Wednesday, February 18, 2015

WHAT CONSTITUTES A TEAM

BARON HAS SOME HARSH WORDS AFTER TWO BLOW OUTS


Soccer is like Chess...exploit weaknesses of position!

"We have some fine players on the pitch," commented Baron after some less than stellar performances last week." but for some reason, we just can't get it together. And that really stinks, since these lads deserve a better record than they have."

MODES OF IMPROVEMENT -- BARON STYLE

1. COMMUNICATION
If you're not talking to your team mates, the battle is already lost.

Telling people who to cover, where to position themselves, to get back into position, that there's a cherry picker, etc. That's how we do things.

We communicate with an effective style. Not with harsh words. Harsh words produce like responses.
We talk to each other to add information...to improve our position.

Next games, I want more info style communication.
If you're shy or unsure, please start practicing in front of the mirror.

2. FRUSTRATION
The team that is frustrated is playing a man down.

Frustration is like a disease. It infects, it is contagious, and before you know it the team falls apart.

Keep your angry words to yourself. Better yet, leave them in the trash can by the door and pick them up as you leave. I will NOT entertain this on my pitch.

Take this energy, turn it around, and make something productive out of it. Lead by example.

If someone screws up, I want words of encouragement...not words denoting shame. That player knows that they did something wrong. They feel badly. What you're doing is bringing a man's failure to light. Would you enjoy that treatment from a trusted team mate?

3. REMINDING YOU WE ARE A COUNTER ATTACK TEAM
There are a lot of teams in this league who have talent way above our own. And that's okay, because we've tied and beaten them.

Why?
Because we acted as a team!

A counter attack strategy has three main points:
a) we defend and break up attacks (this includes the midders coming back to destroy attacks upon us)
b) we give no opponent a free shot (always harass them...never give up)
c) we gain possession, and move it up the field for a shot at goal

CONCLUSION:
In our Spartan vs Spartan game, think about how a 7 man Black team, beat the 11 man Yellow team.

Black communicated effectively; they ensured that each man had information to do his job

They kept cool, even when Yellow scored two and were pressing with a superb attack.
In fact, words of encouragement was the way of the night.

They broke up Yellow's attacks; harassed the attackers, closed passes to Yellow players.
They denied clean and clear shots
Then they took possession and brought it up to score.

Guys...we can do this. Three simple steps.
My challenge to you as men is to accept these ideas, and use them to make the most of our last games.

STATS: (TWO WEEKS AGO)
(B) Mike A (A)
(B) Andrew M (G)
(B) Andrew M (G) - PK

(Y) Anders (A)
(Y) Jeremy (G)

MAN OF THE MATCH:
(B) Mike S
(Y) Aaron

STATS: (LAST GAME)
(Y) Shawn (A)
(Y) Ryan (G)

(B) Andrew B (A)
(B) Devon (G)
(B) Andrew B (G)
(B) Devon (G)

MAN OF THE MATCH:
(B) Leigh
(Y) Nelson

Sunday, February 8, 2015

SPARTAN VS SPARTAN

BLACKS DOUBLE UP ON YELLOWS TO TAKE FIRST WIN OF SEASON!

Andrew, Abe and Mike S connect for the Win!

It was an action packed and high rolling affair on the pitch last Sunday, as Oshawa's heroes met upon the field of battle.

In what can only be described as a tight first half, the Black's went ahead on a solid shot that fooled Yellow's Keeper.

From there, the Blacks were able to score three more times. One of those goals would be nominated for "Goal of the Season".

"I nodded to Andew M," explained Abe,"took the shot and he directed in the net off his head. Took all about one second."

Yellow exploded in the second half, not losing their traditional penchant optimism.

Anders redirected a rebound with a cheeky toe lift.

Shortly thereafter, Ryan, being left unguarded in the 18, notched one in.

A tired and sparsely subbed Black team managed to hold on for the win, including an outstanding save from their Goal Keeper Trevor, who saved a penalty shot.

"Overall, I'm impressed with my lads," said Baron, " they did a great job, and the game will go down as one to remember."

STATS:

(B) Mike S (A)
(B) Andew M (G)
(B) Mike S (A)
(B) Andrew M (G)
(B) Andew M (GWA)
(B) Mike S (GWG)
(B)  Able (A)
(B) Andew M (G)

(Y) Anders (G)
(Y) Ryan (G)

KEEPER:
Trevor (WIN)

MAN OF THE MATCH:
(B) Andrew M
(Y) Anders


Sunday, February 1, 2015

SUPER BOWL SPARTANS!

CLASSIC MATCH BETWEEN YELLOWS AND BLACKS!!

Things are Heating up in Downtown Oshawa!
Fans are elated and overjoyed at the prospects of seeing their home town heroes facing each other on the pitch today.

For Spartan fans, it's not about American "hand-egg", it's all about fancy foot work, headers and amazing saves between the posts.

"I'm always happy to see my boys rise to the level of competition in this league," revealed Baron in a pre game work out.

This time around, it'll be the spirited Yellow Backs captained by Anders and Shawn, verseus the high flying scorers of Black, led by Scott and Terry.

"We'd love to see some revenge over the previous game," stated Scott," we've learned a lot from our opponents, and hope that this gives us some prep for future games."

"All things aside, I think that this will be a game with our superior defense going against their renowned offense," analyzed Anders." Devon is going to be key in this game. Like, the guy isn't leading the Golden Pear for nothing. He's on a tear, and we need to end his points streak."

STATS:
(Y) Bryan

(B) Andrew B (A)
(B) Abe (G)
(B) Andrew B (G) PK
(B) Andrew B (A)
(B) Devon (G)
(B) Abe (A)
(B) Andew M (G)

MAN OF THE MATCH:
(Y) Aaron
(B) Mike S