Great game last week. Very competitive! Lots of running and passing. Although the number of goals was low, the number of neat passes and cool shots on goal was high. Nice!
Let's think about strategy for a bit. Have you ever seen world-class soccer games? You never see national teams sending five players after the ball at the same time. The players are spread out in a pattern over most of the field. If one of the forwards has the ball, the other four forwards are each trying to get into position to receive a pass. Unless they are directly in front of the goal, they always stay at least 3 yards from their teammates because a pass of less than that distance is more trouble than it is worth.
Also, the right winger is always to the right of the other forwards, and the left winger is always to the left of the other forwards. Why? So that the center forward always has at least two possible long passing options. He or she can always look left or right and find a target.
In our games, I frequently see the right winger running to the left side of the field. Why? Because he or she doesn't trust the left winger? Because he or she wants to be in on every play? Because he or she believes in the "gang" strategy in which you put all your players in a mob behind the ball and try to overwehlm the other team? You'll never see really good teams doing that. Good teams always spread their players out so they can pass quickly and efficiently to move the ball down the field.
So, as we improve our game, I expect to see more players playing their positions. I expect to see less bunching up and more one-on-one duels between players from different teams.
NEXT WEEK: Passing to set up a goal!
Everyone is valued regardless of age, gender, or level of skill or fitness.
Monday, July 29, 3-5 p.m. at Howard Park at the corner of St. Louis and Jefferson Blvds in South Bend.
Best,
Tom Borek
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