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.