It was a really good test. It showed us some scenarios where we need to get better. In the following breakdown of the game we will analyze in depth the things we have acomplished and the aspects that in each phase of the game we need to improve at in order to become the best player/team we can be.
1. Offensive Organization.
Positional balance.
Mainly during the first half our positional balance when on the ball was not the best. Our Wingers and outside backs did not flow as quick as we have to from inside postions to occupying the field in all its width and depth. Also, there were many situations where our Center Backs did not drop back a few yards to provide a better angle of support to the ball carrier ( for instance in throws-in or when a teammate is under pressure). See this in the next video.
Besides, my two Center Defensive Mids + Forward/Attacking Mid need to give better angles and keep the balance in a 2-1 or 1 - 2 triangle.
As the Goalkeeper....only one word, S W E E P E R!
Offensive Fundamentals/ Principles.
We have already talked about Depth and Width, but what did happen during today´s game with the rest of the principles?
Regarding the Mental Attacking Anticipation (make a decision before first touch), which is strongly connected with Checking your shoulders before receive the ball, we can do it a lot better. Sometimes we did poor first touches because we did not have enough information about teammates, spaces and opponents. Remember, you only need a split-second to look around you, so do not be hypnotized by the ball all the time.
The other two components highly inter- related hence influencing each other are Speed of the play ( little dribbing/running with the ball, quick connections/ ball flow) Firm passes (crispy pass to prevent being intercepted). There was a radical change for better between the two halfs in that matter. Definitely, this is one of our strenghts as a team, you girls can move the ball from one side to the other rapidly and with a good quality.
Disguises/ fakes (to win time and angles). Again, huge difference between the first and the second half. I was so happy to see how some of my players are getting more confidence when on the ball and they are starting to add fakes, playing with their shoulders, etc.
Finally, in relation to the Movement without the ball providing several angles of support to the ball carrier and Passing and moving, I am quite positive we are going to automate it, make it automatic/ habitual.
Defensive Transition
During the first half I was not happy with our performance in this area. We let them progress with the ball onto our goal/ heart as if it were nothing. On the contrary, I saw in the 2nd half 11 "guerreras" (warriors) that recovered the ball 90% of the time in our offensive half. Nevertheless, this is one part of the game we have not practiced yet...and you did so good! Thus, we will become in the near future a fearsome team when we loss the ball.
Defensive Organization
The key here is the Zonal Marking concept. We defense in zone, therefore we must consider ball situation, opponents and space relationship with my teammmates.
In that sense, Outside Backs never allow passes in between them and the CB, so you need to squeeze/ shift when is required. Ok, but How much coach? that depends on the 3 components I named above. However, as a reference remember the Funnel.
Also we have " Prevent Penetrations behind our Last Line of Defense". Whenever is a potential chance they can play a dangerous through ball behind to our 4 back, that it could ends up in a 1v1 against our goalie, take 5 steps/ yards back in order to prevent the attacking penetrations. In other words, we give priority to defensive depth instead of trying to play the "offside".
Security Triangle. If one of our CB leaves her position trying to intercept a ball or tackle/ challenge and opponent, the closer outside back + the other CB will have to shift/ squeeze forming a triangule, that we call the Security Triangle:
* Red is the original position, Yellow the final position.
In short, in this phase of the game we still have a lot more room for improvement but we are setting off from a reallly good foundation/ starting point.
Attacking Transition
As I mentioned above we must also be capable of rapidly recovering the offensive positional balance and create a big field, do not take for granted that the ball is far so you will still have time to get open later on when the carrier of the ball face us to pass the ball...do it now! Make a run onto the outside channels, that way we will have more space in the center channel.
Extra things
Communication. Man on!, time! or turn!, call the ball if you are in a free space or you are making a run in to an open space.
Our goalie also needs to talk more, she is able to scan all the field, since she is facing it. Then, make an impact on the game by helping your defense.
Agressiveness/ Determination. This is one "must have" in my teams. I need 11 lionesses on the field!!! Too much better in the 2nd half today.
Set pieces. No worries we will get it. As today we did not achieve to make the most of our throws in strategies, but we will do it.
Clearing the ball. Today, very often we cleared or kicked the ball awaybecause of a risky situation into the center channel inside our 18 yard box, this is crazy! Never do that. We always clear the ball onto outside.
That is all for today folks!
Muchas Gracias for your effort and willingness.
Coach Pablo.
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