Dave Kasper in WashPost video

[tab5g]

The State of U.S. Soccer
The Struggle, The Youth, The Hope

video here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2006/07/05/VI2006070501352.html

Kasper comments on the DC United youth program and its goals.

[CHICO13]

Justin Robbins, sign him up. :cool:

[owendylan]

Most of the video features local coaching legend John Ellis who was an assistant on the USWNT for a while and whose daughter is now head coach at UCLA after a stint at University of Illinois and UVa. and is the U-21 coach, she still maybe. His son was at Mason for a short period of time and now is pretty mcuh in charge of Soccer Academy. Ellis was mentor to a lot of coaches in the area like Jac Cicala, who went from Lake Braddock to the Mason women's job, Carolyn Rice and helped former DC United staffer Dennis Lee in coaching years ago.

[John L]

Didn't Ellis also start the Annandale Boys Club program?

How many other MLS clubs also have a youth program?

DC United's program for now is mostly in the summer and the only thing the older teams have done is some irregular practices and games - At least this video shows clinics emphasizing ball control skills and using smaller balls and fields

Unfortunately most kids have loyalties to their select clubs and schools - DC United's program must somehow not compete but complement this - Maybe really long sessions throughout the summer - And somehow seek to de-emphasize full-sided competition for under 11 players

Again, as in a different post in the USMNT forum (and as amended by another) the USSF needs to de-certify regional and state cups and ODP programs at the younger levels

[owendylan]

Didn't Ellis also start the Annandale Boys Club program?

How many other MLS clubs also have a youth program?

DC United's program for now is mostly in the summer and the only thing the older teams have done is some irregular practices and games - At least this video shows clinics emphasizing ball control skills and using smaller balls and fields

Unfortunately most kids have loyalties to their select clubs and schools - DC United's program must somehow not compete but complement this - Maybe really long sessions throughout the summer - And somehow seek to de-emphasize full-sided competition for under 11 players

Again, as in a different post in the USMNT forum (and as amended by another) the USSF needs to de-certify regional and state cups and ODP programs at the younger levels
He didn't start the Annandale boys club that was Everett Germain. Germain however did bring Ellis in to be the director of soccer or some title like that in the late 70's I think. Ellis came and then basically ended up staying ever since. He was one of my first youth select soccer coaches.

[GrillMaster]

My favorite memory of Ellis is him teaching the kids to say "ice cream" rather than "offside" to avoid tipping off the player at fault.

Nice guy and a good role model.

GM

[tab5g]

My favorite memory of Ellis is him teaching the kids to say "ice cream" rather than "offside" to avoid tipping off the player at fault.

Nice guy and a good role model.

GM

have to agree here. i was particularly fond of his call-and-answer shout:

Soccer!!!

Great game! Great game!