Day 4 Training

Breakfast at 8 AM and then off to training at a local sports complex. There were at least eight fields including two synthetic turf and six natural grass. The fields were in excellent shape, similar to the quality we played on at the Region 1 tournament last year in Virginia. Seth asked me to join in the training to become the 18th player. The boys enjoyed "dangling" me and I know I'll be very sore tomorrow - but it was great to relive the glory days, even if it was only in my mind. And my mind was writing checks my body couldn't cash. We trained for 90 minutes focusing on technical ball handling and finishing with an 9 vs 9 scrimmage.

As we were training we noticed what looked like a professional team training one field across from us. It turns out the team was the Edinburgh Hibernians (the "Hibs') of the Scottish Premier League. At the end of our training we watched them for twenty minutes and what a treat that was. The Edinburugh coach had them playing 12 vs 12 on a very small field. The technical ability and the speed of play was off the charts and a real eye opener for our boys. The Hiberians play their local rival Heart of Midlothian (the "Hearts") on Monday in the season opener. Hearts vs Hibs is a renowned local rivalry (derby match).