Week 18 - Welcome MARCH HOLIDAYS! :D

Date: 6 Mar 2011 Time: 9-11am
Location: Si Ling Primary School

The march holidays is upon us, boys. How do you plan to spend your week long holiday? I for one stil have a long list of tasks, what about you?

While having 'fun' and not studying are top most in your to-do or not-to-do list, a word of caution, having too much 'fun' may not be too good for you. I know, you have just completed your CA and you need a break, but for those of you sitting for your PSLE, this is a time for you to catch up, brush up and hone topics of studies that you lagged behind.

To improve your skills in soccer, you have to constantly practice and correct your footwork. Well this applies to your studies too, you have to constantly practise your math and understand your science topics in order to fare well. Almost everything requires effort if you want to do well. So don't forget your textbooks during the holidays ok?

Heads up on what we are planning for this June holidays. We plan to hold an event to promote leadership and teamwork skills. It doesn't have to be soccer all the time right? It's more like an adventure camp but it's only a one day event and I hope to get some parent volunteers. Don't worry, I will keep the costs as low as possible for Think Play!ers.

In the meantime, I have a surprise for all ThinkPlay!ers, as a token of our appreciation for your support of our soccer program, Think Play! is giving away free sports water bottle. We will be giving it away at one of the Sundays after practice.

For now, please enjoy the videos and photos below. Sorry, some should have come sooner but I want to make it special for you guys thus it takes a little longer. Enjoy ya!

Week 17 - Sportsmanship

Date: 27 Feb 2011 Time: 9-11am
Location: Si Ling Primary School

While strength, speed, agility and mental resilience have been discussed again and again in soccer. There is one particular factor that should be emphasized and taught by the coaches besides technical skills and strategy. Sportsmanship.

What does it mean to be a good sportsman? In my opinion, to name a few, good sportsmanship shows when you can congratulate and shake your opponents hand at the end of the game when you lost and admit defeat. It is when you cheer NOT jeer when your opponent is playing. Not belittle or criticise your teammate's mistakes but learn from it and move on. Respect your teammates and your opponents. And also being humble(not boastful of your own skills and thinks you are better than everyone else etc).

Being an observer on the field, I am glad that the boys are well-behaved on the field and I hope they carry that attitude off the field, at home, school and everywhere. Having said that I have summarised an article I read on the internet.

Good Sportsmanship as a Player
- Play fair (Don't cheat or play dirty to win. Remember it's just a game).
- Be a team player (Get everyone involved, don't try to be star and hog the ball).
- Stay positive (Even when the odds are against you, give it your all).
- Keep trash talk to a minimum (Let your performance speak for itself).
- Lose gracefully (If you lose, be a man and give the winner a handshake).
- Win with class (Don't gloat or put down the other team).
- Respect the rules of the game/officials (Respect the coach's/referee's decision even if you think it's a bad call).

Below is an old educational video from the 1950s, it may be old but you'll get the message. Enjoy!

Week 16 - Fun and Cheer!

Date: 20 Feb 2011 Time: 9-11am
Location: Si Ling Primary School

We welcome our new coach yesterday. Coach Shah, recommended by Coach Sani, accepted the offer to train our juniors. Now that the boys are grouped, the younger boys will be better able to cope with the drills designed for them. The previous training with the more senior boys put pressure on some thus my decision to separate them.

Sunday's soccer is supposed to be fun and I don't want to lose that important element. So coaches, please inject some fun and humor into your trainings ok? But I understand coaches, they are a committed and passionate bunch and we are lucky to have them.

My thanks to coach Sani to get the boys to cheer at the end of the training. I appreciate the effort. I believe so much in teamwork, cohesiveness and one identity thus my request. Hope we can continue this practise after every training. Hip, Hip, Hurray!

Well, enjoy the photos and scrimmage footage below ya. Let's cheer for the great effort our boys have put in this week. Hip, Hip, Hurray!

Week 15 - Watch what you eat!

Date: 13 Feb 2011 Time: 9-11am
Location: Si Ling Primary School

Much have been said about how exercise is good for you but a lot more can be done about maintaining a healthy diet (you have less to burn off if you have lesser fats in you in the first place).

Nutrition is not rocket science and should not be but how some make us count calories is a tad going overboard in my opinion.

At this time and age I think it boils down to making healthier choices. For example if you have to choose between a Slurpee and plain water or between yogurt and that chocolate ice cream, the healthier choice is obvious. But it's becoming more challenging to make the right choices with many yummy, delectable and not to mention unhealthy food around.

So ThinkPlay!ers, think before you eat because at the end of the day, you are responsible for your own health.

Obesity is a problem to society, health problems related to obesity are plenty. Not to mention it affects an individual self esteem. So eat healthy and get up and about to burn that fats off and be energized, vitalized and feel better about yourself.

Enough of my ramblings, enjoy my fat-free, no calories serving of photos and videos for this week. Feel free to comment on my post or share your opinions ok :)

Scrimmage Footage & Training Photos - Week 14

Date: 6 Feb 2011 Time: 9-11am
Location: Si Ling Primary School

We have given it some thoughts and have discussed with the coach. We see there is a need to separate the group so as to customize the training according to age and abilities.

This will work to the boys advantage as we are able to chart the boys progress in the group they are in and see their progress more fairly, and which will not be too diverse. We will also want them to cope well in their respective group.

Hope to implement this soonest possible. Meantime, I hope you enjoy watching the training footage and photos below. It was a good sunny Sunday to begin with :)

Soccer Training Footage - Week 13

Date: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Si Ling Primary School
Time: 9-11AM

It's been raining all week long and fortunately for Think Play!ers, it was bright and sunny today. Due to a week's break, I hope our young players managed to get more rest and relax.
I was busy capturing the training footage on video that I forgot to take some shots like I normally do. Well I hope the videos (which are plenty!) can compensate for the missing shots. Enjoy!

Soccer Training & Scrimmage Footage & Photos - Week 12

16 Jan 2011. The long wait to be back training at Si Ling Primary School is over. Finally, today we trained at Si Ling's school field. The weather was good, slightly cloudy skies but no rain and not too much sunshine to scorch our skin.

Soccer Training & Scrimmage Footage & Photos - Week 11

Soccer Training Photos - Week 10

Scrimmage & Training Photos & Footage - Week 8