Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Lies, D*** Lies and Statistics
"Mark Twain popularized the saying in "Chapters from My Autobiography", published in the North American Review in 1906. "Figures often beguile me," he wrote, "particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: 'There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.'""
What does a season record measure for a team? It is an accurate measurement of how a team does in the run of a season, it shows goals for and goals against, discipline infractions, and home and away records. But how do you use it? How do you interpret it? What good do they do?
As I wrote before I take notes and record many things in respect of whatever squad I am coaching in a given season. Effective drills, attendance, impact of weather, injuries, and..... number of shots taken by the squad each game. Why? It is an objective measure of performance that my players can easily understand.
But what is the statistic that we are most obsessed with? The season, the wins, losses and ties. In the Premiership that is all that we need concern ourselves with. Is Liverpool in the top four, is Everton struggling already, how many games has Chelsea gone without a Torres goal? But what about us small fry, what does the season mean to us? My opinion is a definitive "It depends".
I will write of my experiences over the last number of years, and in particular working with squads that had a tough season, and the following season.
I had a U12 squad one year that was woeful. It was in the top division, it had our Clubs top players at this age group, they had no history in this division. We were terrible. I say we because I was inexperienced, I was unfamiliar with the league and the players. The players themselves all had promise and athleticism, but were technically and tactically very weak because of a lack of training provided to them at the Club's mini divisions ( this happily has changed). According to my records we played 30 games, won 6, lost 20, drew 4. We had 45 goals for ( two of those wins accounted for 25 goals), and 75 goals against. we never won a game outside of the city, nor any games in the first two weeks of August, anywhere.
Over the winter training period, I concentrated on defence, technical skills, and tried to figure out our road issues and what happened in August. The latter two problems were caused by arriving late to the fields and no proper warmups and lack of players because of vacations. I corrected these by
implementing a minimum 45 minute pregame arrival time and by requesting vacation schedules before the start of the season to plan for absences.
The other items were reflected in that the next season we played a similar number of games, and reduced our goals against by half. We also scored a few more goals and went from last in the league of 10 to 4th.
We also won games on the road and in August. So measurable success? Yes. Why? Not just placement,but with a measurable improvement in three areas; defence, away record and the August results.
I could go on, but I won't. Use statistics wisely. Use them to determine areas of team and player weakness and then make those improvements. Is it defence, is it offence, is it fitness, look at the numbers, look at the results, look at your notes and see what they tell you and use them to improve your squad little by little, or maybe even in big jumps. But don't let them lie to you.
What does a season record measure for a team? It is an accurate measurement of how a team does in the run of a season, it shows goals for and goals against, discipline infractions, and home and away records. But how do you use it? How do you interpret it? What good do they do?
As I wrote before I take notes and record many things in respect of whatever squad I am coaching in a given season. Effective drills, attendance, impact of weather, injuries, and..... number of shots taken by the squad each game. Why? It is an objective measure of performance that my players can easily understand.
But what is the statistic that we are most obsessed with? The season, the wins, losses and ties. In the Premiership that is all that we need concern ourselves with. Is Liverpool in the top four, is Everton struggling already, how many games has Chelsea gone without a Torres goal? But what about us small fry, what does the season mean to us? My opinion is a definitive "It depends".
I will write of my experiences over the last number of years, and in particular working with squads that had a tough season, and the following season.
I had a U12 squad one year that was woeful. It was in the top division, it had our Clubs top players at this age group, they had no history in this division. We were terrible. I say we because I was inexperienced, I was unfamiliar with the league and the players. The players themselves all had promise and athleticism, but were technically and tactically very weak because of a lack of training provided to them at the Club's mini divisions ( this happily has changed). According to my records we played 30 games, won 6, lost 20, drew 4. We had 45 goals for ( two of those wins accounted for 25 goals), and 75 goals against. we never won a game outside of the city, nor any games in the first two weeks of August, anywhere.
Over the winter training period, I concentrated on defence, technical skills, and tried to figure out our road issues and what happened in August. The latter two problems were caused by arriving late to the fields and no proper warmups and lack of players because of vacations. I corrected these by
implementing a minimum 45 minute pregame arrival time and by requesting vacation schedules before the start of the season to plan for absences.
The other items were reflected in that the next season we played a similar number of games, and reduced our goals against by half. We also scored a few more goals and went from last in the league of 10 to 4th.
We also won games on the road and in August. So measurable success? Yes. Why? Not just placement,but with a measurable improvement in three areas; defence, away record and the August results.
I could go on, but I won't. Use statistics wisely. Use them to determine areas of team and player weakness and then make those improvements. Is it defence, is it offence, is it fitness, look at the numbers, look at the results, look at your notes and see what they tell you and use them to improve your squad little by little, or maybe even in big jumps. But don't let them lie to you.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Practice makes perfect!
I hate these aphorisms, but this one is starting to get to me in a meaningful way. The best phrasing of this theory isn't as above, but "Perfect practice makes perfect". Why is this right and not the other? Because if your practices are crap, if the players aren't performing at their very best, if the coaches don't make demands of them to perform, then the product out of practice isn't perfect, and the results on the pitch are bad.
Now returning to my old friend and spirit guide Bill Shankly, and his coterie of advisors in the "Boot Room", their attention to training detail was immaculate. They noted the weather, they noted the participation of the players, they noted the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of all aspects of the training session, and areas that needed improvement. This was done to maintain the high level of training required at the Liverpool at the time (and hopefully now).it allowed them to determine which training elements brought out the best in the players, and by maintaining a record of how the players trained, they could objectively review with the players how their training and game readiness was proceeding.
Now I write this from a coaches perspective. As a long past it former player, I like to believe that I always brought my "A" game to training, was fully attentive, and gave it my all. Unfortunately I don't think this is accurate. Now, I can only speak to what I do, and that is how I prepare for practices for my squad, to get the most benefit out of the training sessions I have with them.
These are Hal Whites Rules ( suggestions for everyone else) that I am continually trying to improve.
Rule 1. Pre-season, tell the players what your overall objectives are, technical, tactical, results league standings, and what it will take to achieve these goals. Tell what your grainy schedule is and your attendance requirements. Also tell them what are your behavior standards. If you have youth players ensure that the parents are made aware of this as well. During the season, plan your weekly training to reinforce what is working, and secondly,to improve on issues that need to be addressed before the next game.
Rule 2. Prepare your pre-season training plan. Determine how many practices you will have before your first game and develop a training plan against that time line.
Rule 3. Always take the time to think about and plan your training session. Review online sources, books, videos, whatever you have available. Each session should only focus on one technical issue, with a related game/tactical component. For example wall pass drills could be followed by a game that only allows goals after a wall pass. This rule applies both pre- season and during the season. ***Attached below is a list of several sources I use***
Rule 4. Make notes about how the practice went and what factors may have affected it such as weather, temperature, mood of the players. Be critical about what drills went well, which ones failed and how to make it better in the future.
Rule 5. Keep things simple, but challenging. This requires coaching preparation. The drills must be age, skill and knowledge appropriate]te. If you cannot find a way to explain it to your twelve years olds or 20 year olds, dump it.
Rule 6. Repetition repetition repetition,and always at game pace. This will help reinforce the technique, and the high pace will ensure that it is repeaeted in the actual game
Rule 7. Be demanding. Tell your players what you expect every practice and demand it from them. Don't let them slack off. Have/use incentives for success, and so called "forfeits" for those who aren't performing their best. I have the least successful players remain behind to pack up the training gear at the conclusion of practice, while the others go home. It takes five minutes but they remember.
Rule 8. Be demanding of yourself. Show up dressed to train, Club kit if you have it, whistle if you need, cones, pinnies/bibs, cones, nets and balls. This always requires preparation, so prepare. One hint, when drafting your training plan, write down what equipment you need for each aspect of the training session.
Rule 9. Step in and correct the drill if things aren't going well, and motivate the players to excel.
Rule 10. HAVE FUN!! It is work, but keep it enjoyable.The players must, at the very least enjoy what they are doing a they won't work as hard if they find the training to be complete drudgery.
My current favourite resources are as follows:
1. UEFA training ground which has video of many training ground activities. Explore this one .
http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/index.html
2. Perfect Ball Control by Peter Schreiner, Great drills that lead to game type situations. Focusses on high reps, and basic techniques.
3. 64 Small Sided Games, This is an E-Book published by Green Star Media in England, and can found on-line.. Worth every penny and has a game that can help reinforce almost every training ground activity and technical skill,
Walk On
YNWA.
Hal White
Now returning to my old friend and spirit guide Bill Shankly, and his coterie of advisors in the "Boot Room", their attention to training detail was immaculate. They noted the weather, they noted the participation of the players, they noted the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of all aspects of the training session, and areas that needed improvement. This was done to maintain the high level of training required at the Liverpool at the time (and hopefully now).it allowed them to determine which training elements brought out the best in the players, and by maintaining a record of how the players trained, they could objectively review with the players how their training and game readiness was proceeding.
Now I write this from a coaches perspective. As a long past it former player, I like to believe that I always brought my "A" game to training, was fully attentive, and gave it my all. Unfortunately I don't think this is accurate. Now, I can only speak to what I do, and that is how I prepare for practices for my squad, to get the most benefit out of the training sessions I have with them.
These are Hal Whites Rules ( suggestions for everyone else) that I am continually trying to improve.
Rule 1. Pre-season, tell the players what your overall objectives are, technical, tactical, results league standings, and what it will take to achieve these goals. Tell what your grainy schedule is and your attendance requirements. Also tell them what are your behavior standards. If you have youth players ensure that the parents are made aware of this as well. During the season, plan your weekly training to reinforce what is working, and secondly,to improve on issues that need to be addressed before the next game.
Rule 2. Prepare your pre-season training plan. Determine how many practices you will have before your first game and develop a training plan against that time line.
Rule 3. Always take the time to think about and plan your training session. Review online sources, books, videos, whatever you have available. Each session should only focus on one technical issue, with a related game/tactical component. For example wall pass drills could be followed by a game that only allows goals after a wall pass. This rule applies both pre- season and during the season. ***Attached below is a list of several sources I use***
Rule 4. Make notes about how the practice went and what factors may have affected it such as weather, temperature, mood of the players. Be critical about what drills went well, which ones failed and how to make it better in the future.
Rule 5. Keep things simple, but challenging. This requires coaching preparation. The drills must be age, skill and knowledge appropriate]te. If you cannot find a way to explain it to your twelve years olds or 20 year olds, dump it.
Rule 6. Repetition repetition repetition,and always at game pace. This will help reinforce the technique, and the high pace will ensure that it is repeaeted in the actual game
Rule 7. Be demanding. Tell your players what you expect every practice and demand it from them. Don't let them slack off. Have/use incentives for success, and so called "forfeits" for those who aren't performing their best. I have the least successful players remain behind to pack up the training gear at the conclusion of practice, while the others go home. It takes five minutes but they remember.
Rule 8. Be demanding of yourself. Show up dressed to train, Club kit if you have it, whistle if you need, cones, pinnies/bibs, cones, nets and balls. This always requires preparation, so prepare. One hint, when drafting your training plan, write down what equipment you need for each aspect of the training session.
Rule 9. Step in and correct the drill if things aren't going well, and motivate the players to excel.
Rule 10. HAVE FUN!! It is work, but keep it enjoyable.The players must, at the very least enjoy what they are doing a they won't work as hard if they find the training to be complete drudgery.
My current favourite resources are as follows:
1. UEFA training ground which has video of many training ground activities. Explore this one .
http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/index.html
2. Perfect Ball Control by Peter Schreiner, Great drills that lead to game type situations. Focusses on high reps, and basic techniques.
3. 64 Small Sided Games, This is an E-Book published by Green Star Media in England, and can found on-line.. Worth every penny and has a game that can help reinforce almost every training ground activity and technical skill,
Walk On
YNWA.
Hal White
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
She was going for the ball NUMBNUTS!!!!
These words were uttered by me the fan.
Why?
Because I was watching one of my favourite teams, and the referee gave a straight red card for a supposed "professional" foul. Now I say "supposed" because I disagree with the call, and as a fan I let him know my feelings. This was both right and wrong. Right because referees are not immune from criticism. They are not perfect, they make mistakes and they should be made aware of any calls that are not right, or close. It was wrong, because the comment didn't accomplish anything, and even worse, may dissuade a more sensitive referee from refereeing in the future.
They deserve respect, from players, coaches and fans, and they deserve our support. But what do they do for the game and why are they different from hockey officials, or umpires in baseball.
The first and critical difference is that a referee is there to "enforce the laws of the game". This establishes the fundamental difference. They are "laws" not "rules". Laws need to be interpreted, whereas rules are either infringed or not. For instance a pitch is either a ball or a strike in baseball, or a hit is fair or foul. It is or it isn't. In soccer a foul may not be a foul because of circumstances such as the weather. where a slide tackle that is late may not attract a card because the field is wet. In certain circumstances the referee may waive off a foul to allow an "advantage" to develop after the foul. As a result, the person who commits the foul may not be sanctioned. Thus the referee must interpret the laws as the game is being played. It is fluid and dynamic. It is extremely challenging and calls for a great deal of common sense and judgement.
For example, a player spits on the jersey of an opponent who is behind him. This serious conduct that warrants a red card. Simple. But what if the referee had observed the "spitter" being struck in the mouth just prior to the event, and they then turn to spit out something in their mouth. Not so simple any more is it.
This is why their role is so challenging. Every situation may have a different interpretation because of how the circumstances develop within the game. It isn't easy, and we need to cut them some slack once in awhile.
Oh yes, Howard Webb is a Man Utd ringer, and SHE WAS GOING FOR THE BALL NUMBNUTS!!!!!
Why?
Because I was watching one of my favourite teams, and the referee gave a straight red card for a supposed "professional" foul. Now I say "supposed" because I disagree with the call, and as a fan I let him know my feelings. This was both right and wrong. Right because referees are not immune from criticism. They are not perfect, they make mistakes and they should be made aware of any calls that are not right, or close. It was wrong, because the comment didn't accomplish anything, and even worse, may dissuade a more sensitive referee from refereeing in the future.
They deserve respect, from players, coaches and fans, and they deserve our support. But what do they do for the game and why are they different from hockey officials, or umpires in baseball.
The first and critical difference is that a referee is there to "enforce the laws of the game". This establishes the fundamental difference. They are "laws" not "rules". Laws need to be interpreted, whereas rules are either infringed or not. For instance a pitch is either a ball or a strike in baseball, or a hit is fair or foul. It is or it isn't. In soccer a foul may not be a foul because of circumstances such as the weather. where a slide tackle that is late may not attract a card because the field is wet. In certain circumstances the referee may waive off a foul to allow an "advantage" to develop after the foul. As a result, the person who commits the foul may not be sanctioned. Thus the referee must interpret the laws as the game is being played. It is fluid and dynamic. It is extremely challenging and calls for a great deal of common sense and judgement.
For example, a player spits on the jersey of an opponent who is behind him. This serious conduct that warrants a red card. Simple. But what if the referee had observed the "spitter" being struck in the mouth just prior to the event, and they then turn to spit out something in their mouth. Not so simple any more is it.
This is why their role is so challenging. Every situation may have a different interpretation because of how the circumstances develop within the game. It isn't easy, and we need to cut them some slack once in awhile.
Oh yes, Howard Webb is a Man Utd ringer, and SHE WAS GOING FOR THE BALL NUMBNUTS!!!!!
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Communication
I yelled at someone today.
Now before you stop reading this post saying that Hal White must be a boorish coach, who mistreats his players, it wasn't one of my players. It was someone who works in my profession, and this person wasn't accepting the genius of my position. I would be remiss if I didn't say that their position had some merit, but not very much in my estimation. Nevertheless, the act of yelling/shouting/browbeating was not going to make the person any smarter, more perceptive or more comfortable with my point of view. I suspect that this person is probably less receptive to my point of view, my input and intellect than they were before. And that will probably never change again in the future.
What does this have to do with soccer?
A lot.
How a coach communicates their philosophy, their training views, and their pleasure with a teams success is critical in the success of a team.
Let's look at Rafa, King Kenny, and the very unfortunate Avram Grant.
Rafa Benitez was by times animated, gesticulating and shouting. Other days he just sat there. But most of the time he was just giving small bits of tactical advice and direction from the sideline.
Why would he do that, his players are professionals and amongst the best in the world after all? What could he, a middle aged, former middle of the road player, tell world class players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres? Because they are not able to see and do everything at, and because he was their manager and was responsible for adjusting and assisting in their tactics as a game progressed. His role was as much tactical as motivational. King Kenny is doing the same thing. He watches, he absorbs, he analyzes and shouts encouragement and tactics to his players.
Now poor old Avram Grant, no doubt a solid coach and manager just sat there, and looked really really gloomy. He had good cause to look gloomy with both Portsmouth and West Ham, and his gallows like complexion reflected the accurate demise of these teams. But he could have done more, or at least appeared to have tried to have done more. The teams needed it tactically and on a "motivational" basis.
So what is the amateur coach to do. Look to the professionals. The good ones are engaged and aware of what is going on on the pitch and with their players. Wenger is always on the line, Ferguson, and Ian Holloway. Mick McCarthy seems to be about ten seconds from jumping on the pitch himself. They are not competing themselves but are essential to the quality of the competition.
So from the start of the warm up to the final whistle be prepared to be engaged, involved,
aware and positive.
WARM UP
Set up your warm ups grids, and start the players in their drills. Be present, observe their pace, touch and engagement. Talk to them, encourage them and suggest improvements and see if they adapt. Make your assessments as to who is ready to play.
THE OPPONENTS
If you are able watch the other team for a few moments, in particular the keeper. See how the keeper is preparing . Do they tend to drop the ball, trouble in the air or lateral movement. Pass on any of this information to your players.
DURING THE GAME.
Watch the game, look for the opponents weaknesses and pass the info on to the field players.Pass on strategic advice, and be positive. tell them to play up, rather than say they are playing to far back. Tell them some things are "unlucky " rather than a "poor touch", as they know if it is bad. Pay attention to their pace and ask if they are all right.Watch the opponents and how they are adapting to your strategy and tactics. Watch the on field match ups change them as you see fit.
HALF TIME
Ask about injuries, and inquire about any challenges they are experiencing on the field . Remind them about their tactics and especially about what is working well.
For the rest of the game help your team accomplish their objectives. Praise and assist as required, but keep yourself engaged for the whole game.
END OF THE GAME
Fill them in on what went right, compliment them if compliments are warranted. Keep your criticisms to yourself for the time being, but remember them for training issues for the next sessions.
Remember the pros are engaged the whole game through, and you should be as well. Keep the players informed as to what is going on that they can't see, and encourage them to take advantage of opportunities that they aren't aware of.
YNWA
WALK ON
Hal White
Now before you stop reading this post saying that Hal White must be a boorish coach, who mistreats his players, it wasn't one of my players. It was someone who works in my profession, and this person wasn't accepting the genius of my position. I would be remiss if I didn't say that their position had some merit, but not very much in my estimation. Nevertheless, the act of yelling/shouting/browbeating was not going to make the person any smarter, more perceptive or more comfortable with my point of view. I suspect that this person is probably less receptive to my point of view, my input and intellect than they were before. And that will probably never change again in the future.
What does this have to do with soccer?
A lot.
How a coach communicates their philosophy, their training views, and their pleasure with a teams success is critical in the success of a team.
Let's look at Rafa, King Kenny, and the very unfortunate Avram Grant.
Rafa Benitez was by times animated, gesticulating and shouting. Other days he just sat there. But most of the time he was just giving small bits of tactical advice and direction from the sideline.
Why would he do that, his players are professionals and amongst the best in the world after all? What could he, a middle aged, former middle of the road player, tell world class players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres? Because they are not able to see and do everything at, and because he was their manager and was responsible for adjusting and assisting in their tactics as a game progressed. His role was as much tactical as motivational. King Kenny is doing the same thing. He watches, he absorbs, he analyzes and shouts encouragement and tactics to his players.
Now poor old Avram Grant, no doubt a solid coach and manager just sat there, and looked really really gloomy. He had good cause to look gloomy with both Portsmouth and West Ham, and his gallows like complexion reflected the accurate demise of these teams. But he could have done more, or at least appeared to have tried to have done more. The teams needed it tactically and on a "motivational" basis.
So what is the amateur coach to do. Look to the professionals. The good ones are engaged and aware of what is going on on the pitch and with their players. Wenger is always on the line, Ferguson, and Ian Holloway. Mick McCarthy seems to be about ten seconds from jumping on the pitch himself. They are not competing themselves but are essential to the quality of the competition.
So from the start of the warm up to the final whistle be prepared to be engaged, involved,
aware and positive.
WARM UP
Set up your warm ups grids, and start the players in their drills. Be present, observe their pace, touch and engagement. Talk to them, encourage them and suggest improvements and see if they adapt. Make your assessments as to who is ready to play.
THE OPPONENTS
If you are able watch the other team for a few moments, in particular the keeper. See how the keeper is preparing . Do they tend to drop the ball, trouble in the air or lateral movement. Pass on any of this information to your players.
DURING THE GAME.
Watch the game, look for the opponents weaknesses and pass the info on to the field players.Pass on strategic advice, and be positive. tell them to play up, rather than say they are playing to far back. Tell them some things are "unlucky " rather than a "poor touch", as they know if it is bad. Pay attention to their pace and ask if they are all right.Watch the opponents and how they are adapting to your strategy and tactics. Watch the on field match ups change them as you see fit.
HALF TIME
Ask about injuries, and inquire about any challenges they are experiencing on the field . Remind them about their tactics and especially about what is working well.
For the rest of the game help your team accomplish their objectives. Praise and assist as required, but keep yourself engaged for the whole game.
END OF THE GAME
Fill them in on what went right, compliment them if compliments are warranted. Keep your criticisms to yourself for the time being, but remember them for training issues for the next sessions.
Remember the pros are engaged the whole game through, and you should be as well. Keep the players informed as to what is going on that they can't see, and encourage them to take advantage of opportunities that they aren't aware of.
YNWA
WALK ON
Hal White
Saturday, 11 June 2011
No Free Ride
I used this phrase today after a game my squad had played and won. I knew they were capable of winning. The Club's coaching staff knew they were capable of winning. Even their parents knew they were capable of winning. I don't think my squad knew, and their opponents certainly didn't think they could win.
This brings me to Stoke City (and Hull City) and Liverpool in the 2008-2009 season. This was the season for Liverpool to win the Premiership. That season Liverpool had three of the top ten goal scorers in the league (Gerrard, Torres, and Kuyt), the one of the best shot stoppers in the league, a good coach and great game form. The team could defend, pass, attack, and clear. In 38 games they had 27 goals against, and only two losses. On paper, and on the field, Liverpool was not a team to lose. They beat Manchester United twice, and the evil of Empire of Chelsea two times as well.
But they didn't finish first.
In 2007-2008 season Hull City and Stoke City qualified to play in the Premiership. The pundits and broadcasters gave them little hope of staying up, and being quickly relegated to the Championship Division. They were middle of the pack teams, with journeyman players for the most part, who if they were to stay up had to beat the teams around them in the table, and one or two games from the top five teams as well.
Stoke and Hull should not beat Liverpool. Liverpool, by all accounts should have beaten them. Handily. Remember they beat Man U and Chelsea. Yet in three of the four games played against Stoke and Hull, Liverpool tied Hull once and Stoke twice. Why, because Liverpool thought it was a free ride, and Stoke and Hull didn't. Stoke and Hull didn't play above their ability, they played at their ability, and Liverpool thought it would be business as usual.
They also lost a game to a team that was relegated, Middlesborough, between Champions League matches at Real Madrid.
So in four games, they acquired three out of a possible 12, and they lost the league to Manchester United by six points.
The game is always played in the "now". It isn't played on a "stat" sheet, or a record of wins and losses from a previous season. It is this moment, the one a team plays in any given game that gets the result.
What does this mean? Simple. Play every opponent believing you can beat them and that they can be you. A good team, working hard for a common goal can beat anyone on any given day. If you don't prepare for that, and if you play like that, you will be Liverpoo 2008-2009, and tie the teams you should beat.
A simple 4 v 4 that can be played in the"now" is one I call the "six second game". It is played like a normal game, with small goals, but with an additional way to score. If a player loses possession of the ball they have six seconds to get it back, or the other team gets a point. This encourages quick transition from offense to defense, tackling, shielding, as well as standard passing and movement. It also encourages personal responsibility for ones mistakes in the course of a game.
Walk On
Hal White
This brings me to Stoke City (and Hull City) and Liverpool in the 2008-2009 season. This was the season for Liverpool to win the Premiership. That season Liverpool had three of the top ten goal scorers in the league (Gerrard, Torres, and Kuyt), the one of the best shot stoppers in the league, a good coach and great game form. The team could defend, pass, attack, and clear. In 38 games they had 27 goals against, and only two losses. On paper, and on the field, Liverpool was not a team to lose. They beat Manchester United twice, and the evil of Empire of Chelsea two times as well.
But they didn't finish first.
In 2007-2008 season Hull City and Stoke City qualified to play in the Premiership. The pundits and broadcasters gave them little hope of staying up, and being quickly relegated to the Championship Division. They were middle of the pack teams, with journeyman players for the most part, who if they were to stay up had to beat the teams around them in the table, and one or two games from the top five teams as well.
Stoke and Hull should not beat Liverpool. Liverpool, by all accounts should have beaten them. Handily. Remember they beat Man U and Chelsea. Yet in three of the four games played against Stoke and Hull, Liverpool tied Hull once and Stoke twice. Why, because Liverpool thought it was a free ride, and Stoke and Hull didn't. Stoke and Hull didn't play above their ability, they played at their ability, and Liverpool thought it would be business as usual.
They also lost a game to a team that was relegated, Middlesborough, between Champions League matches at Real Madrid.
So in four games, they acquired three out of a possible 12, and they lost the league to Manchester United by six points.
The game is always played in the "now". It isn't played on a "stat" sheet, or a record of wins and losses from a previous season. It is this moment, the one a team plays in any given game that gets the result.
What does this mean? Simple. Play every opponent believing you can beat them and that they can be you. A good team, working hard for a common goal can beat anyone on any given day. If you don't prepare for that, and if you play like that, you will be Liverpoo 2008-2009, and tie the teams you should beat.
A simple 4 v 4 that can be played in the"now" is one I call the "six second game". It is played like a normal game, with small goals, but with an additional way to score. If a player loses possession of the ball they have six seconds to get it back, or the other team gets a point. This encourages quick transition from offense to defense, tackling, shielding, as well as standard passing and movement. It also encourages personal responsibility for ones mistakes in the course of a game.
Walk On
Hal White
Saturday, 4 June 2011
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