Ten DC Stoddert travel coaches got a sprited lesson in "possession soccer" from one of the game’s top practitioners. On Tuesday, September 11, at the invitation of Travel Director Kate Samsot, USSF National Staff Coach Gary Allen came to Jelleff field and put 15 players from Samsot’s WAGS GU13 "Edge" team through a graceful new set of paces.

Allen introduced players and oaches to concepts of how to make productive use of space, using such metaphors as being in a "forest" and dribbling through the trees (other players), finding the "meadow" (open space), and expanding the periphery ("the balloon").  

Allen addressed the issues of "passing to feet" (sharp, on target) and "passing to space" (pace on the ball), along with ideas of "360 degree play" and "linear play" (going to goals). Players readily took to the instruction, with Allen remarking later that "these girls can play," enjoying their "touch" on the ball.

The clinic is one in a series conducted by state and national coaches for the benefit of our DC Stoddert Soccer travel coaches.

--by Len Oliver, Director of Coaching  9/15/2007