Message sent but not received!

 

Pythons final game of the U8's NMSL season was against the Divisional Group 'A' winners CJ Boca and would provide the boys with a stern test and opportunity to benchmark their progression. 

 

The prematch talk centred around the the notion of the boys all having 75 credits each to start the game. Further credits would be awarded for quick, intelligent, purposeful play; well executed passes, great control, strong and well drilled defending,  etc. However, credits would be lost for poor passing; weight, quality, poor defending; not pressuring the ball, denying space, etc. It was agreed that if we all played as well as we could and do what we had been taught then each player would leave with at least 50 credits and at worse we would have a well balanced even game, if we worked hard, did what was expected we would leave with our 75+ credits and the game would be a positive result, just reward for a fabulous season. However, fail to put it in to practice and we would be giving credits away to CJ. Message understood and boys clearly identifying what was a credit and debit in the warm up -  the message seemed to have been understood. 

 

From the kick-off Pythons credit register dropped as the ball was played sideways from the kickoff and not forward in to the channels or backwards to the supporting player as instructed 'message sent but not received?'. The boys however did start to contest the game and the first quarter was much of an even affair. And when the boys bounced quickly back from a CJ goal - Charlie providing Tom with a well weighted ball across the box to fire home another great goal, the signs looked good. 

 

The team talk at the interval was not to allow the CJ wide men and Midfield the time to look up and place the ball in to the top of the Pythons net. The message was given press the ball and don't give them time to look up and pick their shot ( as in the first quarter). No doubt CJ team talk was the shots on every time get the ball out wide and have a shot. Needless to say that 2nd quarter same ball, same player, same position same lofted ball in to the top of Pythons net - 'message given but not received?'. 

 

Despite the boys best efforts to press the ball, often the technique was at question and not the level of commitment. Hesitation to either put the foot in strongly to win the ball as soon as we had closed down or poor positioning and balance allowing the opposition to move the ball with ease around the defender, were what was preventing us from getting our share of the ball. The message close down, position side on/ crouch down, look down at the ball to get their heads down and wait for the opportunity to steal the ball as they try and move the ball. However, too often we closed down with speed and gusto, but a lack of technique saw the CJ player simply role the ball with the sole of the foot and watch as the Ponteland player went two feet past - close down, slow down, sit down, show down 'message given but not received?'. 

 

Another constant theme over the season has been movement towards the ball as it travels  and play the way you face if need be. The boys were given the message drop to receive the ball if need be and if not under pressure turn to face the opposition and take the 1v1 however if under pressure play the way you face - backwards to a supporting player. Despite the boys showing some great trickery to often having moved the ball intelligently to unbalance defenders and/or create the space we failed to do either and turned straight back in to trouble and needlessly gave up possession 'message given but not received?'. 

 

Another well struck ball from their wide man - same ball,  same place, same result and Pythons were chasing the game. Some further goal mouth scrambles and a lack of conviction to clear the lines further adding to the CJ tally -albeit not quite in that order.

 

The boys were moved about and given opportunity to play in various areas today as basically they all should be able to do that now without detriment to the team. The technique and skill doesn't change depending on where you play (however the attitude does for some) only the tactics and we don't have tactics in noncompetitive mini soccer -  7v7 playing football. The result is not the point to reflect upon but actually how well did we do? We gained our credits and gave a way a few along the way but it's all about learning, learning from the past to put in to future practice and if we listen, accept and apply the learning the 'messages will be received, understood and executed with outstanding effectiveness!'

 

The Reality 

 

The boys have had an incredible season 'Summer KIlli Tournament Finalists', 'Division A Group runners up', 'NMSL Premiership League Team - no mean feat' and a Festival of Football Final still to be contested.

 

A great season some great performances. Going forward we are in an excellent place with a really strong foundation, over the summer there are areas we do need to work on and some decisions to make in regards the team, future formations, positions,  etc. The work to prepare us for next season begins now!!

 

Well done, you should be PROUD of your achievements and EXCITED about the future.