Game Notes--Focus for Fall Season

Game Notes:

I am happy we finished with a 2-0 win against a team that beat us 1-0 just last season.  Obviously we have tremendously improved in just 1 short season.

I was a little nervous that coming off such an emotional high from the State Cup that some would not come ready to play and give 100%.  And unfortunately, that was definately the case.  Thank goodness for Olivia's miracoulus saves the first half, and Kylie's left footed strike from distance.  Otherwise, we really could have been down 3-0 at halftime against a team that isn't 1/2 as skilled as our team.

We looked tired and out of shape (more on that later).  We were playing very lazy defense (specifically from our forwards and midfielders) and stepping into the ball, allowing their fullbacks to play forward constantly; thus keeping constant pressure in our defensive third the entire half.  Our back defenders were then playing kickball, giving the ball right back to them.

Thankfully we were able to go into halftime with that lead to regroup and refocus.  We talked about defense starting with our forwards and mids, and when playing high pressure, that  our denial has to take place from all 11 on the field.  That began to happen the second half, and they began feeling our pressure and playing kickball (sort of like we were the 1st half).  In the second half many of you were breaking down and giving quick pressure, but pateint defense!  Danielle, thanks for beginning this the second half.  Your pateint defense was fantastic that game.  Danielle, that was really your best game all around!

I was also happy the second half, specifically the last 20 minutes, that we were finally feeling confident with the ball at our feet.  When we had the ball, but no passing options, instead of playing kickball and trying to just kick in the direction of a guarded teammate, we were using many of the S4 skill in helping us keep possession.  These moves are there for this!--To get by girls in a 1 v 1 situation, or to at least create more space to allow more time for your teammates to move into spaces to become passing options.  Taylor, thank you for your confidence in getting this started.  I think it rubbed off on some of the other girls.  It was nice when Molly decided to quit playing "crazy leg" kickball, and remembered that she has a skillset too--it was music to my ears when the other team was yelling "let her dance with the ball".  Girls, when we are up by 2 goals, the longer we can "dance with the ball", that means we are keeping possession; thus securing our lead for the win!

I also wanted to compliment the back defenders with their confidence to keep possession the second half.  Sophie, I saw a real focus from you for the first time in a while on looking to maintain posession and using your left foot--THANK YOU--I was really proud of you for that.  Keep working on left foot passing all summer.  I fully expect you to come into next season with that left foot as good as your right.  You are too important not to.

Girls-way to end the season with a Win.  You had a great season.  I can't thank you all enough for your hard work, and how much each of your mean to me!


MOVING FORWARD

Girls, you set the bar pretty high this season.  Based on the teams we beat (and the talent we are adding), we definately belong in bigger tournaments and higher divisions.  We are looking at the Buckeye Division 1 option.  You played teams in this division (top and bottom teams) and beat them.  With that said, we also played some teams that would NEVER belong in such a division--but we played down to their level, and tied most of them...  Below are some of the things that YOU will definatley need to make happend for next season.

1. More S4 skill being used in games:  With the increased "speed of play" we will be going up against, many times this increased pressure/speed cuts down on our passing options.  This is when we need to have our S4 skills at our disposal.  There were two times against LFC in the State Cup Championship game that stood out in my mind that we kept possession.  The first was when Jenna gave an incredible shot fake at the top of the 18.  Their defender jumped in the air, allowing for Jenna to push the ball to the right and get off a shot.  This is just one of the S4 moves I epxect each girl to be able to use in games when needed.  The other was when Taylor had the ball on the outside mid.  She had 0 passing options, with immediate pressure on her.  Taylor used a stepover, to a stepover turn, pulled the ball back, another stepover and found a passing lane up the line.  WE NEED TO BE CONFIDENT TO USE THESE SKILLS WHEN PASSING OPTIONS ARENT AVAILABLE!

2. Being in Shape--  We have girls on our team that get gassed very quickly (I didn't say "pass gas" either..!).  Conditioning will play a much bigger role next season.  I rarely run our team, always believing that playing the game/scrimmages will keep you girls in shape.  That unfortuantely isn't the case with a lot of you--so that is partly my fault for assuming this.  Being fully conditioned (cardio) is simplay just a huge part of the game.  I do NOT want to spend a lot of time on this at our practices.  If we are spending time running (something you can do on your own), then we are not spending time with the ball at our feet.  Sooooo, I will most likely handle this just as many of your highschool teams will do.  I will be posting specific times I need for each of you to be able to accomplish by our first official practice for next season (100, 200, 400, and 1600/1mile).

3.  Passing accuracy (with both feet)--  Our passing accuracy definately needs to get much better.  I take a lot of this responsibility too.  I've got you girls being able to perform incredible skillful moves, but probably didn't spend enough time over the past years in making sure we were skilled on our passing.  Most of us are really weak with your left foot too.  I fully expect you girls to work on this.  Passing off a wall, left foot juggling, etc.  Spend 20 minutes (at least) a day over the summer.  When we start back up, it will be obvious who spent this time and who did not.

4.  Work Ethic-- For some, this might have to do with being out of shape.  For others, it seemed like a lot of actual laziness at times (not giving immediate pressure, not making runs, passing and standing, getting beat on defense and jogging back to cover instead of sprinting...).  The ONLY way we can make this better is by rewarding more playing time for those that work hard.  I know this will be different than in the past, as I felt we almost have giving equal playing time.  It's just not fair anymore to those girls on the field that work hard all the time.  We have more girls this fall (16), so please know that playing time will be diminished if you are not working hard.  Hustle does not take talent!!!  I don't think this will be a problem.  But if you do, this might not be the right team for you.  I feel comfortable saying that, because I believe each of you agree with this new rule.

Ok girls, I've set some expectations for you girls for next season!  Hopefully this excites and motivates you.  If you would have told me this team was going to be playing in a Buckeye Elite Division (hopefully we land there) already this fall, I probably wouldn't have believed it!  We just need to make sure all 16 girls are on board with the above and excited to play against the best, and to be the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you girls at the camps, and our Celebration Bash at the wonderful Sniders home!!!!

Brian