Colorado State University Athletics
Rams get in front of team chemistry
8/15/2019 3:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Bill Hempen made sure to factor in everything.
Just one week of organized practice. A roster of 29 infused with 11 players new to the program. An exhibition match, a chance to see what is really transpiring with direction on areas to target before the season opener on Aug. 22.
"We all want it to be perfect the first time we go out there, and you kind of have to check your emotion a little bit," the Colorado State women's soccer coach said. "Was there enough there to build on, and the answer is yes."
In the match with Missouri, Hempen started three true freshmen and three players who transferred to the Rams. There were five other true freshmen who saw action before the day was done, dropping a 3-1 decision.
It was a lot to digest, but one of the key areas the coaches watched for and the players worked on was communication. A team which can talk on the field can be successful.
Senior Halley Havlicek knew the importance of cohesion, and she and other team leaders took up the task to make start the process well before the team had to report. Players were meeting and working out two weeks prior, eliminating the need for introductions the first day Hempen gathered them on the field.
"We started practices, we started team bonding, and we've been together every day of the preseason for lunch, rehab and soccer, as well as other outdoor activities and stuff," she said. "So that makes us that much closer outside of the soccer field, which makes it easier to play on the field."
The inviting nature of the team was a bonus for Gracie Armstrong, who came from Washington State. She learned from her own personal mistake there, where she said she was a bit too quiet at first, making it harder for her to adjust and integrate.
Back in her home state (she went to Legacy High School), she made sure to be more open and talkative with her second team. Those team-bonding experiences made it easier for her and others to bridge any possible divide.
"I think that team bonding off the field helps a lot because you know each other personally, and not just as a soccer player," Armstrong said. "I think that helps. Like when you're trying to, for example, with me, I'm new. I didn't know anyone coming in here. And the first day I got here we had team bonding that night. I think that that helped bring me together with everyone. And then, right as I got on the field, I was comfortable."
Hempen could see the signs in the exhibition, though he understands the cohesion still has to grow. It's not just on the field during games, but with those on the sidelines, keeping them mentally sharp, attentive and sharing information. And when one player is subbed for another, they have to pass on their on-field notes.
Chatter has to run from front to back, with Hempen saying mini communities have to be built within each group on the field, then they need to overlap in their communication.
He and his staff have a certain lingo, which the Rams' veterans know. But they've all been exposed to different coaching, and each coach has their own way of calling something out. In some ways, it's can be akin to learning a new language.
"We definitely spent the last couple practices talking about specific words that we want to use instead of like having three different words for saying back pass," Havlicek said. "We want to use one specific word and same thing with moving forward. And so we're all just trying to get on the page communication wise, the goalies, defensemen, forwards. It's hard to get rid of that habit."
Armstrong has been encouraged. So has Havlicek. And once Hempen had time to decompress after the exhibition and take the emotion out of his breakdown, his answer was simply, "absolutely."
This team has a propensity for progress.
Just one week of organized practice. A roster of 29 infused with 11 players new to the program. An exhibition match, a chance to see what is really transpiring with direction on areas to target before the season opener on Aug. 22.
"We all want it to be perfect the first time we go out there, and you kind of have to check your emotion a little bit," the Colorado State women's soccer coach said. "Was there enough there to build on, and the answer is yes."
In the match with Missouri, Hempen started three true freshmen and three players who transferred to the Rams. There were five other true freshmen who saw action before the day was done, dropping a 3-1 decision.
It was a lot to digest, but one of the key areas the coaches watched for and the players worked on was communication. A team which can talk on the field can be successful.
Senior Halley Havlicek knew the importance of cohesion, and she and other team leaders took up the task to make start the process well before the team had to report. Players were meeting and working out two weeks prior, eliminating the need for introductions the first day Hempen gathered them on the field.
"We started practices, we started team bonding, and we've been together every day of the preseason for lunch, rehab and soccer, as well as other outdoor activities and stuff," she said. "So that makes us that much closer outside of the soccer field, which makes it easier to play on the field."
The inviting nature of the team was a bonus for Gracie Armstrong, who came from Washington State. She learned from her own personal mistake there, where she said she was a bit too quiet at first, making it harder for her to adjust and integrate.
Back in her home state (she went to Legacy High School), she made sure to be more open and talkative with her second team. Those team-bonding experiences made it easier for her and others to bridge any possible divide.
"I think that team bonding off the field helps a lot because you know each other personally, and not just as a soccer player," Armstrong said. "I think that helps. Like when you're trying to, for example, with me, I'm new. I didn't know anyone coming in here. And the first day I got here we had team bonding that night. I think that that helped bring me together with everyone. And then, right as I got on the field, I was comfortable."
Hempen could see the signs in the exhibition, though he understands the cohesion still has to grow. It's not just on the field during games, but with those on the sidelines, keeping them mentally sharp, attentive and sharing information. And when one player is subbed for another, they have to pass on their on-field notes.
Chatter has to run from front to back, with Hempen saying mini communities have to be built within each group on the field, then they need to overlap in their communication.
He and his staff have a certain lingo, which the Rams' veterans know. But they've all been exposed to different coaching, and each coach has their own way of calling something out. In some ways, it's can be akin to learning a new language.
"We definitely spent the last couple practices talking about specific words that we want to use instead of like having three different words for saying back pass," Havlicek said. "We want to use one specific word and same thing with moving forward. And so we're all just trying to get on the page communication wise, the goalies, defensemen, forwards. It's hard to get rid of that habit."
Armstrong has been encouraged. So has Havlicek. And once Hempen had time to decompress after the exhibition and take the emotion out of his breakdown, his answer was simply, "absolutely."
This team has a propensity for progress.
Players Mentioned
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