COACH's CORNER: EXHIBITION GAME

The Baron Says:
"Putting four different teams under one banner is easy. Getting them to play as a team is the difficult part"

ANALYSIS

I'm not at all surprised on the results, although the game was much much closer than the goals dictated.

First two goals were simple bad luck. Plain and simple. Many of us have come from the indoor arena, and to play outdoor for the first time brings in new dimensional challenges.

Third goal was good. No argument there.

Fourth goal came from a blatant foul, and I'm not even considering it as a goal. Our player was pushed off the ball as if this were some Australian Rugby match.

The fifth goal was a beauty. Even so, a half second slower would have been the difference between that great diving save attempt.

Our goals were a large part of team work. No questions. And more could have been scored if the grass hadn't been six inches high.

Another big part of growing up in this league will be to know each other. It was definitely evident that we needed to approach things a little more delicately.

SUNDAY's MATCH

Formation:
We'll stick with a 4-4-2.

Goalie
Sweeper
2 x Defenders
Stopper
Outside Right Midder
Inside Right Midder
Inside Left Midder
Outside Right Midder
Forward
Striker

Communication:

Your homework for Sunday is to memorize your number. That is, the number on the back of the jersey. What I like to do is call out my number in front of the mirror and then turn around to see if I got it right.

Until we get faces to names (and vice versa), we need to communicate via numbers. Now some of you know each other, so use names. Call out your intentions. Call out what you want to do. The opponents may react, but it may also confuse them.

Don't discount Communication's Worth. When we were doing it on the pitch, we were doing VERY well.

Substitutions:

We are only allowed to substitute on our goal kicks and throw ins...or piggy back on the opponent's changes.

Given those parameters, please don't let your team down by playing to exhaustion. Even if you don't feel it, please substitute to give your TEAM MATES a chance to play. Nothing harbours dissention more hogging precious playing time.

Final Thoughts:

Play with fun and zeal, but also as a team. A bad team will always play better than a good bunch of individuals.