Notes from Mendon 9/10
Solid first quarter all the way around.
Solid second quarter.
Lost focus and perhaps got tired in 3rd quarter when Mendon came out very strong.
I believe they scored 3 quick goals and we had a big letdown from which we did not recover.
Loss of focus (and young players) caused some preventable turnovers which, unfortunately, Mendon quickly converted into three goals.
As we lost our energy on the field, we may have lost structure as well.
In the second half, we had several breakaways by Mendon in which they ended up with at least 2 Mendon players going 2v1 with Lucy. Our defenders simply could not get back fast enough.
I think we need to lock in on our 3 best defenders. Find a strong leader for center back who can communicate well with GK and other teammates. and
I think, perhaps, we modify how our defenders are playing when the ball is up field in transition or in our attacking 1/3.
I saw that Mendon always kept a left and right defender back in their defensive 1/3. Neither really played anything above their defensive 1/3. Can we do something like this within the diamond formation so that we are better prepared to handle a team that presses high and has very fast breakaways?
I made a note that Webster Thomas played with three defenders set up on a strong diagonal. Our players already understand the value of maintaining a defensive diagonal. Can this diagonal concept be incorporated into the diamond formation?
In terms of positioning. I have lots of combinations that I think would be interesting to try:
GK - Lucy
RB - Tori/Casey
CB - Quinn
LB - Sophie
BOD - Anita
LM - Nicole
TOD - Addy
RM - Kenadie
RW - Shannon
Point - Emma
LW - Salice
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GK - Lucy
RB - Tori/Casey
CB - Quinn
LB - Sophie
BOD - Anita
LM - Nicole
TOD - Addy
RM - Kenadie
RW - Shannon
Point - Emma
LW - Salice
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GK - Lucy
RB - Tori/Casey
CB - Nicole
LB - Sophie
BOD - Quinn
LM - Anita
TOD - Addy
RM - Kenadie
RW - Shannon
Point -Salice
LW - Emma
——————————
GK - Lucy
RB - Tori/Casey
CB - Nicole
LB - Sophie
BOD - Quinn
LM - Addy
TOD - Anita
RM - Kenadie
RW - Shannon
Point - Emma
LW - Salice
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At tomorrow’s practice. We are on baseball turf. Below is what I would suggest (you can alter any way you want or do something entirely different):
4-4:10
Dynamic
4:10-4:25
Indian run (10min run… 5min rest)
4:25-4:40
Stick skills cones (set up ahead of time) and elimination shuttles (set up ahead of time in predetermined groups)
4:45-5:10
Defenders (V and JV) do interceptions in front of goal cage with emphasis on strong carries out of circle to sideline and send through pass to target. Goalkeepers can be involved (if Kristyn is not at practice). Hard hits coming in from varsity midfield players go to goalie pads and defenders have to pick up the rebound off their pads.
Attack players & mids work on one touch give and go passing around baseball infield among tires randomly placed throughout. They can be in predetermined groups. Timed. Record how many one-touch passes they complete. Constant movement. Constant communication. This can transition to be more competitive as a game of keep away between two teams all within the baseball infield.
5:15-5:45
Try out lots of different combinations of defenders plus BOD against combination of varsity and JV players coming toward goal in groups of 5 or 6. Lots of instruction to defenders on exactly what you are looking for… marking, position of stick, position of feet, speed of strong carries, importance of carrying flat to extreme sideline to get out of danger zone, etc…. If this gets boring, we could try lots of combinations of BOD TOD RM LM against groups of 5 or 6
5:45-5:55
Team stretch
These are just my thoughts on what could be a high energy… high touch… high communication practice before a very important game on Friday that EHS players should be confident they can win. BUT they need to be disciplined in the ER game to execute the formation and game plan in the way that we will need to execute it in order to beat two tougher teams next week: Hilton and Penfield.
In the past, I have written up brief generalized game plans to hand out to players prior certain games. I think it is helpful to give the team “3-5 Most Important Things We Need To Do To Have A Competitive Game.”
In Defensive 1/3 (e.g, make opposing team have to work hard to get past our 25 and into our circle; pick up your mark and communicate who you are marking to your teammates; intercept/steal ball and then strong carries out flat to extreme sideline and pass through to mid or wing; our wings need to be wide and within 25 yd line to get outlet passes when defenders are under pressure - wings stay wide and the TOD player floats across top of circle ready to pick up any ball that pops out - the point player should be floating around the 35 yd line)
In Transition 1/3 (e.g., run through EVERY 50/50 ball with confidence you will win it, never slow down, never stop and never watch; constantly look for opportunities to double with a teammate to trap the opponent’s ball carrier; fast self starts and quick passing; GO RIGHT; block up free hits with confidence and quick sticks; when other team has a break away, the opposite side mids and defenders must react with speed and urgency to get back to defensive 1/3 and find a mark) …
In Attacking 1/3 (always be moving to give ball carrier at least two passing options-never be in a straight line; get ball to goal as quickly and simply as possible— for example all free hits from 40yd line should go directly to goal cage; when possible, draw corners by finding a foot or forcing an obstruction; when possible, enter from right side of our attack circle and score on the left post; when playing in tight spaces around goalkeeper, position body to be ready for deflections, rebounds off pads, etc.)
