Mark wrote me this, and I thought I'd forward his thoughts to the rest of the team:
"What a game last night. I thought our team played very well. Even though it was a close game, I feel like we dominated most of the game. The Strikers played a tight defensive game and really stacked the box, which is why we didn't score more goals. Their keeper did a great job as well.
Jason and I were talking this morning and I finally figured out a way to explain what we need to do--mainly because of what we did last night. We typically play a 2-1-2 style. But our team mostly gets into trouble when we play those positions only (without playing more of a combination of positions).
Here's the idea: First, we should always have 1 "true" forward who's always up front and a "true" defender that always stays back. The 2nd forward needs to have a mind set of "I am a forward/midfield player transitioning back and forth from a forward to a midfielder throughout the game", and the 2nd defender will play a combination of defender/midfielder as well. Last night, I saw a lot of that transition happening.
On the other end, there is the 1 constant defender, and then a 2nd defender who plays slightly forward with a defender/midfielder mentality. This 2nd defender needs to help keep the ball in our offensive half by cutting off quick counter attacks or just winning a 50/50 ball from one of our shots or a defensive clear. We will still have the "true" defender back right around midfield.
Last night, we did a great job of bringing the ball out of the back with great passes around their attacking players and not forcing or sending the ball too far forward. We had great patience and composure in the back and up front. We also did a fantastic job of keeping the ball in our offensive third by playing with the above mindset.
I think that if everyone understand and plays this way, it will help with a weakness in our game--where we often find a huge gap between the forwards and defenders. That type of gap makes it difficult for midfielders to work the ball around and go upfield. If we do this, it will make our team very dangerous on the turf.
I hope that makes a lot of sense and we continue to pick up where we left off last night. Great team game last night! We really overcame adversity well and kept our composure when we were down."
February 27, 2008
FC Coraggio 4 - Strikers 3
In the annals of sports hall of fame history, last night’s game will rank among the most dramatic I’ve ever played in. I do believe that the Hammond-to-Justice pass will rival even that of Flutie-to-Phelan (BC ’86 against Miami) as the timeliest connection for a score I’ve seen out there. With about :35 on the clock, Nathan led a racing Mark down the left side just outside the penalty area with a beautiful pass, who then drilled it into the far corner for a goal. Talk about a wild ride! Having been down a goal just 5 minutes earlier, those last 2 goals we scored were an incredible answer to adversity. I might need to see a cardio specialist if this keeps up…
Our second half play, especially later in the game, was a huge factor in dominating the ball and forcing them to almost exclusively defend (with little attack). I felt rather lonely down at the goal—which was a good feeling for me after messing up 2 goals in the 2nd half (Wes, you better be healthy by Friday!). It prompted Mark to write down an idea that I think we should really look into doing over the next 3 games (see next post).
Piranha of the Game: Goes to Mark, as if there was any question (thanks for bailing out my butt!). Special mention to Will for 2 masterful goals earlier in the game, and Nathan for the beautiful set up.
Injuries: Scott-hammie, and Leon-groin. Both probably out for Friday’s game
Next Game: FRIDAY, 11pm, vs. the Predators – this game is for first place for the rest of the session
Our second half play, especially later in the game, was a huge factor in dominating the ball and forcing them to almost exclusively defend (with little attack). I felt rather lonely down at the goal—which was a good feeling for me after messing up 2 goals in the 2nd half (Wes, you better be healthy by Friday!). It prompted Mark to write down an idea that I think we should really look into doing over the next 3 games (see next post).
Piranha of the Game: Goes to Mark, as if there was any question (thanks for bailing out my butt!). Special mention to Will for 2 masterful goals earlier in the game, and Nathan for the beautiful set up.
Injuries: Scott-hammie, and Leon-groin. Both probably out for Friday’s game
Next Game: FRIDAY, 11pm, vs. the Predators – this game is for first place for the rest of the session
February 21, 2008
FC Coraggio 10 - 4B's 4
Good solid game on Monday. We're definitely starting to build momentum and get into a rhythm. Passing around is still very good, and our defense once again shut down their offense for most of the game. They scored first, but then we scored 5-6 goals in a row, and I think that took the wind out of their sails. At one point late in the second half, it was 9-3. I noticed that at one spot in the 2nd half, it seemed like either they had no playmaker who was stepping up to run their offense, or we were shutting down so well, it wasn't noticeable. Our subbing was also good, except for yours truly, who overstayed his time late in the 2nd half. I got hung up on D, and forgot to watch the clock to see how long I was out there--my bad completely.
We've got a good test stretch coming up next week. We have a game on Tuesday, then Friday, then the next Tuesday. The first game against the Strikers is a must win. If we do, we create some space ahead of them, and we neutralize any advantage from their earlier win. You could make the case that that game is the most critical one next week, although they all are if we want to keep pace with the Predators.
Piranha of the Game: Jason R, for not only playing stellar D, but also scoring 2 goals. Just an all around renaissance player!
Next Games:
1) Feb 26 - 10pm vs. The Strikers - wear white for our color blind keeper!
2) Feb 29 - 11pm vs. the Predators
3) March 4 - 10pm vs. the Gasp
Team Dinner:
Tell your wife, mark your calendar, and bring the fam!
Friday, March 14th 6-8pm
More details to come soon
Summer Soccer: There's a summer men's league that some of the guys have played in last year. We were talking about continuing to play together and possibly put out a team for this summer. Games are on Tues & Thurs, 6pm or 7:10pm (1 hour game). Season runs from early June to late July. The roster can be much larger than indoor, mostly because it's summer and people have vacations, etc. Would love to have you consider playing, even if it's just 1 time a week. That may be my option for a few weeks, knowing already some summer plans we're making. We could have 20-25 guys on the team, so think of someone who may want to play and ask them. Let me know your interest in this.
We've got a good test stretch coming up next week. We have a game on Tuesday, then Friday, then the next Tuesday. The first game against the Strikers is a must win. If we do, we create some space ahead of them, and we neutralize any advantage from their earlier win. You could make the case that that game is the most critical one next week, although they all are if we want to keep pace with the Predators.
Piranha of the Game: Jason R, for not only playing stellar D, but also scoring 2 goals. Just an all around renaissance player!
Next Games:
1) Feb 26 - 10pm vs. The Strikers - wear white for our color blind keeper!
2) Feb 29 - 11pm vs. the Predators
3) March 4 - 10pm vs. the Gasp
Team Dinner:
Tell your wife, mark your calendar, and bring the fam!
Friday, March 14th 6-8pm
More details to come soon
Summer Soccer: There's a summer men's league that some of the guys have played in last year. We were talking about continuing to play together and possibly put out a team for this summer. Games are on Tues & Thurs, 6pm or 7:10pm (1 hour game). Season runs from early June to late July. The roster can be much larger than indoor, mostly because it's summer and people have vacations, etc. Would love to have you consider playing, even if it's just 1 time a week. That may be my option for a few weeks, knowing already some summer plans we're making. We could have 20-25 guys on the team, so think of someone who may want to play and ask them. Let me know your interest in this.
February 14, 2008
Could this be our (my) problem?
From BBC:
Spurs team 'to lose' more weight
The Tottenham squad are still trying to lose weight after they were found to be 100kg too heavy when Juande Ramos took over as manager in October.
Spurs fitness coach Marcos Alvarez told Spanish radio station Cadena SER: "Taking into account the players' size, the team was basically 100kg over.
"We realised straight away that the team was carrying excess baggage.
"They have now lost between 40 and 50kg. Getting the rest off is the most difficult part."
When Ramos joined Tottenham in October the club were in the relegation zone but have moved up to 11th in the Premier League.
They are also pursuing silverware on two fronts.
They play Slavia Prague in the Uefa Cup on Thursday and have also reached the Carling Cup final where they play Chelsea on 24 February.
Alvarez, who moved to England as part of Ramos's backroom staff, added that he instigated a fitness programme immediately upon his arrival at the club.
"I immediately talked to Tottenham and we set the wheels in motion to change things," he added. "We have turned a lot of fat into muscle."
Ramos has won the Uefa Cup for the last two seasons, both victories coming with former club Sevilla.
Spurs team 'to lose' more weight
The Tottenham squad are still trying to lose weight after they were found to be 100kg too heavy when Juande Ramos took over as manager in October.
Spurs fitness coach Marcos Alvarez told Spanish radio station Cadena SER: "Taking into account the players' size, the team was basically 100kg over.
"We realised straight away that the team was carrying excess baggage.
"They have now lost between 40 and 50kg. Getting the rest off is the most difficult part."
When Ramos joined Tottenham in October the club were in the relegation zone but have moved up to 11th in the Premier League.
They are also pursuing silverware on two fronts.
They play Slavia Prague in the Uefa Cup on Thursday and have also reached the Carling Cup final where they play Chelsea on 24 February.
Alvarez, who moved to England as part of Ramos's backroom staff, added that he instigated a fitness programme immediately upon his arrival at the club.
"I immediately talked to Tottenham and we set the wheels in motion to change things," he added. "We have turned a lot of fat into muscle."
Ramos has won the Uefa Cup for the last two seasons, both victories coming with former club Sevilla.
February 05, 2008
FC Coraggio 4 - FC Blast 2
True grit. That’s the best way to describe it. You guys played a monster game against a tough opponent, and held their marquee players to a minimal impact. And we did it with 4 guys out of the lineup, and some key gaps filled by rotating in effectively. You guys rose to the challenge. Nice work!
And what a 2nd half start off! Usually we’re flatter than plywood, but last night, you scored twice in 5 minutes to turn the direction of the game around. Tied at 1-1 at half, it put them in a hole and forced them to play catch up. And we did not have any significant time of letdown throughout the game. Overall, a hard fought win.
FYI - They're all going to be like this for the rest of this session. No gimmies or freebies this time.
Two things to note:
1) When some of the defenders made runs with the ball (or on the weakside), somebody else was shifting over to pick up that empty D spot. I saw it a couple of times. That was key to making it successful. Good work.
2) On some goal kicks and free kicks, forwards and middies need to come back a little bit more to the ball. We forced a couple of long passes that got intercepted or called back for 3-line violations. On goal kicks, only 1 forward needs to be at the mid-field line. The other forward and the middies should be moving around just past the yellow line closer to Wes to give some clear passes options for Wes if the defenders are covered. (The Predators are for sure going to do that!) Not major, but I don’t want to make forcing the ball upfield a habit.
Piranha of the Game: The whole D-line (Rob, Jason, Scott, Nathan, and whoever else played back there). You guys played effective D and kept them from setting up any long offensive stretches. Great team work!
Next Game: Tuesday Feb 12th vs. the Predators – 11pm
And what a 2nd half start off! Usually we’re flatter than plywood, but last night, you scored twice in 5 minutes to turn the direction of the game around. Tied at 1-1 at half, it put them in a hole and forced them to play catch up. And we did not have any significant time of letdown throughout the game. Overall, a hard fought win.
FYI - They're all going to be like this for the rest of this session. No gimmies or freebies this time.
Two things to note:
1) When some of the defenders made runs with the ball (or on the weakside), somebody else was shifting over to pick up that empty D spot. I saw it a couple of times. That was key to making it successful. Good work.
2) On some goal kicks and free kicks, forwards and middies need to come back a little bit more to the ball. We forced a couple of long passes that got intercepted or called back for 3-line violations. On goal kicks, only 1 forward needs to be at the mid-field line. The other forward and the middies should be moving around just past the yellow line closer to Wes to give some clear passes options for Wes if the defenders are covered. (The Predators are for sure going to do that!) Not major, but I don’t want to make forcing the ball upfield a habit.
Piranha of the Game: The whole D-line (Rob, Jason, Scott, Nathan, and whoever else played back there). You guys played effective D and kept them from setting up any long offensive stretches. Great team work!
Next Game: Tuesday Feb 12th vs. the Predators – 11pm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
