3-0, exactly where we wanted to be after the first weekend of the 2009 season! Expectations at Maryland are always high, and I have to admit I love working with that pressure behind me. Even if you won a National Championship the year before, it is 9 months ago and we started with a new team in a new season. The games were exciting and every now and then I saw a Maryland team I want to see, fast paced hockey, connecting 3 to 4 passes with excellent execution of skills and able to cut through the defensive organization of our opponents. As a coach I am truly convinced that the game of hockey is going to be faster and faster! Games are going to be decided by quick transfer, turnovers and game acceleration moments! In order to play this game the technical skills of each individual has to be of the highest level. Just 1 player in your team not able to catch up will fall behind in your system! Speed is going to be the key word!
Although we are 3-0, scored 12 goals in 3 games and only conceded 2 in the last game (7-2) there is definitely enough to work on! Why is 1v1 defense always so difficult, making decisions about closing space or going for the tackle seems to be very difficult for some players! Training topic for this week! Overall I am happy with decision we made as a coaching staff, we have to get more consistent and work on a couple of things but that is why the finals are played in November…
The season has started and coaches always say that the season controls your live! It does from time to time! We arrived back late monday night back from Chicago and we had Tuesday to work half a day (office) and take care of the personal things around the house! Today full day with office work, practice, meetings and video prep! Tomorrow the same thing, practice in the morning, some meetings afterwards and game prep! On Friday we have Old Dominion at their place and Michigan Home on Sunday! Great opponents and so a great weekend of hockey.
This sunday when we play Michigan we have a special celebration of the 1999 Maryland Field Hockey National Championship team. They beat Michigan 2-1 in the final that year and I believe almost everybody of that team is coming back to Maryland for that weekend! Former Terps from Germany and Australia are flying in for the weekend, for a party and catching up!
It’s going to be a great weekend!
Tjerk
ps. If anyone has any questions or wants to have an insight look of how it is to work as a NCAA division 1 coach let me know!
Tjerk Van Herwaarden
Technical Director, University of Maryland ::: UMD
Co-Owner, World Camp USA ::: World Camp USA
US Distributor of Princess T14 Hockey Sticks ::: Link
Tjerk van Herwaarden
Tjerk (pronounced Cherick) is a native of the Netherlands, and is Technical Director at the University of Maryland. In his four years coaching in the USA he has won an unprecedented three National College Championships with the Univ. of Maryland in just four years there. - 3 time NCAA Champion (2008, 2006 & 2005) ::: 2 time ACC Champion (‘08 & ‘05) - Head Coach Maryland Women's High Performance ::: 2006 National Champions - Head Coach Mid Atlantic Men's High Performance ::: 2008 National Champions - USFHA Level 3+ Accreditation ::: USFHA Level 2 Coaching Course Assessor - USA National Men's Team Assistant Coach - Co-Owner/Director of World Camp USA
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