[Rene GonzalezParticipant]

Curious on folks thoughts on 4v4 (what we play at u8 level) and futsal (same thing + goalie)?  Happy to start own thread on that if it clogs here.

We’ve opted for 1-2-1.  The 1s are pretty self explainatory (I call them sweeper and striker, although if I fully adopt a 4-3-3 and dual cbs will shift that nomenclature).  I call the 2s wings, expected to work up and down the field; shift in defensively and when ball is on the other side of the field; feet on chalk when the ball gets swung around to my sweeper.

In futsal, have introduced concept of goalie involved in the play (my men’s team plays through our goalie extensively), but have not pushed it too much, in part because  FIFA laws of the game have changed a little bit and goalie cannot receive a pass back in their own half once they’ve passed to a teammate on their half; although that may be rather silly since our local rules do not follow FIFA and play back and we can pass back forth to the keeper as much as we want.

The only real gap I’ve seen in this system, is if you are ever on a wider field – for 7yr olds the pass back to sweeper can seem quite long.  Further, our goalies (for futsal) are just field players rotating in goal at this age, so they are perfectly capable playing the ball at their feet.

[Rene GonzalezParticipant]

Great idea Wolfgang!

I am independent for now – ran a Men’s Team that was part of Westside Timbers 04-06, but right now only coaching a u8 girls rec team (my twin daughters team) through Laurelhurst.  Considering putting them in development league this spring, but with the mess that is Oregon classic soccer right now, a little unclear where to put them.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by  Rene Gonzalez.

[Rene GonzalezParticipant]

Thank you Andrew and am in the same boat as Wolfgang; will go Gravatar route for now, but if anyone ids other options please post here.

[Rene GonzalezParticipant]

For sure Chris!  Had a parent ask me about your club so would definitely like to learn more and connect.  I am in the Hawthorne district and I think you guys are on the eastside as well?

[Rene GonzalezParticipant]

Hello, my name is Rene and live here in Portland, OR.
As a player, grew-up in the backwaters of American Soccer – Anchorage, Alaska.  Made 1 of the first traveling youth teams there; played in a couple of regionals and would eventually play college soccer at Willamette.  After taking a break from the sport during law school, have been involved in some of the men’s leagues in my 20s and 30s (going to regionals once as a men’s amateur), as player, manager, and league president.

In terms of coaching, started very early – in my teens trained my younger brother’s team, a group that would eventually finish 2  at US Cup (Minnesota tournament) – a big deal for a team from Alaska at the time.  As an adult, co-manager of a Westside Action team that would win an OPSL title in 2005, and have been a player/manager/coach for a number of outdoor and futsal teams over the last 15 years.

Now starting over with my young twin daughters’ team – u8s. Have never coached kids this young other than in a camp from time-to-time, so am learning as I go.  Found 3four3 a few months ago and have been hooked sense.

Outside of soccer, I pay the bills as a lawyer and am involved in an early childhood start-up.  My family is multicultural (I’m half Mexican and wife is half Latina), but my Spanish is spotty.  In my late teens, traveled to Europe and saw a couple of games at Camp Nou, as well FC Torin, and Lazio (during the Gazzo years), and lower division games in Greece and Spain.  Biggest soccer event I’ve seen live is the European final when Greece upset Portugal in Lisbon; also saw a couple of World Cup games in 2004, a qualifier in Ecuador, and couple of pro games in Mexico City.

GOALS WITH THIS EXPERIENCE – translating principals here to the very young (u8s) in an age-appropriate manner.  Additionally, despite some years coaching, think there are some gaps with my tactical understand (or at least ability to translate) in the attacking third (spent my college years as a sweeper).

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by  Rene Gonzalez.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by  Rene Gonzalez.

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