"On a mission to be. What Im destined to be.."

I am a nerd. I like to read, write, create and listen to others ideas.  A few weeks ago I took a coaching course in Swedish.  The first hour was a lecture;  in the beginning, I franticly wrote down everything I could and circled the Swedish words I did not know. Then about 15 minutes into the lecture something clicked in my brain; I understood almost everything; my brain just turned and I felt as if I was even thinking in Swedish.  It was a completely wild experience and I think with even more practice I will be able to make my brain Switch more often.  

Tony Gufstasson and the Tiki Taka Style have so much to offer to the development of youth soccer.  Their philosophies were very similar to mine and they like to create an environment where there is no principles; its an environment where the players get to be as creative as they please to reach the goal.  The coaches is job to is to create challenges and then guide the players to solve the problem.

 After the lecture, the coaches and I hit the field we all became Tony's players.  It was a high energy, fast-paced and fun practice.  He kept everyone going at all times and I came out with many ideas for my own teams and even learned as a player as well. 

I did not know all the coaches in the course but almost all of them knew me.  I met and talked to so many people.  I had their kids in the schools, some at the camp and I played againsta few.  It was fun to be around people that shared the same amount of passion for coaching and the game itself as I did.

I spoke with Tony after and he was surprised an American was in his class and was impressed with my swedish.  He told me about some of his experiences with the US national team, how he got involved with Tiki Taka and basically told me how he got where he was.  

It is neat hearing people's stories; you can learn so much by just taking a second to listen about where they have been, what they have seen, ect. He told me that they are trying to bring Tiki Taka to the US.  I know it would be a big hit and I would love to be involved with their organization. 

Last week I went from taking a coaching course to teaching one.. After running my soccer camp, SISU; a company in town wanted me to run a coaching class where coaches could have the opportunity to watch me train my team and then hear me talk about my own personal philosophies, planning and styles.  

I was nervous because I have never done anything like this before.  I have my D license and I am going to get my National C lisense very soon but I am so used to being a student when it comes to this; not the teacher.  I looked at my old notes and put a lot of thought on how I was going to run this class.  

It went great and was absolutely incredible.  My field session focused on 'when to dribble and when to pass'.  There were a little over 20 coaches watching; my players did great! The energy level was high and it was fun! After the session I went inside with the coaches and talked about my philosophy and how I incorporated it into my training session.  

I did not know how I would be talking to a group of coaches but right when I started everything felt so natural.  I felt so comfortable and it was so neat seeing everyone  "frantically taking notes" on what I had to say.  Some coaches were even taking pictures of the information I wrote down on the board.  After I was finished many of them asked me questions about their teams and wanted different advice. Others, asked me the difference between the youth development between the US, Finland and Sweden.  I was having so much fun talking about my different experiences.  After the classroom session was over all the coaches came up to me individually and shook my hand.  I had a few of their kids in my camp and others want me to come run a session or two for their teams.   

This whole experience was amazing and I never thought I could be good at something like that.  I really enjoyed teaching a group of coaches. I like speaking in front of people. I have so many ideas and it was so much fun to share them with a whole group in person.  I can see myself doing something like this in the future.  

In soccer news, my team has hit a rough patch but we have one more game left; one more chance to prove ourselves.  We play in Stockholm this Saturday against Brommopojkarana; if we win we will  have a chance to move up to division 1.  It comes down to the last game.  We have nothing to lose.. Its out turn!!

“The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.”

One of my old coaches told me you only have 24 hours to either celebrate a win or think about a loss and then you have to move on.  Yesterday we had a rivalry game against another team in town; Huge.  We have a good team with some good players; everyone brings something to the table but it was not our best game. It was disappointing to lose but we can learn from this. We will regroup and take it to Taby this weekend.  

I am happy because we get another shot at Huge; in a sense we are lucky.  Second chances like this are rare sometimes, but I am so glad we have a second chance against them.  They beat us yesterday but we are a better team!  Now, we have another chance to prove it by beating them in Swedish Cup final September 4th.

 I do not look at these upcoming games with a sense of pressure.  I have learned that  "its not pressure, its opportunity"  Every time you step onto the field you have an opportunity prove yourself and to be the best; to go further than you think.  There is so much more inside and I have read, very few people tap into their true potential and really reach their physical limits. Why is that? What separates it?

The 24 hours to think about yesterday's game is up.. Its never good to live in the past. Now, it is a new day and there is a new game to prepare for. We have what it takes to finish the rest of the season strong!  

In other news, this week I am going to coaching course here in Sweden.  The company is call Tiki Taka; its Barcelona's style of playing and coaching.  Tony Gustavsson will be running the course.  Tony is the assistant coach of the U.S women's national team and just recently helped them reach the gold medal.  I am excited to meet him and learn the Barcelona way.  It is definitely my favorite style of soccer.  I love things like this; you learn so much and you never know who you are going to meet or what opportunities could come of it.   

Here is a fun video of the Tiki Taka way!

“Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be. The heart has eyes which the brain knows nothing of."

What is your goal? Why do you play the game? What is your role on your team? What do you aspire to be? 

Player 1

"My goal is to be a professional soccer player and play on the Swedish national team"

"I play because it is fun, I meet new friends, keep in good shape and it is fun to score goals"

"To reach my goal I will train because it is fun not because I have to.  I must have good confidence, dare to try and trust myself."

Player 2

"My goal is to be a professional soccer player in another country besides Sweden."

"To reach my goal I am going to train on my own, watch soccer and give 100% in all my games and practices."

"I play the game because it is fun. It is a fun sport and I like to practice."

Player 3

"My goal with soccer is to play in the highest division in Sweden."

"I can reach my goal if I give 100% in training and train on my own."

"I play because soccer is a fun sport and I like to train and develop."

These are all questions I was asked as a camper at Soccerplus camps and they are the same questions I asked my campers at my camp here in Gavle.  I had the players write it down and we talked about it.  A bunch of players came up to me after and handed me their papers and wanted me to read it. When they handed me their papers I had flashbacks of my playing days at soccer plus.  I saw myself in them.  

The last day of camp we talked about their goals and how they get there.  I told them that they have to BELIEVE.  The most important person that has to believe you can do something is you! I told them that the next session was going to be hard but, it is the ones who are willing to push the furthest that will achieve their dreams.  It will be a test and it is the first step to achieving their goal.  

We hit the field for the last session of the 2012 IFK soccer camp.  It was the best session I have ever had with a group of kids.  I have never seen so many young players on one field give everything they had.  Before the session ended, I brought the girls in, some of them sat down in exhaustion while their friend/teammate helped them up.  They stood arm and arm around me; 44 players looking at me with this particular look.  Everyones eyes were on me. When I looked them in the eyes I recognized this look… When I looked at every one of them I saw myself. I saw myself standing there  as a 14 year old curly haired girl, decked out in soccerplus gear with eyes filled of big dreams, hope, courage, determination and the willingness to go beyond the comfort zone and do whatever it takes to make it happen.  This is what I play for... This is why I play the game; Its for times like these. Everyone was completely in the moment; nothing else mattered outside the field.  I remember being at camp looking at my coaches in complete focus ready to absorb the next test they threw at me.  I gave my players one more challenge.. At this point I told them it is not about who is the most technical, tactical, or physical. It is about who has the most in here... I pointed to my heart. They went off completed the challenge, as hard and as fast as they could. When the final whistle blew they came together as one group and one camp.  I was so proud of everyone of them!

It was an incredible ending to a phenomenal camp.  I have learned so much from this camp and I have so many new ideas for the future.  I feel like I could write a book just on this experience. 

I would like to thank everyone who helped make it possible.  Thank you to the players, coaches, sponsors and everyone who made this experience unforgettable; without you it would not have been the same. 

In other news my team played in the semi-finals of the Swedish Cup on Thursday and we won 7-0.  The final will be in two weeks against our rival; Huge. 

Yesterday we had a home game verse Hille.  Last time we met we barley beat them.  The score was 3-2; we just slipped by in the last five minutes.  This time we brought it to Hille and won 10-0.  It was a high scoring game but all the goals were classy and it was fun soccer to watch.  Many of the kids from the camp showed up; wearing their blue camp shirts and all.  My youth team was also there cheering us on.   It was neat and it meant a lot; I heard the kids yelling and chanting my name, many times though out the game.  It was fun playing in front of them; my whole team definitely put on a show.

I talked with some of my youth girls and the camp kids after the game and I got that same look.  They all looked at me again with those same eyes; a look I know to well.. I can not help seeing myself in them.  They were all so excited to talk to me and to talk about the game.  It reminded me of when I used to go to watch the Boston Breakers when they were in the WUSA; I was the one with that look.  Its crazy to be on the other side and its very hard to explain the feeling I have; its refreshing to know that so many young players share the same dream. All I know is that IFK has done a great job; we are getting people excited about the game, we are getting them to dream big and most importantly to BELIEVE.

"there is nothing better than doing what you love, around the people you love."

Unprecedented, unique, extraordinary, expectional… That is exactly what the camp was.  It was a complete success and there are very few words to really describe how well it went.  

About 24 girls showed up.  The first day consisted of take on moves, and the principles of one vs. one attacking and defending.  The second day's topic included shooting, volleying and heading.  The last was filled with soccercise (dribbling to music), "Olympic games" and fitness. All the kids grasped the concepts and were able to repeat them back to me and my fellow coaches.  

Each day after lunch there was a scheduled psychological talk with the kids.  We talked about goals, the fear of failure, pressure, and getting out of ones own comfort zone.  I had them talk in small groups with their coaches as well.  

I was really impressed with my teammates/fellow coaches.  They were phenomenal; they helped me with everything I needed!! The demonstrations were great and everyone brought a high energy level which the kids caught on to. I could not have done it without them! They all were so good with the kids and the kids really related to their coach.  All my teammates are amazing role models! Now when the kids read about all of us in the newspaper we will be way more than just another name!

This was my first camp that I have directed and it was exactly how I pictured it in my head. It was amazing seeing what I drew up come to life.  I looked at my field as a canvas. Everything was perfect; from cone set up, to goal set up, to demonstrations, to the transitions from the warm up to the stations.  After each day I felt as if I was on a natural high.  Everything was organized, professional and the topics and drills complemented each other perfectly!

We got many compliments on how well the week went and many of the players already asked when the next camp will be and if we are going to have it again next year.  They also asked for all of our autographs and said that they were going to come watch our home games.  

We did our job, we got these kids excited about the game and that is the most important thing! 

Sunday we had a home gave verse Stromsbro.  It was the first game back after break.  Many of the campers came to the game wearing their IFK camp shirts we designed.  There was so many people at the game; probably the most we have had. I like playing in front of a lot of people  My team put on a show, some of the combinations were spot one and we came out winning 2-0.  It was a good game for us and it was nice to get this win!

Now we have a big game Sunday in Stockholm against Bele Barkaraby and we are hungry for another three points!!  Some of my best friends are coming to the game! Im so happy they are coming.  A wise person told me "there is nothing better than doing what you love, around the people you love." Its true..  It makes everything mean so much more!  

UNPRECEDENTED

UNPRECEDENTED: By definition, unprecedented means "without previous instance, never before known or experienced."

It is not common in Sweden to have soccer camps.  That is crazy to me because camps are so big in the US.  As a kid, I loved soccer camp; it was the best part of the summer! I decided to put together IFK Gavle's first ever soccer camp.  It is Unprecedented; it has never been done before..

A few of my teammates and I designed camp shirts.  I wanted a great word to describe the camp so with the help of my little sister, she came up with UNPRECEDENTED.

I brought my idea to my coach and we presented the camp to the football association.  They agreed to back the camp and we found many sponsors.  The kids get to come to the camp for free, lunch and a camp shirt is included.  Here is the typical day I created.

9-10:30 Technical session

10:30-11:00 Lunch/Snack

11:00-11:15 Psychological Training

11:15-12:30 A Tactical session that is an expansion of the mornings technical session

12:30-1 Games

 I have over 30 kids coming and a number of my teammates have volunteered to help coach.  My teammates are great role models and the players are going to learn a lot from them on and off the field!

The game is full of many different personalities, creativity, sacrifice, courage..  My goal is to push the players outside of their comfort zones.  My teammates and I are going to demonstrate everything; I want the players to see what it is supposed to look like and then I want them to try and imitate everything we do. I want to put them in a challenging environment and help them find success and most importantly have fun!  

Synonyms of UNPRECEDENTED include unique, extraordinary and exceptional... The camp starts tomorrow and that is exactly what it is going to be!

Nu Kor Vi!!!!

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Dream as if you were to live forever.."

I got a call from the newspaper and they wanted to do an article on me.  I was honored.  They asked me about the season, my role models, the coaching I do in Gavle, my past soccer experiences and the camp I will be running here in Gavle.  It is not common to have a soccer camp in Sweden.  Its a lot of fun organizing and putting together a camp.  I am happy the article mentioned the camp. I want as many kids as possible to come train. I want to spread the love, passion and excitement of the game with as many people as I can.  Here is the link to the article.

http://arbetarbladet.se/sport/fotboll/1.4886983-amerikanskan-som-vill-sprida-sitt-kunnande

*It is in Swedish.  My Swedish is getting better and better every day, but google translate always helps.

We ended the first half of our season on a high note and are in a good position.  Our goal is to win the series.  We have great personalities; everyone brings something to the table.  I believe that my team has what it takes to accomplish our goal.

In other news I have been on a short break.  My sister, Melanie and cousin, Jess came to visit me.  It was an incredible trip.  We explored Stockholm, paddle boated/kayaked, went to the ice bar, shopped, explored Gavle, went to a concert, Melanie turned 18, celebrated the fourth of July, caught up with all of my friends, teammates and so much more.  I was so happy they got to experience my life here in Sweden.  It was definitely an adventure I will never forget and a highlight of the summer so far.  I was sad to see them leave.

Loreen!!

After I dropped them off at the airport a few of my teammates asked me to go on a last minute trip back to Stockholm to see Loreen sing live at AllSang!! They said that they thought it would be a good thing to do after my family left, because they knew that they would be sad if their family had just left after a visit.  It was so nice!!! The show was absolutely incredible. I love random trips like that.  Im lucky to be around such great people!!

  

"thinking about absolutely nothing when it's absolutely necessary"

In Soccer news we had a game verse Gamla Uppsala and won 5-1 and then we ended the first half of the season beating Lidingo 4-3.

 Lidingo was an extremely exciting game.   Lidingo capitalized on their opportunities and scored two goals early on.  We were losing 2-0 in the first half... 2-0 is one of the worst leads in soccer; it is very common to see the team leading by 2 at halftime lose the game at the end.

 At half time we regrouped and came out strong; scoring a goal in just the first five minutes.  Lidingo responded and put another one away making it 3-1.  Everyone kept their heads up, we were patient and we knew our time would come.  In the 80th minute we got a free kick. I played the ball to Sofia who chipped the keeper making it 3-2.  Shortly after we scored again making the score 3-3...

 I looked at the clock and I see that we are in extra time. I got the ball, turned and dribbled towards goal and got taken down from behind right outside the 18.  The ref gave us a free kick. I set the ball down and Sandra our forward came up to me and said, "I want this!!" Looking at her I could see complete focus surrounding her face; she was in the zone that every athlete wants to be in.."thinking about absolutely nothing, when it is absolutely necessary." Her strike was fantastic; straight line, low, placed perfectly and it found the back of the net.  The keeper did not have a chance; it was probably one of the best free kicks I have seen.  We all rushed to Sandra in celebration.  Lidingo rushed the ball to the center circle; right when they kicked off the ref blew the whistle to end the game.  We won with just seconds left on the clock!

One thing I like about my team is that even when we are down we still believe that we are going to win. Every game I have played in with IFK I can just sense this "winning" attitude.  Its a great quality to have as a team.  We don't sulk on mistakes or overdo the success. It is never good to focus on what has pasted.  Its about focusing on the next chance and the next opportunity.  This game was a good ending to the first half of the season.

In other news,  now I have a two week break from soccer. Melanie and my cousin Jess are coming to Sweden and they get here tomorrow!! We are going to explore Stockholm, Gavle, and a few other places.  I am excited to share my Swedish adventure with them!!