Official Varsity Welcome!

Greetings, Hamilton boys varsity soccer fam! 

I hope you're all as excited and ready to rumble as us coaches from here on out!! We've good some great things cookin' this season, and we're pumped. 

Speaking of "cookin'", THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF THOSE WHO MADE TODAY'S SAND SOCCER TOURNAMENT A GREAT SUCCESS! You are SURELY appreciated. :)

Now on to some business matters during this first VERY BUSY and HUGELY IMPORTANT full week of the season. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions at all! 

Here goes:

Monday, Aug. 15...9-noon training. MEET IN MY CLASSROOM (room 111 in the high school) NO LATER THAN 9 AM THAT MORNING FULLY DRESSED EXCEPT FOR CLEATS ON YOUR FEET. Mikah and Bryce = Iron Man matters immediately after training.

Tuesday, Aug. 16...9-noon training (WEAR BLACK TOPS)...3-530 PM = required volunteer work...meet at the lower lot at the high school and wear Hamilton soccer gear and closed toed shoes.

Tuesday, Aug. 16...all fall sports parent meeting (no parent meeting on Monday as was previously scheduled) at Hamilton high school with new Athletic Director at 7 PM and then breakout sessions with specific sports immediately thereafter (JV in Coach L. Robinson's room and Varsity in my classroom).

Wednesday, Aug. 17...9-noon training...wear gray (NO W. Ottawa scrimmages)...TEAM PICS (home white uniforms) at the beginning of the training session. Required online concussion baseline training in the HS library at 1230 PM for JV and Varsity teams...lasting about 45 mins.???

Thursday, Aug. 18...9-noon training...wear black...REQUIRED team dinner at the Robinson household in Holland from 530 PM-7ish?? More details to come...

Friday, Aug. 19...first game of the season AT BLACK RIVER!! Meet in my classroom at 2 PM. Henry = pre-game meal/video of JV game. Bus leaves at 3 PM. JV plays at 4 PM. We play at 5:45 P.M. All players must ride the bus this season to and from away game venues.

Whew. Ok. Sorry, that's a lot. Will leave anything else for later! :)

Looking forward to starting this thing off on the right foot(s)! :)

Greetings to the New Boys Soccer Crop!

Coach T. Robinson checking in with a bunch of helpful info for this coming summer 2016 and beyond.

Thanks for your continued interest in Hamilton soccer!

We continue to be beyond excited to work with all of you. The future is a bright one!

Ok, here goes with some info:

**Check email for electronic versions of all items passed out at the recent soccer meeting.

**Check email also for Holland Summer Scrimmage schedule. You'll notice that the first scheduled Tuesday night contest is coming up quickly: Tuesday, June 14 at 5:30 PM (Holland Soccer Complex). We will NOT have Thursday AM training that week, but will do so the following week per the schedule!

**Free text reminder service for the summer: text "@jvvarsity" to the number 81010, and you're good to go! No need to do this again if you're already done it this past year.

**Important Dates to plan for:

     --July 25-28: Hamilton Soccer Camp
         http://www.hamiltonschools.us/athletics/high-school-athletics/

     --By Tuesday, Aug. 9: athlete physicals, insurance $, and signed code of
         conduct REQUIRED TO BE ON FILE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL
        IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN TRYOUTS/SOCCER!

      --Wednesday, Aug. 10: first official day of tryouts/season!

That's it for now, all! Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

And please remember that one year older does not make us one year better. In other words, let's keep improving and hit the ground running this summer!

2016 Season Schedule!

Please check out the link below and to the left in order to peruse the 2016 fall soccer schedule and plan accordingly ahead of time!

And we continue to move forward in ultra positive ways...  :)

Season Wrap-up

Whew...

Ok, boys, once again: thanks for a great season, thanks for the memories (especially from this past week), and thanks for being you's! :)

Was a PLEASURE to experience a bit of Hamilton history with you this past week. Hope you all had as much of a blast as I did!

Two important dates to keep in mind at this point:

**Tuesday (tomorrow): team meeting in my classroom from 3-4 PM. Bring ALL clean uniform items...warm-ups, both sets of jerseys, captain bands, backpacks, etc. Dylan and Christian, see you promptly right after your driver's ed. training.

**Tuesday, Nov. 3: Program-wide Dessert Banquet...6:30 PM in the high school cafeteria. Please dress nicely, bring a dessert to pass, and provide beverages/table settings for your family. Hope to see you all there, so that we can end this season in a fitting way heading into the off-season!

Let's keep this thing rollin' in a positive way, everyone!

Thanks again for all the hard work this season!

4-1 Win vs. Wayland

Couldn't be much more proud of you guys! As mentioned already....

BUT...as also mentioned already: there's certainly room for me to be MORE proud when we win the District championship on Saturday. RIGHT?!!

Stay tuned for Plainwell video footage...

Let's keep striving and moving forward....     No complacency!

Practice tomorrow from 3-445ish.

Great job, guys! But we're not done...  :)

3-1 Win @ T.K.

Guys!

Survive and advance...and we move on!

Congrats on a job well done overall today in enemy territory.

This is only the beginning though, right?! RIGHT??

Back to work tomorrow to continue this thing on a positive path...

BEAT WAYLAND!

Upcoming Week

Greetings, everyone! Hope the weekend has already been a great one.

HUGE week coming up this week on the soccer field for obvious reasons. Let's do some positive damage! We CAN do it!

See below for the schedule (some of it tentative):

**Monday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Tuesday: DISTRICT game at T.K. (7 PM)...what to wear in school = TBD...gray warm-up shirts...team meeting at 3:30 PM in my room (be fully dressed as we will quickly head out to the game field for a photo-shoot of sorts with Bryce's sister, Morgan)...pre-game meal in my room at 4:15 PM...bus leaves at 5 PM.

T.K. prep (based on hudl footage as well as...turf field (like Holland)...4-4-2...sub-par GK...back line shaky...defender takes goal kicks...decent central midfield players and forwards...forward attacking tandem a bit disjointed but creative with the ball...even with backs to the net. WE CAN WIN THIS GAME!

**Wednesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black (tentative)
**Thursday: DISTRICT game at Plainwell (field turf) vs. Wayland (7 PM)...more details to come, but I would imagine a similar after-school schedule as Monday (tentative).
**Friday: 3-5 PM practice (tentative)
**Saturday: DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP AT PLAINWELL VS. ?? (7 PM)...(tentative)

Note: Congrats to Andrew Caswell for having been selected by his peers last week as this week's alternative captain. Well done, sir!

Also players, in addition to re-sent T.K. hudl footage, stay tuned for an individual email from yours truly regarding sincere thoughts on ways that YOU, yourself, can help the winning cause this coming week.

Take care, all, and let's keep fighting!

7-0 Loss to H.C.

All,

All eyes on T.K.! The past is the past, and the great thing about post-season play is that every team in the state, NO MATTER THE PAST, is 0-0 currently. That should be invigorating for us from here on out!

What a great opportunity we have starting next Tuesday to leave positive marks on the season. Visualize, believe it, and make it happen!

4-1 Loss to Byron Center

Boys,

Mental toughness is extra key for us from here on out! I thought that may have been the biggest difference between us an our opponent last night. We're going to need a huge dosage of that tomorrow in our last home game of the season. And we can do it!

See you all for practice: another chance to get better.

A LOT TO PLAY FOR STILL!

Last Regular Season Week!

Greetings, all! What a beautiful weekend. Hope you're enjoying it with you and yours.

Please see below regarding our upcoming week's slate...our last regular season week! Time flies:

**Monday: game at B.Center (jv = 5 PM)...WEAR BLACK JERSEYS TO SCHOOL...meet on bus by 3:30 PM...will dine when we arrive at venue...Seth = meal/vid...wear gray practice t's.

B.C. prep reminders...3-5-2...weaker outside backs (attack 1 v.1 when applicable)...exploit space on the flanks...central midfield and forwards relatively strong...win the physical battles...win the "dead ball/set play" battles...WIN THE GAME!

**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black...5:30 PM Team Dinner at Team Caswell! Check previous emails from Mr. Caswell for home address.

**Wednesday: last home game/PARENT NIGHT vs. H.C. (jv = 3:45 start)...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my room by 3 PM...Andrew/Logan S. = ball boys...Bryce = meal (NO VID.)...wear gray practice t's...Parents, please meet no later than 5:15 PM by the scoreboard in preparation to walk out onto the game field and be announced over loudspeakers with your son(s). We will line up freshman players first to senior players last...# order within each grade level. Face the crowd in a line extended from the nearest goalpost to the fan sideline.

**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.

**Friday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.

**Saturday: Cheer on MSU as they battle with UM in football at their place...GO GREEN! :)

Note: Congrats to Seth Hukill for having (again) been voted by his peers last Thursday as our upcoming alternate team captain for our last regular season week. Nice! 

Take care of yourselves this weekend, get your minds and bodies right for this upcoming (BIG) week, review our updated team goals, and continue to enjoy life!

3-0 Loss to Holland

Boys,

As mentioned after the game, "steps in the right direction"....repeat, repeat, repeat in your head.

Byron Center is next: big game, and we all know it.

See you tomorrow for a "get better and better" session (i.e. practice). :)

4-0 Loss to Unity

Boys,

Way to bounce back with increased resolve and toughness in the second half last night vs. a talented Unity squad. As mentioned after the game, I thought yesterday was a small step in the right direction. Keep that up with only a handful of guaranteed games left!

Now comes another talented team (Holland) tomorrow. Let's take care of business and finish with a performance we can be proud of!

Upcoming Week

Hello, all! Hope the weekend has been fun and productive?

Speaking of "productive", please review the below as we prepare for another full, fun (Homecoming!) week of student-athlete life:

**Monday: game @Unity (jv = 5 PM)..."'Merica Day" in school for Homecoming...wear black warm-up t's for game...bus leaves at 3:40 PM...MEET ON BUS...EAT UPON ARRIVAL AT VENUE...Logan H. = meal/vid.

Unity prep...big, fast, athletic, physical...good on set plays (beware of long throw play! Must "sandwich" target!)...4-4-2 that morphs into 3-5-2 at times (we will counter with 4-4-2 to begin). WE HUNG TOUGH WITH THIS TEAM THE FIRST TIME. WIN THE BATTLE IN YOUR MINDS FIRST AND FOREMOST! Note: let me know asap if you want hudl footage of first game shared again.

**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray..."Camo Day/Hat Day" in school. 
**Wednesday: home game vs. Holland..."Western/Hat Day" in school...meet in my room by 3 PM...Dylan/Christian = ball boys...Ross = meal/vid....wear black t's.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice..."Mismatch Day" in school...wear gray.
**Friday: no practice...HOMECOMING DAY..."Black/Gold day" in school...meet at team float location (TBD) by 3:30 PM (required). Wear black as well as team warm-ups on float.

GRADES: ANOTHER "GRADE CHECK" IN THE NEAR FUTURE. GET 'ER DONE!

Note: Congrats to Jared Zdzinicki for having been voted by his peers on Friday as the alternative team captain for this coming week. Well done!

Note #2: Please always keep in mind our updated "TEAM GOALS" to the left!

Finally, look for T.K. (our first District opponent) footage on hudl in the very near future. T.K. is wearing black on that footage. Study up when you can!

Take care, all, and very much looking forward to another full week together.

2-1 Loss to Otsego

Boys,

Not our best performance tonight...by a long shot. Let it sting TEMPORARILY. Know that your coach STILL enjoys each and every day working with you (remember pre-game Wayland talk?). Yes, I'm a bit disappointed. But, yes, I KNOW we'll continue to get better...and better...and better!

See you tomorrow at 3 PM wearing gray. We have a date...to get better. :)

4-1 Win at Zeeland West

Feels good, don't it?! :) Proud of all of you!

Enjoy the evening, boys, BUT we have a LOT more to play for...continuing tomorrow vs. Otsego.

See below for a quick Otsego review/prep:

**Very physical play....
**Direct play offensively...through balls...will try to take outside backs 1 v. 1...
**Rotates two GK's...
**Back 4 plays high...attempts offside traps...through balls will be effective if we are aware of traps...
**We can have possession/overall success!

Keep this thing rollin', boys. See you tomorrow in my room by 3 PM. Take care!

5-0 Loss to H.C.

Boys,

Keep the faith...especially since last night was a positive overall step for us a group vs. a talented, state-ranked team. As I mentioned after the game, I was impressed with physical and mental contributions from the 16 available guys throughout the contest...and at a typically tough venue.

Now it's revenge time tomorrow at Zeeland West! Let's get 'em.....

Upcoming Week

Hello, everyone! Enjoying our first, beautiful fall weekend, I'm hoping?? Boys, preparing for school on Monday as well as a big game at H.C.?!!

Here goes with the upcoming week, all:

**Monday: game at H.C. (jv = 5:30 PM)...wear black jerseys to school...bus leaves at 4:30 PM...meet directly on bus...will eat team meal upon arrival at H.C....Ryan = meal/vid....gray warm-up t's.

Holland Christian prep...big, tall, fast, talented...Eggers = very strong up front...very good in the air (must challenge everything, Hamilton, including the second balls!)...possession team...good with set plays...adequate GK with mid-range goal kicks (let's test him!)....very bouncy, fast turf...

**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black.
**Wednesday: game at Z.W. (jv = 5 PM)...REVENGE TIME!...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my classroom at 3:30...bus at 4:15 PM...Caden= meal/vid...wear gray practice t's. DISTRICT DRAW TODAY.
**Thursday: home game vs.  non-conference Otsego...what to wear in school = TBD...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...Brady/Henry = ball boys...Jack = meal/vid...wear black practice t's.
**Friday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray.

Note: Congrats to Brady Gilbert for having been named by his peers late this past week as next week's alternate team captain. Nice job!

That's it for now, everyone. As you can imagine, a HUGE week of game experience as well as continued improvement in training sessions.

Let's get 'er back goin'! 

2-0 Loss to Byron Center

Gents!

As mentioned after the game today: NO LOVE LOST! You are STILL and ALWAYS valued...no matter what. Believe it!

Much better effort today compared to our last game...and WE KEEP GETTING BETTER STARTING TOMORROW IN PRACTICE!

See you soon...wearing gray :)

8-0 Loss to Holland

Hang in there, boys! All a part of the overall learning process...

Beat B.C. tomorrow!! 

Upcoming Week

Hello, everyone! Hope the last summer weekend (on the calendar) has been a great one for you and yours!

Let's get ready for another productive, full week of student-athlete life:

**Monday: game @ Holland (jv = 5 PM)...wear black uniform in school...black warm-up top otherwise...meet in my classroom at 3:30 P.M....Andrew = meal/vid...bus leaves at 4 PM...see Alicia if needed before then!

(Quick Holland team reminders: solid play throughout the lineup...will shoot from distance...good possession team...big Hispanic front-runner attacker with pace and skills...young overall team...up and down season for them...can be beaten...let's win the battle in our minds before we even step on the field!)

**Tuesday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray
**Wednesday: home game vs. B.Center...what to wear to school = TBD...Henry/Ryan = ball boys...Mikah = meal/vid...meet in my classroom by 3 PM...black t's for warm-up.
**Thursday: 3-5 PM practice...wear gray
**Friday: 3-5 PM practice...wear black
**Near future: grade check! Take care of business in the classroom, gents! 

**Sundays: early PM skill training with Adam Mena on the practice field if interested?? See Brady for details/"sign-up".

Note: Congrats to Logan Hilldore for having been voted on Friday by his peers as the alternate captain coming up this week for his positive play as of late. Nice job!

Reminder: Will check in with you regarding "Purple Game" t-shirts ($10) if interested on Monday! Please ask permission, etc. No pressure though! This is optional. "Purple Game" football game is Friday, Oct. 2.

Let's get back to winning ways this week, guys! We have one half of the season remaining! And please get mentally and physically ready for a big day tomorrow in the classroom and on the soccer field...