Before I go on about this U08 group, I'd like to note this is the first time I have coached a team, which did not include one of my children. For sure I have worked with and trained many groups, which did not include them, but this is the first time prowling the sidelines without one of them on the field or nearby so a bit of a change for me.
This group, along with Coach Brad's team, has been a blast to train so far. It's great seeing the genuine enthusiasm on their faces with everything being so new. In fact, I believe this was the first time for the majority of the team to, not only play in a competitive environment, but outside and not to mention in sweltering conditions.
With a new group, there are always challenges and fortunately Coach Brad and I were able to get the girls out early on, to assess where they are individually and with playing in as a group as well.
Everything was going great with dribbling, deceptive moves, and 1v1, but it quickly became apparent, through one scrimmage, we weren't getting them to start out on the field in some sort of up and back spacing.
We don't ask them to stay up or back during our games so why even spend the time to start them there? I am sure the other team was surprised when all of our girls, minus the goalie, lined up at the bottom of the kick off circle like some sort of defensive line in football and I am sure there will be a coach or parent this season asking why we aren't playing positions.
My response, and I am sure Coach Brad's will be, "Why? Why spend the time right now?" We'd rather focus on each one of them mastering basic footwork, possession skills, confidence with the ball, and a desire to drive toward the goal.
All the girls in this first game gave great effort and especially by their desire to keep the ball in play and an ear for my voice the entire time. I really liked how they started getting back to midfield after goals, either for or against. This will only work to create a desire to get back to playing rather than dwelling on points.
Speaking of points some quick notes on our players:
Cora - Was our first keeper and did a lot of work. She got down and covered the ball up like a pro and got it back out into play in a hurry. While her throw wasn't mighty, it was quick enough to get out beyond the other teams forward players.
Dakohta - Showed me what great technique she has on her initial first touch; toe pointed down and shoelaces on the ball every time just like a baseball fielder's glove.
Lilly - Is a ball of no fear, pushing through and under the arms of groups of players and coming out with the ball and a desire to go to the goal (although we had to point her in the right direction once). : )
Ava - Oh Ava, she never wants to have the ball stop...much to the chagrin of the ref. She's full of a lot of energy and never lacks for a question or anecdote on her day. You'd think she wasn't listening or paying attention, but she definitely is and after a fierce look when a goal was scored on her, I knew there was a monster competitor hiding in there too.
Kate, Lydia and Aubrey - Needed a bit of a push to get them going and that's fine. There's a lot going on and it's easy to get lost in knowing what to do. Although when I gave them a bit of direction, they went right to it. Kate especially surprised by her very concerted efforts to move to the sidelines on her down-field runs.
Kayla - Was tireless. Up and back and up and back and always ready to go back on the field even when a few of her teammates were giving some worn out looks. She received a game ball for her hustle.
Brooklyn - She played for me in the winter as the youngest on a team which is now part of the U9 Academy and got some great experience there. I knew she would be headed for the goal constantly and let her run with it a few times. After that, I told her she needed to start doing some moves. They didn't all work, but one time it was at the right place and right time and it worked; a successful Puskas move. I didn't hear her talk about her goals at all when she came off the field...all she wanted to know is if I saw her do the move. She received a gameball for risk taking and implementing instructions from coach during the game.
I won't always have this much each game, but it is important to let parents know that while I am constantly teaching the girls on the field and on the bench, I am watching for all the little things, on which they are improving.
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