Thank you to all of our campers and staff.  This was maybe our best summer yet!

But now, in two weeks my youngest daughter starts her last season of field hockey as a senior with the University of Richmond.  I’ve been watching my kids play hockey every fall for about 12 years now.  Everyone in my family is concerned with what I am going to do with myself next fall.

Which got me thinking about sports in the USA – or – What’s after College?. 

I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand how other countries operate their sports programs – and honestly I’m not sure we have the best system for kids.  Certainly we are the best when it comes to pro sports and Olympic level programs.

But as an example, in Holland, they do not play sports in high schools or colleges.  It is played in a club system which is sponsored by their local government – just not in their school systems.

What that ultimately means is a few things  1) All players can play on a team regardless of their level of play   2) Players have access to a competitive sport team well after they turn 21 years of age  3) They play for the love of the game… they do not have to compete at an early age to secure the right spot on the right team so they can be seen by that college coach to either get a scholarship or get into the right school.  This type of pressure does not exist there as we know it.  If they have pressure – it is the competitive need to win.

It seems many of our kids play because they have to – not because they want to – and that is a shame.

Yet in our pyramid system where only the best can play as they get older – we are cutting girls from sports at the pre-teen or teenage years because they aren’t good enough to compete – just at a time in their lives in which studies suggest they benefit the most from these activities.  They have a better self-image, self esteem, less likely to get pregnant or become drug and alcohol dependant. http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Content/Articles/Sports%20And%20Fitness/123/25%20Benefits%20of%20Girls%20Playing%20Sports.aspx

So when our World Camp Dutch and International staff introduce our campers to a new way of training – it is refreshing – and reenergizes a players desire and motivation to play the game.  Because players recognize that they can play the game for fun.  And our belief is, when you love something – you will excel at it.

Many camps and team training regimens are based on “hard work”.  Our US system of training is handed down to us from one of our earliest and best known sports – Football.  And this training philosophy is all about muscles, sweat and hard work.   No matter what your sport – I bet you hear this a lot – or have even asked it of your daughter – “Did you work hard today?” – or “Hard work-out today?” – equating hard work with a productive training session.

Maybe the better question is – “What did you learn today” or “What skill did you improve on today?”

Bob Whitcher
World Camp USA / Sport EuroTour
Top-Skill Training ~ at home and abroad
Where is Your Game Going?

This is the stated mission of Futures…
“The Mission of the Futures Program is to regionally develop the best athletes for the purpose of identifying talented ‘future’ Olympic level athletes and to strengthen the level of field hockey throughout the United States. “  - United States Field Hockey Association

Because it is a talent identification program – college coaches use this selection process as a way to gauge a players strength and abilities – for recruitment.  You made it on to a list with the top 12% of the country’s players.  And that makes the National Championship the premier recruiting hot spot.

Now what you may not know is that only about 10% of the players at the Regional’s are getting a serious look or consideration during that Tournament.  Are you surprised?  Don’t be.  It is stated in the Futures Criteria – how a player trains and plays during their 30 hours of Futures will determine their placement at the RFT’s. 
“The Head Coach must complete this form and return it to your Regional Coaching Director. The athletes listed below will be pre-identified into the first round of the Regional Tournament Selection.” Check this out for more.

In our State we have an Elite site where all the previous year’s selected players attend.  These players already have an advantage of being selected again over most players who attend the Futures training at the entry level sites.  Your selection chances are slim to none if you have not been nominated out of your site.  Even if you have been nominated you have an uphill battle.

So, what can you do to help your chances?  Well, if you dogged it at Futures it’s too late.  Regardless, I believe there are some things that all players can do to help elevate their status on the field at RFT’s.  They may sound simple – but they can make all the difference.

1)      Be AGGRESSIVE.  If you lose the ball to a tackle – go back for it.  A pass to you is too far away to get – stretch and give it everything you have to get it.  A ball is going out the side line – again save that ball!  Be Aggressive.  Leave it ALL on the field.  Run Hard – Work Hard.  Even if you have an off day technically – you can never feel bad about giving 100%.  And coaches notice that.

2)      Be LOUD, TALK & COMMUNICATE..  Yell on the field: where you are – where you’re going – where a defender may be. 

3)      MOVE off the ball.  Many players just watch, follow the play or run with the ball carrier.  That’s not good enough – You have to be a part of the play.  Think ahead of the play.  Where should you be?  8 times out of 10 you will not receive the ball – but this is how the game is played correctly.  And those two times you do get the ball… you’ll be in great positioning.

4)      Demand the ball & Hunt for the Ball.  Control the game – without being a ball hog.  Make a difference to the way the game is being played.  And look for open space and run there.

5)      Many players can start a play – but how many can finish.  Did you progress the play – or did you just look good doing what you do.  What was the final outcome of you having had the ball or doing a defensive move?

6)      You cannot wear crazy clothes on the field – you are restricted.  But you can wear wrist bands – head bands – color shoes – hair in French braids – a hockey glove – or something that stands out.

And that is the point – stand out.  Make it easy for the coach selectors to see and notice you.  Not just by what you wear – but how you play.

Good luck!

Bob Whitcher
World Camp USA / Sport EuroTour
Top-Skill Training ~ at home and abroad
Where is Your Game Going?

This year the women, in preparation for the World Cup Qualifier later this month hosted China and The Netherlands! The number 1 and 2 teams from the 2008 Olympic Games! The reason for me to go out to Chula Vista is to work with the men’s program in a 2 week training block and playing international games vs Canada that is getting ready for the World Cup in India, happening now….

For me it always a welcome change from Maryland into working with the men’s national team! The game is faster, players are more skillful and it requires more tactical coaching. In March 2009 we lost the final of the Pan American Cup to Canada due to a golden goal. This loss meant that Canada qualified for the World Cup and we did not! Now almost a year later we would see where we are! Canada that should be ready to compete vs the best teams in the world was in there final stages and made the final roster cuts while in San Diego. The USA men’s team has no international competition in 2010 and so in a very different stage in the preparation! Fitness and overall sharpness of play should be in favor of the Canadiens!

Knowing this we build a game plan for the 4 game series that would see where we are at the moment! Focusing on improving and start preparing for the Pan American Cup in 2011, yes we do plan that far ahead!

The games were very even! Eventually we lost each of the 4 games but with the National Coaching staff we were very pleased were we were! The difference is that Canada could accelerate the game and had players in the forward line that could penetrate the circle and score goals! This resulted in simple more goals for Canada then for the USA and that is still what decides the game! Another big part was the penalty corner! The 3rd game that we lost 3-1 tells us all! USA 4 corners, no goals, Canada 3 corners, 2 goals. I can refer to an earlier blog which tells about the key components for a successful team, a corner, a striker and a goalkeeper is all you need!

With a very clear view of what to do in the next 17 months until the Pan American Games we were overall satisfied with how we played, not with the result… after all that is all that counts! Guess we will see in time if our satisfaction was right!

Next week a blog live from the World Cup Men in New Delhi, India where I will be attending the FIH High Performance Coaching Course…… getting new ideas for the 2010 World Camp Technical program….

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

Unfortunately I can tell you! This season was a record breaking year for Maryland Hockey! We had our first ever undefeated regular season in Maryland Field Hockey history. We won the ACC championship and were 22-0 going to the final 4 in Winston – Salem, NC. This year the final 4 was going to be the best final 4 since I have been coaching at Maryland. UVA, Princeton, UNC and us were the best 4 teams in the nation in my opinion. All teams have great coaching staffs and are well structured and organized. All teams have individual qualities that could have a decisive influence on the outcome of a game.

We played to most thrilling semi final anybody could ever imagine! Playing Princeton (we beat them 3-2 in OT during the regular season) we knew it was going to be a high paced game! The first phase of the game saw us have the better opportunities and a few small chances to take the lead! It was however Princeton that scored first! I guess we needed that goal to wake up! We eventually took got a 4-1 lead at the beginning of the 2nd half! 4-1 up in a National Championship semi final, we are in control…. it seemed that Princeton did not really agree with us and with attacking hockey they got back to 4-4, we had to start all over again to build or even get a lead!

As coaches we know that with a tied score and limited time each goal can be the last one! The relief we felt when we scored the 5-4 was enormous! The games ended in 7-5 for us and the crowd was definitely the big winner! As a coach you can be happy with the 7 goals but not with the 5 against! It showed our weaknesses and we only had 1 day to get back in shape for the National Championship game.

The other semi final was another thriller eventually UNC beat UVA and so we were all set for Terps versus the Tar Heels on sunday for the 2009 National Championship.

UNC and Maryland are 2 teams that know each other well! Multiple videos are watched to scout the opponent and nothing is left unspoken before the game! Whatever we can control we do control. During the regular season UNC – Maryland was a well anticipated game, no 1 vs no 2 and both team were unbeaten at that time.

We had our tactical plan ready and we executed it well in the first half! We controlled the game and had the best opportunities in the first half! We outshot UNC 12-1 in the first half, score at half time however was 0-0. The start of the 2nd half saw the same play as in the first half! It was us that scored the first goal. Nicole Muracco broke the score with great shot midway the 2nd half. This goal eventually would lead into the craziest final phase of a game that I have witnessed. Very quickly after the 1st goal UNC game back and tied the game again. On a corner rebound we scored the 2-1 with just 12 minutes to go! At this time UNC had played with 10 players due to a yellow card and soon we were the ones that were a player down. UNC used the man up situation and even pulled their goalkeeper to give them a double advantage, their plan worked 2-2! The UNC goalie came back in the game and with just 7 minutes to go we had 11 v 11 and still a tied National Championship final. After our yellow card and the 2-2 from UNC we were not able to gain control back over the game! We could not control the ball and connect our passes! This made UNC stronger and while we were preparing the overtime line up. It was UNC that was awarded a penalty corner with just 12 seconds to go! 3-2 UNC…. With just seconds on the clock we could not do anything anymore, it was over!

And that is how I know how it is to be on the other side of all those great sports movies! Heartbroken players, disappointed friends, parents and  Terp fans. Seeing the other team celebrate while you were suppose to be the one… it hurts, it still does. The way we lost that game was extra painful, being in control and just seeing it slipping out of your hands in just 7 minutes is extremely hard. So close to the perfect season and just losing 1 game your entire season….

During the our entire season we scored at least 3 goals or more each game.. expect for 2 games.. our 2nd game of the season and the last one…

Losing is a part of the job that we have that nobody likes, we are suppose to really hate it but at the end of all the coaches we have only 1 can win. So I suppose the more important part is how to deal with a loss! Learn from it, know where it went wrong and change it! Make sure the same mistake won’t cost you the game again. Eventually that is the only thing we can do improving is the biggest responsibility of our jobs. Improving in all aspects, on and off the field.

Well, it was a good thing I waited a while before I wrote about that game!! I was in San Diego last week with the National team and people still ask me how could you lose that game…. I took me some time what he was talking about! I have my focus on 2010, a new class, a new season and a new challenge, I am looking forward to it!

I also have some interesting blogs coming up! Next week I will tell about the USA – Canada series! I just spend 2 weeks with the Men’s National team and will let you know how that was! The week after that I will be in India during the World Cup hockey for men! I was invited to an international FIH high performance coaching course and will share my experiences with you!

Let’s hope all off this snow will be gone soon, time to hit the fields again!

Tjerk

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

But I don’t hear too much about the basics in our sport.  I believe this is because in the US we put too much focus on hard work and sweat in a training session.  I believe the reason we put so much focus on these training attributes is because we have, as a national body, limited ability to understand the motor skills of our sports skill-sets.  It’s easier to run a hard training session than a smart one.  Especially at a time when our kids need it the most – and that is at the very beginning of their learning.  They typically are being taught poorly, or not at all, by very young or inexperienced “coaches” during these early stages of development.   At a local high school, the freshman coach didn’t know how to play the game.  OK – many of our US coaches are great at COACHING for team dynamics, motivation and general tactics – but what about how to hold a stick?  Or how to strike the ball for power and accuracy?  How to pass to your right?

This is one of the reasons that the USFHA has introduced the COACHING ACCREDITATION program and training courses designated as Level I, Level II, Level II and Level III+.   This is an initiative to get all of the USA’s field hockey coaches teaching and/or learning the correct techniques along with a consistent curriculum to help US players develop the foundation needed to play the game at its highest levels – and to keep up with the rest of the world’s hockey community.  If you didn’t know, while the US has made great strides in the past few years – we are still way behind when compared to Holland, Germany and Australia, just to mention a few.

Every sport emphasizes the Basics.  You hear even with the pro sport teams who have gotten off track – they need to go back and practice the basics.  So, what are our Basics?

• The Ready Stance or Neutral Position
• Receiving
• Dribbling or moving with the ball
• Passing

We start here, with the first step  – the Ready Stance or Neutral Position.

Think of the Ready Stance or Neutral Position as you would when you watch a Tennis player waiting to receive the serve – or a baseball player in the field just before the pitch.  Even a football player’s stance on the line of scrimmage.  Well we have one too!

Watch this 3 minute video – outlined by Thomas Tichelman, a former Dutch National Team Coach and FIH Developmental Coach (and World Camp USA co-owner) – he’ll show you the correct way for this positioning and at the end a great drill that can be done inside in a small space.  Practice this drill – and you will “own” this stance – and then we’ll show you how to use it in the next steps for: receiving, dribbling and passing.

Bob Whitcher
World Camp USA / Sport EuroTour
Top-Skill Training ~ at home and abroad
Where is Your Game Going?

And to get right back into it.. We went 23 and 1 on the season! And that “1″ was came only in the last game of our season – the NCAA Finals! We got through our season without a loss! The first ever undefeated regular season in Maryland Field Hockey history, something to be proud of, but in the end, it is just a statistic.

We started the ACC tournament with a bye in the first round. We watched Wake and Boston College play for a spot against us in the semi final. BC lost and we ended up playing Wake. We had a close game against them during the regular season and Wake and Maryland are always good and exciting games, it is also anybody’s game! We had a comfortable lead halfway through the 2nd half – but nowadays in college field hockey that doesn’t say that much anymore. It became a close game that we ended up winning after Wake just did not have enough power anymore to push for another goal.

The ACC final was a matchup between Maryland and UVA, two very different teams, each with very specific qualities, strengths and weaknesses. It was UVA who took a well deserved 2-0 lead with very well executed corners. We did not anticipate these corner options as we had not seen them before on any video of games earlier that season, and believe me, we watch a lot of video.

We called a time out with just 15 minutes remaining on the clock – something needed to happen, and it did! With a bumped up line up, we have a plan for when we are down and yes we do practice these situations, we got 2 goals back in regular time! It was going to need overtime to decide the 2009 ACC Champion. On the first corner in OT we played a variation from a drag flick into a deflection on the stroke spot height. The ball was slighty changed off direction and ended up behind the goalkeeper, Maryland 3-2 in OT.

Now it is always great to read about these come back victories but what happened that day was special for me! We didn’t play our best hockey and did not create the chances we normally do. During half time, Missy, UMD head coach, talked to our players and just asked them one specific thing; “play as if you have nothing to lose and play from your heart!” The energy that this simple question opened-up along with a different system (more attacking) got us back in the game! We will never be able to measure how much the impact of that half time speech on the team was, but it was incredible and gave us the spark that we needed.

Inspiration and belief are words we coaches use a lot but being able to use them only when needed most, and even more important, using them when your team will accept them is so vital!

Well, winning the ACC, and the way we did it was great!

If you want more inflo including game video – go to the UMD for ACC website.

Next week I will blog about the NCAA Final 4 and our season end, a whole different story…

Tjerk

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

Living in a college dormitory is unlike any other living experience you have ever had (even if you are a boarding school gal). I went from having my own room (even the whole upstairs and bathroom to myself after my sister left for college my junior year in high school) to sharing a small dorm room with another girl, and sharing a bathroom with about 15 other girls.

Being an athlete, I had the option of living with whoever I wanted, so I chose to live with a soccer girl (who I did not know). I wanted to live with another athlete who has season in the fall, however I did not want to live with another hockey girl because I could not spend that much time with the same person. I HIGHLY recommend rooming with another fall athlete.  A fall athlete, because you’ll have the same early morning training and study schedules.  Having a roommate who’s schedule conflicts with yours – and you may never get any sleep.

Living in a dorm means your mama is not there to tell you when to go to bed, turn down your radio, turn off the TV, do your home work, stop hanging out with friends and tell you that boys cannot go in your room.  This was a crazy transition for me because my mom was VERY strict with me.

Every hall has a few RAs (residential assistants), who are students receiving free board to make sure nothing too crazy happens, however there are no specific rules, curfews, etc.

It is also pretty crazy living in a co-ed dorm. My freshman and sophomore year I lived in an all girls dorm, but this year I chose to live in a co-ed dorm (because it’s more fun, of course). I actually live right down the hall from my boyfriend and all of his friends.  No matter what time of day it is, I can always find a close friend in his or her room.  On the down side, I have had friends who completely did not get along with their roommates, however this is pretty rare.  You just have to communicate with her and respect her stuff/time.

This is NOT my room - but an example of what can happen with no self discipline - and no one to tell you what to do..

Wellllll that is it for now.  Feel free to ask any questions!!

Hasta luego!

Tori Whitcher
University of Richmond, Class of 2011
Go Spiders
World Camp USA, Camp Manager
~ a Top Technical Skill Camp ~

One thing I did not know going into college was how hard-core D1 spring season is. We have a dry spring – I’m 21 – but that means no alcohol – ever.  7AM lift and running workouts Monday-Friday and afternoon hockey practices, and the second half of the spring season we have all day weekend tournaments where we play against other schools.

This week, being the first week back, and getting situated with new classes, we had lift testing Monday, Wednesday and tomorrow (Friday) and had conditioning testing this morning and an intense workout Tuesday morning.

Basically every girl on my team, including myself, is limping around campus feeling like a truck ran over our bodies.

This is why we do it. Me with the 2009 A10 Trophy

 Want to see a great goal by my teammate in the A10 Semis against  Umass – going one-on-one with the U21 Nat.  team GK – a Golden Goal to win!

Stay tuned for more spring season updates!

Tori Whitcher
University of Richmond, Class of 2011
Go Spiders
World Camp USA, Camp Manager
~ a Top Technical Skill Camp ~

Bob Whitcher
World Camp USA / Sport EuroTour
Top-Skill Training ~ at home and abroad
Where is Your Game Going?

World Camp staff Alum Daan van der Wilk (WCUSA 2009), Don Prins (WCUSA 2009), Robert Tigges (WC 2009)  Paul Maas (WCUSA in 2006), Kristiaan Timman (WCUSA in 2004) are representing the Dutch National Indoor team this upcoming weekend at the Indoor European Cup.

To follow their progess and the tournament follow this link http://www.hockey.nl/ek-indoor-2010-en

Other former World Camp coaches Teun de Nooijer (WCUSA in 2002) and Teun Rohof (WCUSA in 2008) are currently in South Africa with the outdoor National team to prepare for the World Cup in March in India. 

World Cup info site: http://www.worldhockey.org/vsite/vnavsite/page/directory/0,10853,1181-200101-217324-nav-list,00.html

On behalf of World Camp we wish them all the best and good luck with their upcoming tournaments!

Bob Whitcher
World Camp USA / Sport EuroTour
Top-Skill Training ~ at home and abroad
Where is Your Game Going?