To further elaborate on these Individual Training Challenges and their purpose, the John Jay Soccer Program strives to always offer as much as humanly possible to its student-athletes year round. Come August and September, everyone's eye is on the prize, craving those wins in the Fall Season. Yet, not everyone is fully committed to laying the groundwork now for success later. While the intensity ramps up in the Fall, it's the dedication and effort in the present that truly set winners apart from the rest. Merely following the crowd won't cut it if you aim to outshine them. Too often, our players overlook this fundamental truth, mistakenly assuming that their hustle from August to October guarantees a successful season, both as an individual and a team. The reality is, the groundwork for Fall triumphs must be laid now. This means embracing opportunities like Club Soccer, camps, and clinics; but that's what everyone else is already doing. So, what sets John Jay Soccer players apart? What sets them on a trajectory above the rest jostling for spots and playing time? If we can't provide a definitive answer to that question, then we can't expect different results come Fall. Are the ITCs the golden ticket that bridges the gap? Perhaps not entirely, but they're a start, and something is always better than nothing. The reality is, these should probably be being done every single day.
As highlighted above, while club soccer consumes much of our players' time, genuine progress transcends the structured hours of team practices, training sessions, and matches. While participation in club soccer is widespread, it's the commitment beyond these commitments that truly sets individuals apart. Those who invest extra hours in refining their ball mastery, enhancing fitness levels, understanding nutrition, and more, gain a substantial edge over their peers. Let's not find ourselves come August regretting missed opportunities to push harder. Every day presents an opportunity; there's simply no excuse for not seizing it.
A friendly reminder, players who complete and submit their fourth challenge video will receive a special reward: a pair of Official John Jay Soccer light blue Nike soccer socks! It's simple—all you need to do is capture your training session and share your progress with Coach Horton via text or email. These videos will be featured on Coach Horton's Twitter/X account and, hopefully, on the John Jay Soccer YouTube page too.
Individual Training Challenge #4
(10 Minute Control Workout, courtesy of Micahel Lewis Cunningham of 7mlc Training)
For ITC #4 all you need is 2 cones (or water bottles, balls of socks, or anything that can take the place of a cone) placed one natural step apart, in front of you (See video for visual).
Right Foot ‘W’ - 60 seconds (or 60 reps)
Left Foot ‘W’ - 60 seconds (or 60 reps)
Right Foot ‘Figure 8’ - 60 seconds (or 60 reps)
Left Foot ‘Figure 8’ - 60 seconds (or 60 reps)
2-Footed ‘Figure 8’ - 60 seconds (or 60 reps)
2-Footed Circles (Inside Tap) - 60 seconds (or 60 reps)
2-Footed Circles (Outside Tap) - 60 seconds (or 60 reps)
(Watch the video below for a demonstration of every skill)
