KC Kick

KC Soccer Blog

Author: Chase

  • Building Out of the Back from Goal Kicks in 7v7

    Starting from a goal kick or anytime your keeper has the ball in your defensive third can feel like you’re handing the initiative to your opponent. Instead, treat it like a strategic reset. This is your team’s chance to regroup, control the ball, and build an attack with purpose. The 2-3-1 formation is the perfect shape to make that happen.

    1. Shape First, Kick Second

    Before the keeper even puts the ball down, the team should already be organized:

    • Goalkeeper: the base, calm and in control.
    • Two defenders: spread wide to create passing lanes.
    • Center midfielder: drops close to offer a safe outlet.
    • Two wingers: push high and wide to stretch the field.
    • Striker: stays central and high to pin back defenders.

    This setup creates a diamond in your own half, which is the key to building safely.

    2. Options Over Distance

    From the kick:

    • Play short and safe to a defender or the center mid.
    • Switch sides if one lane is blocked.
    • Avoid rushing to boot it long—patience gives your team better control.

    The goal is to create time and space, not chaos.

    3. Midfield and Defensive Movement

    Once the ball is rolling:

    • Wingers push wide and higher to open lanes.
    • Center mid or CB drops deeper, linking defense to attack.
    • Defenders position side-on so they can pass forward or switch play.
    • Striker stays active in the middle, ready for through balls or quick link-ups.

    Everyone’s movement should connect, creating angles instead of straight lines.

    4. Adjusting to Pressure

    If the opponent presses high:

    • Use quick switches across the back or back to the keeper.
    • Reset and change direction to beat the press.
    • Mix in the occasional long ball to keep defenders honest.

    This forces the opponent to chase, while your team keeps control.

    5. Simple Coaching Points

    • “Two or three calm passes beat one panicked punt.”
    • Always look for the diamond: keeper, defenders, center mid.
    • Defenders should receive side-on so they can see the field.
    • The keeper is the director, guiding movement before the kick.

    Bottom Line

    A goal kick in 7v7 isn’t about distance, it’s about control. The 2-3-1 formation gives your team options, builds confidence, and starts your attack on the right foot. When players trust the shape and stay patient, the build-out becomes one of the most effective weapons in your game.

  • Outdoor Practice Outline

    Thursday practice 8-21-25

    We will be moving the Wednesday 5:00 indoor practice to Thursday at 6:30. I will be coaching our Rec team from 5:30-6:30. KCL Liverpool from 6:30-7:30.

    Mighty Kicks: 5:30-6:30

    Liverpool: 6:30-7:30

    Loation: Swarner Park, Shawnee, KS (North Field)

    Coming off the Mariachi Tournament we are focused on improving off ball movement. Instead of being in a position to receive a pass, players are bunching together. We will focus on making passes in front of the other teams goal, and acting quickly when in scoring position. There are 5 drills below that we will be choosing from to improve in the needed areas. We also have to spend some time on basic fundamentals.

    • Try to pass or shoot within 3 seconds of getting ball when near the goal
    • Keep head up when running drills or performing moves
    • Pass before going in for the 1v1
    • Always be scanning… What does scanning mean? Not just the ball but where your teammates are, and where the defenders are.

    Soccer Fundamentals

    We will try to focus on some fundamentals from time to time. Hopefully we can work on forming a wall this week and work on the other the following weeks. If there are any other fundamentals that we need to work on, please let me know.

    We won’t have time to focus on all of these on Thursday but these are some basic fundamentals for our 7v7 league.

    Here are 5 drills that we are going to be choosing from to focus on off ball movement. Ideally we will have 2 or 3 coaches helping run at least 2 drills at once on opposite sides of the field.

    Drill 1: Overlapping Run & Through Ball

    We are going to add finishing to this drill.

    Coaching Points:

    • Keep your head up to see passing options.
    • Communicate with hand signals or verbal cues.
    • Pass/shoot within 3 seconds
    • Finish with shot on goal

    Drill 2: 3v3 Live Scenario

    Setup:

    • 3v3 with neutral balls at the coach’s feet.

    Execution:

    • Coach plays a live ball in.
    • Players play normally, but on the whistle, freeze play.
    • Adjust positioning:
      • Where should support runs be?
      • Who should check to the ball?
      • Who should stretch the field with depth?

    Coaching Points:

    • Emphasize movement into space, not just standing still.
    • Look for triangles of support.
    • Reinforce head-up decision-making: pass, dribble, or move.

    Drill 3: Básico Drill

    Starts at 3:09

    Execution:

    • Receive ball across body (down field foot)
    • Game speed
    • Lots of talking from player receiving pass

    Drill 4: Scanning before receiving Pass

    Starts at 3:03 (Demo at 4:00)

    Drill 5: 4 Points 3 players, center defender

    We ran this drill last week. Players needed to slow down and actually move to receive a pass, instead of just moving because they are going in a rotation.

    Execution:

    • Don’t move until you are in a blind spot
    • Change directions and alternate passes

    https://www.facebook.com/reel/1057329243154008

    Protecting the Ball

    We had a small number of players that were playing extremely physical. Others still need to work on positioning. Here is a drill that we will be running in the coming weeks.

  • Forming a Wall

    One observation from the 2025 Mariachi soccer tournament is that KCL Liverpool needs to work on penalty kicks and how to form proper walls. Here is an overview of what we will be focusing on in an upcoming practice.

    1. Organize Quickly

    • As soon as a foul is called near your goal, defenders should run into position.
    • The closest defender can start setting the wall while the keeper directs adjustments.

    2. Keeper Controls the Wall

    • The goalkeeper should line up the wall, using their angle on the ball.
    • A good rule: the wall should block one side of the goal while the keeper covers the other.

    3. Proper Spacing

    • Players should stand shoulder to shoulder, with no gaps.
    • Each player turns slightly sideways to cover more space with their body.

    4. Correct Number of Players

    • Usually 2–5 players depending on distance and angle.
    • More players if it’s central and close to goal, fewer if the angle is wide.

    5. Player Roles

    • End player: Brave, quick to jump or block a low shot.
    • Middle players: Strong, willing to take the ball directly.
    • End nearest the goal: Can peel off to close down a short pass if needed.

    6. Body Position

    • Stand on the balls of the feet, slightly bent knees.
    • Protect yourself (hands in front of the body, elbows tucked).
    • Stay balanced so you can jump or block quickly.

    7. Jumping vs. Staying Grounded

    • Decide before the kick who will jump.
    • Sometimes one player stays grounded to prevent a low “under the wall” shot.
    • The wall must stay disciplined—don’t flinch or turn away.

    8. Don’t Break Early

    • Stay in place until the ball is struck.
    • Rushing too soon can open dangerous gaps.

    9. Be Ready for Deflections

    • After blocking, defenders should immediately track the rebound or runner.

  • Mariachi Tournament 2025

    Tournament Recap – Lee’s Summit, MO

    This was our first real chance to play together as a team, and we’re still learning our players’ strengths and positions. Unfortunately, this tournament didn’t have the level of organization we would normally expect. We also ended up facing 2015 teams, and it seemed like some guest players may have been even older. Player cards were not required, so anyone could go onto the field. There was also some inconsistencies with the officials.

    As a Dad, I’d prefer to avoid tournaments in extreme heat where kids are pushed to play 3–5 games in a weekend. There’s a good perspective on this from a popular YouTube channel, and I agree, we want our players to develop a love for the game that lasts.

    That said, our boys played incredible soccer this weekend. They gave everything they had, and we saw major improvement, especially when we faced the same team again on Sunday after playing them Saturday.

    My coaching focus has been on building a solid defense. We’re putting stronger players there. They are learning how to move the ball to the outside, when to delay versus when to press, and how to stay focused on the whole field, not just the ball. Moving forward, we’ll shift more attention to striker and midfield roles. We experimented with both a 1-2-3 and a 1-3-2 formation, and may continue trying different setups.

    Thank you to all the parents who braved the parking, the schedule changes, the delays, and the extreme heat. I wish we had better information regarding game times and field locations to keep everyone up to speed. Your support means a lot. Look forward to seeing everyone at practice this week.

    -Coach Chase

  • 📅 Monday, August 11

    This weekend threw us a bit of a curveball with rain on Sunday. Short-handed on Saturday, we need to give a big shout-out 👏 to the players who showed up, dug in, and gave their best in a tough 1–3 loss ⚽.

    Many of our athletes will be starting school 📚 this week, and some will be adding extra activities or sports 🏃‍♂️🏀 to their schedules. To help balance it all, we are personally scaling back our at-home routine and adding more recovery days 🛌💧.

    I came across a great video on 7 lessons footballers learn too late 🎥, and I think it’s worth sharing. Here’s a quick overview with the video below:

    1. Confidence is a skill 💪 – You’re not born with it. Confidence must be developed, just like mental toughness and ball mastery.
    2. Consistency over motivation 🔄 – Don’t rely on feeling motivated. Build systems and routines you follow every day.
    3. Basics before flash 🎯 – Passing and mastering your first touch might not be as exciting as flashy tricks, but they win games.
    4. Recovery is training 🛌💧 – Rest days matter. Drink plenty of water throughout the week, especially before games or practice.
    5. Fascia training 🦵 – This helps improve explosiveness, balance, and reduces the risk of injury. (We’ve got a section on this in our training resources.)
    6. Talent is built 🛠️ – Skill comes from hard work and development, not just natural ability.
    7. Promote yourself the right way 🤝 – Be the kind of player everyone wants to play with. Be a good teammate, respect your coaches, and lead by example.

    Let’s keep learning, improving, and supporting each other—on and off the field. 🌟

  • Wednesday August 6

    ⚽ Practice Recap + At-Home Challenge 🏠

    We had a solid practice today. We kicked things off with ball mastery working through the same ball mastery video.

    After that, we jumped into a 2v2 tournament, giving players a chance to compete in tight spaces and make quick decisions. Players are focusing on where to go when you don’t have the ball on offense. About 40 minutes in, we were moved to the small boxes, where the players competed to see which team could get the most touches.

    We’ll continue using the small boxes when the larger field isn’t available. They’re actually one of the best ways to develop quick feet, receive more passes, and stay engaged the entire session.

    ⏱ This Week’s At-Home Touch Challenge:

    We want players to practice these four moves at home. Set a 60-second timer and count how many clean reps you can do. Try to beat your score later in the week.

    1. Rolling Toe Taps
    2. In–Outside (alternate feet) – also known as the Matthews Cut
    3. V Pull
    4. Maradona (360 turn)

    This only takes 5 minutes and the skills are demonstrated on the skills page. Please have your player work through it at least 3 times this week.

    We also have two games this weekend. Unfortunately myself (Coach Chase) and Aiden will not be at Saturdays game, but Coach Mark will be there to lead the team.

  • Wednesday July 30

    ⚽ Scrimmage Recap + A Few Notes for the Week 📝

    We had a great scrimmage last night and just wanted to thank all the parents for showing up and supporting the kids. Also, a big thanks to Coach Sean for helping out and making sure playing time stayed fair across the board 👏.

    A quick note to parents:
    Please remember to mark your athlete’s availability for games and scrimmages in the app 📲. We ended up with 15 players last night, which made it tough to get everyone equal minutes. It really helps us plan better when we know who’s coming in advance.

    Now to the good stuff—
    There was excellent ball movement from both Man United and Liverpool players. We saw a lot of creativity and skill. Players also were very responsive to our focus on developing mental toughness.

    🎯 What to work on this week:
    One big takeaway from the scrimmage is shot selection. We had several goals from way outside the box, but against a stronger keeper, those likely won’t go in. Ideally, we want to get closer to the goal before taking a shot.

    We also noticed a pattern in warmups: a lot of shots were aimed directly at the goalie 🧤. Let’s start shifting that mindset. Players should be aiming near the posts, not the center 🥅.

    ⏱ 5-Minute At-Home Touch Routine

    We’re encouraging players to work on their touches at home. All they need is a ball and a timer or stopwatch. All moves are listed on the skills page.

    Set a 60-second timer for each move below and count how many clean reps you can get. Then try to beat your number later in the week.

    1. 🔄 Toe Taps
    2. 🌀 V Pull
    3. ✂️ Scissor
    4. 👣 Tik Toks (aka inside-inside touches)
    5. ⚽ Bounce Juggles (drop → bounce → kick back up)

    Let’s keep the momentum going. Looking forward to another strong week! 🔥

  • ⚽ Building Mental Toughness for Young Soccer Players

    Mental Toughness & Flow

    As part of developing smart, confident players, we’re sharing this excellent 8 minute YouTube video that unpacks ways soccer players can develop mental strength on and off the field.

    .

    🧠 What It’s About

    The video explores key mental strategies—such as staying present, calming nerves, and using focus drills—to help players enter a “flow” mindset, where performance and confidence meet.

    ✏️ How We’d Like You to Use It

    1. Watch together with your child and encourage note-taking:

    • Ask: What stood out?
    • What mental tip could help during a tough drill or game?

    2. Encourage a short write‑up or report from the child:

    • Intro: What was the video about?
    • Key Ideas: Summarize key mental tips.
    • Reflection: How might they apply this in their upcoming practices or matches?
    • Conclusion: Why does mental toughness matter in soccer?

    3. For bonus points:
    Let your player present their notes to a family member—this builds confidence and reinforces the ideas outside of practice.

    Thank you for your participation.

    -Coach Chase

  • Wednesday, July 23

    ⚽ Focus: Footwork + First Moves

    We had a strong session this Wednesday. The group worked through a full footwork circuit with a focus on 3 key moves in a game scenario leading up to a finish.

    If you want to keep improving, what you do outside of practice matters most. Even 15–20 minutes a day adds up fast. Try to go through this routine at least 3 times before our next session — daily if you’re feeling motivated.

    🔄 This Week’s Footwork Circuit
    We’ll repeat this warm-up often, so learn it well:

    🔗 The first 8 min of this video shows exactly what we worked on today:

    1. Moving Toe Touches (forward/back)
    2. Tik Tok in place (eyes up)
    3. Ball Taps – 3 Left, 3 Right
    4. Rolls Side to Side
    5. Double Rolls (2 Left, 2 Right)
    6. Ball Shift with Messi Feint
    7. 2x Outside, 2x Inside – Right Foot, then Left
    8. V Cut Right, then Left
    9. Wide V Cuts – Alternate Feet
    10. Short V → Outside Touch Into Space
    11. L Drag – Left to Right
    12. Stepover → Push Into Space
    13. Shield Ball Side to Side
    14. Weak Foot Only – All Movements

    🎯 Weekly Reps Goal – Skill Moves
    We focused on three attacking moves this week to setup for finishing. You can click on the move or go to the skills page for a full video demonstration.

    ✅ 25 In & Outs (Right Foot)
    ✅ 25 In & Outs (Left Foot)


    ✅ 25 La Croquetas (Left)
    ✅ 25 La Croquetas (Right)


    ✅ 25 Scissors (Right)
    ✅ 25 Scissors (Left)

    That’s 150 total reps. You can knock it out in 10–15 minutes with a ball and a little space.

    💡 Pro Tip
    Make every rep count. Focus on:

    • Keeping your head up just before making your move
    • Staying low with good balance
    • Using your arms to sell the fake

  • Monday, July 21

    Coach: Mark

    We had a great group of players from different teams today, focused on individual footwork and game awareness in small-sided play.

    Skill Work:

    The first move Coach Mark introduced was the Brazilian Touch. This is something every player should be practicing at home. It’s a foundational move that teaches rhythm and ball control using both feet.

    👉 Watch this 60-second video to review and practice the Brazilian Touch:

    After that, we worked on:
    – A push out, then pullback to the opposite foot – a move designed to shake defenders and change direction quickly.
    – An alternating scissor, performed in place. The key here is staying light on your feet and keeping your balance while selling the move with your body.

    Small-Sided Games:

    We finished practice with a lot of 1v1 and 2v2 play. Here’s what we noticed:

    When playing 2v2, we need to keep improving on what we do without the ball. That means:

    – Knowing where your teammate is.
    – Scanning the field before the ball gets to you.
    – Looking up, especially when the other team is about to kick off or right before you challenge for the ball.

    If you’re not checking your surroundings, you’ll play with your head down—and that makes it easy to lose the ball or miss a pass.

    Box Drills/Practice:

    While kids waited for their turn in games, they rotated through two box drills:

    1. Two players passing in a box – focusing on control, spacing, and keeping the ball moving.
    2. Bounce juggling off the wall – usually done with 2–3 players per box. This works on quick touches, reactions, and adjusting your body to awkward bounces.