Dylan Hunter

From eMarketer, (they’ll lock it up soon, but out of fairness, here’s the link until they do):

Search Engines Help Small Businesses

MAY 22, 2007

Small businesses depend more on search engine traffic than larger firms, according to a study conducted by Hitwise in early 2007.

The firm measured the percentage of average monthly traffic companies in the Internet Retailer “Top 500 Guide” received from search engines in 2005 and 2006. Half of the businesses ranked from the 400th to the 500th positions depended on search engines for 50% or more of their total site traffic.

By comparison, none of the top 100 retailers generated more than 40% of their site traffic from search engines, and half had between 20.1% and 30% of their traffic come from search engines.

Web-only merchants averaged 64% their of monthly site traffic from search engines.

Chain retailers and consumer brand manufacturers averaged 28% and 27% of their site traffic from search engines, respectively.

On NPR on the ride to work this morning, I heard a great segment on a book about “Momalies,” (as in things your mother used to tell you when you were younger). Everyone’s got them, and some of the ones from the callers were excellent. The best one I heard, (which the lady said was from her grandmother, so technically a “Gramaly!” ) is just perfect for any teenager in the midst of standard teen angst, (and/or some eldens, as well):

“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think if you knew how often they did it.”

Took me several runs through and more than a moment to think about / digest, but what a truly _excellent_ statement of wisdom!

—–

Note: Would love to toss a link over to the author of Momalies and her book, (not to mention pick up a copy myself) but can’t seem to find it anywhere, not on Google, not on Amazon, not in the show’s program notes, not at the URL that I could have sworn I heard - www.momalies.net, (and tried several spelling variations). If anyone knows the right stuff, let me know.

——

UPDATE (2007-10-20): Many thanks to Patti Londre for helping with the correct spelling / link. It’s actually “Momilies“. And makes sense she’d know - looks like Patti’s running a mighty cool place - Camp Get Away - “Weekend Retreats for Mothers and Others.” Check it out!

This drill teaches players to dribble in high traffic/high pressure situations while staying in control. It’s a great warm-up to focus on dribbling with all parts of the foot.
Soccer Drill contributed by: Chris Johnson
Drill Info:
This is for ages U6, U8, U10, U12. It is best ran with at least 8 players but no more than 16 players. The drill should be ran approximately 20 minutes on a small field. The coach will also make sure they have the following equipment: cones, .

Setup:
Start by making a grid approximately 20X20 yards. Split the team into two groups. Each player should have a ball. Instruct each group of players to line up outside the grid facing inward on two adjacent sides of the grid (half of the group on one side, the other half on the side next to the other group).

Instructions:
On the coaches command, instruct the players to dribble to the other side of the group and back to the starting position (down and back). The first player back in each group gets a point. The first player to 5 wins that set. Play 3-4 sets.

Variations:
- restrict players to touches with a certain foot or part of the foot. (example: left foot only, or outside of the foot only)
- Have the player turn or cut when they reach the opposite side of the grid
- Place even groups on all four sides of the grid and play the same game. - Make the grid a bit larger and have the players dribble with speed

Coaching Points:
- focus on the players getting their heads up while dribbling for awareness and to avoid collisions
- make sure players keep the ball at a close/safe distance. If the ball is too far in front of them they will most often hit another player or lose their ball.

Focus:
Technical Dribbling, Technical Turning, Tactical Vision

This soccer drill focuses on aggressiveness in winning 50/50 balls and fitness. This drill will be more beneficial for younger players under 8 and older.
Soccer Drill contributed by: Chris Johnson
Drill Info:
This is for ages U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16. It is best ran with at least 4 players but no more than 20 players. The drill should be ran approximately 25 minutes on a small field. The coach will also make sure they have the following equipment: cones, .

Setup:
Create a grid that is 30×30 yards. Create 4 teams and have them stand at each of the four corner cones. The coach stands outside the grid near the middle of 2 side cones with a large supply of soccer balls.

Instructions:
The coach plays a ball into the center of the grid and shouts out a command (such as “GO”) to begin play. The first player in each of the 4 lines must sprint after the ball in attempt to reach the ball first. Once the ball is won cleanly, the player must hold possession from the other players for 5 seconds before passing the ball back to the coach. If any player steals the ball from the person in possession, that player will then attempt to hold possession for 5 seconds. A team scores a point by successfully holding possession for 5 seconds and making a return pass to the coach. The first team to reach 5 points wins.

Variations:
* The coach can play different types of balls such as flighted balls, bouncing balls, rolling balls, balls with large amounts of top or back spin.

Coaching Points:
* Players should be taught to go after the ball aggressively with speed, determination and vigor.

Focus:
Technical Dribbling, Technical Aggressiveness

For anyone less than U14+, definitely dropping pushups thing, but other than that, looks good for my U8’s.

——-

5v2 Rotating Defenders
This drill will focus on keeping possession by making good passes as well as good passing decisions, moving to open space, and good communication.
Soccer Drill contributed by: Chris Johnson
Drill Info:
This is for ages U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16. It is best ran with at least 9 players but no more than 18 players. The drill should be ran approximately 20 minutes on a small field. The coach will also make sure they have the following equipment: cones, alternate jersey, .

Setup:
Start by setting up a 12X12 grid. 5 attackers wear Alternate jersies, and the remaining players should pair up as defenders behind one cone with the supply of balls.

Instructions:
The first pair of defenders play a ball into the 5 attackers, and step into the grid and become defenders. The attackers should continue passing undil the defenders win the ball, or the ball is knocked out of play. Once the play is dead, the next pair of defenders play into the same 5 attackers, and play resumes.

Variations:

* Adjust grid (larger = easier; smaller = harder)
* Introduce splits (split defenders, defenders do 10 pushups every split)
* Adjust the number of attackers (4 attackers vs 2 defenders)

Coaching Points:

* Vision
* Changes in the direction and speed of play
* Appropriate use of 1st touch
* Appropriate use of short or long passing
* Good passes to feet
* Good first touch
* Good decision making (make play easy)
* Speed of play/decisions

Focus:
Technical Dribbling, Technical Passing, Technical Receiving, Technical Shielding, Tactical Defending, Tactical Possession, Tactical Communication, Tactical Combination Play

Dropping in the “useful” folder…. Will also have to check out some of the blogs listed…

“Lime, a green health and lifestyle Web publisher, has launched an ad network that aggregates inventory across environmentally-focused sites and blogs.

“Included is the green-tech focused EcoGeek.org and the beauty/cosmetics-oriented The Beauty Brains. Additional sites in the new Lime Ad Network include Mongabay.com, an environmental science site; the organic foods-oriented SavvyVegetarian.com; and Eco-chick.com, a blog that covers environmental issues from a female point of view.”

….

“According to LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability Organization), consumer spending for this segment is estimated at $230 billion, and Lime estimates that 139 million Americans are interested or active in the green market.”

(Might help if I actually included the link…)