Park Ridge Soccer Fans,

I hope you are enjoying some rest after the excitement of the fall season. Our teams had many fine results in league play and local and out-of-state tournaments. I applaud and thank the PRS players, coaches, trainers, parents, and supporters who all make our success possible.

The warm fall has passed. So what to do now as snow blankets Woodland and Emerson? How about conditioning work! The effort you put in now will help you be better players come spring.  Fortunately, conditioning work really is just being active and moving around. Playing other sports, stretching, walking, jogging, jumping rope and many other activities all help us stay in shape and will enhance our soccer skills.

For an example, let’s look at the Rocky movies. You youngsters may not be familiar with these films, but PRS parents, coaches, and trainers certainly know them. Our hero, Rocky Balboa, did not need fancy equipment or posh gyms. No. Over six movies, he used whatever was at hand to improve his skills in his chosen sport (boxing). To improve punching power, he hit giant slabs of meat at a butcher’s warehouse. To improve quickness, he chased chickens in a wet alley. For overall strength, he chopped wood, lifted logs, and pushed a big cart full of stones. For stamina, he took long hikes in high snow and ran up a mountain. Rocky became the best boxer in the world.

Here is a list of simple things we can do at home each day to try and become the best soccer players we can be.

1. Jog in place (one minute).
2. Alternate bouncing twice on each foot (two minutes).
3. Kick your leg up and across your body (left foot to right hand) (ten kicks with each leg).
4. Stand on one leg and make a large circle with the other leg. Make sure the leg goes in back and in front. Switch legs. (ten circles with each leg).
5. Lie on your back, keep your legs straight, and lift your legs six inches off of the ground. Hold them up as long as you can. (a total of two minutes).
6. Do two sets of 25 crunches.
7. Do something you really enjoy that involves running.

These exercises will help with balance, strength, and flexibility. I will send more conditioning suggestions in January.

Please check prsoccer.com for more info and announcements. I wish all of you Happy Holidays and a wonderful new year. Best Regards, Coach Chris

Chris Caudill, PRS Director of Coaching    caudillprs @gmail.com

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A GOOD TEAMMATE:

Loves the game.

Plays and trains with intensity.

Understands that attitude is everything.

Supports teammates and coaches

Is coachable and willing to learn.

Sets goals and strives to achieve them.

Demonstrates sportsmanship.

Has a desire to win.

Is a competitor.