So apparently most of the U8 Sharks just spent their Spring Breaks in various camps, clinics and intensive training programs. I gathered the kids at the start of the game and told them that I knew that since they'd had two weeks off they'd be kind of anxious to play. "Go crazy and have fun. I'll bug you about the ball control and stuff in the second quarter. Right now just go crazy." I expected over-energetic, chaotic play with a lot of ball chasing but while there was a bit of that the overall play was excellent. They were full of energy but they were using their heads and playing the field smartly with lots of good spacing. Coach Ben's Ninjas were feeling it too and they came out of the gate pressing hard. The game was fast paced from the start but not the wild kick-fest I expected. Rather, it was well played, beautiful soccer with lots of deft ball control and sharp, imaginative passing from both teams.
Mike and I are always talking (or yelling) to the kids about maintaining their spacing and playing their positions and I think generally they have only been getting what we mean in a very abstract way. But in yesterday's game they were showing a more subtle understanding of the game and I saw moments for each player where they were realizing that these "positions" we talk to them about aren't so much a particular spot on the field as they are a set of responsibilities within the flow of the game. If I say "right midfield", that's not a spot where you go stand, it's a job that you have to do. You know your job, you know your teammates' jobs. You do yours, you trust them to do theirs. The Sharks were doing that this week to tremendous effect and against a team that played some very aggressive soccer themselves.
Quickly the highlights:
Sam E. had a pair of goals and is now at the point where he was in U6 ... he knows he can get around anybody. His creativity with the ball is amazing and an inspiration to the whole team. This week he's incorporated a controlled roll-over move that just freezes the opposition. Where'd he get that?
Owen had our other goal and it came early on in the game in a rebound situation. The ball came bouncing out to the eighteen and he was sweeping in from midfield to clean up and made a very delicate hit on the ball while it was still moving, arcing it up over the keepers head. Sweet.
Sam A. missed three weeks but came back playing like he hadn't missed any time at all. He loves the midfield position where he gets to play that tough defense and then push up for shots too. He managed to strip the ball from the Ninja's two best players repeatedly despite the size advantage that they have on him.
Austin had so many good attempts on goal and was so strong in that forward position. Sam E. has the flashy steps but Austin has the quicker shot. Elizabeth was strong too, especially in contesting for the ball. Like Sam A. she surprises bigger players by taking the ball right off their feet. Daylon was wonderful and next week we've got to get him up into striker to see what he can do their. Zach had missed three weeks but he came back really strong too and had a couple of good shots and played some very clutch defense for us out of the midfield. Jackson was great out of the midfield too. He played heads up ball and made some very nice passes to keep our runs alive.
Drew managed our other goal and had such a good game overall. He and Owen set the tone for our midfield play early on with some very controlled, thoughtful play. They both were showing us their best moves all game and with Drew speed is always an important element too.
Fabulous game Sharks. Well done.
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