Technical demonstrations are returning to the Long Island Junior Soccer League convention this weekend.

These sessions are to help educate coaches as well as other adults. These clinics were a staple of the convention in its early days.

The league’s 36th annual convention will be held on March 9-11 at the Huntington Hilton on Route 110 in Melville, N.Y.

“We are proud to bring back three technical demonstrations given by expert clinicians in order to further educate our coaches as well as for any parents that would like to teach their child at home,” LIJSL convention chairperson Holly Maresco said. “They are free but we strongly recommend you signing up to reserve a seat. This sign-up can be done through the convention schedule on our website, www.lijsoccer.com.“

The LIJSL convention begins at 7 p.m. Friday, March 9 with the annual awards dinner as the volunteer of the year from LIJSL clubs will be honored as well as the three newest inductees into the LIJSL Hall of Fame. This year, Joe Camarda of the Rocky Point Soccer Club, Theresa Dawes of the Terryville Soccer Club and Bessie Lamonica of Oceanside United will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining the 106 members.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, March 10 in Salon D, the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame will honor its seven new members: Ron Antanasio and Bobby Auletta (both from Oceanside), Ron Eden (Brentwood), Alain Maca (Massapequa), Dan McCrudden and John McCrudden (both from Kings Park) and Chris Tyson (Northport).

Although there is a fee for attending both dinners, admission to the rest of the convention is free. Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday morning there will be LIJSL Sportsmanship Award presentations, meetings for club presidents, coaches and volunteers plus coaches and referee clinics as thousands of people purchase soccer items.

There will be three technical demonstrations in Salon D Saturday:

9 a.m. – Advanced Technical Training: Passing and Receiving

The importance of good technique, especially when it comes to fundamentals

Presented by LIJSL player development program clinician Bart Polster

10:30 a.m. – Improving Soccer IQ Through Player-Centered Environments

Highlights activities that give the problem-solving back to the players for improved learning and engagement

Presented by Bryan Alcantara, manager of coaching education for the Red Bulls

Noon – Speed of Play in the Modern Game

Pure speed, technical speed and mental speed will all be demonstrated

Presented by LIJSL director of coaching education John Fitzgerald

For more information about the convention, contact the league at 631-648-9020 or visit www.lijsoccer.com

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.