For the first time our U08 girls did not mention or complain about the other team booting the ball or having 4-5 players collapse on them when the ball was at their feet, they just played and knew this is how it goes. "When I have the ball, they want it and I have to keep it. It may cost me a kick in the shin and a blanket of jerseys, but I'll keep it."
The unfortunate point was they were so aggressive to get to the ball, they ended up taking it from one another occasionally and even our most seasoned players succumbed to this. This isn't a U08 phenomenon, it happens with our U10 boys and girls as well.
Aside from this and a little kickball, which even the girls admitted to, there were so many great things happening, it's difficult to even mention them all. Small and little, barely noticeable things dominated from my position on the coaches bench. Eva, Elissa, Lilly, and Olivia made many small turns and cuts to get to open space and, more over, shield the ball from their opponents, it was crazy; turns on and off the wall and in midfield were sweet and you know they are all having fun with it when I call out Eva for a kick ball move and she looks at coach giving a sheepish "oops I did that" grin, but that's huge self awareness.
Craziness ensued with our keepers as Isabelle was totally focused on being keeper after a wide eyed gulp before the game. She was very aggressive and no matter when she grabbed the ball, it was back out into play in less than 3 seconds. The opposing team was never even able to turn, look or set up. You don't have to be able to have a big leg in goal as long as you are aware and get the play going again quickly and to the right person, which is what Isabelle did.
Payton took the middle of the game and what was best about her play in keeper was that even though a few balls went by her, her attitude about whether it really mattered or not was impressive; they ball went in and she reset. Their was no grumpiness, slack in confidence or disappointment, but only the desire to get back to playing again.
Our last keeper Brooklyn did a great job taking some shots at the end of a close game, which were solid and she didn't flinch. My highlight from her was on one particular hard shot, which she blocked, it dropped square in front of her. Most newly turned 7 year olds would have looked around in shock, but she reacted within a half second liek a seasoned veteran to push the ball out and into safety with a quick kick.
The remainder of the girls, Karolyn, Kenzie, and Corinne were all over the field. Corinne who has been hanging on offense recently turned it on this week moving from attacker to defender without stopping all game and being in the right spot at the right time to receive off the 1st attacker or support the 1st defender by taking away opportunities from the other team.
While she didn't receive a game ball for it, the outstanding play of the game goes to Kenzie. Her run to give the Buzz their game winning goal was like watching a player move the ball through a human set of cones. With the ball at her feet she weaved through 4 defenders and the ref to needle a shot off and into the net. This was what I have been working with her on all season and is exactly what we are trying to do with all the kids. You...can...beat...every defender on the field with the right confidence in your own abilities. I was jumping hands raised on the bench for that run!
Well done Buzz!!
Our U10 Girls exacted another heavy toll on an opponent who was trying to make use of the effect of a small field by pushing the long ball. Problem being this week, the other team was making this push from their own defensive end, which only resulted in allowing our girls to receive and take the ball down the field for a scoring opportunity.
The confidence with which the girls exude is incredible and they continue to attack with the ball like they know every time they touch it, they can take it down themselves and score. The Legends keepers had to make themselves more aggressive this match to keep from dozing off.
Hats off to Coach Ryan this game for getting a few girls like Madison and Abby on the field into areas of the field where it took them out of their comfort level and forced them to make decisions to move the ball from their own defensive end.
Before the game the ref noticed Karolyn who had just played two games before in U08 and asked her in a soft parental tone if she was playing up. Well, hopefully she noticed why we'll have 13 true U08 players in our spring U10 program this coming season, they can move it and in this game Karolyn ran up almost 3 hat tricks. While scoring is great and is a great feeling, the most momentous highlight of the game came twice for me as a coach/fan watching and then again after the game.
Abby E has, in my estimation, one of the best work ethics at training of any player and it shows in the games. This time around she took Coach Ryan's pre-game request to heart. He asked for more moves and Abby delivered. With the ball moving at normal speed and against an aggressive defender, she executed a successful scissors move to make her way past the defender. AWESOME! The second part came after the game. I was not on the bench coaching, but she came running off the field and ran right up to me and said, "Did you see that! I did your move!"
Abby didn't score a goal afterwards on that move, but I can tell you that scissors move, IN A GAME, was more memorable than any goal she'll have for a long time coming and will open so many doors on her confidence level and that of her team who saw her do it, I can't wait to see what they will do in the future.
Great job ladies!
Coach Ben
The remainder of the girls, Karolyn, Kenzie, and Corinne were all over the field. Corinne who has been hanging on offense recently turned it on this week moving from attacker to defender without stopping all game and being in the right spot at the right time to receive off the 1st attacker or support the 1st defender by taking away opportunities from the other team.
While she didn't receive a game ball for it, the outstanding play of the game goes to Kenzie. Her run to give the Buzz their game winning goal was like watching a player move the ball through a human set of cones. With the ball at her feet she weaved through 4 defenders and the ref to needle a shot off and into the net. This was what I have been working with her on all season and is exactly what we are trying to do with all the kids. You...can...beat...every defender on the field with the right confidence in your own abilities. I was jumping hands raised on the bench for that run!
Well done Buzz!!
Our U10 Girls exacted another heavy toll on an opponent who was trying to make use of the effect of a small field by pushing the long ball. Problem being this week, the other team was making this push from their own defensive end, which only resulted in allowing our girls to receive and take the ball down the field for a scoring opportunity.
The confidence with which the girls exude is incredible and they continue to attack with the ball like they know every time they touch it, they can take it down themselves and score. The Legends keepers had to make themselves more aggressive this match to keep from dozing off.
Hats off to Coach Ryan this game for getting a few girls like Madison and Abby on the field into areas of the field where it took them out of their comfort level and forced them to make decisions to move the ball from their own defensive end.
Before the game the ref noticed Karolyn who had just played two games before in U08 and asked her in a soft parental tone if she was playing up. Well, hopefully she noticed why we'll have 13 true U08 players in our spring U10 program this coming season, they can move it and in this game Karolyn ran up almost 3 hat tricks. While scoring is great and is a great feeling, the most momentous highlight of the game came twice for me as a coach/fan watching and then again after the game.
Abby E has, in my estimation, one of the best work ethics at training of any player and it shows in the games. This time around she took Coach Ryan's pre-game request to heart. He asked for more moves and Abby delivered. With the ball moving at normal speed and against an aggressive defender, she executed a successful scissors move to make her way past the defender. AWESOME! The second part came after the game. I was not on the bench coaching, but she came running off the field and ran right up to me and said, "Did you see that! I did your move!"
Abby didn't score a goal afterwards on that move, but I can tell you that scissors move, IN A GAME, was more memorable than any goal she'll have for a long time coming and will open so many doors on her confidence level and that of her team who saw her do it, I can't wait to see what they will do in the future.
Great job ladies!
Coach Ben
