FCArmstrong

Fun-damental, Local, For kids of all ages.

  • About Coach Dave
  • Putting the fun in fundamentals.
    • Foam Rolling- Overview
    • Ref Life
  • Dreaming, just dreaming of a football culture…

    I grew up on the Monongahela River, in a little town of Charleroi, next to the town of Dunlevy, home of the Dunlevy Redbirds. The Dunlevy Redbirds used to compete for the US Amatuer Cup with teams from Heidelberg and Harmarville. Dunlevy was a soccer community thanks to immigrants that came to the Monongahela Valley…

    dpankiewicz

    October 3, 2021
    Futsal, journaling, Run of play, Uncategorized
  • Empowering women to own the game, one day at a time.

    The headlines today for women’s soccer in America were not empowering. If you wonder why I’m back to coaching, it’s because I’ve seen a handful of issues in the youth game that does not support the highest ideals of the game. If you don’t follow the NWSL, you can Google and find the story covered…

    dpankiewicz

    October 1, 2021
    Uncategorized
  • Jr.High: journaling nutrition and workload

    Jr.High: journaling nutrition and workload

    Now that we have come to the end of this short season we can look back and reflect on things we did well, things we should continue doing and things we need to work on. One way to keep track of this is by journaling and reflecting. The more data you have to reflect on…

    dpankiewicz

    September 30, 2021
    confidence, journaling, JR High, nutrition, Recovery, Training
    abeRFit, attacking, ball control, confidence, core, fitness, Foam Rolling, fun, goal-setting, individual growth, mile run, Stretching
  • Jr.High: Some VAR review items

    Jr.High: Some VAR review items

    The irony of this post– I started this on Monday morning before coaching today’s game, where one my assignors could only find one referee for the 3rd time this season. I bust my bootay and miss dinner time with the wife from September through October for the Good of the Game. Moment’s like today make…

    dpankiewicz

    September 28, 2021
    Corners, DFK, Free Kicks, IDFK, JR High, LOTG, PIAA, PK, Uncategorized, WIAA
  • US Soccer: Nutrition and Hydration

    US Soccer: Nutrition and Hydration

    Hello Players and Family Members: I wanted to take a moment to share this resource from US Soccer to review the needs for an active footballer. Way back when I was playing high school soccer there was no interactive tool and the big school of though before a game was to carb-load. McDonald’s really wasn’t…

    dpankiewicz

    September 22, 2021
    confidence, journaling, nutrition, Recovery
  • JR.High: 10Sep2021 LH in Uniontown

    JR.High: 10Sep2021 LH in Uniontown

    Showing up is the start, discovery is the process, play is essential to life long learning. Problem Statement: Can we play with only 10 players? Armstrong Jr. High Girls Team 10-9-21 before boarding the bus to Uniontown. According to the laws of the game we are fine playing with only 10 players, so yes we…

    dpankiewicz

    September 10, 2021
    confidence, Corners, Free Kicks, Goal Kick, JR High, LOTG, Recovery, Run of play
    Communication, confidence, defending, fun, individual growth, mile run
  • JR High: Defending 1v1 don’t dive in.

    JR High: Defending 1v1 don’t dive in.

    This one is a simple review of the one v one defending piece from today. I’ve had years of shuffling feet, squaring up shoulders and forcing forwards away from their dominant foot. I don’t expect you all to master your footwork overnight, but I hope you’ll take the challenge to make some time each practice…

    dpankiewicz

    September 2, 2021
    1v1, 3v3, confidence, DFK, Free Kicks, Futsal, Goal Kick, IDFK, JR High, Long Throw, Run of play, Training
  • JR.High: 26August Theme breaking out from goal kicks.

    JR.High: 26August Theme breaking out from goal kicks.

    Warm-up: We’re in class all day so the dynamic warm up when you hit the field is now the standard start up before touching a ball. Sitting all day in school is not good for our soccer muscles. Play 1: 4v4 and 5v5 in small grids. NETS Use the small goals and break into small…

    dpankiewicz

    August 26, 2021
    3v3, confidence, Goal Kick, JR High
  • JR.High: Where would you play yourself?

    JR.High: Where would you play yourself?

    Normally I save these items for practice, but sometimes leaving you a little weekend homework can be fun, especially if you have some time to watch football. I realize on non gameday Friday’s we will have many conflicts when school starts: band, American football games, travel club practice, classic team practice, the Plum Kickoff Classic…

    dpankiewicz

    August 21, 2021
    confidence, JR High, Run of play
  • JR.High: Pre-season Camp Day 1 Attacking Play Practice Play

    JR.High: Pre-season Camp Day 1 Attacking Play Practice Play

    Greetings and Thank You for getting your paperwork to Mr. Harvey our AD. The Uniforms from Coach Mike. Understanding my deconstructed coaching approach. This is your game, I am here to help you learn how to enjoy it now and hopefully for life. To take charge of the game, build confidence in your abilities and…

    dpankiewicz

    August 16, 2021
    1v1, confidence, JR High, Recovery, Run of play, Training
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About the Blog

Coaching and officiating are all about communicating and finding ways to improve.

Popular Posts

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