Hornets Win!

Kalamazoo College 1  Elmhurst College 0

Countdown

The final day of the preseason is here.  Lots of ball striking and finishing.  The day began with a simple warm-up activity that allowed player to get plenty of short reps in and lots of catching.  Yes, catching!

After going to goal for a little bit with minimal pressure the team walked through a couple set pieces both attacking and defending before ending with 11v11 for 10 minutes.  Hornets looked sharp.

2pm Tomorrow
Kalamazoo College v Elmhurst College. 
It would be great if you can make it out to see the 2010 Hornets make their debut. 

GO HORNETS!!!

Sigh...Just 1 Practice, Really?

With the season opener less than 2 days away the team is beginning to taper and has trimmed down to only one training session a day!  This morning the focus was on team defending.  The warm-up focused on team shape and being committed to the cause, specifically sliding and sacrificing the body to prevent through balls.  After about ten minutes of defensive shape the team moved in front of goal and played 4v4 to 4 goals and then 6v4 to goal and counter goals.  This activity would end 6v5 as the holding midfielder was inserted into the line-up.  Lots of repetition and various situations in the defensive third of the field (reminds coach of his time at the B license at IMG and a steady diet of Birdman and 8v8).  The morning would end with a full field eleven a side kick about.  As much as the player and coaches love to practice it was great to have the afternoon off.

This evening the team met to go over expectations for the upcoming non-conference portion of the season.  Coach provided information from his summer immersed in self help books.  Thanks to the likes of Daniel Coyle, Geoff Colvin and Mathew Syed or this evening would not have been possible!  Beginning Saturday the team has a lot of opportunities in front of it.  It should be a wild and fun ride over the course of the next month as the Hornets look to face off against some of the best teams division III teams around the Midwest, what a challenge!


GO HORNETS!!!

Possession/Swimming

Wednesday morning the topic of practice was possession.  The girls did a passing activity and then advanced into a keep away game in tight space.  After about 20 minutes of quick touches and playing out of pressure the team worked on sequence play going to goal without any defenders.  The morning session would end with 10 minutes of half field 4v4.  Playing on a field with these dimensions the intention was to really push the girls as far as the amount of ground that were expected to cover during the 10 minute match.  It was evident by the end of practice that legs were heavy.  Despite the physical toll the energy was high and attitudes excellent.  GREAT WORK HORNETS!!!

For the afternoon regeneration was the plan to begin preparing for the weekend.  Coach Goyings began the pool workout and Coach Carlson finished it.  Is there any better way to get cardio while reducing the impact on the legs?  Less than 72 hours until Kick-Off!

GO HORNETS!!!

Picture Day

This afternoon the Hornets reported to the fieldhouse a litter bit before practice so they could have their pictures taken for the 2010 season.  Be sure to check out the website in a couple days to see the smiling Hornets, we'll be sure to post a couple here as well. 

GO HORNETS!!!

Squirt Guns and Water Balloons

Another steamy day in Kalamazoo, most likely the last 90 degree day of the year.  This morning's practice consisted of and advancement from a training session ran last week.  Beginning with a technical warm-up the team focused on their attacking movements in and around the goal..  Lots and lots of opportunities to combine and attack were prevalent throughout the morning.  The training session would end with half field 4v4.  I'm sure the team would agree that it was certainly a superb fitness activity!

The afternoon was a little bit lighter on the legs.  Plenty of reps with receiving and first touch.  Once again it started out simples and slowly gained a little complexity.  From simple throw-ins and touches to measured touches and finesse movement into space.  Then the team applied all of the components as the moved in front of goal.  The team would end in a 8v8 setup.  As the team prepared to cool down Assistant Coach Wells and a couple of the training staff's favorite Hornets came up to the field with a couple of water balloons and a fully loaded squirt guns.  It didn't take more than one minute for the water balloons to begin flying.  It was a nice way to end another hot training session.  Just three days until the first match!  It would be great to see you there! 

The players are working hard and taking care of their bodies.  Hydrating, Fueling, Sleeping.  They are preparing themselves well for a rugged non-conference schedule!

GO HORNETS!!!

Second Defender and Headers

Scorcher at the field but the team worked hard and got a lot accomplished.  Just 4 days until the games begin!

GO HORNETS!!!

Life's a Beach

Instead of a late morning conditioning session the Hornets headed to the margins of Michigan, specifically South Haven to enjoy an absolutely incredible day at the Beach.  Water temperature was a very comfortable 75 degrees.  The girls were put under strict order to apply sunscreen liberally and drink plenty of water.  In fact, they took their own Gatorade cooler full of ice water with them.  Beach activities included, laying out, reading, frisbee, volleyball, sand Hornet building (Yes, they built a Hornet made of sand), and swimming or was it just standing in the water?

After a couple hours of lounging and relaxing lakeside the girls headed two blocks east of the beach and were graciously hosted by K alums Barry and Liz Smith and their beagle Elle for a late afternoon lunch.  What a meal!  Pulled pork and grilled portabellas, along with coleslaw, pasta salad, fruit salad, chips and an amazing dip, and cupcakes too.  The meal was INCREDIBLE and the visit was a superb break for the team and coach after six full days of soccer.  Pictures will be posted soon!  Week 2 officially begins tomorrow as the 2010 schedule as real games will kick-off in less than a week.  Plenty to do before that whistle blows.

Thanks Again to Liz and Barry for providing a great retreat for the team today!  What hospitality!


GO HORNETS!!!