Bryce DeLamielleure
In a March 22, 2013, interview Siena Heights University (SHU) Aldo Zid, head coach of SHU’s men’s soccer team, discussed everything from recruitment for 2013-2014 season to off season and summer training.
Recruiting is an essential part of any team’s offseason. Replacing the seniors that graduated and the players that left for other reasons is the only way to keep a program alive. Zid thinks the recruiting for the team is going well so far, “Very well. We got some nice kids and a lot of kids that can come in and help.” While he is happy with what they have got, Coach Zid did note they didn’t get every recruit they wanted, “It never happens.”
While recruits are important, getting the players already on the team to improve is just, if not more, as important. “Seeing my team improve on an individual basis which in turn improves the team,” is one of the things Zid stated that he looks forward to every off season. He doesn’t look forward to everything though, “Discipline. It’s always hard trying to keep the team accountable,” is what he said was the hardest part. Whether it is with their grades or their sport, the players are expected to keep themselves and their teammates on the right path.
Part of keeping players focused is making sure the players do the right things over summer. Coaches aren’t in touch with players as much during the summer so the players are expected to do what it takes to get ready for the upcoming season. Zid said noted that summer, “the number one thing is mental and physical fitness (less injuries) so we can focus on playing and tactics.” If the players do what is expected, it enables the coach to focus on other areas when camp comes around.
Off season is often view as the hardest part of the year for an athlete. The players are working hard with few, if any real games, to motivate them. Keeping the players focused during this time is essential. Zid tries to do that by keeping them focused on their goals for next year. Off season for this team is all about working towards their main goal for next year, which he put simply was to, “win the conference.”