OAKTOWN FC Summer Conditioning Program

by Coach Daniel

OAKLAND, Calif.— OAKTOWN FC just wrapped up a two month summer conditioning program in our community. The program consisted of two sessions per week, working with local students-athletes from the East Oakland area. We developed this with the intent to prepare players for competitive play. The primary goals were to develop fitness, foster community, and support players in achieving their long term footballing goals. 

Some of the equipment we used during the program were portable goals (top center), dome cones (bottom center), and small hurdles (left).

Developing Fitness

We started each training session with a five mile run. Afterwards, we moved into thirty minutes of plyometrics and explosive exercises. Lastly, we finished with some technical ball work.

As coaches, we sought to prioritize improvement over specific results. We had players time their runs, and they were asked to record their heart rates once before, during and after the run to track their improvement. Our target heart rate during the run was 140-160 BPM. After the run we hydrated and moved into a rigorous plyometrics and explosive training regiment for thirty minutes. This part of the program was meant to increase speed, agility, balance and strength. With tired legs and being mentally worn from the plyometric training, we then transitioned to technical work. We asked players to push through the fatigue to make optimal decisions, employ meticulous first touch and accurate passing.

Player Wellness

We were grateful to find no serious injuries during the program, besides some very sore muscles. However good hydration, a healthy diet and plenty of sleep had players recovering quickly. We sought to find a balance between pushing physically and avoiding injury. We achieved this by checking in with players throughout the training. We typically had 2-3 coaches who joined in on the runs and maintained communication about any signs of exhaustion like nausea, dizziness, sharp muscle pain or seeing spots. We set expectations to improve every week. Coaches advised against pushing to the point of risking injury and we saw encouraging results.

Results

We had a group of players and coaches that improved their fitness without injury. We at Oaktown FC are very fortunate to work with some of the most talented players in the region who live in the East Oakland area we serve. Some of them will move on and play at their respective clubs and into high school seasons. They will be better prepared physically and mentally for the rigors of competitive play due to the effort they exhibited throughout the OAKTOWN FC summer conditioning program.

Agility, acceleration and explosiveness are all attributes we focused on in the plyometric training portion of our summer program.

Reflecting on COVID-19

We were able to run this conditioning program successfully while adhering to Alameda County COVID guidelines. Working closely with players, parents and coaching staff, we put together protocols that maintained health for all those involved. While adhering to social distancing, parts of the game like joy, creativity, and tactical elements of futbol are missed. However, the threat of COVID will eventually pass. We look forward to enjoying the beautiful game without restrictions in the near future.

East Oakland’s Pride Believes in OAKTOWN FC

OAKLAND, Calif.— OAKTOWN FC host East Oakland’s very own Jonathan “Jonny” Orozco.

Jonathan Orozco has been following Oaktown FC even before he signed for The Oakland Roots. Since the beginning of the formation of OAKTOWN FC, Jonny has been intrigued with the work of OAKTOWN Futbol Club (OTFC). 

Supporting from Afar

Upon arrival, Jonathan watched the community pick up games from the sidelines and chatted with one of the founders of Oaktown FC about the goals, mission, and purpose of Oaktown FC and the East Oakland community. 

Orozco after signing with the Oakland Roots.

Giving Back to the Community

Jonathan was very pleased to see that people from the community were giving back in a positive and productive way through the sport of Futbol. Building community, growing the sport, and having the youth of East Oakland stay active are cornerstones that Jonny and Oaktown FC aligned on its invaluable resource to youth from the same community Jonny grew up in. Orozco noted that he grew up just four blocks from where OAKTOWN FC has their community pickup games in Brookfield Village off of 98th in East Oakland. Orozco stated he would have loved something like this growing up, given that he started playing club soccer at 14, but prior to that only played in the streets.

A Unique Pathway as Inspiration

Jonny’s path is one of inspiration for many youth players coming out of East Oakland. Having attended Madison Park Academy as a middle schooler, and later attending San Lorenzo High School, Orozco went on to play at Las Positas College, a junior college in Livermore, prior to attending and playing for San Francisco State. Throughout his Journey, Orozco admits to not knowing what to do, even taking three years off before getting back on track and finishing up his education while also having the opportunity to play at the Division II level. 

Coach Daniel noted that, given Orozco’s path, “not everyone needs to play for a prestigious club soccer program in order to play in college or even pro. There are many pathways.” This pathway is one that OAKTOWN FC aspires to widen for youth players from East Oakland. 

Orozco captaining San Francisco State University

Orozco’s Message 

While speaking to the group of high school aged players, Orozco touched on the importance of coachability, training, and tactical understanding of futbol as the biggest difference coming from playing in the streets. He also emphasized the importance of having an education, something that Orozco was able to attain through his desire to play soccer. 

As the Oakland Roots 2020 season looks to kick off at the end of the month, Jonny will have an entire club and community of East Oakland rooting for and supporting #98 from inside the stadium, East Oakland, and Brookfield. Orozco is an example of what East Oakland should be proud of. He is East Oakland Pride, “El Orgullo”.

OAKTOWN FC Coach Attends United Soccer Coaches National Diploma Course

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.— OAKTOWN FC Coach goes across the country to attain National Diploma offered by United Soccer Coaches.

At the end of  OAKTOWN FC’s inaugural season, head coach Emilio Navarro-Perez was on track to continue his coaching education. 

While many players and families of OAKTOWN FC enjoyed their winter break, Emilio flew across the country to collaborate, network, and learn from other coaches involved with the beautiful game.

Emilio recalls this amazing opportunity as one of validation and realization that coaching is his passion. His Mentor coaches were Vince Ganzberg and Deb Raber. Vince Ganzberg is the education content coordinator for United Soccer Coaches and Deb Raber is the head coach of the women’s soccer team at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. 

Both Vince and Deb have had extensive careers in coaching and teaching the National Diploma Course in order to help soccer coaches become more effective in teaching the game. Both admired the work of the 99ers (the US Women’s National Team that won the 1999 World Cup). Vince shared one drill the late great Tony DiCicco used to do with them, and Deb actually worked with him in the WPS, when he managed the Boston Breakers.

The experience was one to remember. Emilio recalls, “It was great seeing coaches at various levels of the game, both domestically and abroad that attended this great coaching experience.”

Ultimately, the experience for Emilio was humbling and rewarding. Humbling in that Emilio was able to represent OAKTOWN FC at a national coaching event, and rewarding knowing that OAKTOWN FC  will have a more educated, more passionate and more equipped coach to lead them. 

Some names to remember

Emilio worked with many coaches from various levels in the game, and former players who are embarking on their coaching journey. Many coaches that Emilio met were plying their trade at various levels of the game. Here are some to name a few:

Jane Walsh DIII Salve Regina

Kellen Kasiguran DII Gordon College

Evren Gunduz HS Dover-Sherborn

Michael Augustson Club St. Vrain FC

Ethan Shim DI West Virginia University

Jlon Flippens DI University of Maryland

Coach Emilio with mentor Coach Deb Raber.

Coach Emilio with mentor coach Vince Ganzberg at Central Broward Regional Park after Emilio’s coaching field session.

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A Note from Emilio

During the week long intensive course, both Deb and Vince were impressed with the energy of the group of coaches involved. One moment that stood out and touched me was on the final day. 

Before saying goodbye, Vince said, “‘The biggest question is, would I want this person coaching my son? To all of you, Yes.” He followed up by saying that our coaching group was a “great group”. 

Having grown up playing soccer in the streets and having a passion for the game as a child, it meant a lot that my mentor coaches, in particular Vince, challenged me to be a better coach. During reflection of my coaching trial, he stated, “You know the game.”

He is right. All my life I had an inkling that I knew the game, now I leave Florida knowing, for certain, that I do know the game. All I have to say is, Thank you coach Vince and Coach Deb.

The most gratifying moment for me was returning home and being excited to go back to work to coach. I truly feel grateful to be able to serve my community of East Oakland and players from there.