Observations about football
Thought it was worth having a blog entry where people can write any general lessons they have learned. It's not supposed to be where people have subtle digs at anyone, just lessons they feel they have learned. Hopefully we may all get something and maybe even try out a few of other peoples to see if it makes a difference?
Here's my starter for ten:
1) You will be fouled, but that doesn't mean it was malicious! Just because you're fouled, doesn't mean the person intended to do it. Ask yourself how many times YOU catch someone when you thought you would get the ball instead? The ref has already punished them, so dishing out your own only makes the ref lose sympathy for our team and blatantly just escalates the situation and makes the opposition start deliberately fouling.
2) Letting the opposition know they've got you rattled/injured lifts their spirits. When things do start getting physical, letting the opposition know their dirty tactics are working by whinging to the ref / rolling around on the floor / shouting obscenities at the opposition, only encourages them further. Obviously, if you have a broken arm, or can't walk, you can't hide it, but if all you're going to get is a bruise, why let them know they hurt you? Dust yourself off with dignity, and make sure you go in hard (and win the ball) next time they have it
3) Shouting criticisms from the sideline (particularly at the keeper), only serves to distract the players on the pitch. A really obvious one, but one we still struggle on
4) When a team mate makes a mistake, shouting aggressively at them makes them feel worse and damages team spirit. The odds are they already know they've done wrong, so don't be too harsh, after all, we've all made countless mistakes, and most goals are generally the teams fault (i.e. closer marking of there defender may have meant the move was cut out right from the word go).
5) When the ball is heading to the keeper, always follow it up. Applies at both ends, with shots and defence. The most unforgivable thing I see in defence is when people just leave it for the keeper to pick up, it just skims the area, and stays outfield whilst the attacker (who didn't assume the keeper would get it) takes an open shot at the goal.
6) Arguing with the ref has NEVER worked, will NEVER work, and only serves to lift opposition morale. Again, when it gets to the stage where it looks like we're that desperate that we have to quibble over every 50/50 that doesn't go our way, the opposition know our confidence is draining away, and know just a little extra push, will send us crashing
7) Don't allow the opposition goalie an easy throw out. Our attackers closely marking opposition defenders should become a priority. People who are closely marked rarely get the ball passed to them, and attackers should leave it up to the defenders to play the games with the opposition keeper by making it look like someone is unmarked, then pouncing as soon as it's thrown and intercepting it. It's not the easiest thing to pull off, and should be left to people who have this as a skill. Loosely marked opposition defenders render traps like this useless for over the half the match in my experience. Defending really does involve everyone on the team, even if you're not the one actively trying to tackle the person with the ball!
8) For free kicks, no movement means no chance! People stood still when we have a free kick doesn't help anyone. Interestingly, in my opinion, attackers should be stood closest to our own goal, and defenders closest to the opposition, that way, both can run and swap position creating mayhem, and allowing the taker a chance of through ball.
9) If you want to stay back for a couple of mins (to run an injury off say), let a defender know he can afford to push up more. Goes to Mini's little bug bear of communication really is everything
10) If you're going to tackle a player, don't wait till the opposition get the ball under control. Common sense needs to be applied here i.e. the more skilful the opposition player, the more cautious you should be... but, the best time to tackle someone is just as they get the ball, their concentration is on getting the ball under control. If you hold back and stand your ground, then it only helps them as they can assess passing options, or give them the best chance to try their little trick and get past you.
Here's my starter for ten:
1) You will be fouled, but that doesn't mean it was malicious! Just because you're fouled, doesn't mean the person intended to do it. Ask yourself how many times YOU catch someone when you thought you would get the ball instead? The ref has already punished them, so dishing out your own only makes the ref lose sympathy for our team and blatantly just escalates the situation and makes the opposition start deliberately fouling.
2) Letting the opposition know they've got you rattled/injured lifts their spirits. When things do start getting physical, letting the opposition know their dirty tactics are working by whinging to the ref / rolling around on the floor / shouting obscenities at the opposition, only encourages them further. Obviously, if you have a broken arm, or can't walk, you can't hide it, but if all you're going to get is a bruise, why let them know they hurt you? Dust yourself off with dignity, and make sure you go in hard (and win the ball) next time they have it
3) Shouting criticisms from the sideline (particularly at the keeper), only serves to distract the players on the pitch. A really obvious one, but one we still struggle on
4) When a team mate makes a mistake, shouting aggressively at them makes them feel worse and damages team spirit. The odds are they already know they've done wrong, so don't be too harsh, after all, we've all made countless mistakes, and most goals are generally the teams fault (i.e. closer marking of there defender may have meant the move was cut out right from the word go).
5) When the ball is heading to the keeper, always follow it up. Applies at both ends, with shots and defence. The most unforgivable thing I see in defence is when people just leave it for the keeper to pick up, it just skims the area, and stays outfield whilst the attacker (who didn't assume the keeper would get it) takes an open shot at the goal.
6) Arguing with the ref has NEVER worked, will NEVER work, and only serves to lift opposition morale. Again, when it gets to the stage where it looks like we're that desperate that we have to quibble over every 50/50 that doesn't go our way, the opposition know our confidence is draining away, and know just a little extra push, will send us crashing
7) Don't allow the opposition goalie an easy throw out. Our attackers closely marking opposition defenders should become a priority. People who are closely marked rarely get the ball passed to them, and attackers should leave it up to the defenders to play the games with the opposition keeper by making it look like someone is unmarked, then pouncing as soon as it's thrown and intercepting it. It's not the easiest thing to pull off, and should be left to people who have this as a skill. Loosely marked opposition defenders render traps like this useless for over the half the match in my experience. Defending really does involve everyone on the team, even if you're not the one actively trying to tackle the person with the ball!
8) For free kicks, no movement means no chance! People stood still when we have a free kick doesn't help anyone. Interestingly, in my opinion, attackers should be stood closest to our own goal, and defenders closest to the opposition, that way, both can run and swap position creating mayhem, and allowing the taker a chance of through ball.
9) If you want to stay back for a couple of mins (to run an injury off say), let a defender know he can afford to push up more. Goes to Mini's little bug bear of communication really is everything
10) If you're going to tackle a player, don't wait till the opposition get the ball under control. Common sense needs to be applied here i.e. the more skilful the opposition player, the more cautious you should be... but, the best time to tackle someone is just as they get the ball, their concentration is on getting the ball under control. If you hold back and stand your ground, then it only helps them as they can assess passing options, or give them the best chance to try their little trick and get past you.
posted by ShiZ at 2:52 pm
2 Comments:
Quiet day Shiz?
:)
Can't argue with those points, mainly things we have been driving at for the last 3 years.
We have seen improvements in the last few games and over the season.
Personally I think arguing with the ref has improved over the last season (not that we do it well, that we dont do it as much!). Last night saw a relapse by a couple of players, but Pie has definately improved in this area this season. I also think it is no coincedence that it has come hand in hand with some good results esp. beating PIB.
Biggus Rickus is one of the main culprits of point 3, often confusing play by criticisms andcalling subs etc from the sideline. We chatted about this though so hopefully it will be better in future. Often shouts of encouragement and man-on from the sides can be useful, but everyone needs to be on the same wavelength.
A minor criticism from me would be the throw outs from the keeper should also be along the floor as best as possible. Even for the more comfortable people on the ball ie me, when a bobbling ball from the keeps comes at you it is difficult to get it under control with and then play it. Though as I say, minor point.
my main gripe, is communiation, whcih the keeper can play a big role in, calling man-ons, time, spread it left, drop back, man over your shoulder, pass back etc. Given that they can see the whole pitch and all the players they have a key role.
I admit I went strong in challenges yesterday and did get a little rattled. But I can say i did not fly off at the ref and tried to curb my tackles as best as I could. I also won a few free kicks by getting the backs up of the Canaries, which was a benefit.
All good points, which we should all aim to work on. Not easy, and will take time, but one step at a time.
(PS - reg fee due next week so bring extra dosh!)
I would agree about communication, and when I am keeper I try to organise from there. But, and Belly will back me up on this one, we have certain players in the team who don't seem to listen at all. Still. Despite regularly doing it.
The thing with tackles is I haven't got a problem with a hard, physical, fair game. In fact I quite like it. But last night it got niggly, from both sides, although IMO more them than us. And i felt the ref clamped down on us more than them. Again thats just my opinion.
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