And It Goes On And On And On Tuesday, March 01, 2011 By Junior Nathan Rose-Heim The team always has their eyes on the ball! - Photo by Mark Carr Advertising It’s no secret that in order to win a team has to practice frequently, and passionately, and that’s exactly what players CHS soccer team has been doing. Members of the team who wish to practice off-season have been attending indoor arena leagues, and outdoor leagues in St. Joseph and Kansas City and even having a few scrimmages at Dave Goodwin Field on their open soccer nights. While no player is required to do this, many of the players and future players for the team have stepped up to the challenge of stepping up their game. “I think it helps us all evolve from inexperienced players to experienced and well-rounded players,” said Junior Clint Caselman. Clint, who’s been playing with the soccer team since freshman year, started playing the indoor leagues this year. He said, “The indoor soccer is really fast paced compared to regular season. There’s a lot less room--that’s about 40 yards long and the other is about 120 yards long. It helps me with my ball control, the technique I use, and the way I pass.” Clint, who starts as sweeper (second to last line of defense) on the the team, has even been able to score a few goals on the indoor field, where as the outdoor field puts him too far away to score. While sweeper is important, it’s always good to listen to the last line of the defense, the keeper. Junior Remington Steen said, “[It’s] made me more versatile, I’m ready for quicker things, especially when I’m playing outdoor.” Remington, who was also a captain during last year’s season, noted that the off season leagues helps not just the players but the team. “I’ve played since sophomore year, and the indoor has had a dramatic effect on us as a team movement wise, you know, “Who’s going to do what?”. We don’t have to think about it as much. Overall it’s made us a closer team and closer friends”, Remington said. Does Coach David Mayne agree with these claims of development? “Absolutely,” he said, “ In a couple of areas. The number one thing: team unity, cohesiveness and the ability to see each other and work together on the field, which is to me one of the most important things for our guys to develop.” Coach Mayne has been encouraging players to participate off season, especially in the open soccer nights held at Dave Goodwin Field. When it comes to the off season leagues, he said, “I think It’s a good option for them. It’s not mandatory; it’s not the only way to play soccer and it’s not the only way to be a part of our team, and there is a little bit of cost involved, but it definitely lets people play soccer more often.” The CHS soccer players owe their new found soccer outlet to Assistant Coach Donald Strange, who helped arrange it for the players to play together in these leagues. “I played indoor soccer growing up as a change from our normal outdoor routine, between seasons.  I mentioned it once during a practice and the team seemed interested.  I was able to negotiate some free play at the KC Soccerdome, so Coach Mayne thought it would make for a nice mid-season change in lieu of our normally scheduled practice.  We had a blast playing and the team asked if we could play during the off season.  We now play at the Soccerdome on Saturdays, and the Chiefs training facility in St. Joe on Sundays.” So what are his views on the effects of the leagues on the team? Coach Strange said, “I think it allows the team’s chemistry and friendships to mature sooner, which is important in staying competitive vs. larger schools or towns who have their own year round programs and youth leagues. This especially applies to the newer players and incoming freshmen that would otherwise have to wait for the next CHS season to gain the additional confidence.” While the players must coach themselves through out these off seasons, it’s good to know that both coach and players will be ready to go next season.

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