Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls became a basketball dynasty through long term commitment. The titles did not happen overnight. When Michael entered the NBA, the Chicago Bulls were the Bengals of today. In the 1984 NBA draft the Bulls selected Michael Jordan. As a rookie he led the team in scoring, steals, rebounds and assists. A star was born. It would take 4 years before Jordan and the Bulls would even break 500. The Bulls drafted two missing pieces to the puzzle in 1987 with Scottie Pippin and Horace Grant. From this point on the team would add all the final pieces to win the 1991 NBA finals. Quote "When I came here we started from scratch, We started at the bottom and made it to the top. It's been a long, long seven years, a lot of bad teams, a lot of improvement, step by step, inch by inch. I never gave up hope. I always had faith." Jordan and the Bulls would win six NBA titles and create a basketball dynasty. Michael by the numbers= 6 NBA titles, 12-time All-Star, 10-time Scoring Champion, 5 MVP's.

Tri-state Futbol Alliance Merger

In the last couple of weeks I have attended quite a few games. We have had a bit of success with some of our teams. Actually, across the club our teams have done very well. But there are some teams that either coaches, parents, or others are surprised by the lack of success or up down play. Success does not happen overnight as reference to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. But if we have faith in our players, coaches, staff, and families success will happen. Yes, our teams have some very good players and coaches that have not achieved their goals. But I believe in time, that success will come. Both players and coaches are still feeling their way. Our competitors do not have to overcome the problems of our newly formed team.

We have to dig down deep

We have to dig down deep to to achieve our goals. This past Sunday I attended the U12 Premier(Holt) vs Cinti-West game. At half time the team was down a goal or two and really not playing very well. In the second half the team showed the same signs. Very frustrating to say the least. I know coach Dave Holt was just as frustrated. But something clicked and the girls started to really put pressure on Cinti West. Through out the game we had plenty of missed chances and this continued. It was 3-1(18 min left) and I felt that this game is going to be such a shame. I felt we were quite a bit better. Well the girls dug down deep and really stepped up their game. With two great goals by Kiley Brock and Annie Gruber, our U12's pulled out a 5-3 victory.

Good job girls. Although it was one game, our teams will go through a transitional period just like the U12's. Things are not going to go our way but eventually a light bulb will turn on. When that happens success will come. It may take a little longer for some teams. Breakdown Jordan's quote-A team starting from scratch needs long term commitment, battle through the bad, improve inch by inch, step by step, never give up, and have hope and faith for them to reach the top.

The Challenge

The challenge to become successful or a Bulls dynasty must be taken head on with everyone involved. It takes everyone- Board members, Directors, Coaches/trainers, parents/families, and the community.

If our Board members establish a club structure, oversee the operations of the club, with focus and long term goals.

If our Directors create a curriculum and philosophy designed for player/team development, enlists quality coaching/training staff, supports and educates the staff, organize special programs/events, with focus and determination.

If the coaches/trainers organize, educate, and motivate our players and teams.

If the players focus and compete (give 100%) at every training session and game, practice on their own.

If the parents support the players, coaches, and club, even referees(sometimes).

If the community supports the club and the game of soccer.

If every group listed above can give commitment, never give up, strive to improve, with hope and faith is when Tri-state Futbol Alliance will reach the top.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly @Mead Cup

Mead CUP

This Labor Day weekend quite a few of our TFA teams traveled to Dayton and participated in the Mead Cup. This is a great event loaded with good soccer teams at every division. Whether it is the Five Star or Silver division every game is going to be tough to win. Over all I think our teams had a good showing at the Mead. For teams that did not do as well remember two things- 1. this is a preseason event/still early 2. at every division the competition is very good.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly- Clint Eastwood has just been replaced by Fishie

The good news is that we had 5 teams advance to the Finals. Great job, players and coaches for either winning or making it to the finals. Congrats to: Girls U8 Cindy Essen Champion

U9 Sondra Pflum Champion

U10 Brian Lefevre Champion
U12 Sam Fiore Finalist

Boys U11 Bill Volker Champion

U14 Mark Griffith Semi-Finalist

I saw some great goals out of players over the weekend. I liked Hayley Cox's goal against Kings(State Cup Champs), U11 TFA Elite 2 Kings 0. But, the Baddest two goals came from U12 Fishie. She scored a last second goal, taking a corner kick to beat Hammer and send her team to the Semi's. Corner kick, far post, Goal. Then she scored the Golden goal in overtime against Javanon to send her team to the finals. Great job Fishie.

Sometimes people turn ugly when the game is on the line. We have all seen this happen at every level in Sports. The U10 girls semi-final was no different but may not have been noticed by some folks. At half time our girls are winning 3-1. The Director for Pacesetter has his striker stay in the middle of the field and behind our defenders. In a typical game that would be called off sides. But the U10-under have only a center referee. Well the girl was six yards off sides and scored a goal which counted. Brian makes an adjustment and we end the game with a 8-2 victory. I hope our coaches never do this and that we always coach with Honor and Integrity. Please let me know if you feel any of our staff members have acted inappropriately.

Shout out

I love winning and it is really a great feeling when you get your trophy handed to you. I am 32 and still like receiving trophies. Well the Cronin and Keehan family know what I am talking about, only twice in one weekend. U8 Alex Cronin/Cameron Keehan and U10 Kiley Keehan/Ashley Cronin were crowned Champions this weekend. My buddy Mike Kern tells me that this happened before in August with Ashley/Kiley winning Cincinnati United and Alex/Cameron winning Dog Days. This is shaping up to be a competition of trophies. Good job girls lets keep the trophies coming.

NSCAA National Course- One Whistle away from perfect

National Course, Cary North Carolina

I really enjoyed taking the NSCAA National Diploma course in North Carolina last week. The class was not only full with 26 attendees but quality coaches in attendance. Out of the 26, 9 DOC's, 2 College Coaches, and 1 Semi-Professional Coach. The rest were either club or high school coaches. If you are ever interested in attending a National course be prepared to play a ton of soccer and I mean a ton. The total hours of soccer played was 26 hours. The course is a week long with 3 field session tests, 1 Match Analysis, and 1 Final Written Exam. The course covers these topics- Methods of Coaching, Teaching Process, Functional training, Coaching in the Game, Match Analysis, Technique, Theory of Tactics, Principles of Attacking/Defending, Club Development, Fitness, and Ethics.

One Whistle Away from Perfect Score

I was one whistle away from having a perfect field session score. Before the second field session the instructors told us to calm down and be ourselves. Quite a few coaches were nervous and it really showed. The instructor also harped on having a presence and being loud. I decided to be myself and use what all of us Coerver Coaches use, a whistle. Well my session went very well but for some reason I missed the part not to ever use a whistle. It is somewhere I'm told in the course manual. So I got docked a bit for my use of a whistle. This was the only goofy thing about the course. Lets be honest, whistle or no whistle does it really matter? What matters is the session and what the players get out of it, period. For coaches planning on taking a course, make sure you know what exactly the instructors are wanting. I still got a very good grade but I would have hated myself if that determined a pass or fail.

Education

I really encourage all coaches to take as many courses as they can. The sport of soccer is always growing/evolving. I just read an article today on fitness in soccer. In 1990 players in the EPL would cover a distance of 5 miles in a game. The average distance covered in 2008 was 8 miles. That is almost a 60 percent increase. The speed of the game increased as well. It was a fascinating article to say the least. A great way for not only coaches to learn but players and parents is to watch high level soccer. Check out a live College game or Columbus Crew game. Catch a game on television. Charlie Cooke would probably say "Check out Chelsea , Go on the Blues". I think watching a good soccer game is the best way to learn.

Great Job to Maddie Haberthy

U11 TFA Elite player Maddie Haberthy has a new juggling record. It is 1,429 and it was done with both feet and thighs. In the words of Sam Fiore "Aww Sick" or "That is Fantastic". I agree and keep it up Maddie. Because one is a good juggler doesn't mean you are a good player. But all good players are good jugglers. Maddie is not only good at juggling but a very good player. Who has a better record out there? What is the highest feet only record by a TFA player?