch, and rhythm early in practice.

    A big thanks to Phil and Isaias for stepping in to help with the KCL Practice. Their support allowed us to create a more individualized coaching environment and reduced the chaos that can sometimes come with a larger group.

    🎯 Shooting Drills with Game Speed

    The main focus of the day was shooting drills. On one end of the field, we ran a series of exercises inspired by a training video from YouTube. The players really seemed to enjoy this section, as it gave them opportunities to work at game speed and simulate real attacking scenarios.

    We’ll continue to mix in these types of drills because they help the boys transition from technique to execution under pressure.

    ⚽ Scrimmage Takeaways

    We wrapped things up with a scrimmage. Overall, the players are showing noticeable improvement:

    • ✅ Better passing choices
    • ✅ Increased off-ball movement
    • ✅ Smarter positioning

    One area we’ll continue to emphasize is communication. We want the kids to be comfortable calling for the ball, announcing when they’re open, or letting a teammate know when they’ve lost their defender. This is a small detail that makes a big difference on the field.

    💡 Closing Note

    This was a productive practice that built on the foundation we’ve been working toward. Thank you again to our helpers and to all the players for their effort. We’re moving in the right direction, and every session counts.

  • Extra Training Opportunity – Finishing Class

    For players who want to take their game to the next level as a forward, Refine Soccer Training offers a dedicated finishing class. This is not affiliated with KC Legends, but in my opinion it’s the most valuable extra training they offer.

    During this hour long session, players get lots of live shots on a full-size goal perfect for those who have the moves but are still working on turning chances into goals.

    📍 Location
    Refine Soccer Training
    9900 Pflumm Rd #44
    Lenexa, KS 66215
    📞 (913) 214-2860

    💰 Pricing Options

    • $35 for one class
    • $154 for 5 classes
    • $297 for 10 classes

    ⚽ While we’ll be working on finishing at each of our practices, this class is a great supplement for players who want more repetitions in front of goal.

    🔗 Details & registration: Refine Soccer Training – Finishing Class

  • Goalkeeper Training – Free for Legends Players

    We’re excited to share that Legends players have access to specialized goalkeeper training at no cost. This is a great opportunity for any player who currently plays goalie or wants to give it a try.

    📅 Start Date: August 11th

    📍 Schedule (2015–2017 Players)

    • Wednesdays at Hocker Grove Middle School
      ⏰ 6:45–7:30 PM
    • Fridays at the Merriam Indoor Facility
      ⏰ 5:30–6:15 PM

    👨‍🏫 Coaches: Ryan Garland & Juan Arias

    🔗 Learn more here: Legends Goalkeeper Training

  • KCL Liverpool -At home practice

    We want players improving, but also staying fresh. With multiple sports going on, please allow time for recovery. Aim for 3–5 days per week on the following: These moves are demonstrated on the skills page.

    1. Matthews – 10 reps with the right foot, 10 reps with the left
    2. Maradona – 10 reps with the right foot, 10 reps with the left
    3. Scissor – 10 reps with the right foot, 10 reps with the left

    ➡️ Also, work on bounce juggling — 100 touches.

  • 🏆 Parent Update: Competing in the Heartland U10 Premiere League

    🏆 Parent Update: Competing in the Heartland U10 Premiere League

    We’re now a few weeks into the Heartland Soccer League, and I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts and updates, especially for our parents and players who may be feeling a bit discouraged after a tough start.

    📊 Where We Stand

    KC Liverpool is currently placed in Division 5 of the U10 Boys Premiere League, which includes 13 total premiere teams. While the division number might seem low at first glance, it’s important to recognize that we are actually in the top third of all premiere level teams, a placement that reflects how the previous Liverpool team placed.

    It’s a high level league, and we’re playing against clubs that are established and disciplined.

    ⚠️ Tough Games ≠ Failure

    We’ve opened the season with three losses in league play and another three tough results in the Mariachi Tournament. I know that’s hard on the players and sometimes even harder on parents watching from the sidelines. But here’s the truth:

    Just because we’re losing games doesn’t mean we’re not improving.

    Our boys are not “losers.” In fact, they are learning how to control the ball, implement team strategies, and build good soccer habits under real pressure. They’re not just booting it down the field like it’s recess ball , they’re starting to think.

    They’re working on:

    • Controlled goal kicks and buildup play
    • Defensive shape and using the outside
    • Recognizing space and pressure

    These are the things that matter long-term not short term scores.

    🔄 Upcoming Changes: Paragon League & Midwest Tournament

    To help balance the level of challenge, we’ll be entering the Paragon Fall League and the Midwest Tournament, this time, we’ll be requesting a less competitive division. These games will give our players the opportunity to build confidence, work on their skills, and hopefully start to see the scoreboard reflect their effort.

    🔜 What to Expect in the Next 5 Heartland Games

    We expect the next five Heartland games to be just as tough or even tougher than the first three. And that’s okay. We’re not backing down. We’re preparing.

    Between now and then, we’ve got plenty of indoor and outdoor practices, which is more than enough time to sharpen our skills and build trust as a team. Our hope is that the Paragon games in between will help the boys feel the momentum shifting in their favor.

    🙏 A Thank You to Parents

    Lastly, I want to say how grateful I am that our team was placed in this league. It’s not easy but it’s the kind of environment where real growth happens.

    Thank you for supporting your kids through the hard games. Thank you for cheering for good effort, not just goals. And thank you for trusting the process.

    We’re going to keep getting better. One pass, one touch, and one lesson at a time.

    See you on the field.
    — Coach Chase

  • ⚽ KCL Liverpool – Thursday Training Outline (Aug 28th 6:30–7:30)

    This week’s practice will be similar to last week, with a few adjustments. Outdoor Training Drills.

    1. Overlapping Passes with Finish

    • Focus on tighter formation and encouraging more passes.
    • Players should look up before receiving the ball.

    2. Basico Drill

    • Emphasize receiving across the body.
    • Passing drill to help improve hitting moving target
    • Keep the tempo at game-like speed.

    3. Scrimmage with Whistle

    • Play will be frozen when players start bunching.
    • We’ll use these stoppages to teach spacing and create more game-like scenarios.
    • Extra attention on goal kicks and kickoffs so each player knows their role.

    4. Finishing Drills

    • Incorporate one of the weekly focus moves into finishing practice.

  • 🗓️ KCL Liverpool – Wednesday Training Outline (Aug 27th 5:00-6:00)

    There will be two practices with Chase for the week of August 25th. We will hold the normal Wednesday 5:00 practice focusing on ball mastery and finishing. We will also be holding an outdoor practice on Thursday at 6:30.

    We may only have 40 minutes on the field, so we’ll move with purpose. Plan to arrive ready to go.

    ⚙️ Ball Mastery – 30-60 Seconds Each

    1. Inside Ball Taps (TikTok)
    2. Ball Shift – 3 Taps Left / 3 Taps Right
    3. Rolls – Left to Right (Stationary)
    4. Moving Rolls – 2 Left / 2 Right
    5. Ball Shift (Stationary + Feint)
    6. 2 Outside Touches / 2 Inside Touches – Right
    7. 2 Outside Touches / 2 Inside Touches – Left
    8. V Cut – Right, then Left
    9. Wide V Cuts – Inside of foot, pivot to open
    10. Short V → Touch Into Space
    11. L Drag Behind – Alternate feet
    12. 180 Turn Into Space
    13. Scissor + Touch Into Space
    14. Stepover + Touch Into Space
    15. Stepover (Opposite of Scissor)
    16. Shield + Turn Into Space
    17. Weak Foot Only
    18. Free Combo – Player’s Choice

    🎯 Focus Moves of the Day

    We will highlight and review these two skill moves during our warm-up and drills:

    1. Matthews Move – Fake inside, push outside
    2. Ball Shift + Feint – Shift ball laterally and fake with body

    Each player should try to use at least one of these during the 1v1 game.

    ⚔️ 1v1 With Finishing Drill

    • Players must perform a Focus move of the day to get past defender and let off a shot.
    • Coach can be defender, or offensive player can rotate to defense.
    • Offensive player moves to defense; defender moves to the back of the line.

    ⏱️ If the field is available we will scrimmage. If not, we will move to box drills.

    Box 1 – One Player Per Box:

    • Wide V Cuts then bounce off wall, using alternating feet
    • Wall Juggling: Inside of foot only, catching the ball every other bounce

    Box 2 – Two Players Per Box:

    • Wall Passing Challenge: See how many clean passes pairs can make in 30 seconds
    • Point Battle: Compete to bounce the ball off the wall and past the defender
      • If the ball hits the back wall after passing the defender, it’s 1 point for the shooter

  • Best Training Video on Youtube

    Simply put, this is the best training video I have seen. We will be dissecting this one hour video over the next several weeks.

  • KCL Liverpool – Practice Recap ⚽

    We had a great practice yesterday, thank you to everyone who showed up! We know it’s a busy week with back to school schedules for many of our athletes, and we appreciate the effort.

    Yesterday, we focused on off-ball movement drills:

    • Basico
    • Overlapping drill with finish
    • Off-ball passing drill

    These are exactly the types of drills most players need right now. During our short scrimmage, the kids really started to put things together, we saw some excellent long crosses across the field and forwards in position to receive them. Remember: when in scoring position, you have about 3 seconds to shoot or pass.

    We also did a short possession drill to help players get comfortable with contact. Toward the end of practice we did a quick demo on setting up a wall. We will practice these drills again in future weeks.

    Weekly Routine 🏋️‍♂️

    We want players improving, but also staying fresh. With multiple sports going on, please allow time for recovery. Aim for 3–5 days per week on the following: These moves are demonstrated on the skills page.

    1. Matthews – 10 reps with the right foot, 10 reps with the left
    2. Maradona – 10 reps with the right foot, 10 reps with the left
    3. Scissor – 10 reps with the right foot, 10 reps with the left

    ➡️ Also, work on bounce juggling — 100 touches.

    Next Game 📅

    • Tonight at 7:00 PM
    • Swope Soccer Village , Field 3

    Let’s carry the hard work from practice into the match. Go Liverpool! 🔴⚪

  • Mighty Kicks – At-Home Practice Schedule ⚽💪

    We had a great first practice. Lots of credit to our two new players, they are picking things up fast.

    Our goal is to build great habits with the ball through short, daily practice.
    Kids should use a stopwatch (or phone timer ⏱️) to see how many touches they can get in 60 seconds.
    Try to practice at least 5 days per week and write down scores to track improvement.

    Please view the Skills page for a demonstration of the first 3 drills.

    Daily Drills

    1. Toe Taps (1 min) 👣

    • Tap the top of the ball quickly with alternating feet.
    • Count touches in 60 seconds.

    2. Tik Toks (1 min)

    • Pass the ball back and forth between the inside of both feet.
    • Keep it under control. Count touches in 60 seconds.

    3. Bounce Juggles (1 min)

    • Let the ball bounce once, then kick it back up with the laces.
    • One bounce between touches. Count how many you can do.

    4. Wall Training / Partner Passing (5 min) 🧱

    • Pass with the inside of your foot and receive it back.
    • The ball should stay on the ground.
    • A concrete wall, garage door, or house siding works great.
    • This is the most important drill right now.