Balancing of a team

On Sunday afternoon I had the great pleasure of being invited to my wife's soccer team practice. We all decided that we wanted play a game and a few people started to divide up the people into two teams. Once every one was placed on a team the positions were assigned. This became critical to the game dynamics. The obvious was to make sure we had enough coverage on defense as well as some players to go on the offensive. What was not so obvious was the placement of players so that their team mates are challenged. As an example we moved a defensive player that is fast and can finish into a forward position providing more opportunities for the other defensive players to play harder. This move of one player from defense to offense completely balanced the teams. Another example to try when your team is struggling is to avoid the tendency to place the really good fast players in the forward position. Try moving that lot into defensive rolls and putting the slower less agile players up front. This will provide better defensive coverage because the agile fast players will shut down moves on their goal. These players are also more likely to carry the ball farther up the pitch. This will also keep offensive players in position because the slower players are less likely to get stuck 1/2 a pitch out of position and miss a key play.

The small stuff

I once saw a book called "Don't sweat the small stuff". I think this is a great idea. The real question is how to tell before it is too late what is small and what is not. I don't know the answer to this, and my problem is that once I start "sweating" something it is hard to stop. But that is the key, right. I mean it is important to teach yourself to stop and think before it gets out of hand. As a father, I think this is one of my most important things to teach my kids. For now, if I can catch myself before getting upset, I will ask 1) is this going to change what I do in the future? And/or 2) is someone going to get hurt? If yes to either one of these questions then it is worth getting into the topic. The next question becomes how does one constructively "get into the discussion" without it turning into a fight?

Coaching

Today was the first practice of the Eagles, my son's U6 soccer team. I am the coach, and have been the coach for two previous sessions. Coaching is a great art. The rewards are huge and endless for the patient ones. I was able to keep the same boys on the team as we moved from the Plymouth league to the Canton League. We are adding two new boys to the team as well. The Canton League has much to offer for the players and coaches in terms of equipment and the pitch. For the coaches the Canton league also offers many training clinics to help provide for a better set of volunteer coaches. To learn more about the Canton league follow this link http://www.cantonsoccerclub.com/