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I think that it is very interesting how perception changes your perspective. Like I said yesterday, my power soccer spin speed looks a lot slower on video than it feels in real life. Similarly, when I watch power soccer on the Internet it seems like it is moving so much slower than it feels like it does in real life. I'm not quite sure why that is. However, it is good because I get to see both perspectives and develop different thought processes. I get to see the real playing experience of being on the court but also seeing the overhead perspective and the formations. I think that every player should try to understand both perspectives. It is not enough just to play because from that vantage point it is difficult to see how proper spacing is executed. We talk a lot about spacing and rightfully so because the two on one is definitely avoidable with proper technique. Therefore, watching this video and understanding all of this strategy is largely important. I know that I have learned so much from watching the vast amount of talent available on the Internet, and xable.com is one of the best websites I have found so far.

Turn Up the Turning

I think that the best part about today is that every day from here on out is longer than the day before! It is 4:30 and already dark outside. It's kind of crazy! Another great part about today is we finally have a justification for all the ridiculous snow that is on the ground. Not that I love it anymore than I did, but at least I feel like it should be here now. Anyway, I was watching a little bit of footage from our power soccer clinic on Saturday and I noticed that my turn speed feels a lot faster than it really is. I'm not really sure how to fix that other than to turn it up gradually and adapt to every new step slowly until I'm finally able to hit my top turn speed. Another important consideration is the fact that I ride tilted. Therefore, I need to make sure that I am stable and will not tip over sideways. Of course, this will happen every time and eventually I will zero in on the perfect speed. For now though, I will keep working and figure out how to use what I have for now.

Maybe Turning a New Page

I know that I normally write before practice, but I didn't get around to it today, so you will get a recap right now. Honestly, I was entirely impressed with so many of our players. It seemed like everyone was playing smart which is a huge step in the right direction. It seemed like people knew where they had to be while supporting a play without drawing quite so many two on one penalties. Of course, they still happened and I am sure they will always happen, but I felt like we were able to control this aspect of our game much better. Also, we always begin practice by passing the ball around inside the circle. We became slightly ambitious and tried with two balls going around inside which was interesting, but we only did that because we were doing so well with one. The ball was flying around and we didn't mess up very much. Again, not a huge deal, but it was definitely a huge step toward the right direction. It seems like every time we go to play another team it doesn't matter if we win or lose because we always do so much better afterwards. The first time we played New Hampshire, we won and took our game into different level. Then, we were hammered by Syracuse but our game developed even farther. Even though this past weekend was not officially a game, the experience that we gained maybe helped us realize another place where we need to work to improve.

Ref Clinic Recap

So I kind of got my voice back today, so I can write for you all about what happened yesterday power soccer. Essentially, we got to play power soccer for about two hours straight which was pretty awesome. However, before we did that, we had our first official speed test and equipment check. Surprisingly, my chair was too fast by almost a second over 50 feet, but I got turned down and we are all good now I think. Also, I learned how my guard needs to be moved in a little which will be different, but it will definitely need to be done to my guard legal. We kind of like being legal I guess... Anyway, after all of the official stuff, we started to play. The first half we played Chargers versus Power Cats and I think that we all played pretty well. Following that and for the rest of the afternoon, JC Russo of the Circle City Rollers and Team USA joined with the Power Cats and we continued playing until four o'clock. It was definitely a great time for all of us, and the best part was that we now have certified referees to play official games from now on. Thank you to everyone who came out to watch us as well as the referees who came out to become certified. Thank you to the Northeast Passage for being great hosts! Finally, thank you to Chris Mulholland were driving in from Virginia to teach the referees and Dominic and JC Russo for coming in from Indiana to see us play and play with us.

Almost Game Time

Well, tomorrow I head down to University of New Hampshire with my teammates to take on the Northeast Passage Power Cats. As I normally do before practice, I am going to outline some of my goals and what I hope I'm able to do individually tomorrow.
• I need to think about my teammates. Of course, I try to think about them often, but in the flow of the game, we all have a tendency to play what our coach Sandy calls "magnet ball." Not only does this lead to collisions, but it also inevitably causes the 2-on-1 which is entirely unnecessary.
• I need to remember that spinning is a good and powerful weapon. Note that it must be done with some caution because of the risk of a penalty, but it definitely should not be avoided. I have been working on them on my own and during practice, so hopefully I will remember them tomorrow.
• Finally, I need to remember to keep on the pressure. I tend to want to step back. Nevertheless, I need to remember that you only need to allow 15 feet on a free kick. From what I can gather, power soccer is about field position, so I need to take full advantage of it.

What a Year

Well, I ran an application on my Facebook that read what word I have said most in the past year. Of course, soccer was number one. Our team has had a great year of growth! I believe that the first clinic was last December, but I didn't start playing until March. Let me just say that it has been a great team to be a part of. We have grown a lot in the past year, but all that will be put to the test on Saturday. As many of you probably know from my incessant repeating, the Chargers are headed down to the University of New Hampshire for our only third game. However, this is incredibly important because we will have referees becoming certified which will enable us to host USPSA sanctioned games. With this building block in place, we will then be able to continue to grow. Who knows what the next level will be, but I do know that there will be one. It is kind of like the movie Inception where there is always another level. There is always a way to find a way to another level. Of course, some levels take longer than others, but they are all fun, and we will enjoy them along the way.

'Twas the Night before Final Exams

Here is what I am thinking about doing. How about rewriting 'Twas the Night before Christmas into 'Twas the Night before Final Exams"?

'Twas the night before my final exams and all through the room
I had no idea what was going on since not focusing would be my doom.
My accounting notes were set upon the table in a pile
And I leafed through it for a lot more than a while.

I turned on my computer and opened Microsoft Word
To reread the notes I had previously heard.
At one point I knew the material but now I feel
I need to study it again, and pay attention for real.

The material started sinking in, I began to remember it
Everything began to come together and like a puzzle fit
Every time I read I remembered a little more in stages.
So I figured I would finish up with one last look over the pages.

The one last read through always helped me secure
The important information and eliminate the impure.
It is good to reach closure when studying accounting material
Because there is always more to learn, especially in managerial.

Then finishing up the material, I had an epiphany
I had forgotten to write my blog so I did so swiftly
So I hope you enjoyed my abridged Christmas poem
And remember in one day we can all stay home.

Photo by xb3 on Flickr