Dennis Genas, Elite F.C. Director of Coaching, USSF ‘A’ License, English Advanced License,

Region IV Staff Coach, former professional player in England and Finland (full résumé)

WHAT’S NEW IN OUR SOCCER WORLD
The GOOD The BAD & The UGLY?

By Dennis Genas
Well it has been forever since I have tormented you with MY opinion but with all the new changes passed down from our soccer Einstein gurus, it is fa sure time to shake the bushes with MY THOUGHTS.
Kick back relax and if you are of fluffy character, too bad.
Don’t take it personal, unless it fits. ☺

BIRTH YEAR CHANGE
What were they really thinking? Someone who has NO friends woke up one morning and decided to mess with you soccer families, enough of you all getting along I am going to force you to leave your friends/team mates. If I am unhappy you all can be too.
AHHH birth year changes, that should do it and I will say it is for the benefit of identifying quality players for our National programs.
So what happened, chaos ensued, families, coaches, players LOST THEIR MINDS! Teams were breaking up, families, friendships, splitting. REALLY!
Stay in the same club, form teams where possible and continue having barbeques and cocktails together, then Saturdays go watch your friends play. (Silly idea, I know!)
Well clubs seized this opportunity to spread the word about the amazing things they were going to do.
We are forming birth year teams, we are not letting players play up! AT LAST PLAYING UP WILL GO AWAY AND PLAYERS CAN GROW WITHOUT STRESS!
FAST FORWARD SOME MONTHS ☺
How many teams are playing up in these wonderful clubs, NOT LETTING PLAYERS PLAY UP.
I guess it was easier to make teams play up than care if it MADE SENSE! (Time will tell)
WARNING: This may hurt, so read or do not read if the truth hurts!
“Why the heck are teams that struggled in their OWN AGE! Now playing up”
YEP! You know who you are, you fit the “I don’t care if it makes sense bracket”
REVIEW YOUR SENSELESS DECISION IN MAY! (ENJOY ☺)

HEADING
OK! Your child can not head the ball freely until 13. So how long will it be before they are comfortable heading the ball. It was bad enough before.

Good thing ABBY WAMBACH knew better. OOPS She was a soccer player, not Einstein!! Or the person with NO friends.

COMPETITION/WINNING
Einstein or our lonely friend does not want our children to play to win medals or trophies until they are 13. That is sooo nice, we should hold hands hug throw confetti thru the parent tunnel after each game until they are 13.
At 13 “ I said HEAD that foreign object busting your nose making you see stars, suck it up, it is time to compete. Crying child says, who said?   Einstein did!
We need to WIN, STOP crying, head the ball 50 times, you are 13 now, welcome to the real world, shut up and tell your parents be quiet, we are playing U15 because I said so! J

DEVELOPMENT
Einstein, lonely person, “How many players did you force to skip a YEAR in their player development?” That is what we call on the DL playing up!!
Rumor on the streets where this once beautiful game flourished is, Einstein wants all teams to hug each other until U13, playing should also be equal so we are going to add extra players to your roster to aide this!
Sidebar: “IF I ENTER MY U9 – U12 TEAMS IN A TOURNAMENT. YOU BETTER HAVE WINNERS MEDALS NOT LEIS, OR I AM NOT COMING” YEP I WANT TO WIN, I SAID IT”!

REFEREES
“YOU ALL KNOW THIS IS THE SECTION FOR OUR SENSITIVE EMOTIONAL PEEPS!”
That said, I feel sorry for them also in this transition! (“Only because I have to give them more grief”)
We have finally decided to join the REAL World on football substitutions: For you parents/refs still out their yelling, “it’s our ball they can’t sub”
EITHER TEAM MAY MAKE SUBTITUTIONS ON ANY DEADBALL, Throws, Corners, Free kicks, corners, goal kicks.
WELL ☺ I saw a directive go out to coaches and referees in bold and highlighted. Substitutions are at the referee discretion! MERCY MERCY PLEASE NOOOO!
Now referees are being asked to determine, ‘is the substitution real or is it a time wasting process? …… please!”
So guess what happened this weekend, referees were puffing their chests out, “our boss said we can decide”☺

That’s right they were shouting at substitutions “it’s at my discretion, you are wasting time, players hurry up get on the field don’t wait for your player to leave hurry up”
It caused unnecessary CHAOS!
I try to keep things simple and real:
If the world substitution rule is EITHER team can sub on dead balls or ball out of play, it means the game HAS stopped, CORRECT! So how am I wasting time? If players are at the halfway line in a timely manner then the only thing that should concern the referee is the substitution, not trying to read coaches minds! YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO TRY TO GET RIGHT!
“The youth game allows for numerous substitutions throughout the game each half, maybe one day they will limit those to help referees and the flow of this beautiful game!”
Until then, referees let us make substitutions in peace after all REMEMBER Einstein said, equal playing time.
Playing up, it is what it is, weak teams are playing up, WHY!!
Birth Year Change, Einstein and lonely person said it is good, time will tell.
Heading/Competition, “Don’t cross the ball, no corner kicks, no keeper punts problem solved, they are not required in this game!!
I think Mr. Einstein and lonely have a Leis business for the tunnel making parents/coaches/leagues/clubs that agree with this nonsense.
IT WAS ONCE CALLED AYSO, WHAT WILL THIS WORLD GAME BE CALLED NEXT IN THE USA? ☺
$$$$$$$$$ TALKS UTD/FC ☺

SEE YOU ALL IN MAY/JUNE WHEN A NEW EPIDEMIC WILL STRIKE OUR SOCCER COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR MINDS SEARCHING FOR THE LATEST BS & GREENER GRASS TO STILL PLAY AT THE SAME FIELDS FOR DIFFERENT COLORED Leis!
OOPS, THAT IS IF YOU SURVIVED THE SEASON PLAYING UP & AVOIDING PAYING $500 TO NOW DO WHAT ALWAYS MADE SENSE!

Cheers,
Dennis

The Face of Football in Albuquerque

By Dennis Genas

Yes I am BACK!

‘Hold on to your pants, if what I discuss upsets you! Then it must be TRUE! How can we change it?

I am already seeing & hearing things that are so funny! Teams are losing games by large scores, which by the way benefits NOBODY!

Unless some soul searching questions start to be asked:

• ‘Why am I paying all this money to be BEAT UP’?
• ‘Why are we even in this division of competition’?
• ‘Are we really a competitive team, or would our child have more fun in AYSO’
• ‘Why are the smaller clubs BEATING US UP’?
• ‘What do I really know about the game to help my child’

Excuses heard for losses so far:

• ‘We had to play in the rain earlier, that’s why you won’
• ‘Most of your goals were offside’
• ‘Our best player was not available’
• ‘You guys are always pushing’
• ‘If you did not have that player or players we would beat you’
• ‘That was never a penalty’
• ‘Blah, Blah Blah’

I believe winning & losing become habits, as does whining! (Insert crying face emoticon)

Losing is, or should be a great development tool for us! Stop crying, learn why you lost, work out HOW you can improve & learn to accept, SOME TEAMS ARE BETTER!

I give you these tips in the hope we can create a better Football atmosphere!

The true test of YOUR character is not when you win but how YOU lose!

IF YOU MAKE EXCUSES, YOUR CHILD WILL TOO!

IF YOU DEMAND THEY WORK HARDER TO WIN, YOU WILL GET THE TRUTH!

Sideline Behavior:

Why are you crazy parents having track meets up & down the sideline during games?

Most of you have NEVER ran up & down a Football pitch, so why NOW?

You are yelling nonsense most of the time& you are disrespecting the opposing team parents in their half of the field by being in their space!

You THINK you know what offside is!

You celebrate an opposing player being knocked down but are silent at moments of magic!

‘Ask someone to tape you one day and take it to your boss at work, have your children & family friends watch it at a social get together! Better still YOU watch it. ARE YOU THAT CRAZY PARENT?’

It is very hard to watch your child play, without emotion, I know this!

It is scarier if you don’t know what you are watching, so try to respect other fans, your poor child & hopefully it will be a vaccine to others & make match days more fun, win or lose!

Football truly is a beautiful game; the preparation for big clashes should be savored because they are what develops our players & coaches.

‘The understanding of HEALTHY COMPETITION is sadly void from the game in Albuquerque!’

What is it I hear you asking yourself?

It is to have a love & respect for the beautiful game.

Look forward to beating coaches, teams, clubs & having bragging rights for that win, but do it respectfully.

Leave the game on the field.

Teach our players to Love the battles too, instead of developing resentment of players, clubs & coaches!

Understanding the game will change, ‘The Face of the game in Albuquerque’.

Playing Time

By Dennis Genas

This has been a major topic in the USA, especially in soccer. I will try to shed some light on this topic with you readers, purely from my perspective, of course. Comments and opinions expressed on this subject are mine, so please do not go attacking other coaches! I have to say that because some people are getting upset about my page!

PLAYING TIME

• Playing time is something every player and parent wants.
• How much playing time do they want?
• How much playing time does the player deserve?
• How old are the players?
• Where are they playing?

Contrary to popular belief, I know that all coaches select players at tryouts intending to play them all as much as possible throughout the season. Every player wants to play all the time; every parent wants their child to play all the time. Some of you are now saying, “I don’t want to play all the time, but I want to play more.”

There is our first problem: DENIAL. If you do not want to play all the time, regardless of the other players or parents, then you are probably already not playing all the time! PLAYING TIME IS EARNED! It is not guaranteed! I take that back– it IS guaranteed up to U-9’s and in recreational programs.

WHAT FACTORS DETERMINE PLAYING TIME?

• How hard are you working on your game, in practice and in your spare time?
• Are you giving 100% at practice, or are you being distracted by teammates who, by the way, are starters?
• Do you take the time to study the game? Do you study players who play your position?
• Are you doing the things your coach asks you to do, or are you playing your own game?

Sometimes a game is so tight that it is difficult for coaches to make changes because the rhythm of the game could be affected in a negative way. Be honest, some games are crucial to win; if coaches are focused on playing time rather than the result, everyone would be upset about the loss! Would you rather your team win State Cup, Regionals, or other tournaments, or for the coach to make sure everyone gets playing time? Sadly, the truth is RESULTS MATTER! Now I hope you start to understand the dilemma coaches are faced with every game!

Successful teams are ones where everyone plays their part when called upon. Every player has a role and needs to be ready to perform that role to the best of their ability at any given time, for the benefit of the team. If they are pouting on the sideline because they did not start, then they wont be ready mentally when called upon.

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR PLAYING TIME:

• Stop pouting about it! Get out and work even harder on your skills, fitness, strength and coordination.
• Parents stop stressing coaches about it; stress your child to dig deeper.
• Accept that this is a challenge for you. What do you intend to do about it?
• Players, ask your coach what you can work on to improve.
• Watch what world-class players do when they are on the bench.
• Believe in your ability.
• Be honest about your ability and your performance! Not everyone will be at the same level at the same time.
• Do not isolate yourselves from team activities. (Players AND Parents!)
• Ask yourself each game why you deserve more playing time.

Did you score, pass well, defend well, control the ball, communicate in the game, dominate your goal, show leadership, deliver crosses, make good saves, win your tackles, and give 100% effort so you were shattered at the end of the game? If you evaluate your performance on the field with some of the pointers above, then you will know when it is time to talk to your coach about your playing time. If you are not hitting the pointers, there is your first clue!!

Parents, I know you all want your kids to play. And we as coaches want to play them. Remind them that nothing good comes easy. If they want to play Competitive, they need to prepare physically and mentally for the ups and downs of this competitive game. Enjoy your soccer through the good and tough times!!

To all you readers: If you have any comments, questions or topics you would like addressed, feel free to email me.

The Game is a Simple, Beautiful Game (I think!)

By Dennis Genas

All over the World the game of soccer/Footie is played in parks and streets by players dreaming of ‘Making it in the Professional Game’, by players who are too old to make but still believe they are better than some of the professionals playing. (I have to admit, some of them are probably right!)

When these players come together for pick up games they throw down some bags, clothing or use whatever resembles a goal. They keep score, call their own game and select professional team names and player names. They truly believe they are Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Barcelona or Chelsea; Henry, Gerrard, Ronaldhino, Eto’o, Drogba, Jenas or for the weaker players a Goalkeeper!

Youth leagues are formed and teams play each other every week, come wind, rain, hail, snow or invariably, SUNSHINE. The top teams play each other in the top leagues; the lower league teams fight every week to win promotion into the top league for the chance to play the top teams. Teams never have to worry about referees; it is the Leagues responsibility. There are never any questions at the end of the season as to what a team’s standing was.

Leagues around the world have a system that should be looked into with a view to implementing it here. (Take some time to see if you can understand this complex system used to rank teams at the end of the season around the world!)

• Win = 3pts
• Tie = 1pt
• Loss = 0pts

If you look at the game here, it is far from simple:

• Find your own referees.
• Retrieve or lose points if you do not officiate a required number of games.
• Check the color code to assess your officiating points.
• Check your color codes for what games you are playing COUNT to your ranking.
• Check the point scoring system used for games played, 0.88 or 2.075 etc. (Help)
• Why are we ending games early because of a mercy rule? This does not happen around the world! Why are these teams even playing teams that we know will Mercy rule them, on a BAD day!

I vote for the scoring system used around the world, and if the top teams need to play each twice to make it a tougher schedule and season, guess what– teams play each other twice around the world in a season!

How many of you out there understand the color-coding and algebra scoring system? Sadly, I do not! It is sad when you need to understand a scientific formula to know where your teams are ranked. If the world formula were used there would be NO need for ranking meetings!

This is a simple and beautiful game!!