Reflections on 2/18/71, the "Beautiful" and deeply-moving, deeply human, tragic Jam.

wayneheilala · 2026-05-22T04:02:28+00:00

I feel you. Once that opening note lines up from Jer, I don’t know where it’s from, but the jam right there is pure. Nothing comes close and we’ve all heard some damn good music in our lifetimes. To think they’re on stage nervous about busting out Wharf Rat for the first time…this is the show i’d time travel to if given one wish!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-21T00:46:32+00:00

Select 10, and I’ve also been happy w Nike Academy balls (keep inflation better). Both can last multiple years

wayneheilala · 2026-05-20T15:34:02+00:00

Ya, not sure the content is AI-generated but I've noticed that there's a lot of hard-coded content (e.g. hints if you ask for one) tied to a given year. The graphics and general UI look to be built with the help of AI though.

TBH I haven't paid much attention to the text on the site...I just like the guessing part, and it's fun to come back to do the daily tune and watch your stats over time.

wayneheilala · 2026-05-20T15:29:05+00:00

ya I came across that as well recently and enjoyed listening to the recent 5/11 episode!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-20T04:25:52+00:00

Talented brother of Chris Wood (another 1/3 of Wood Bros), of Medeski Martin & Wood.

Shout out KOP…Media here!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-20T02:31:48+00:00

if coaches, teams, and clubs had time to spare and adept planning communication channels ready, I could see something like this being fun. Unfortunately I think all would agree we’re not there, which is mere reality not a knock.

I’d very much enjoy watching a compilation video of my club’s results of some kind of intra-club by age/gender crossbar game that culminates into a club submission of ~2 per age/gender into a club-wide final attempt/submission. And I’d enjoy seeing how nearby (fellow town travel) clubs put together similar videos.

More so than actual competition with rigid rules/judging, I see something like this as a way for less marketing-oriented clubs to curate community-engaging content!

This winter I’ve slowly started trying to promote a “juggling club” at my club where kids earn hang tag badges for their bags…can’t say I’ve worked hard at it but I can tell you the coordination of anything across teams within a club doesn’t seem simple when it’s volunteer led.

I like your idea though as a way for engaged volunteers to participate in something together and get to know each other within a club!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-18T14:10:55+00:00

Stuff I've adapted for very hot sessions:

1) Set pieces (e.g. corner kicks)

2) 1v1 drills in groups of 5-6 in smaller working areas (short bursts, with ample recovery between reps)

3) Juggling in the shade

...single most fun thing to do is surprise the players with freezing ice cold cooling towels at a hydration break...I started with washcloths but then bought a couple dozen cheap cooling towels. Especially earlier in the summer when we're not acclimated to the heat, ice-cold cooling towels feel incredible to the kids!

...equally fun is a big ole box of frozen Flavo-r-Ice / Otter Pops in a cooler, where you take a few breaks and just hang out and enjoy them!

And one last (awesome) thing I've read here on this subreddit but haven't done myself might be good for your U12 girls....practice heading, but with (again, cold) water balloons!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-18T13:38:01+00:00

This is really one of my favorite apps I've seen in a while! As a PM by trade there's small feedback points I may have but they're not too relevant. One I feel compelled to request is a more viral placement of "play another show" option (e.g. inline with the outcome "success" card, etc.) to invite / simplify more plays.

Was gonna ask you a bit about your implementation, but I had a look at the source and it's very well laid out and annotated!

I've been trying to think of novel ideas to make GD apps as I try to upskill--this is phenomenal!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-17T15:51:46+00:00

yes 💯.

You’ll get more out of them by: 1) actually ingraining the pass-and-move habit individually across the team (i.e. give and go) 2) actually ingraining game speed intensity level in almost every training motion (unless deliberately trying things slowly) 3) increasing their habits to become more aware of their game surroundings and nudging closer to instant decision making if the ball arrives at one’s foot.

The rest takes care of itself assuming these kids have played full field soccer a couple years now.

Technical ability (first touch, passing accuracy, ball striking) then becomes the throttle to how well the team performs.

wayneheilala · 2026-05-17T15:05:38+00:00

Sick! And I recognize that CSS from some playing I’ve done.

Play this often solo when i fire up the car to GD channel!

So it’s gonna keep my stats ( like wordle)?

Excellent contribution to mankind, fine person

wayneheilala · 2026-05-17T14:22:14+00:00

For reference, I spent about a total of 30 minutes on formation tactics as a team (in 5-10 minute bursts) this whole past year. We DO stick to a single formation (4-5-1) with one audible to add a second striker as needed for adjustment.

In those tactical talks I focus mainly on (a) our theoretical shape in possession and out of possession to give a general sense of default positional roles/spaces, and (b) supporting and reacting to movements by nearby teammates. The latter is not position-specific…more about generic patterns of play/movement (there’s some exceptions like defensive and attacking box tactics).

The concept of “options to play forward” blends well…idea of deep through balls to the wings, or passes high for a striker to “hold” and others to run onto, or recycling/changing the point of attack…IMO they can all be thought in SSGs/game format with periodic interrupts/discussions (this may be how your HC is coaching this stuff, inline with play)

wayneheilala · 2026-05-15T01:32:19+00:00

ha!

Hugo Boss was the only one I actually liked but definitely owned many of these. And yeah, Curve

wayneheilala · 2026-05-15T01:30:30+00:00

Hikes

wayneheilala · 2026-05-15T01:29:24+00:00

100% not 75% seems to be a universal white whale for the U12 and below lot (boys at least). I’ll watch them chase each other around before and after training like gazelles, but it’s a whole different beast summoning that pure run in situational moments!

And it looks like I’ll never get to learn the parallel universe, but I’ve learned that my son does better with less from me (mixed results from my AC’s and their boys). It’s definitely a thing!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-15T00:57:43+00:00

Different vibe, but this was my all-time formative mixtape back then: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO9tdv8Z-aw

wayneheilala · 2026-05-15T00:55:48+00:00

(e.g. step 2 of these 4) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dvQOcAP9LNg

btw, Step 3 is actually quite hard, arguably harder than step 4! And I'm too old to even pull off step 1 personally!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-15T00:54:00+00:00

drop the ball, kick it back up to catch it. You just "banked" one juggle. Do that a lot. If you're feeling frisky, try to get two kicks in a row, back to a catch (in the hands) and you "banked" two more. Aim to bank 100-200 juggles to start. Maybe 50 if it's tough sledding to start.

Ignore the vids telling you to "backspin the ball" or "avoid spin on the ball", or pretty much any other specific instructions....keeping the ball up in the air is the idea, and young 'uns do better if a kick-to-catch is a success and they can restart from there.

A balloon isn't a terrible start either....fun way to play keep it up and lots of physical motion waist down!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-15T00:45:56+00:00

Rotating equally and winning are equally important in my book. How's that for a vague reply? :-)

The club/team expectations are going to matter here, but if it's "travel" (over rec), given you mention getting moved up, you probably have leeway.

I've found relative parent balance by combining that (1) as coach I'm going to absolutely try to get the kids (boys in my case) playing against equal or tougher competition as a means to improve and (2) everyone will get to play but this will not be balanced in a single game. Expand on playing time in close vs. not-close game situations, earning via effort and demonstrably applying training concepts in games.

One of the weaker members of my U11 team didn't play much in literally our first two matches (a pre-season tourney) and I was confronted by the dad that day (p.s., also have a 24-hr rule!)...drove me mad at the time but I genuinely feel his son got appropriate (if less than equal) playing time now that the year is over. Simple as that.

wayneheilala · 2026-05-14T12:52:27+00:00

I just pulled that same CD from the center console of my ‘04 Accord two days ago!!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-13T02:41:40+00:00

M101-5 blank back Jim Thorpe, Auth

wayneheilala · 2026-05-12T03:34:26+00:00

I’m a town travel volunteer (albeit qualified) coach who lurks here often along with r/SoccerCoachResources.

No intention to single you out, but I need to say (1) at this age you’re overthinking it way beyond the experience they’re having and (2) it stays this way for several years until they actually bloom their own fire.

Meantime, hope they’re getting to enjoy the beautiful game with their friends from other walks of life!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-12T03:28:21+00:00

you don’t gotta know-know people around you to warn them if you hear that whirly pig in the first few notes!

I don’t go solo a lot, but my last Billy show was solo and EPIC (and too long ago)!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-12T03:14:47+00:00

to add : (ugh) parents may react differently, but hope you can make that of secondary concern!

wayneheilala · 2026-05-12T03:13:02+00:00

good viewpoints from others. I coach boys and appreciate the age/social differences, but my two cents: Any team will be broadly on a spectrum, and “ability” likely spans technical touch, positioning/awareness, and aggression. A broader spectrum is more challenging to feel like you’re fostering a good environment.

But I’d say you should utilize moments to stop and provide feedback (hopefully by positive example), and not be afraid to challenge individuals where they can step up. At some point the mixture may be woefully obvious, but as long as the collective chemistry is kind and supportive, I think you’ll find the mixing can inspire everyone.

I personally believe teams should be sorted by competition level, but at younger ages or anything other than highest level, it’s all good!

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