Sunday, April 18, 2010

Stranded in Barcelona!!!!!






Uph!!!!!

With a mad rush to the Airport, we came to find, not only our flight to be cancelled, but the entire Airport closed, as a result of the Volcanic erruption in Iceland. I had just checked in my luggage when the announcement came, stopping All flights, thus closing the airport. I guess things could be worse.

I was so excited to go home and see my family. I miss them so much and can't wait to see them. For now, our flights have been postponed until Friday, April 23rd, five (5) more days in Spain. It could be worse!

However, no matter how beautiful the city of Barcelona, it is still difficult to be away from my wife and children this long. Twenty-nine of us all together are stuck and we are all almost out of clean clothes and come Tuesday, will be displaced from our Hotel. We are working on a back up plan and feel confident, things will be alright.

On the bright side, I will be able to tour the city tomorrow. Luckily my brother is with me or I would really be homesick. We will need to wash some laundry and hopefully finalize our hotel accommodations tomorrow for the rest of the week.

We did get to see Jonothan play this evening and meet with his father after the match. He scored the first of two goals, finishing 2 - 0. Afterwards we watched Real Madrid beat Valencia 2 - 0 in a local pub. There was no love for Madrid here this evening.

All in all, things could be worse. I love Barcelona and cherish this experience.

Coach Greg

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Last Thoughts!

I guess I should mention the boys were able to meet Jonathon Dos Santos this afternoon. They were in heaven.

Also, there is a bit of a concern on our return trip due to the Volcano errupting in Iceland. Thankfully, we have a direct flight to Philidelphia and will not be landing in London. A few of our coaches, players and parents though, will not be as lucky as my brother and I.

Last Day in Barcelona!


This week has just flown by! Today we spent the entire day watching matches, ranging from U7 all the way through FCBarcelona's first team with a draw against Espanyol. What a day!

It's is now 2:15 a.m. and I am trying everything in my power to stay awake to hear the results from our teams playing in State Cup, back at home.

In short, what has been learned this week in priceless. We are eagerly awaiting to return home to begin working on our new phase of "Development." Learning from the World's best Club only reiterates its course of success.

Again, the core of what we bring home from this weeks training is this, Futbol Club Barcelona is "Mes Que un Club," it is what is the Heart of the Catylan people. It is not easily understood, unless you experience it at hand and speak with those piling into the neighborhood pubs, singing in the streets, stopping us, as we walk past them with our Barca gear on .... It is what gives this City life. When FCBarcelona wins, the City is alive. When they lose, the City hurts and mourns. As we learned this evening, "Barca o Muerte!"

The memories and training this week, will never be forgotten and will be given life in Arizona and the rest of our affiliate States.

Until next year, "Visca Barca!"

Friday, April 16, 2010

A New Day!

Today, we have the morning off. We are not scheduled for training until 6:00 pm. Thankfully, my body will recover today.

We'll take some time this morning to review our week of sessions and then possibly tour the City.

Visa Barca!

Barca '99 Boys Win Again!





Last night, our boys beat Barca's '99 boys Academy teams, 4 - 1. They dominated with pressure to put three goals in the first of three quarters played. We played with three quarters to allow us the opportunity to play all three of their Academy teams at the Cuidad Desportiva. It was an evenly played match of possession, ball movement and fast pace. What a great finish for these boys, traveling from the United States to remain undefeated with only one tie in four matches played.

Visca Barca!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Barcelona 3, RC Deportivo 0





Last night we watched first hand, the poetic work of Barcelona. Sitting in the lower section, 19 rows up from the pitch is an experience I will never forget. For the entire first half, we watched as Barcelona relentlessly, attacked Deportivo. We sat, just to the left of the goal where we observed Bojan score, Messi hosting a dribbling clincic, Alves attempting a bicycle kick, only to be detoured by the crossbar, Pedro finishing from half field after a quick counter attack beginning with a punt from Valdez, Yaya finishing with a side volley .... It was amazing! With only 80 thousand fans on hand, we sang along with the locals as though we too belonged.


The game was certainly the highlight of the day, however, our coaching session and lecture too were quite informative and well worth it. Pau Marti discussed in more detail, the difference between Possession vs. Positional Training. What we learned on our trip to Spain in December of 2008 was heavily focused on the methodology and philosophy of Possession. This years course, could very well be viewed as Futbol 102. What was taught is now being utilized in providing instuction on how to incorporate this type of training for Positional training as well. Our eyes have been open to a whole new way of training. We can't wait to begin with implementing what we have learned.


Mike and I have become very close with one of our brother affiliates out of Virginia, Brian Robertson, Technical Director of TAP Futbol Club. He recently attended a coaching clinic in Brasil and was sharing some of his thoughts and ideas which will be helpful in the formation of PB FCBarcelona Az.


Jordi Vinyals, Albert Benaiges, Carlos Bueno, Oscar (our Instuctor last December) ... and all the coaching staff of FCBarcelona have been incredible once again in welcoming us and making us feel at home.


It has been very difficult for Mike and I to update our blogs on a daily basis simply due to our training schedule. Also, having our'99 boys playing in friendlies has also added to our already busy itineary. So far, they are undefeated, with a draw on Monday, a big win against FCBarcelon's Escola team, 4 - 2, and defeating Xavi's (Trainer we met at our Summer Camp '09) team from a local Club last night, 6 -2. Tonight will be the big test, going up against FCBarcelona's Academy team. Currently, they are in the number 2 position in their league, trailing by 2 points to Espanyol. Our instructor Pau informed us today, in preparation for their match against Espanyol next weekend, they will be playing to "Win." It will be what we have named, the "Mini Classico."


Today has been a bit more relaxing, especially since we did not have any training out on the pitch today. Due to our number of coaches participating, we could not run a practical session on todays topic, "The Philosophy and Methodology of Physical Training." Thank God! The coaches are all limping around Barcelona, because we are too old and out of shape. Not really, but we do hurt! It's almost funny.


Today though was great. We learned more about the adequate ages of certain types of training, when and how to use load and strength training, resistance training, depending on the type of matches for the week, how do you run your session plan, warm ups, cool downs, how Strength, Speed and Resistance all tie into one another ... Of course, every Club has their own idea or philosopy, but we are learning Barca's methods. That says it all.


Again, this trip has truly been amazing! I look forward to returning home and implementing what has been learned.


Once again, we are off to observe the training session of Barcelona's "B" team. We did get a peak at the First Team's new training facility yesterday, which we did not get to see last time we were here in Spain. We watched them train, along with the '99, '97, '95 and '94 teams. These players are incredible. Their first touch, composure, and individual ability is unreal. What has been helpful in retaining and understanding what is being taught, is the ability to observe their training sessions first hand of their Academy


Visca Barca!!!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Second Day of Training Almost Complete!






Today as usual began bright and early at 7:00 a.m. We met downstairs for breakfast, a quick recap of the evening festivities and then off for training.

Yesterday, although similar to last years Coaching Course, was still quite different. For starters, the entire course is being taught in English. Although I felt my comprehension last year was acceptable, it is apparent to me there were some items lost in translation. Our "profe" this year Pau Marti. He has been fantastic. He too is an instructor in the FCBEscola. Our introduction was quick and to the point. Paul Walker (our Penya's President) asked that we be able to spend more time out on the pitch with less classroom instruction. It has been incredible. I feel I have a better understanding of how to better utilize the Rondo's when teaching, defenseive and offensive tactical and technical objectives. Although we are only two days into training, I am already very excited in what we will be bringing back to our youth players.

Also, it has been amazing seeing those we established relationships with during last years course and those we are now meeting. Jordi Vinayls was quick to say "Hola," along with Oscar our trainer last year.

The '99 boys were able to play a local Club here in Barcelona last night, coming away with a draw, 4 -4. Not a bad result considering they were playing two years up. Tonight will be a better match up as they face FCBEscola's U10 Team.

In addition to the training being slightly different, Paul has also arranged for a tour bus to take us around Barcelona to see some of the beautiful sights we missed last year.

I'm late for leaving for the Ciudad Esportiva. I will check in later.

Coach Greg