Great Team, Great Season

Friday, September 7, 2012

Great Team, Great Season

It’s usually easy to write up a summary of a game but this one has me a little lost for words (hard to believe I know!). We were treated to a wonderful game from our boys on Wednesday night. It was a superb effort that I am finding hard to describe. Back and forth, attacking one minute and then defending the next. Winning balls, going in hard on tackles, moving the ball, working together, falling down and getting back up… it was an intense and wonderfully played game… I thanked the boys from the bottom of my heart.

They deserved a better result. It was a horrible way to lose - and not a good way to win from Fort Erie’s perspective either. Having a questionable PK called against you in the last minute of a scoreless double overtime is a real kick in the stomach. But in the end someone has to win and someone has to lose.

The game, and the season, were such a tremendous life lesson for the boys: always do your best, celebrate and take pride in your successes... and work through your defeats, always pick yourself up, no matter how much it hurts. When I saw a few of my players sobbing on the field and at the bench, my heart broke for them. All I could say is “it’s OK, you have so much to be proud of, thank-you for playing so hard, I love being your coach”… and then I sobbed too! May I say it was a great lesson for parents as well, watching our 11-12 year old boys play their hearts out… sometimes some people forget we are talking about 11-12 year old boys playing a sport for fun.

In the end, “Double Overtime Thriller” doesn’t come close to describing what happened on Field 7 on Wednesday night. I will miss this team. I really wanted to have a few more practices and a couple more games, and from the looks on the boys faces Wednesday night, they wanted more too.

After the game I reminded the boys that that loss did not take away from our accomplishments... that we had the biggest prize of all, we were League Champions… they have so very much to be proud of.

Our boys led the league from the first week to the last. IMO this is the most difficult thing for a team to achieve, to be on top of the table all season long. The first half of the season we had a perfect record. Come the second half of the season, we were playing teams who wanted revenge, teams who were gunning for us because we were in first place, we were the team to beat – and we still finished on top. This is incredibly difficult and a great accomplishment.

What some people do not understand is that the gaps between teams from the beginning to the end of the season gets smaller as teams get better. This is common in all sports at all levels. The added pressure for my team to face these “extra motivated” and improving teams was a different dynamic than they had faced before, and they finished on top! BRAVO!!

We had the best goal differential in the league (+43), we were second in scoring (59) and second in goals against (16), we kept 6 clean sheets out of 14 games, and we are ready for promotion to the SRSL. Again, so much to be proud of.

I had a blast with my team this year. Our boys are a great group of young men and it was my privilege to be their coach. The last two years have been a great journey going from “worst to first”!

As parents, Angie and I are thrilled that our son has made so many great friends through this team, and friendships that will last right through high-school and beyond.

As for what’s next, we will plan a team party, get a final team picture in, I will close off the books and refund cash to parents, and we will have our club banquet at Dave & Busters on September 25.

I will be speaking to the club shortly about my intentions and ideas for next season. The club will appoint coaches after September 20th.

Thanks boys for everything… we will keep in touch...

Red Dawgs, Red Dawgs, Red Dawgs,
Crave the Burn, Crave the Burn, Crave the Burn,
Hajrá, Hajrá, Hajrá!!!

-Coach Jim

PLAYER ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1) MENTAL ATTITUDE/APTITUDE FOR THE GAME & TEAM PLAY

i. Commitment to Game – The player exhibits good Team Player attitude. He is confident in his abilities and doesn’t second guess himself. The player is coachable/respectful at all times. He shows up for practices, listens, makes progress, shows good competitive sportsmanship and applies lessons well. Shows a desire to play soccer for the love of the game. Focused at games and practices. Eager to learn because he is aware of his own strengths and weaknesses. Always makes best effort. Rarely late. Player has courage and plays with urgency, willing to sacrifice.

ii. Game Sense – The player understands the tactical side of the game. Player understands the principles of attacking and defending, and rules of the game. Aware of situational play, transitions well between attack and defend mode, can make fast decisions and makes a positive difference in most plays with his teammates. Communicates with team-mates. Knows when to be “selfish” and knows when to be “unselfish”. Can “shake-off” mistakes.

iii. Positioning/Spatial – A player’s ability to read the game as it develops and to position themselves in the most advantageous area from which to support their team effectively. The player moves to space. The player understands their position and his position on the field. Understands the format the team is playing. Adjusts his play to support those around his and usually makes the BEST choice during play. Player is always moving.

2) SKILL CATEGORIES

i. Dribbling/Ball Control - Player’s ability to move the ball quickly, while under complete control combining pace, deception, and skill. Using both feet, inside and outside, under control, under pressure. Composed manner, shielding and seldom losing possession. Attacks opponent straight-on, makes opponent commit. Player works towards achieving 100 juggles/kick-ups using both feet (including inside/outside of feet), thighs, head and chest.

ii. Passing/Serving/Crossing – To accurately pass the ball at the correct pace to a teammate. Proper passing/receiving technique, passes to feet of teammate and to space, can keep the ball on the ground and lofted as needed. Uses both feet and all parts of the feet. Anticipates opportunities/plays for team-mates. Communicates with team-mates.

iii. Receiving/First Touch – Shows for the ball and receives cleanly. Eyes on the ball, body behind the ball. Checks away. Uses either foot to trap the ball. Uses their body effectively to trap air balls. Does not wait for the ball, runs to the ball to receive it and always moves to open space to minimize a challenge.

iv. Shooting/Striking – The ability to strike on goal with a variety of techniques from differing ranges and angles, with composure, showing the touch to score goals. The ability to drive long passes from goal and corner kicks. Proper shooting technique, on goal, off passes and volleys. Head down and eyes on the ball

v. First to Ball/Winning the ball – The “smarts” and ability to get to the ball with efficient and fast movements in all areas on the field. Winning possession of the ball, shows courage. Overall speed with the ball. Overall speed without the ball. Quickness & reaction time.

vi. Fitness – Overall endurance, ability to work hard the entire practice session and in games. Athletic abilities of running, quick change of pace and direction (agility), leaping, and strength on and off the ball. Game fitness.

vi. Defensive Technique – Understands transition to defense. Demonstrates ability to contain attackers and knows when to challenge (tackle). Understands Goal Side. Communicates with team-mates. Wins the ball under control (not just clearing). Provides defensive support to team mates.