I'm sorry I haven't posted. We been on the go non stop and are exhuasted by the time we get a chance to sit down to do anything. Below is a brief description of Tuesday and Wednesday as I try to catch up.
Another Beautiful day in Spain. Day #2, Starting a routine we woke up and headed straight to breakfast in the hotel lobby. Then off to class we go where we walk for about ten minutes along side of the massive Camp Nou. Day two of the course consists of FC Barcelona's theory & practice of technical development. We basically go over how Barcelona develops the players touch, control, vision, body movements, surface contact, speed executions, balance, direction change, ......... the list goes on. They break down every detail of a players technical development and yet make it so simple. So much information that we can use and bring back to our kids, its sick!! (coaches slang for "Cool") :) After class we head to the Miniestadi Pitch to do the field sessions which is always my favorite part of the day.
After the field sessions we meet up with the rest of the group for lunch and head to the Camp Nou entrance to take a tour inside. The stadium is incredible! inside we were able to tour the visiting teams locker room, the team chapel, and the press room. Then we were able to head down to lower tunnel where the players come out of before their matches. Towards the stadiums offices there was the Barecelona Trophy case. In a separate trophy case are the three Trophies for last years titles: La Liga, the Spanish Cup, and Champions League (Confirmation that they are the best team in the world!!). At end of the tour, it just so happens that get dropped off at the FC Barcelona Megastore. I run through there like it was Black Friday. A big kid in a Candy store I spend over an hour just looking at the merchandise. However composed and diciplined I decided to walk out while I still had a chance (and the money). I'll try to see how the week goes before I let loose in the Megastore!
After the tour we spent time getting ready and walking thru the streets looking for a good place to dine. The City is beautiful, there is approximately 1.5 million people that populate the city. Every street you look at is made up of brick apartments. The transportation mainly consists of walking, biking, vespa's, and small vehicles. Still have yet to see a gas station though, hmm? Dinner and then back to the hotel to get ready for bed. We are looking forward to the next day as we confirmed tickets to the Barca game at Camp Nou versus Deportivo!
Wednesday: Day #3 in Spain!!!!
The third day of the course is focused on the Tactical. I am learning ways to teach Tactics through positonal small sided games. Again, they break it down into detail but keep it so simple its Sick! Our coaches are going to love the info that we are bringing back. I can't wait to share it with the club when we get home. After class we have field sessions at the Miniestadi pitch. A short lunch break at the end and then we head to view the Academy at the Training sessions at Ciutat Exportiva Facilities.
The Academy teams are composed of select top quality players who train at the highest level in their age groups. The intensity and focus of these players is incredible. I wish my 95 boys could see this. Some of the players live at the facilities and are under contract and these players are being groomed and developed in the system with the possibility to be called up the the first and second team. "Living the dream" is how can best describe it. Plenty of notes and diagrams later we leave the facilities and head back to the hotel to prepare for the event of a lifetime.
10:00 PM is game time and we have tickets to view FC Barcelona Vs. Deportivo at Camp Nou!! As we head out the hotel decked out in Barca gear. Amazing, the streets are alive. Thousands of people crowd the streets, chanti!ng and singing. Visca Barca!! Forca Barca! Walking in herds we arrive to our seats where we have a magnificant view of the pitch, lower level about 18 row up! Singing the Barca song, chanting Messi's name, clapping, and shouting all match long we watch the best style of football in the world. Barca wins 3-0, Barca's Possesion 74% and Deportivo's Possesion 26%, enough said. The game was awesome!!
Another Beautiful day in Spain. Day #2, Starting a routine we woke up and headed straight to breakfast in the hotel lobby. Then off to class we go where we walk for about ten minutes along side of the massive Camp Nou. Day two of the course consists of FC Barcelona's theory & practice of technical development. We basically go over how Barcelona develops the players touch, control, vision, body movements, surface contact, speed executions, balance, direction change, ......... the list goes on. They break down every detail of a players technical development and yet make it so simple. So much information that we can use and bring back to our kids, its sick!! (coaches slang for "Cool") :) After class we head to the Miniestadi Pitch to do the field sessions which is always my favorite part of the day.
After the field sessions we meet up with the rest of the group for lunch and head to the Camp Nou entrance to take a tour inside. The stadium is incredible! inside we were able to tour the visiting teams locker room, the team chapel, and the press room. Then we were able to head down to lower tunnel where the players come out of before their matches. Towards the stadiums offices there was the Barecelona Trophy case. In a separate trophy case are the three Trophies for last years titles: La Liga, the Spanish Cup, and Champions League (Confirmation that they are the best team in the world!!). At end of the tour, it just so happens that get dropped off at the FC Barcelona Megastore. I run through there like it was Black Friday. A big kid in a Candy store I spend over an hour just looking at the merchandise. However composed and diciplined I decided to walk out while I still had a chance (and the money). I'll try to see how the week goes before I let loose in the Megastore!
After the tour we spent time getting ready and walking thru the streets looking for a good place to dine. The City is beautiful, there is approximately 1.5 million people that populate the city. Every street you look at is made up of brick apartments. The transportation mainly consists of walking, biking, vespa's, and small vehicles. Still have yet to see a gas station though, hmm? Dinner and then back to the hotel to get ready for bed. We are looking forward to the next day as we confirmed tickets to the Barca game at Camp Nou versus Deportivo!
Wednesday: Day #3 in Spain!!!!
The third day of the course is focused on the Tactical. I am learning ways to teach Tactics through positonal small sided games. Again, they break it down into detail but keep it so simple its Sick! Our coaches are going to love the info that we are bringing back. I can't wait to share it with the club when we get home. After class we have field sessions at the Miniestadi pitch. A short lunch break at the end and then we head to view the Academy at the Training sessions at Ciutat Exportiva Facilities.
The Academy teams are composed of select top quality players who train at the highest level in their age groups. The intensity and focus of these players is incredible. I wish my 95 boys could see this. Some of the players live at the facilities and are under contract and these players are being groomed and developed in the system with the possibility to be called up the the first and second team. "Living the dream" is how can best describe it. Plenty of notes and diagrams later we leave the facilities and head back to the hotel to prepare for the event of a lifetime.
10:00 PM is game time and we have tickets to view FC Barcelona Vs. Deportivo at Camp Nou!! As we head out the hotel decked out in Barca gear. Amazing, the streets are alive. Thousands of people crowd the streets, chanti!ng and singing. Visca Barca!! Forca Barca! Walking in herds we arrive to our seats where we have a magnificant view of the pitch, lower level about 18 row up! Singing the Barca song, chanting Messi's name, clapping, and shouting all match long we watch the best style of football in the world. Barca wins 3-0, Barca's Possesion 74% and Deportivo's Possesion 26%, enough said. The game was awesome!!
