Soccer's 4-3-2-1 Formation

A graduate of the University of Alabama, Birmingham resident Ramon Arias has served as president of the pizza franchise Bravo Corporation since 2002. An avid follower of Alabama collegiate sports, Ramon Arias has also spent time coaching his children in Birmingham youth soccer.

There are numerous ways for a coach to organize the 10 players he or she is allowed to have on the field. The most common - and basic - is the 4-4-2 with four defenders, four midfielders, and two attackers. Another variation is the 4-3-2-1, appropriately dubbed the Christmas tree formation.

Like the 4-4-2, the Christmas tree formation employs four defenders (two fullbacks and two center-backs) who rarely cross the half line, but that is the only way in which the two are similar. Two of the three central midfielders are expected to play attacking roles, while one is expected to hang back and focus on defending. Having just one dedicated striker presents challenges in creating offense on the run, but the formation is best used when protecting a lead.

Insights into Leadership on the Field and in the Workplace

Ramon Arias serves as president of Bravo Corporation, in which role he guides a successful restaurant business in Birmingham, Alabama. Having coached his children in youth soccer, Ramon Arias of Birmingham, Alabama, believes that sports teach core lessons of teamwork and character building. 

In a piece published on the Development Dimensions International Talent Management Intelligence blog, a digital marketing executive reflected on connections between on-the-field teamwork and business success. One key insight is that technical experience is not equivalent to leadership. The effective leader understands the rules and strategies of the game intimately and then takes this knowledge to the next level, by assessing the personalities, as well as strengths and weaknesses, of individual players. 

Understanding how to motivate others can be challenging, particularly when the leader is close to the players. The line between mentor and friend is a fine one, and setting the proper boundaries, without coming off as pedantic, is a critical leadership test many coaches face. One key corporate insight is that the inability to lead those who were former colleagues is a key stumbling block when transitioning to a role as “front-line leader.”

Alabama Alumni Playing in the NFL

Ramon Arias is a Birmingham resident and graduate of the University of Alabama, where he studied economics. When he's not busy managing the successful pizza franchise Bravo Corporation, Ramon Arias enjoys following the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team, which plays an hour outside of Birmingham at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Alabama has been one of the most successful college football teams in recent years, winning four national championships in the last seven years. That success has led to an influx of former Crimson Tide players competing in the National Football League (NFL). At the start of the 2016 season, there were 35 Alabama alumni on NFL rosters.

Fifteen of those 35 players are offensive or defensive linemen, while five are either top-tier running backs or up-and-coming backs. Eddie Lacy and T.J Yeldon, for example, have been starting backs with their respective teams for at least two seasons, while recently drafted Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake are thought to have promising futures. 

The most dominant former Crimson Tide in the NFL has to be Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who finished second in total yards among all receivers in 2016. Other prominent former Alabama players in the NFL include Amari Cooper, Landon Collins, Dont'a Hightower, and C.J. Mosley.

How Youth Soccer Coaches Can Encourage Teamwork on and off the Field

 


Ramon Arias serves as the president of Birmingham, Alabama’s Bravo Corporation. His company has numerous restaurant franchise holdings across the state. Outside of his professional endeavors, Ramon Arias has been heavily involved in youth soccer in Birmingham, Alabama, thanks to his children. He is a firm believer in the character-building power of sports.

In soccer, as in life, teamwork often leads to success. Developing teamwork skills is an especially important component of youth soccer, as young athletes are building their interpersonal skills alongside their technical abilities.

Coaches can encourage teamwork by fostering a safe and positive environment. Players should be encouraged to cheer for their teammates, win or lose, and offer as much support as possible. Maintaining a good attitude after mistakes and failures is a crucial yet difficult part of team building for many younger players. To facilitate this, coaches should talk with their teams about identifying goals and finding ways to achieve them as a cohesive unit.

Most importantly, good youth soccer coaches lead by example and encourage players to do the same. Cheering and clapping for young players goes a long way toward reinforcing good attitudes and good teamwork, both on and off the field.

Soccer’s Growing Popularity in America

Birmingham, Alabama, resident Ramon Arias serves as president of a successful pizza franchise. Outside of work, Ramon Arias engages in soccer as both a participant and supporter of youth programs. 

Considered the world’s most popular sport, soccer (more popularly known as football outside of the United States) does not have the same status in the United States. However, the game’s popularity has been growing. Data from US Youth Soccer shows that in 1974 there were only 103,432 registered US youth soccer players. Since then the general trend has been on the rise, with 3,055,148 registered US youth soccer players in 2014. 

A 2014 ESPN poll showed that professional soccer ranked only behind professional football as the most popular sport among youths aged 12 to 17. Yet this popularity is not only confined to youth. Nielsen reported that 24.3 million US television viewers watched the 2010 World Cup Final between the Netherlands and Spain, a higher total than for either the NCAA men’s championship or the Rose Bowl. 

Close to folding in 2001, Major League Soccer (MLS), the professional soccer league in the US, now has 20 teams and is planning to expand to 28 teams. While still having its struggles, another positive sign is its 2015 TV deal with various networks valued at $720 million for eight years. MLS is now broadcast in 140 countries, indicating a growth for American soccer both at home and abroad.

How Youth Soccer Helps Kids Build Character

In his professional life, Birmingham, Alabama resident Ramon Arias owns and operates the Bravo Corporation. In his personal life, the restauranteur enjoys a variety of sports. Ramon Arias is particularly familiar with soccer and its many benefits, as he was heavily involved with his children's youth teams in the greater Birmingham, Alabama area. 

Youth sports offer a multitude of benefits for children. Team sports, and soccer in particular, are especially valuable. They encourage team building, build character, and help young athletes become successful, goal-driven men and women.

Soccer can help build social skills in a way that few sports can match. In order to succeed on the field, players must communicate and work together. Each player has a role to fill and other players to support. Cooperation on the field can translate to improved cooperation off the field, helping to create team players for life.

Youth sports like soccer are invaluable for teaching work ethic and work-life balance as well. Soccer requires practice, and young athletes learn quickly that those who put in the most effort tend to reap the biggest rewards. Though investing time in the sport is important, the additional time constraint helps kids and families learn balance too. Children gain experience prioritizing, and learn to manage their time efficiently.

Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program

Ramon Arias serves as the president of Bravo Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama, and achieved recognition as the 2009 Franchise of the Year. Beyond his professional obligations, Ramon Arias also maintains an interest in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which directs interscholastic athletic competitions. The SEC Academic Initiative also hosts the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program (ALDP).

Created in 2008, the ALDP identifies, prepares, and advances academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions, using a proactive approach that enhances understanding of the challenges and complexities of academic leadership. Goals of the program include coaching academic leaders to think critically and increasing knowledges related to academic leadership in the 21st century. 

The ALDP consists of two components: a university-level development program and a series of SEC-wide workshops. University-level development programs are individually designed by each participating academic institution for its own fellows and other participants. The workshop component includes two three-day workshops held on specific campuses. They welcomes all participants in the ALDP. 

For additional information on the program, visit www.thesecu.com/programs/sec-academic-leadership-development-program.

Ben-Hur - A Classic Biblical Epic of War and Brotherly Love

A well-established Alabama franchise restaurant executive, Ramon Arias maintains a high profile in the Birmingham community. With a strong interest in developing human skills, he emphasizes employee satisfaction in his Bessemer, Alabama, entrepreneurial activities. Ramon Arias has a passion for cinematic classics set realistically in historical eras and is a particular fan of Ben-Hur.

Set in the Holy Land during the time of Jesus Christ, the 1959 film earned 11 Oscars and catapulted the career of leading man Charlton Heston. The narrative centers on Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who grows up with Messala, an adopted brother in Jerusalem occupied by the Romans. 

Messala ultimately betrays Ben-Hur falsely to the Romans, which begins an arduous journey on a slave ship plying the Mediterranean and, ultimately, a return to Ben-Hur’s homeland. The movie climaxes with a chariot race to the death between Judah and Messala, who now holds a leadership position with the Romans, in the Colosseum. 

Set just after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the movie concerns itself with struggle and redemption, and through its focus on the enduring bond between the siblings, it reinforces the idea that human affection is indeed tenacious.

The Foundry's Work Therapy Program Strives to Restore Normalcy

 

Ramon Arias serves the president of a Bravo Corporation, a successful pizza franchise based in Birmingham, Alabama. Outside of his professional life, Ramon Arias is very active in working with The Foundry, a rescue mission and recovery center aimed at helping drug addicts and ex-convicts recover a life of normalcy.

The Foundry believes work is a valuable and crucial part of recovery, giving residents the chance to learn new skills, work towards goals, build relationships and structure, and develop discipline. The Foundry achieves this by providing multiple job opportunities to those who participate in its programs.

The Foundry owns multiple businesses they use to aid in the recovery process. The SuperThrift Outlet thrift stores provide employees the opportunity to work in a retail setting, while the group’s auto sales and service jobs train employees in everything from car maintenance and repairs, to sales. The Foundry also offers various general jobs, including food service work, administrative support, and maintenance jobs.

While the Foundry’s work therapy programs strive to help people regain a normal life, the people in the program end up helping the Foundry too. Nearly 70 percent of the recovery center and rescue mission’s budget is raised through their various work therapy enterprises.

The Importance of The Foundry Ministries’ Re-Entry Program

 

Ramon Arias serves as the president of Bravo Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama. Outside of his work, Ramon Arias remains devoted to giving back to the greater Birmingham, Alabama, community through The Foundry, a program that provides services to formerly incarcerated and homeless individuals. One of the most important programs at The Foundry is the Re-Entry Program.

Each year, thousands of men are released from prisons in Alabama and face the challenge of reintegrating in the community. This transition can prove extremely difficult and a support system is often necessary. The Foundry provides such support with a six-month program that helps men successfully navigate the transition. For the first part of the program, men live at The Foundry and have their physical needs met as they obtain all the legal documents they need for reestablishing their lives. During this period, they participate in counseling, adult education courses, and life-skills classes.

Once the men are eligible for work and find a position, they pay a stipend for room and board. Upon finishing the program, they move to transitional housing where they continue to receive support and have accountability while they seek out a permanent home.