Any soccer gurus or coaches?

[Matt10]

Re: Any soccer gurus or coaches?

Took a 6-2 loss last night to a very good team from our area. The kids seemed to respond well to the things we were trying to do. We had a lot more shots on goal, just didn't get enough to fall in. Still having breakdown in the middle of the defense that i am trying to correct. Offensivily we played our best game and moved the ball better. The team we played has been in the playoffs 20 straight years and one numerous district championships. With this being our first year i was pleased, but we still have a long way to go.

Well it's good the kids are starting to gel together offensively. Defensively, I would say just work on everyone's positioning when they don't have the ball. I think that is a definite concern for every team that plays the game, even Man City are now a more solid team because of Mancini's focus on off the ball defense.

[p_rushing]

Re: Any soccer gurus or coaches?

Work with your goalie. Get them to understand the positioning if they don't already. Them have them yell out instructions and help coach from on the field. I used to always do that when I played goalie and it helped with the weaker defenders. Kept them positioned on the backside and helped them steer the ball to where I could cut the angles down.

[ZM Punk]

Re: Any soccer gurus or coaches?

Discipline is definitely going to be a problem if the team has just starting playing together. You got to stress to your team the importance of being disciplined in games. Especially in the back, if your back line isn't disciplined then that really is going to screw up your formation as a whole.

Is your squad in good shape? If not, then that could definitely be problematic when it comes to keeping good shape.

[moose1619]

Re: Any soccer gurus or coaches?

Played a game Friday and we tied 2-2. it was a tournament schedule so no OT or shootout. We were winning 2-1 with about 4 and 1/2 minutes left when the other team got a very questionable PK. Even though we didn't lose it still feels like it. We definately are starting to move the ball better and keep our shape better. We played against a 3A school that was more close to our size and we played well. On Saturday we played another 3A school and tied again 3-3. We were winning with about 1 and 1/2 minutes left and gave it away. This was really my fault and it shows how young we are. Instead of kicking the ball out and delaying time my kids lost possession and my sweeper shanked the ball when trying to clear it. He shanked it right to the other team for a easy goal.To make matters worse, we gave tehm the other 2 goals. Ont he first my right FB was to far inside and had a shot shank off his leg right into the goal. The next my goalie had a fast squiber on the ground that he should have used his body to block, but he tried to pickit up and he bobbled it right into the goal. Well we are making progress.

[moose1619]

Re: Any soccer gurus or coaches?

Picked up our first varsity win las night. Game ended in a 0-0 tie. We played most of the night in our opponents territory getting over 20 shots on goal. Nothing was falling for us but we went to a shoot out and we tied 3-3 after the first shoot-out. The second shoot-out we went up 2-1 on their last kicker and we blocked it. It's nice to get that first win. Feels good.

[Matt10]

Re: Any soccer gurus or coaches?

congrats on the first win mooose! Sounds like things are starting to tighten up - keep up the good work with the team!