COACH's CORNER

LAST GAME SHOWED GREATER EFFORT FROM THE TEAM

The Baron Says:
Apart from the first five minutes and a momentary lapse in the second half, we played a strong game. We need to nut up for the first few minutes. Play hard, determined and don't give into weakness.

POST GAME SUMMARY : JANUARY 20th
First five minutes many of us didn't stick with the game plan. We decided to NOT cover the man. The first two goals were unforgivable! Just sloppy. Embarrassing. Stupid. Let's clean this up next game...shall we?

We had some good chances. We almost cracked the double digits in shots ON NET. Abe had a beauty that dribbled along the ground. Kyle had two great cracks that the tender was hard pressed to save.

The third goal was just a lapse of judgement. The easiest way to get out of a jam is to kick the ball out of bounds. No one will criticize you for that action. Better they get a kick in than a kick it into the twine!

OUR GAME PLAN: THE REDS
Last time we played the Reds, they had little offense against us. It was the first game that Ross really wasn't tested that often.

BUT...never underestimate your opponent. We will win...but we play to run up the score and get the team work going. Nothing installs confidence more than a massacre against an opponent.

Formation: 3-3-0

I'm going to change things around!

The middle men in the formation: the Centre Back and the Centre Midfielder will now act as defenders. The CM will work with the CB to ensure that if the defenders are away, we're covered in the back end. On the attack, they will act as conduits for the attack. Ball retention. If you have no shot or easy pass, the Middle Men will act as that. Pass back, move and get the ball back.

The side positions (Left Defender, Left Midfielder, Right Defender, Right Midfielder) will become special teams. On the offense, they will work together. So if the Left Midfielder goes up the field, the Left Defender should be around to help him out. But each team must be mindful that the second we lose possession, we must move back to covering their men and stopping the easy pass.

Again, I want shots on net. Try to mix it up. Determine quickly if the goalie likes to hold the ball. Low shots are often horrid for trained goalies. Ask Ross which shots he hates against him and which he prefers. Most goalies will have the same opinion.

A change of pace on this one: the Defenders will take the shots into the game. That includes free kicks. Remember that we can try the tap and shoot process. Don't be afraid to make a mistake. Use the opportunities to pass to an open man for the shot. To lob it into the 18 for a header. Most of all, make use of your fellow wing man or the Middle Men to get the ball into a position for a shot on net.

Subbing: I noted that some of you were playing tired. Depending on the type of subbing we're doing, I don't want any man to be out on the field for more than 3-4 minutes. If we're playing man for man subs, the man off the field will take time. On the fourth minute (be reasonable), you call your man off. If your sub calls you off, please don't be a chump and ignore him. Nothing kills team spirit more than ignoring your sub. If anything, just tell him next play.

Positioning during play: I want each man to be part of the play...or have the potential to be part of the play. This means that on set pieces we move about...don't stand like fools beside the opposing player hoping for a date. If the play is coming up the left side, the right side guys need to move to the centre and be ready for a pass or rebound. We had a few missed chances because guys were out on the side and not in the play.

Lastly...and I saw some good work from our midfielders on this one last game. While on the defense, mark your man. I saw Abe and Jeremy in one instance mark the men standing by the 18 during a goal kick. That's smart playing. It deprives the goalie of an easy send off. If all his men are marked, he needs to boot it and hope for the best. Even if you do the "sneaky Pete" where you hold off a few metres from your mark. Tyler and Scott have used this in the past to grab the ball in transit and move up the field. Smart playing creates smart results.

STUFF TO WORK ON:

ALWAYS GO AFTER THE MAN! The CB and CM will worry about who has the ball and work against that person.

PLAY HARD. Go for the loose ball. Challenge for the ball. Did you know that almost 80% of the time we get that ball when we challenge for it? Are you afraid of a little body to body action? Just play as a sportsman, and don't have the intention to cause injury. If someone falls, the whistle is called, go back and give your apologies.

COMMUNICATE! Let someone know that they have the option to pass to you. On their kick ins, call around to see who has which man. No talkie equals mistakes. Mistakes lead to goals against us.

NO MORE SH!TTY FIRST MINUTE GOALS.

COACH's CORNER

ANOTHER LOSS, BUT A BETTER SHOWING

The Baron Says:
We're here to have a good time. To shoot the ball about, have a run and hopefully win. Two out of three ain't bad.

GAME ANALYSIS

2-0 at the half. It's been a while since we considered this a good effort. But it was.
The first goal was a lapse. It was a good goal that caught us all off guard.
The second goal was an error. The Centre Back should always be the last man. Ready to delay or stop rushes.
The third goal was another error. But at that point, with two minutes left, it really didn't matter.

What mattered was that we took our shots, didn't dilly dally with the ball, and played a good game. There's lots to improve, and each man should look to applying those lessons learned in the game Sunday.

OUR PLAN THIS SUNDAY

3-3-0.

Defense:
The Centre Back must act like the sweeper, the last man, the super defender...he's gotta do it all. Use his gut to bring in the troops and get the ball back out there. The Left and Right Defenders need to roll up with the attack, and cover their man during the opposing team's attack. Simple. Be vigilant. Box your mark with a close cover from behind. No one likes a close cover.

Mid-Fielders:
The Centre Mid-Fielder needs to cover the middle. Be the wall. Be the director of the attack. Chase after the opposing ball holder to shake them from a clear and precise shot. The Left and Right Mid-Fielders need to use common sense in the attack. Pass. Dribble, but don't sacrifice a goal by carrying the ball too long. Look for the shot first. Failing that, the pass. Rebounds should be expected. Be ready for them!

All:
Notice that most players will cough up the ball on a good challenge. We need to get it into our heads that body to body challenges are good. Shoulder to shoulder. Don't wimp out. Don't play dirty...but don't be afraid to use your body to win balls and bring them to a scoring position.

Keep it simple. Don't look for the super star finish. Go for the goal however you can.

Move about. You're not good for a pass if you have a shadow.

Remember: Defenders should take the kicks, unless the Captain says otherwise. I want our attackers to be able to be ready in force! Accept the header, the loose ball, etc. Don't expect the ball to come to you...you move to the ball!

Goal kicks can be short passes, or long balls. The same for any kick. Try the tap and shoot on the indirect kick.

Subbing:
We'll go again with open subbing. Guys...know your position on the list. I want quicker subs. Someone yells defence, I want someone ready on field. Fast subbing is how we'll do it. Don't take a position you can't play, but don't be afraid to assume a position you haven't played. If you can't handle it, sub off. That's good team playing!

NEW YEAR's COACH's CORNER

IT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLY AWFUL EXPERIENCE FOR THE TEAM!

The Baron says:
Was it too much Turkey? Too much drinking New Year's Day? Whatever it might have been, it led to the worst game the Spartans have ever played on the field.

ANALYSIS:

One shot on net.
Three shots at net (that were close enough to count as a shot)

We were continuosly outnumbered while defending...and our offense was no where to be seen.

We were all confused about the jersey issue. Needless to say I won't play another game under those conditions.

THIS WEEKEND's GAME:

Our game plan remains with the 3-3-0.

Offense: your job this game will be to generate shots on net.  Our focus will be to shoot ANYWHERE! That means from half, from the sides outside the 18, from the middle of a tackle. The REBOUND will be all important...be sure you're in a position to pick up a loose ball and pocket it in the twine!

Defenders: as always, your job will be to ensure that the loose ball or attacker doesn't have an easy time. Cover any opposing players to make a passer think twice. Cover him so you can see him.

Centre Mid-Fielder: you have a tough job. Get the attack going. Participate in the  attack. Then work with the Centre Back to ensure that you have someone chasing after the ball and keeping the opposing team guessing and honest.

Centre Back: the most important part of the defense. You're the sweeper, the man who directs it all. If you keep your mouth closed, you aren't doing the job.

Defenders will always take the kick-ins and free kicks. The offense should move around the net, trying to be a target for the pass, or pick up the rebound.

Free kicks with scoring potential. These should be taken by a defender, with an offensive player near for a kick into the net. The defender will tap the ball, and the next player attempt to kick it in. Both players should agree on the play just prior to the kick off.

When our opponents have the ball, everyone needs to get back to defense. If you can't make it, yell for a sub. You're out of play anyways, and maybe some fresh legs can make a difference.

When our Goalkeeper goes to throw or kick the ball, please be smart and get open. Look at the goalie IF you want the ball, and be ready for it. Ross is wasting kicks because he has NO ONE in which to pass. And that's sad. This should be a set piece play. Ross to a clear offensive player to the net.

IF you have the ball, please don't attempt to dribble it like a Euro star into the 18 for a goal. It most likely AIN'T gonna happen. Keep the plays simple! Either pass or shoot.

There are a few of you who have trouble subbing. If I need to, I'll implement line changes. Four minute shifts, regardless of what's going on. You have been warned.

SUMMARY:
This should be nothing new for us. This is how we should be playing. When you guys work the system like it should, we win. When you decide to go it on your own, we get killed.

Chrome were not better than us. They are a bottom side team. Jerseys aside, we should have collected our third win. Instead, we looked foolish and idiotic.

And when we played in such a deplorable manner, we had a few chirps against our own players both on and off the field. This will NOT be tolerated. Don't tell your fellow mate how they should have had that particular play. Don't yell out their short comings.

Finally...if you need to speak with me, follow me out after the game, or email me for a meeting. I will listen to everyone. Anders is also open to hearing issues and bringing them to my attention.

Time to MAN up and get a respectable game going Sunday!

December 16th Game Won!

SPARTANS WIN IN A CONVINCING MANNER DESPITE REF INTERFERENCE!

The Baron Says:
It was a game of high emotion and great efforts. The win takes us into a reality where we should be the best of the B Teams.

Our Game Plan for January 6th, 2013:

We continue with the 3-3-0.

NO cherry pickers. I think last game showed us that EVERYONE needs to join the defense to stop any opposing attack. If you can't be bothered to change to defense in this situation, sub off quickly.

More challenging opposing players. Just because someone is carrying the ball, doesn't mean you can't launch a shoulder tackle, block or steal the ball. Last game we found that a simply challenge yielded the ball, and got our attack going. We need to see more of this in the future.

A word about subbing. I've said it TOO MANY TIMES. None of you have the stamina for a full out 4+ minutes. I want players to get off the field and allow their team mates a chance on field. It's not a request by the way.

I'm glad that we did more shots at net! There's no need to walk the ball into the enemy 18. Pepper the goalie! Watch for the rebound.  We won't win if we don't take shots.

We did more passing. Our players were mindful to receive the pass and then use the offering. Trying to footwork between two defenders just won't work. But once you have the two against you, someone else on our team SHOULD be open...simply mathematics.

More talking. This should be automatic now. You should know names. Even if you don't, a quick "I'm behind you!" let's someone know he has the easy pass when he reaches the defenders.

A Word About Last Game:
We were not disciplined. Plain and simple.

The anger we had was against the Referee, who was manipulating the game so that it would be close. Both Penalty Kicks against us were bogus. The Ref simply chose those as opportunites to enrich the other team. Chris' header made him realize that they weren't going to win (we were down a man and still owned them for 7 minutes). Notice how he cut the half short and the game short.

But we took our frustration out on the other team. They were not the problem. And we showed poor sportsmanship by putting it on them.

In the future, I will not tolerate ANY actions like this again. Sub off, cool off, and return. If the Ref is tipping the game, step up and play at 100% and show him that his lack of judgement is misspent!

STATS:
Peter (A)
Scott (G)
Abe (A)
Scott (G)
Scott (A)
Justin (G)
Scott (A)
Abe (G)
Chris (A) *GWA
Justin (G) *GWG
Leo (A) *SHA
Chris (G) *SHG

NET:
Ross (4 against) - W

Man of the Match
Scott