From outside the glass the path to the goal is usually obvious. You can see all the open space and you can, as an adult, anticipate which direction might make for the easiest route to either get around the defense or intercept the ball. Everything I practice with the kids as far as basic techniques for kicking and controlling the ball is ultimately aimed at getting these young players to develop the ability to see the field as clearly while in the game as someone outside the game does. It's like teaching them how to read a map only the map has to be in their head. Think about this; to be effective players the kids need to be able to spin around, fall, get up and run, track the ball and, all the while, know where the two goals are. And then we also want them to know where their teammates and opponents are. That doesn't come quickly. But they can all get it with time.
In the U4 game there was a moment when Ruby and Lauren were chasing the ball into the bumpers. Ruby got their first and turned to be on the back of the ball so she was facing the goal. As Lauren caught up to her she realized that she was now in Ruby's way so she stepped away from the bumper to let her pass. That was amazing and both girls were demonstrating there that they are developing that map in their heads, they do know where they are on the field.
The other Lakers played well too. Emma was really trying hard to control the ball and she brought the moves she had shown in practice right into the game. Very impressive. Hunter had a couple of goals this game and is getting more focused every week. Sammy was very much involved this week too and I'm glad to see that. William and Ava both played well but are still working on staying focused on the ball. They'll get it.
In the U6 Bears game we had simply stellar keeper play from Zychick and Micah. Micah was especially fierce and dove on the ball repeatedly, saving his team a lot of goals. Jackson and Kalib were trying to develop into something of a tandem attack and they had some very good runs. Everyone practiced very hard prior to the game and I'm really happy with the effort they are all putting in. They seem to be having fun too and don't seem overly concerned with the score. I can hear everyone yelling "pass it... pass it" from beyond the glass. You should know that I don't focus on that with the kids much. I talk to them about keeping the ball close and about trying to always look around to see where everyone is and where the goals are. I encourage them to simply take the ball to the goal themselves and I tell them that if they don't have the ball but a teammate does they should take a short cut to the goal to help out. You can see, little by little that they are working that map out in their heads. Eileen and Avari both had moments where they broke for that short cut and tried to be in front of the goal rather than just chasing the ball. That's a big development.
The U6 Sharks were a well oiled machine again with Karolyn back. Abby played some amazing keeper, as did Ava and everyone was playing with real anticipation, patience and creativity. McKenzie had an amazing run where she was in control of the ball in the midst of heavy traffic for at least 15 seconds. That was tenacious! I saw Trey and Jagger both try some tricky pull-back moves just like we'd worked on in practice. Samuel and Diego were playing in beautiful slow motion, always dribbling first, kicking second. Diego had three goals I think. Ava, Karolyn and Ashley were all showing some very good field awareness, sweeping back and forth, anticipating without chasing. You could especially see that from Ashley when we played the last quarter without a keeper. She was keeping one eye on the goal the whole time while pushing up into the other team's half. Great stuff. And little Austin, who just came up from U4. He got his first goal and it came after some brilliant ball movement. He knows how to cut hard like a down-hill skier and leave those defenders behind! And finally Luke was as fully engaged in this game as he has ever been. He is catching up to his teammates fast and I expect we'll see him contesting for the ball more and more each week.
I mentioned a few weeks back that Jackson owns the keeper area like it's part of his house. This week Nathan of the U8 Sharks was showing some of that casual confidence. He had a great quarter. Addie followed him in the second and was very courageous, making some beautiful stops as the attacking team was charging into her. Jackson was solid in his quarter in keeper and then in the last Sam A. held strong too. We missed Kaleb but our other keepers were admirably tough.
The first quarter saw a goal from Owen, a bomb from 15 yards or so, that I though would set the tone for the game. But from then on it was mostly confused, out of control play from the Sharks. Too much kicking and not enough touch on the ball. Jackson and Sam were solid in the field, trying their hardest to show the rest of the team how to take possession of the ball.
One highlight of the game for long-time Shark fans was the play of Noah Steinman on Coach Zachary's team. Noah played briefly with Sam, Elizabeth, Jackson and Sam A. back in the U4 days. He's got a foot! And like our youngest players, Noah still has that confidence that he can get around the big kids.
I've been talking with Sam E. week after week about him staying patient and continuing to try his moves until he figures out how to get around those bigger kids and this week he was really working hard. He seemed to be trying to incorporate more pull-backs and spins in order to get clear and he did get open enough for a couple of great shots late in the game.
It was a good game and they played with a lot of energy but as the game tape will show there was just a little too much kicking. But I know they'll figure it out. Use those skills Sharks!
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