To: Power Soccer Athletes

I would like each athlete applying for the USA National Power Soccer Team to submit video footage in DVD format of your play this year.  I would like specific footage of 1) 10-20 minutes of you playing with your team preferably in a regional or local competition, and of 2) you doing the following drills listed below.  Providing this video footage will help me make a more informed selection based on your abilities especially for those applicants who I may not be familiar with.  I am sending this request out now to give you ample time to practice and videotape the drills and potentially videotape your team playing at a regional tournament.  When videotaping team play use a wide camera shot to catch all of the offensive and defensive team play, not just you as an individual. I would prefer one 10-20 minute video segment, but if for any reason you are unable to produce this please include 2-4 segments no shorter than five minutes each. Please complete the following drills 5 times.  I am looking for accuracy and controlled power on your kicks.  When videotaping please do not edit the video and complete all five repetitions of each drill in a row before moving on to the next drill.

Drills:

1. 90° spin kick with a stationary ball to a 4 foot goal, approximately 15 feet away using both the left and the right side of your guard.
2. 90° spin kick on the move with you starting 10 feet away from the top left or right (your pick) corner of the goal area with your back to the goal.  have someone roll the ball across the top of the goal area at a medium speed to the top left (or right) corner of the goal area.  When the ball is rolled towards you, move to meet the ball driving in reverse and spin 90° (that means turning towards the ball) to kick the ball into the goal.
3. 180° spin kick with a stationary ball to a 4 foot goal, approximately 15 feet away using both the left and the right side of your guard.
4. 180° spin kick on the move with you starting 10 feet away from the top left or right (your pick) corner of the goal area with your back to the goal.  have someone roll the ball across the top of the goal area at a medium speed to the top left (or right) corner of the goal area.  When the ball is rolled towards you, move to meet the ball driving in reverse and spin 180° (that means turning your chair away from the ball to spin and make contact with the ball behind you) to kick the ball into the goal.
5. penalty kick using the left side of the guard
6. penalty kick using the right side of your guard
7. start 10 feet away from the top left corner of the goal area facing the goal.  have someone roll the ball across the top of the goal area at a medium speed to the top left corner of the goal area.  When the ball is rolled towards you, move to meet the ball and with the front of your guard hit the ball into the goal,
8. start 10 feet away from the top right corner of the goal area facing the goal.  have someone roll the ball across the top of the goal area at a medium speed to the top right corner of the goal area.  When the ball is rolled towards you, move to meet the ball and with the front of your guard hit the ball into the goal,
9. dribble a ball weaving in and out between 4 cones, around the last cone and back; place the cones approximately 10 feet apart
10. drive backwards in a straight line across the width of the court backwards using the centerline of the court as your guide

If you have any questions or comments please let me know. You may email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  I look forward to building the best team possible to win the 2011 World Cup!

Sincerely,

Chris Finn
Head Coach, USA National Power Soccer Team

* italicized items added for clarification 2/28/09