Penalty Shots

 Man are penalty shots nerve racking. It's such a humdrum way to end a soccer game, yet probably majority of soccer players have had to take a penalty shot a few times in their career. 

I remember the penalty shots I had to take like a blur from the past. 

I pole vaulted and long jumped for track and field and ice skated so I became accustomed to the pressure of the individual moment in a team sport. 

I learned to shoot really hard and into the corner of the goal. 

I learned to know exactly where I was going to shoot the ball before walking up to the goal... decided during practice and practiced repeatedly until I felt confident about it. 

I tried once, to choose a different spot on the spot before a penalty kick and when the ball went wide I decided ritual is best in the penalty kick scenario. 

I'm pretty sure I cried when I missed the shot. I cried a lot. 

My dad told me, if you give 100% effort in every game, you're going to feel good about it no matter the outcome. 

That's the truth. If you give 100% effort, you know you gave it the best you could. 

Even if I gave 100% effort and the outcome was not in our favor, I still cried sometimes. 

I wanted to win every single game. 

Penalty Shootout Tips by Chat GPT

 "Player:

Practice under pressure: Hey, when you're training, try to simulate those nerve-wracking penalty shootout moments. It's all about getting comfortable with the pressure, so when the real deal comes, you're ready to rock.

1. Focus on technique: Keep your head down, strike the ball cleanly, and pick your spot. Remember, it's all about technique, so stick to what you know works for you.

2. 
   

   Visualization: Before you step up to take that penalty kick, take a moment to visualize yourself crushing it. Picture the ball hitting the back of the net, and let that boost your confidence.

3. 
   

   Stay calm and composed: Deep breaths, my friend. Take a moment to compose yourself, focus on the task at hand, and block out any distractions. You got this.

4. 
   

   Know your strengths: What's your go-to move? Whether it's power, placement, or a cheeky bit of deception, play to your strengths and go with what feels natural to you.

5. 
   

   Study the goalkeeper: Keep an eye on the goalkeeper. Notice any patterns or tendencies they have? Use that to your advantage when deciding where to place your shot.

6. 
   

   Positive mindset: No matter what happened before, every penalty kick is a fresh start. Stay positive, believe in yourself, and remember, you've got the skills to nail this.

   
   

   Keeper:

   1. Stay focused: Hey keeper, keep your eyes on the ball and stay focused throughout the shootout. It's all about concentration and being ready for whatever comes your way.

   2. 
      

      Read the shooter: Watch the shooter's body language and movements closely to anticipate where they might place their shot. Look for any hints or cues that could give you an edge.

   3. 
      

      Positioning is key: Make sure you're positioned well in the goal, covering as much space as possible without leaving too much open. Anticipate the direction of the shot and adjust your position accordingly.

   4. 
      

      Stay on your toes: Be ready to move quickly and react to the ball. Stay on your toes, stay agile, and be prepared to dive in any direction to make the save.

   5. 
      

      Stay calm under pressure: Penalty shootouts can be intense, but as the last line of defense, it's important to stay calm and composed. Take deep breaths, stay focused, and trust in your abilities.

   6. 
      

      Mind games: Use subtle movements and gestures to try to psych out the shooter. Sometimes a little bit of gamesmanship can make all the difference.

      
      

   7. Learn from each shot: Whether you make the save or not, take note of what happened and learn from it. Adjust your tactics and positioning as needed for the next shot.

   Remember, as a goalkeeper, you have the power to be a hero in penalty shootouts. Stay confident, stay focused, and trust in your abilities to make the crucial saves."

Be Exceptional

 "Being exceptional often starts with embracing your uniqueness and pursuing your passions with dedication and perseverance. It involves setting high standards for yourself, constantly seeking to improve, and pushing beyond your comfort zone. Being exceptional means not settling for mediocrity and always striving to make a positive impact, whether it's in your personal life, professional endeavors, or contributions to society. It requires a mindset of continuous learning, innovation, and resilience in the face of challenges. So, dare to dream big, work hard, and let your exceptional qualities shine brightly for the world to see." - Chat GPT 3.5

Nike: Be exceptional.

Game Overview

 The Empire Strykers played a good game yesterday and the competition was balanced, although we didn't win. I realized that the upper bowl seats have a nice view of the game in comparison to ones close to the field because it's easy to lose track of the ball in the ones close to the field. Also, there aren't as many distractions as there are on the seats close to the field. Nonetheless, my kids like to sit as close to the players as possible. Those are their favorite seats. As for me, as a blogger, the upper bowl seats were nice. 

There was an announcement made at the arena that everyone in the upper sections could move to lower seats if they wanted to, so naturally, we moved to the lower seats than where we were. I love that we were given that opportunity as fans because it makes the entire experience more exciting! In retrospect, we decided where we were in the upper bowl was full of a great view of the game with a bigger perspective. A kind lady gave us tickets to the game when we were outside of the stadium. She had a stack of tickets and was happy to share. We remain very thankful for her kindness and generosity. 

Anyway, in the soccer games I've watched lately, I've recognized the fact that the leading strikers shoot the ball whenever they have a good foot on it. It can be from outside of the 18, close to the goal, etc. as long as it's worth a shot, they take the chance. Scored goals happen that way, by chance. Rarely do we know when shooting the ball if it's actually going to hit the net or not. We give it our best shot and sometimes the seemingly impossible strikes actually make it as a goal. The unpredictability is what makes it so much fun! The off the ball movement has been more of what is fascinating to me in recent months. It's what I want to study most. 

The MLS of Indoor Soccer

 The Empire Strykers professional indoor soccer team had a home game this evening. The weather here in Southern California is on hurricane watch for the second time in my life and we don't really know what that means to be honest. Anyway, the weather was looking great so we decided to go to the game. The good thing about indoor soccer is that it is not dependent upon the weather. 

The Toyota Arena is enclosed so we don't really know what the weather is like outside when we're at the game. There were signs on the screens along the hallways that mentioned evacuation plans if the weather were to affect the game. Thankfully, the game went perfectly well and the rain was refreshing when we left. 

I can see why professional indoor soccer is gaining popularity and the league the Empire Strykers plays in is comparable to the MLS. The game is fast paced and there are a lot more goals than outdoor. The field is smaller, the walls can be played so there aren't throw ins and there is a lot less stoppage time. There are 4 quarters and the atmosphere is more like a hockey game with the potential for cheerleaders, etc. 

Where are most of the players coming from? 

I am really looking forward to the USMNT (United States Men's National Team) playing their first World Cup game in Los Angeles at SoFi stadium on June 12th, 2024. I hope we get to attend. 

Will there be indoor soccer World Cup games? Are there countries teams? Where is this movement mostly? Is it starting in the United Staes? 

Hopefully I can answer these questions within the next few posts. 

Until then, thank you to the people who have been helping us along the way in this journey. I hope what you love increases. 

A Gender Balance in Soccer

 Women's soccer in the United States has been a strong suit for years. Around the world, men's soccer seems to have dominated in comparison to women's soccer. Now we are seeing women's teams around the world evolve and the balance of gender in soccer is getting better. I believe this shift will bring more momentum to our USMNT and they're due for some great success. 

Home Soil or Otherwise?

 "Soccer has its own unique charm no matter where it's played. In the United States, the soccer scene has been growing steadily, and the Major League Soccer (MLS) has gained popularity. Overseas, you have the rich history and intense competition of European leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and more.

It really depends on what you're looking for. The passion and tradition in European football are hard to beat, but the U.S. is making strides and has its own exciting developments. What's your take on it?" -Chat GPT