Angelo Tedesco - Ronkonkoma Rebels Head Soccer Coach
Cell - (631) 707-1675
Email - Theang20@aol.com

Mike O'Shea - Ronkonkoma Rebels Assistant Soccer Coach
Email - maohao@optonline.net

Joe Tedesco - Ronkonkoma Rebels Assistant Soccer Coach
Cell - (631) 805-7157
Email - Nyjoet@aol.com

http://www.leaguelineup.com/ronkonkomarebels

25 key messages for young soccer players:

1. Always play fairly, according to the spirit and letter of the rules.

2. Stay calm under difficult conditions. It's easy to maintain composure when things go right; when they don't real athletes step forward and stand up to the test.

3. Support and encourage your teammates at all times. All of us make mistakes at times and they are not done on purpose. Encourage your teammates to be the best they can be.

4. Play as hard as you can in practice and in games. Never be beaten because of lack of effort. Even opponents who are bigger or more skilled than you can be beaten if you out-hustle them.

5. Show respect to your coaches, referees, and your opponents; win or lose.


6. A good soccer player must have conditioning, skills and tactical knowledge. A player must work on all three to be the best they can be.

7.When your team has the football, everyone is an attacker; when your opponent has the ball everyone is a defender.

8. No matter what position you are in, you are first a soccer player and you will have to be able to receive, shoot, pass, dribble, head, make space, etc., regardless of your position.

9. Do not just "kick" the ball unless it is in a dangerous position in front of your goal. Instead take a " picture " of the situation before you get the ball. In this way you can perceive the situation, determine the best solution, and act accordingly when the ball arrives. Develop Field Vision. Always send the ball to someplace or someone.

10. Always maintain your position. Don't run following the movement of the ball. Know where you are on the field in relation to where the other players and positions are on the field.

11. Don't run forward when your team has the ball unless you are willing to run back when the other team has the ball.

12. If you lose the ball, you should be the first person to defend. Giving immediate chase is the first rule of defense.

13. When changing from attack to defense, sprint to get between your opponent and the goal you are defending.

14. When defending close to your goal, the player closest to the ball should attack the ball. The other defenders should "mark" other opponents who could receive and shoot the ball. In "marking up" your opponent, you should position yourself between the ball and your opponent and prevent them from receiving the ball. A common error on defense is to have too many defenders move to the ball leaving opponents open to receive a pass and score an unopposed goal.

15. On the defensive side of the field, always move the ball toward the touchlines and away from the middle of the field. On the offensive side of the field move the ball toward the centre, where your teammates can take a good shot on goal. This is "centering" the ball.

16. Good ball handlers pass the ball before they get into trouble not after they are in trouble.

17. Make no small strikes on the ball. Whether clearing, passing or shooting MOVE the ball. Proper technique on striking the ball will enable even small players to effectively move the ball a good distance.

18. Take your shot! Don't hesitate to fire a shot if you feel an opportunity. Shoot into the back of the net. Shoot where the keeper isn't.

19. Don't limit yourself to shots taken only near the goal line. Good opportunities for goals are hard shots taken further out from the goal. Keep your head down, strike and follow through the ball for the goal.

20. Most players are right-footed. At this level, when playing defense against an opponent with the ball especially watch and attack against the right foot.

21. When playing offence with possession of the ball, anticipate your defender attacking your right foot. Use your left foot. It is imperative that you develop your passing, dribbling, and shooting skills with both your left and right foot.

22. Always be aware of protecting possession of the ball. Resist "kicking" the ball directly into the shin guards of the defender in front of you. Passing or dribbling the ball laterally or even backwards can be a better choice if it maintains possession of the ball.

23. When on offence always "support" your teammate with the ball. Supporting your teammate means being in a position where they can pass the ball to you. Stay far enough away so the pass effectively neutralizes the defender. Stay close enough so they can make a good pass. If you are too far to make a good pass to your teammate, then you are too far for your teammate to make a good pass to you, and you are not supporting.

24.Win, lose or tie; if you have given 100%, when you walk off the field you have nothing to regret and no reason to be ashamed.

25. Don't be afraid to be a hero. YOU CAN DO IT!

Advantage: Rule that lets play continue after a foul, if stopping the action immediately would be disadvantageous to the team that was fouled. Assist: The pass or passes which immediately precede a goal; a maximum of two assists can be credited for one goal. Attacking team: The team that has possession of the ball

Back pass: A pass made to a trailing player.

Banana kick: A kick with a big curve.

Bicycle (scissors) kick: Overhead kick.

Break: When a team quickly advances the ball down the field in an attempt to get its players near the opponent's goal before the defenders have a chance to retreat; also called an advantage.

Breakaway: When an attacker with the ball approaches the goal undefended; this exciting play pits a sole attacker against the goalkeeper in a one-on-one showdown.

Cap: A represents an appearance in a national team match for a player.

Charge: To run into an opponent; legal if done from the front or side of the ball carrier; illegal against a player without the ball or from behind.

Chest trap: When a player uses his chest to slow down and control a ball in the air.

Chip: A high pass over a defender's head to a teammate, or a shot on goal from close range away from the goalie's reach.

Clear: A defensive kick that attempts to get the ball out of a scoring area, particularly the penalty area.

Cleats: The metal, plastic or rubber points in the bottom of a soccer shoe used to provide a player with traction; term also used to refer to the shoes themselves.

Corner kick: A free kick taken by an attacking player whenever a defender last touches the ball before it completely crosses the goal line.

Counter attack: An attack launched by a defending team soon after it regains possession of the ball.

Creating space: When a player from the attacking team moves without the ball to draw defenders away from the ball carrier and give him space.

Cross or crossing pass: A pass from an attacking player near the sideline to a teammate in the middle or opposite side of the field; used to give the teammate a good scoring opportunity.

Crossbar: The horizontal beam that forms the top of a goal and sits on top of the two posts; it is 24 feet long and supported 8 feet above the ground.

Cut down the angle: When the goalie comes out of the goal several feet to make himself closer and larger to an attacker, leaving the attacker less net to shoot at.

Cut off: When a defensive player keeps his body between an attacker and the defender's goal, forcing the attacker out towards the sidelines.

Dangerous play: An action on the field ruled by the referee that will likely cause an injury; will at minimum draw a yellow card but could draw a red card for the offending player.

Deflection: The ricochet of a ball after it hits a player.

Direct free kick: A free kick that can be shot directly into the goal without being touched by a second person.

Diving header: A ball struck near ground level by the head of a diving player.

Draw: A game that ends with a tied score.

Dribble: To control the ball on the ground with the feet.

Drop ball: A method of restarting a game where the referee drops the ball between 2 players facing each other.

Drop kick: When a goalie drops the ball from his hands and kicks it before it hits the ground.

End line: Boundary lines marking the ends of the field.

Fake (feint): A move by a player meant to deceive an opposing player; used by a ball carrier to make a defender think the ball carrier is going to dribble, pass or shoot in a certain direction when he is not.

Far post: Goalpost farthest from the ball.

Foot trap: A player's use of the bottom or sides of his shoe to control a rolling or low-bouncing ball.

Forward pass: A pass made towards the opposition's goal.

Foul: A violation of the rules for which an official assesses a free kick.

Free kick: A kick awarded to a player for a foul committed by the opposition; the player kicks a stationary ball without any opposing players within 10 yards of him.

Give-and-go (Wall Pass): A player making a short pass to a teammate and then receiving the return pass.

Goal: The manner in which points are scored in soccer; to score, the ball must completely cross over the goal line and into the goal.

Goal: Standing in the center of the goal lines; each goal consists of two wooden posts, 24 feet apart, and a crossbar, 8 feet above the ground.

Goalkeeper: Defends the goal; the only player who can handle the ball within the penalty area with his hands.

Goal kick: A free kick taken either by the goalkeeper or member of the defending team when the attacking team puts the ball over the goal line.

Goal lines: Lines which runs from corner flag to corner flag across each end of the field of play and which the goal is situated; represents the end of the playing area at the far end of each side of the field.

Hand ball: Infraction called when a player other than a goalkeeper intentionally plays a ball with his hand; if a defender handles within the penalty area, a penalty shot is awarded; if the goalkeeper handles the ball inside the penalty area, an indirect free kick is awarded.
Hacking: Kicking an opponent's legs.

Hat trick: Term referring to a three-goal performance in a single match by an individual player.

Heading: Using one's head to score, pass or control the ball.

Header: The act of heading a ball.

Indirect free kick: Free kick that can't result in a goal unless it touches another player first.

Injury time: Time added to the end of each half to compensate for stoppages due to injuries or the scoring of a goal.

Instep drive: A straight shot taken with the instep of a player's foot; usually the most powerful and accurate of shots.

Juggling: Keeping a ball in the air with any part of the body besides the hands or arms; used for practice and developing coordination.

Kickoff: The method of starting a game or restarting it after each goal; a player passes the ball forward to a teammate from the center spot.
Lead pass: A pass sent ahead of a moving teammate to arrive at a location at the same time he does.

Linesmen: Now known as Assistant Referees. The 2 officials who assist the center referee in making his decisions; they monitor the sidelines and goal lines to determine when a ball goes out of bounds and they carry a flag to signal their observations.

Loft (lob): A high-arcing kick.

Man-to-man: A type of defense where each defender is assigned to mark a different forward from the other team; the most common type of defense for national-level teams.

Marking: Guarding a player to prevent him from advancing the ball towards the net, making an easy pass or getting the ball from a teammate.

Match: A soccer game.

Mismatch: When a particular offensive player is far superior to the defender marking him.

Near post: Goal post nearest to the ball.

Net: Hemp, jute or nylon cord draped over the frame of the goal and extending behind it; also used to refer to the goal itself.

Nutmeg: When an attacker moves forward by passing a ball through an opponent's legs.

Obstruction: Illegally preventing an opponent from playing the ball by blocking their path to the ball. Results in an indirect free kick.

Officials: The referee and 2 assistant referees who work together to make sure the game is played according to the rules of soccer; responsible for stopping and restarting play, keeping track of the score and the time remaining and citing violations of the rules, called fouls; they wear uniforms that distinguish them from the players on both teams.

Offside: When an offensive player does not have an opposing player (not the goalie) between them and the goal line when the ball is last played forward by a member of the attacking team.

Offside trap: A defensive scheme which attempts to push defensive players forward in the hopes of putting an attacking player offside.

One-timer (one-touch): When an attacker strikes a shot off a pass or rebound without stopping the ball to gain control.

Open: Describes an attacking player who does not have anyone marking him.

Outlet passes: When a goaltender or defender passes the ball from close to his own goal toward the other team's goal; used to start a counterattack.

Overlap: When a winger moves away from the sideline towards the center of the field to create space for a teammate to advance the ball undefended along the side of the field.

Passing: When a player kicks the ball to his teammate; used to move the ball closer to the opposing goal, to keep the ball away from an opponent or to give the ball to a player who is in a better position to score.

Penalty kick: Direct free kick from 12 yards in front of the goal.

Penetrate: To advance the ball behind opposing defenders (between them and their goal).

Pull-Back: Stopping the foward motion of the ball (from going out of bounds or to get away from a defender) by stepping over the top of the soccer ball and pulling it back - changing the ball's direction.

Possession: Control of the ball.

Rebel: A soccer team name.

Ronkonkoma Rebels: A boys u-13 soccer team created to have fun....but watch out - they never give up and are a force to be reckoned with!

Referee: The center official; he makes all final decisions, acts as timekeeper, calls all fouls and starts and stops play.

Save: The goalkeeper stopping a scoring opportunity by either catching the ball or knocking it away from the goal.

Screening (shielding): When dribbling, staying between the ball and the opponent to protect the ball.

Shin-guard: Pads that strap onto a player's lower leg to protect the shins should he or she be kicked there.

Shooting: When a player kicks the ball at the opponent's net in an attempt to score a goal.

Shorthanded: A team playing with less than its full complement of 11 players.

Shot: A ball kicked or headed by a player at the opponent's net in an attempt to score a goal.

Shoulder charge: minimal shoulder-to-shoulder contact by a defender against a ball carrier; the only contact allowed by the rules unless a defender touches the ball first.

Shutout: Preventing the opposition from scoring any goals in a game; for example, a score of 2-0 or 4-0; goalies are often credited with shutouts because they did not allow any goals to get past them.

Slide tackle: Stripping the ball from a dribbler by making contact with the ball while sliding on the turf.

Square pass: A pass made by a player to a teammate running alongside him.

Steal: When a player takes the ball away from an opposing player

Tackle: To take the ball away from an opponent by using the feet.

Through-pass: A pass that splits a group of defenders.

Touchline (sideline): Line marking the side of the field.

Trap: To bring the ball under control with any part of the body.

Volley: Kicking the ball in or out of mid-air.

Wall: Group of defenders standing shoulder-to-shoulder to defend a free kick, usually near the goal.

Ronkonkoma Rebels Team Tryout Information - Spring Boys U-15 Team

Your birthdate has to be between 9/1/95 and 8/31/97 to play on this team

The Ronkonkoma Rebels were the Fall 2009 LIJSL Division 7 Winners

We just completed our fifth season and have had three top 3 finishes in five seasons.

We are looking to add one additional player to our roster

In the spring, with the boys all playing school sports/soccer and having to deal with homework and other activities...we will only practice once per week. We are made up of players from several different school districts.....namely Connetquot, Sachem, and Hauppauge.....with players coming from several surrounding towns (Bohemia, Lake Grove, Lake Ronkonkoma, Hauppauge, Holbrook, Holtsville, Oakdale, & Ronkonkoma).

We play the game for fun...there are no politics - no games......just a well coached great group of boys (who all get along - no clicks) and familes who enjoy competitive soccer...once per week. We just completed our fifth season as a team...please review our website for more informaion about our team....

To arrange for a tryout, please contact our Head Coach - Coach Angelo via e-mail...Thank you

Angelo Tedesco - Ronkonkoma Rebels Head Soccer Coach
Cell - (631) 707-1675
Email - Theang20@aol.com

www.leaguelineup.com/ronkonkomarebels

Happy Thanksgiving to the Rebels Soccer Family

From the Rebels Coaches

We will be in touch with everyone after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to dicuss future plans & provide information about the team party. Until then - please enjoy the holiday with your families.

Summarizing the Fall 2010 Rebels - A+ for effort....On paper – we didn’t have a greatest of seasons. Our record isn’t as good as most of us would have hoped for. But sometimes – the score of the games isn’t indicative of the effort of the players. The Rebels have had 3 top 3 finishes in our first 4 seasons. This season, we didn't finish in the top three – due to reasons beyond anyone’s control. We began the season adding 3 very talented players to our roster. It is true that we lost our leading goal scoring when he left the team to play roller hockey…but we started out the season against two top teams – and had positive results - beating the Bethpage Blue Bombers and tieing Kings Park (both top three teams). Things were looking up when the bottom was pulled out from beneath us. We lost several players to broken bones and injuries – most of which occurred off the soccer field….a broken foot (Nick T.), broken wrist (Jake B.), broken toe (Derek), sprained foot (Mike), and sprained knee (Mateo)…and we had several others miss games because of pneumonia and the flu (Chris, Mike and Conor). On top of that – add weekends when players have family commitments and can’t attend the game (Lorenzo, Danny and Chris) – and you end up barely have enough players to play 80 minutes of soccer. We went from having 17 players at our first two games - to having just 12 or 13 for the next four games. Had we had a full team for all of our games this season, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that our record would have been better…and we would have possibly finished with another top three finish. Our defense was strong - holding Sag Harbor to only 4 goals. We know this is frustrating for the players and their parents. However, when things don’t turn out the way you plan them, it is important to learn and grow from that experience. We feel our team did just that…the boys stayed together…playing as a team…worked hard…and finished the season the same way they began it – with strong play and a soccer victory & tie. Along the way – they found out a lot about themselves – and how good they can be…and we believe they became better soccer players.

This season, our team had many bright spots. We were led by Greg – who just played outstanding in net. Our defense was led by Alex. Jake M. was all over the field making plays. Mike led the team in scoring even though he spent most of his time playing sweeper. We had goals from Chris, Joey, Nick T. and Greg – excellent defensively play from Lorenzo, Conor, Derek, and Nick S. – we had strong midfielders such as Jacob, Mateo, Robbie, Jake B., and Timmy – and our offense was led by Kenny and Danny. We are lucky to have a supporting cast to make our team complete - and when we were able to put most of these players on the field at the same time – they played as a team and played very well. Mateo and Derek missed the last game due to injuries...which meant we never played a single game with our entire roster and never had all 18 players on the field at the same time for a single game or practice. That would explain our record - but the team gets an "A" for it's effort....and the coaches are proud of your efforts - we can't wait to get back on the field in the spring.