|
|
About Graham Ramsay
|
 |
|
|
 Mr. Graham Ramsay
Director of Soccer Sphere, a soccer educational cum marketing company based near Washington, DC, is also the former Director of Soccer Development for the Maryland State Soccer Association with nearly 20 years of service to the youth in that state . Graham was one of the first National Staff Coaches for US SOCCER and has written several books and numerous articles. His latest book, SOCCER FOR GIRLS has sold nearly 60,000 copies worldwide. Graham has spent extensive time traveling with soccer teams in Brazil. As well as coaching in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and across Europe.
While in the USA has coached in over 30 States doing clinics, workshops to helping college teams reach the NCAA's to taking Annandale Boys Club to winning the McGuire Cup (U19 National Championship) to developing high school programs to help creating one of the finest youth programs in the USA - MSI in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Graham wants to share this knowledge with any group, club, association or school. Contact him directly at ramsaysoccer@yahoo.com for details.
Soccer Sphere (Graham's company) is on the Web at www.thesoccersphere.com. |
|
|
|
|
Graham Ramsey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Graham Ramsey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Book: 
Soccer for Girls by Graham Ramsey
Details – Aimed specifically at female players, SOCCER FOR GIRLS, An introductory step-by-step guide, is an instructional soccer book that brings together detailed descriptions of the techniques, expert advice on the tactics of the game, and an in-dept analysis of the rules. It contains hints, tips and training drills both for honing individual skills and developing team play. Illustrated throughout with specifically commissioned color illustrations and action photographs of the leading internationals from the women’s game, the book covers every aspect of the game and is a must-have companion for all aspiring soccer players.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Graham Ramsey
|
|
|
|
Owner: |
Jeannette Dewazien |
Created: |
8/7/2007 |
 |
|
Graham Ramsay |
|
Talk the Game by Graham Ramsay |
|
Coaching Youth Soccer Articles by Graham Ramsay
|
Article Posted By admin on
6/7/2008
|
|
|
|
The ability to “talk the game” is vital if you consider yourself a good player. Positive talk helps encourage a teammate through a poor period, motivates teammates to greater efforts, and, most importantly, gives information to each other. Good teams are comprised of players who demand a lot from one another and are only interested in playing at the top of their ability.
|
 |
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
Game Problems and Some Solutions by Graham Ramsay |
|
Coaching Youth Soccer Articles by Graham Ramsay
|
Article Posted By admin on
6/7/2008
|
|
|
|
In many youth, high school and college games, certain skills and tactics are often lacking or players are not aware of the tactical potential. Here are problems observed and some solutions.Problem: Hot and cold passing - In too many cases the message of a pass had no meaning. Inconsistent passing is the fastest way into playing poorly and losing games. Either passes were too hot to handle and so difficult to control or too cold and slow, so easy to intercept or for the opposition to catch up and kill the move.
|
|
|
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
"Oh Lord, Please Give Us a Goal!" by Graham Ramsay |
|
Coaching Youth Soccer Articles by Graham Ramsay
|
Article Posted By admin on
6/2/2008
|
|
|
|
How many ways can we shoot the game in the literal foot? There might be the SARS disease in Asia, but youth soccer in the United States in producing another strain of S.A.R.S.G. – Shoting Aversion Resulting in Scoreless Games. This trend can only set the sport back years. What is this cancerous beast? It’s when teams want to win by the lowest form of play – play half court defense and wait for the other team to make a mistake. They capitalize on that error with a goal, and then close up shop, defending for the rest of the game. The final score: 1 – 0. Such games seem to be appearing more and more. Sadly, some of the most boring games I have seen in the were at the USYSA National Championship last year. It’s an effective fix and covers up the cracks in average teams and/or players. In the short term, the coach wins and such teams gain some success; however, in the long haul, the game and the players are big losers.
|
|
|
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
Funnel Defensive Strategy by Graham Ramsay |
|
Coaching Youth Soccer Articles by Graham Ramsay
|
Article Posted By admin on
6/2/2008
|
|
|
|
For years now, many of the leading clubs in world soccer have used the “funnel” to force the opposing play into the middle and across the field. The purpose is to strangle the attacking move by running it into the traffic jam of defenders in central areas. This tactic holds true up to the top of the penalty area. However, from that point to the goal-line, teams should force the play “wide,” away from the mouth of the goal. Another benefit of squeezing the play, is shorten the recovery runs of midfield players trying to get back into the action.
|
|
|
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
Getting the Habit by Graham Ramsay |
|
Coaching Youth Soccer Articles by Graham Ramsay
|
Article Posted By admin on
6/2/2008
|
|
|
|
Do you want to get good? Do you want to become very good? If the answer is “YES” to either question, then there is only one solution – GET THE PRACTICE HABIT. All the great players possess this priceless asset in abundance, especially when they were youngsters. They had no coach. In fact, they probably thought a coach was a type of bus. By their early teens, without knowing it, they were their own best soccer coach. They had already developed a single-mindedness and dedication to their art.
|
|
|
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
Developing Game Memory? by Graham Ramsay |
|
Coaching Youth Soccer Articles by Graham Ramsay
|
Article Posted By admin on
6/2/2008
|
|
|
|
Prior to coaching at youth level, I always believed that amnesia sneaked into our lives only after we reached the ripe old age of three score and ten. My research of the past 20 years has totally destroyed this myth. Nobody is waiting until 70 to be victimized by amnesia. Thousands of teenagers are living proof of this. Their detached memories remind us of the quote: “The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys making the same mistake over and over again!”
|
|
|
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
|
Who's Driving the Chevy by Graham Ramsay |
|
Coaching Youth Soccer Articles by Graham Ramsay
|
Article Posted By admin on
6/2/2008
|
|
|
|
For over a generation, soccer - from bottom to top - has hiccupped its way into all sorts of shapes and structures, mainly based on expediency and pending revolt. Nowhere on this earth has soccer seen so many hybrids of organizations. As that soccer guru, Don King, proudly states, “Only in America!” We have O.D.P., leagues that disappear in the night, traveling or nomadic leagues. Now, we are looking at competing regional leagues. Obviously, there is a need. Should USYSA fill it or should they sit in the van while it’s driven by outside forces? They have become passengers as competing groups fight for this ground.
|
|
|
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
Lessons from the World Cups by Graham Ramsay |
|
|
Article Posted By Jeannette Dewazien on
6/2/2008
|
|
|
|
Too often we watch and admire then forget. Remember the great goal scored by Maradona in Mexico ’86 or Rodigues volley in Germany ’08 or Marta’s goals in China ‘ 08? If nothing else learning to appreciate what world class is all about is worth the effort. For example, it took Maradona just over 10 seconds from start to finish that brilliant move. Another example was in 1970 when Carlos Alberto, Pele and Tosatao combined in a superb move that sent 1000’s of players out to the pitches of the world to replicate this “gingha.” It was something from another world and then on top of that Pele nearly scored from his own half. Great players excite our imagination to go out and dream the dream. What’s wrong on improving on the “gingha of ginghas!”
|
|
|
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
Why Play Small -sided Soccer by Graham Ramsay |
|
|
Article Posted By Jeannette Dewazien on
4/3/2008
|
|
|
|
What makes for skillful soccer play? What type of game encourages players to try clever tricks? The answer, obviously, is small-sided games. Yet, the vast majority of junior leagues in the country only play the adult game of 11-a-side, where chance and force generally crush skill. There should be a national crusade to advocate small-sided leagues. Then, skill would stand a better opportunity to flourish.
|
|
|
|
|
Read More...
|
|
|
|
|