“Njut och känn Glädje” (Enjoy and feel happiness)

Life as a coach

Coaching for TikiTaka has been better than I expected! I am working with Tyresö, Vendelsö and starting a new project with Olympen Skolan! My first day with Vendelso we were short one coach.  I asked one of my best friends and my old Swedish teammate at Florida Southern, Hanna Jansson if she could join.  When I first sent the message out Hanna responded right away and even left her work early.  We arrived to the field, met the coaches and worked with the Vendelsö girls. The players were awesome and Hanna was absolutely incredible with the kids. The energy was high, the session was fun and it was truly special.  It had a nice Swedish American twist that was unique because it was a session run by two girl coaches.  We received nothing but extremely positive feedback and were on a high after the session!

 

We were waiting for the bus back and then the bus did not stop for us… I guess the driver didn’t see us. It took my “high” away a little bit because it was late, cold and I was ready to be home but then my wise friend Hanna said, “If we are going to have to wait we might as well make the best of it. Lets train!!” (My high came back) We started running sprints behind the bus stop, did some quick feet on the sidewalk, squats and core.  It was so much fun and it made me happy we missed the bus! When something doesn’t go right something better might come along. I am happy that bus did not stop for us.  I enjoyed every second of those 15 minutes we had to wait!

On the subway I could not help smiling thinking about the session, “missing the bus”, and Hanna. My mind brought me back to when I first met Hanna. She came on a recruiting visit to Florida Southern and stayed for a whole week. Hanna and I hit it off right away.  When she was leaving to go back to Sweden I was also leaving to go on Spring break. We were sitting in the terminal together and I was talking to her about coming to Florida, soccer and everything. We probably talked for two hours. Hanna came to Florida Southern and I have some of my best memories with her.  Now look at us. We are in Sweden and get to coach together. It amazes me!!

 There are some people that come into your life that you don’t want to ever let go of. They are special people that you know you will always be friends with no matter where life takes you; friends that you know will always find a way to do anything for you and will always be there… I am lucky to say I found a lot of those people at Florida Southern and a lot of them live right here in Sweden; Hanna is one of them!

Life as a player

Yesterday was our series premier!!! I was ready for the game and I could sense my team was as well!  Our first challenge was against Tierp! I have played Tierp in the past and they are a strong team.

The warm up was good and I felt ready to go. The first whistle blew and Tierp was in control. They scored early on and 20 minutes into the game it was 3-0. We regrouped and fought back and finished the second half.  I was nervous but I refuse to give up and not go for it.  What do you have to lose if you don’t go for it? If you don’t put your whole self out there? Take the chance? Fight until the very end? Give everything you have?  I was focused on getting one goal; once we got one, go for the next and so on; just take it one step at a time.

My team came out in the second half as a new team! We created chances and scored an incredible goal. We combined to the end line, the ball was cut back and it was finished perfectly by our forward Tyra. Tierp had some dangerous corners but our keeper took control! With about ten minutes left of the game. Fanny (our left back) and I ran a short corner and chipped it to Isabelle who found the back of the net. My blood was really pumping at this point. I grabbed the ball from the net and sprinted back to midfield. Tierp was nervous now and they became quite frantic. We had a few more chances but did not finish. The game ended 3-2.. I don’t like losing but in this case I almost feel like we did not lose. I was so proud to be apart of my team. I was so proud of how everyone fought back and really went until the final whistle. Tierp is a solid team with some talented players I think it is an extremely positive sign for the season.  We are one, we are one Gustafs and together we are going to go very far.

Before the game I got a text from boss Borje from TikiTaka. He said, “Njut OCH känn Glädje”  “Enjoy and feel happiness” There were a lot of people at the game yesterday and a lot of my old teammates from Gavle. It was so nice seeing them all!!  After the game I felt like my team and I could hold our heads up high.  I really enjoyed playing; it was an intense and exciting match.  I felt a sense of happiness that just made me love this great game even more!  It is about enjoying the game, feeling happiness, and spreading it so others such as teammates, players, and fans can feel the same joy.

 Extra

I was in the newspaper the other day. Here is the link to the article. 

http://www.dt.se/sport/1.5791987-amerikansk-bolltrollare-ska-starka-gustafs  

*I have been extremely busy and am behind on some of my blogs but they are coming up soon!! 

“Excellence can be obtained if you: ...care more than others think is wise; ...risk more than others think is safe; ...dream more than others think is practical; ...expect more than others think is possible.”

I am living two different lives and two different dreams while I am here in Sweden.  One life is in Stockholm where I am working for TikiTaka and coaching for Tyresö.  I have talent trainings every Wednesday; two groups with selected players. One group consist of the Tyresö girls 12-14 and then 15-16.   They are extremely talented and I can see each one of them developing as an individual and as a group already! So much has happened and even more opportunities are presenting themselves!

 My other life is in Borlänge! It is a small city and has a very country feel. From what I have seen, the Darlana district is beautiful!

  I am playing for Gustafs GoIF.  So far it has been great! My first training with the team was a fitness training.   The training was intense and challenging and I was impressed with everyone’s work ethic.  Soccer trainings have also been challenging and fun! My first game with the team was against Rytterne IS; a team from Vasteras.  There were times in the game that consisted of incredible combination play, great possession and some quality finishes.  We won 4-1. 

 

My second training game was last weekend and it was against Gideonsberg.  The first half we were all a little to excited on the ball and gave it away quite a bit but in the second half we calmed down and played some really good soccer and had some great goals.  All the goals my team has scored so far have been earned and well deserved! We created the chances, nothing was given.

Everyone on the team has a unique quality and brings something special to the table.  I think we have the right puzzle pieces to have a great season and go for the Serie title! I really enjoy playing with the girls and I am starting to connect with them.  It will continue to connect and just get better and better every game.

On an off the field note

I have gone Ice skating, they have ice trails that go on for ten miles or more.

 

Swedes have a holiday for waffles!! Its called Våffeldagen. I love their holidays! So my teammates and I celebrated by having a mini waffle party before training!!  

 

 

I climbed a small mountain with the family I am staying with here in Borlange and enjoyed the simple pleasure of the sun and bbq. Borlange is the home of a giant shopping center; Kupolen and the centrum also consist of small cafes.

 Two different dreams.. A dream as a coach…  A dream as a player…  A small town and a big city.. The best of both worlds! I am extremely happy and honored to be here and be apart of Gustafs GoIF and TikiTaka!!

 

The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by, and this you will become. - Anonymous

Its always an adventure… but a great one!! After a few delays I arrived in Sweden Wednesday night.  I had my first job with TikiTaka on Friday.  I met Borje and Tony Gustavsson; my bosses, at Tyreso's stadium; Tyresovallen. We met early and talked for a while.  We spoke about the plans for TikiTaka, what it is al about.  Tony was saying that we are educating quality coaches and developing players. Everything is quality!! They said that our main focus is on helping players, clubs and coaches achieve their dreams and reach their full, true potential. The conversation was getting my blood pumping! We have exactly the same views and same amount of passion; it is almost scary! 

Friday Tony had a 90-90 session with the coaches of Tyreso.  I introduced myself and met every individual coach. Tony gave a presentation to the coaches on the TikiTaka philosophy for 90 minutes. They we went to the field and he put the coaches through a 90 minute training session. It is extremely important that the coaches  actually experience what they will be coaching.  It was incredible and an amazing first day.

Afterwards, Tony and Borje said that on Saturday I would be in charge. I would have over 100 players, 20 coaches and one field! They said that the goal of this  clinic was for me to put the coaches through "TikiTaka" exercises and then give them the opportunity to coach.  I would be the one to guide them. 

The first thought in my head was, WOW! My first day I will be out of my comfort zone!   I work best when I am not in my comfort zone! I will be in charge of one of the best clubs in Sweden!!  Am I dreaming?  Lets do this!

I arrived to Tyreso pretty early on Saturday.  I gathered the coaches and had a meeting before the clinic. I showed them how I wanted the field to be organized and how the session was going to be run. I split the field up into four parts and I had a "demo" group in the middle. I was going to take the kids through a technical warm up, the kids would get a water break, I would demonstrate 3-4 drills and then they would find their coaches and the coaches would put their teams through the exercises. 

Before we went onto the field, I could tell the coaches were looking at me like "who is this girl?" I love the challenge and it is always fun to "shock" people. In our coaches meeting I told them that, what I am giving them is an outline but each exercise can be tweaked. It can be easier, more challenging or cater to a particular topic.  

We hit the field! I introduced myself to the players and the warm up began! The coaches were standing around and within minutes I looked up and saw them all frantically taking notes and some were even taking videos of me with their phones! The warm up was fun; the players were laughing and having a great time! I sent them for a water break told the coaches where I wanted them to stand with their teams to watch the demo. Then it began! I put one group though 3 drills quickly and then all the players went to their space on the field. 

I went around to each group and asked questions on what factors they could change to make it more challenging or a little easier. I asked them questions like "What factor can we change to focus on changing speed and direction quicker?" I asked every group different questions and some groups were already tweaking the drills on their own. The outline I created was perfect because you can make 20-30 different variations off of just 3 drills!! I brought them back into the demo group a few more times and continued to oversee the groups and of course we ended with playing! There is nothing better than playing the game itself.  The game is the best teacher!  

After the session was over every coach came up to me and shook my hand and said they felt inspired and had a really great time! They were impressed with the field set up and how it did not feel like there were 100 kids on one field.. there was still space left over!! They were all looking at me in a different way from when they had first met me. I have "won the hearts of the mob" 

There were a few players on the Tyreso Junior team that were in the session as coaches and they asked it they could join and watch me when I coach the players.  Tony and Borje asked me later if I would mentor them as well! I was honored! It will be great to have more player coaches!! I started coaching when I was their age and I am extremely lucky with the mentors and role models I have; it was nothing but the best!!  Now it is my turn to pass it on! 

I was on the bus back and I got a call from Borje. He was extremely happy and told me that the director of Tyreso called him and said that I brought happiness to the whole club… That meant so much and I felt like I was high, I was so happy; I couldn't sit still.

I called Tony shortly after and told him everything. I told him that the night before I went though my session so many times in my head; that I had a vision and today my vision came to life, but reality turned out to be better than I imagined! Tony said, he understood exactly what I was feeling and told me that he loves it because if he can inspire 10 coaches and those coaches use his vision then he has reached out to over 200 players!!!! I never thought of it like that and it just added to my excitement.  I never thought I would like "coaching, coaches" so much! 

I could not ask for a better start!  How could it get better? but then it did! I went and met my Swedish some of my best friends and celebrated the day with a great dinner and great people! 

While I am in Stockholm I am staying with my friend, Therese's parents! They are all the best and I am so happy to be staying with them! 

On Sunday I took the train to Borlange and I met my new team for the first time. We met at a ski resort. It was a team bonding event! Everyone seems so nice and I have a great feeling about the season!

I had my first physical training with my team last night! It was great and I will update you more about my adventure so far in Borlange and about my new team; Gustafs GoIF!

I will be very busy to say the least; playing, coaching, living in two different cities.. I love it! It is definitely my style  and I extremely grateful for these new and upcoming opportunities both as a player and as a coach. 

Extra!!

I have been making videos for TikiTaka and here is the video I have posted on my Facebook, twitter, etc It is technical work that I have learned from coaches in the past and also drills I created on my own! Enjoy!

"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today." William Allen White

One weekend, Tony invited me out to the Advanced national Goalkeeper course to get some training. The coaches were in their final phase of the course; field testing and evaluation.   A few others and I served as players during numerous coaching sessions.   It was great! I went out to Ft. Lauderdale for the weekend and received two full days of complete soccer!

I had lunch with Tony and a few younger players.  One player was asking him about some of his experiences with the women's national team and he told them one off my favorite stories.. He talked about Brandi Chastain's penalty kick of the 1999 women's world cup final; a legendary shot that sent "ripples around the world!" 

The 1999 Women's world cup final was one of the most incredible games ever to be played! Over 90,000 people at the stadium and it was the most viewed women's sporting in history. The game was dramatic; with Michelle Akers getting punched trying to clear a ball off a header, Kristine Lilly saving it off the goal line, two overtimes.. Then to Penalty kicks.. Carla Overbeck, Kristine Lilly, Joy Fawcett, and Mia Hamm all beat Chinese goalkeeper Gao Hong while Brianna Scurry made an incredible save. 

 It was now Brandi's turn.. Early that year, the US faced China and lost in PK's. Brandi Chastain missed the PK..  

Tony says that Brandi wanted the PK! Penalty kicks are about confidence, not necessarily about skill. Brandi wanted it, but he said she was very predictable with her right foot. Tony told her that he would only let her take the PK if she took it with her left foot!!! She agreed.

  Brandi lined up as the fifth shooter and with her left foot she made history and sent the ball past Gao Hong and into the back of the net!  She dropped to her knees and whipped her jersey off in celebration as the whole US team raced onto the field in celebration!  It was an epic legendary game!

I still am in awe every time I hear this story. I am truly amazed that Brandi Chastian switched her PK to her left foot in one of the most crucial moments of the World Cup final!  I still can't get over it! We need more of this; passion, excitement, willingness to do whatever it takes..

While I was hearing Tony tell this amazing legend. I was thinking about some of my past experiences.  I had been a camper at Soccerplus for 4 years and I played for Tony at the club.  In my sophomore year I was at the summer camp getting ready for pressure training. Pressure training is basically different obstacles, challenges, and fitness with the ball. We had to be in groups of 4 and I had a great group! I was so happy that everyone I was with was a good player and I knew they would push me. 

Tony  came up to me and took me out of my group and put me in a group of three.. I was a little mad because I did not understand why he took me out and now I was in a group with an odd number.. But then, Tony walks up with Brandi Chastain herself, and said,"This will be your partner for today.." I thought my heart was going to stop and I think the other two girl's in my group heart did stop.  Me, Jackie Bachteler was about to do pressure training with Brandi Chastain.. Bring it on! 

                   

 


The first station was a rest station and it was juggling. I looked at her and told her I could beat her in this. Brandi looked at me in surprise but accepted the challenge. I won.. She is extremely competitive and almost looked mad. She did not like to lose; neither do I! Every station we were battling.  I felt like I was playing in the World Cup final. I was keeping up with her and at the end of the very last station I could not go anymore; I have given everything I had.   

That day I do not think I could have been anymore on a natural high! I got to train first hand with one of the greats and seeing it I knew even more how much work it was going to take to reach my dream. I saw it so vividly; I knew after that day that my dreams were more than possible. It did not matter what anyone said, I knew that my dreams are more than possible!

I had the privilege of playing with Brandi a few times. My club team demonstrated with her at the Champions clinic at Moeghan Sun and I saw her when I spent a week in Santa Clara.

Suddenly I snapped out off my day dream and I was back at the table with Tony and the other players.  The course ended and I left feeling even more motivated to train, play and be the best I can be; to be the go-to player. 

It has been an interesting few months to say the least but like always everything always works out.  I have a lot of really neat new opportunities. I have partnered with Led2Serve. I will be helping them start a soccer academy in Costa Rica and give back to different communities though this beautiful game.  It is an extremely exciting opportunity and I will be writing more about it very soon.  For a sneak peak please checkout the site and let me know if you want to take this journey with me and my Led2play team!  http://www.led2serve.org/journeys/journey-calendar/eventdetail/54/-/service-learning-led2play-soccer

  I got offered a job to work for Tiki Taka. Tiki Taka is a soccer company that teaches teams, individuals, clubs etc. the Barcelona style of play! (Right up my ally) My work with Tiki Taka begins next Friday and Saturday! They also have me in charge of player development on the girls side for Tyresö FF. Tyresö's top team won Damallsvenskan last year and it is where Marta is currently playing. I am overly ecstatic and extremely excited for this new opportunity. 

 

Lastly, I signed to play for Gustafs GoIF in Borlange. It is a new step and I am extremely excited to join the team and the club this season.  I get to continue my dream of playing abroad. I have found my American dream in Sweden.

To say the least I have been very busy! I have a lot to say about Led2Serve, TikiTaka and Gustafs. I will be on here a lot more!

Yesterday I had to go to my hometown post office to pick up a package. When I walked in the clerk saw my name and said,"I know you. I think you where in my son's class." I did not know her son but we were the same age when I asked.  All of the sudden she froze and said," I know why you don't remember.. I was a teacher aid when you were in fourth and fifth grade, you were sick and rarely every there." Her son went to a different school in town after the sixth grade.  I told her that I am healthy, feel strong and I told her a little bit of what I am doing now. She said she could not believe it. I could not believe that the last memory this lady had of me is when it all started.. and now I have conquered it.  I am completely different! 

Yesterday morning I became a little nervous, with some doubt and fears. After my encounter in the post office I thought what do I have to lose? I have nothing to fear! Sometimes I feel a little crazy at first with the choices I have made but they have always seemed to be the right and the best ones. I have had some an incredible experiences, have met some of the most amazing people, have gained some incredible friendships, done what I loved everyday, lived..  I am still here and I will continue to follow my gut, my heart and take on any chance and opportunity that awaits! 

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also DREAM not only plan, but also BELIEVE"

In college besides playing and going to school I had eight different kids I would train individually, I was also the head coach of the Lake Wales Soccer club U17 girls and the assistant to the U14 girls.  I absolutely loved it! I learned, created and experimented with many different ideas.   These experiences not only contributed to my development as a coach and as a player it also helped me pay all of my everyday bills throughout college.  I am very grateful!

I became close to most of the kids; it was sad to leave when I graduated but I have kept in touch with a few of them.  Every time I am back in Florida I contact my old players and we end up training together. 

When I got back from Sweden I basically went straight to Florida. I have been living in Lakeland and have been coaching my old kids for the past few months. It has been phenomenal!! Every player I have trained in the past has continued to invest in their development and has improved.  It is nice to see how they have grown (and now most of them are taller than me...)

One player that always sticks out to me is Daniel. Daniel is one of the players I have trained individually since my freshman year in college. He was the first player I picked up in Florida; after I started training him I got multiple calls from many different players asking for training. Daniel is technically one of the best players I have ever coached. He is like a sponge and absorbs everything I through at him. I have been training him again these past few months and I have been so impressed. He has some great opportunities ahead and he will be extremely successful! He is a very special player. When I look at Daniel I see myself. He is just as much of a soccer junkie as I am. 

Below is a short video of Daniels individual session! Enjoy!

"dansa pausa.."

No matter what language you speak or what country you come from there are two things that always seem to bring people together... Soccer and Music.  There are many different rhythms in the game of soccer. It is a dance, a wonderful dance. It is contagious.  As a player I have learned many different ways to "dance" from many different coaches.  I took bits and pieces from every coach and created my own routine.  

This past year in Gavle I took my routine and I tested it out on my youth team.  It was a success and it began to spread.  I shared my dance with the ball with my own team, three schools in Gavle and with my soccer camps. 

This type of training combines my two passions; soccer and music.  It is intense fun and you will get over 1000 touches on the ball within an hour. 

Now that I am in Florida I am coaching the same kids that I had in college.  I look forward to training with them everyday. It is great because coaching allows me to get even more touches on the ball and it has also helped me improve as a player.

I have had a few of them for a few years now and it is always amazing coming back to see them.  Every one of my players has grown, and improved. We all share the same passion and excitement for the game!  I am proud to say that each of them has invested in their development and they all have a bright future ahead.

This video is a small clip of what I do as a coach and as a player.  Here is one of my training sessions in Florida.  Three of girls in the video are currently playing at Florida Southern; they joined the session with my kids. It was great for my kids to see them work just as hard as they were! 

 This session is something special.. No matter how old you are or what level you play at, you can always use technical work, go back to the basics and learn something new. Have fun and enjoy the great dance!!