Lads,

Hope this finds you and your families well.

I am writing you from a Hotel in Northern Italy, Pinzolo, a location where Juventus players are training for their pre-season segment. I go to the field twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, to watch the practice sessions and I am amazed how short but
intense everything they do is. (I was fortunate enough to recognize someone from my playing and coaching days in Italy who allowed me to step onto the pitch and take great photos as dozen of professional photographers snapped hundreds of pictures!)

(Trezeguet and Nedved working an agility course)

(Iaquinta during a small sided game)

(Coach Ranieri instructs his players during one of many tactical stoppages)

I saw several things that I liked and would like to implement this fall (like agility activities),
and other things that are very uneventful for American soccer standards,
but represent the core of most European training sessions (keep away,
passing a receiving with short/short/long activities, short jogs, soccer
tennis, etc.). Players still run laps, still stand around a lot, and still warm up with
athletics activities w/out the ball. They play a lot of 4 v 4, 7 v 7, and
9 v 9 but mostly they work on group tactics.

I hope you are working on your physical and soccer fitness in preparation
for our incoming season... only 4 weeks left

PLEASE, and particularly the few of you who haven't sent us a blog entry
and a pic yet, LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR SUMMER AND FOR THE FRESHMEN, PLEASE
INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

Cheers.