USA vs Portugal Thoughts

You can't help but be disappointed by the result of the USA game. 15 seconds from being the first team to qualify through in the Group of Death. It was heart break.

The things I like to point out in these write ups is what we talk about as a team. First, Just last week we worked on finishing and we spoke about where to shoot the ball when approaching the goal from a high angle. Look at Portugal's first goal:

I know that the whole thing is a gift from a missed clear - but notice how Nani attacks the space and then look at what Tim Howard covers. We said it, you go top shelf - or far and low. Nani hits top shelf.

Next, let's look at Jermaine Jones. We talked about how when we strike the ball, our desire is for the ball to bend around/away from the goalie and then go straight into the net. This strike is a perfect demonstration of that.

Players who have been on my team a while know that I say "any little touch" quite a bit. This is used to disrupt the play on defense, but also create chaos in the box on offense - a great way to wrong foot the keeper. In this case, Clint scores with his belly button.

First, note that this whole thing is started by DeAndre Yedlin getting to - where? The end line! To create a front foot finish opportunity. At worst, the Defense will conceed a corner, but instead, they couldn't clear the danger and the US is there to put in the go ahead goal.

I'll also note that Clint looks over his shoulder to check where the defender is to be sure he is on side. Watch for it. You hear me say "Head on a swivel." Be smart forwards, don't kill a goal by being in a poor position.

Last, I hate to say it because Bradley is an incredible player. But the goal that kept Portugal's hopes alive is a give away with less than 30 seconds to play. The ball goes to Bradley who gives a half hearted effort at winning. It turns over quickly to Portugal who gets a free 20 yard press up field before the ball swings wide to CR. Then the perfectly laid cross makes this a near impossible stop for the defense. Great service, great run, great finish. DANG!

Well, that's the group of Death for you.

I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!

Costa Rica Thoughts

For those that have played with my teams in the past, you'll know that I'm all about:

PLAY THE WAY YOU ARE FACING

So if you watch their first goal today, you'll see a winger getting to the end line and doing a nice Cruyff move that enables the player to take his time and make a good diagonal pass back. The first person totally had a chance to finish, but does a lovely dummy to allow the second player to finish.

I call this a FRONT FOOT FINISH. Because they are facing forward when they shoot.

So note, the winger is wide and getting to the end line, if he does, and gets the ball across without the Cruyff, he has three forwards inside the six to knock it home. But once he cuts it back, all three of those forwards end up in an offisides position.

So you have to ask the question, who is the winger playing the ball to? The answer is the midfield! So you have two midfielders with opportunities to finish by running from the edge/outside the 18 into the box, charging toward the goal and defense for that front foot finish.

Food for thought all you forwards and midfielders.

Cheers.

Dynamic Warm-up 6/10/2014

We do this rotation 2-3 times depending on the warm-up activity. The general flow is bottom of the body working up.

As a group, start on the End Line and progress toward the 18. All items are done 4 times (split 2 and 2 left/right). At the end of the stretch, sprint the remaining distance to the 18 and jog back. As a group, start the next excercise.

1. Rotate Ankles 
2. Toe Grabs/Toe Point 
3. Calf Hops with Headers
4. Long Lunges, high reach with each arm
5. Side Lunges
6. Squeeze knee to chest & "Open & Close the door"
7. Quads lunges 
8. Hip balance
9. Partner Leg Swings
10. 4x ____ Plank Climbers & Push-ups

Details:

1 - Rotate Ankles four times in each direction, right and left
2 - Bend at hips, keep quads parallel, but bend one knee (not the other), Pull up on the toe Four Count. Let go and push toe flat on the ground and lean away (Point to away from you). Couple steps between stretches.
3 - Two foot leap heading left/right/forward/backward
4 - Slow long steps, bring trailing knee to the ground. Work one elbow to the ground while the other arm reaches up. Then switch arms, then push back to standing. Do two with each leg
5 - Face sideline, extend out to Right side, squat down to right leg, push back to standing, Pivot 180 degrees. squat down to left leg and back up.  Repeat 2x each.
6 - March pulling knee to chest. Then stretch the knee to the side and back to the ground 1/2 the distance. Then pull knee up from side, squeeze to chest and down (alternate legs)
7 - Step right foot forward. Left knee to ground. Grab left ankle, Stretch quad by lowering hip toward ground.
8 - Hip Balance. Point hands in the air like a pencil. Bend at the waist lifting one leg keeping it straight and in line with your hands until you've made a "T". Hold for 2 count. Continue to bend both hands down to touch your toes. Two count. Left arm up for two count (and down) then right hand up for two count. Then return to standing. Do twice for each leg.
9 - partner Leg Swings 2 forward and back with each leg - 2 side to side with each leg. Look, Hold each others right shoulder while swinging the left leg, hold the others left should while swinging the right leg. That way you won't kick each other.
10 - 4x ___ - The blank is the week we are on. We are starting on 5. So we need to do (1) 5 Plank mountain climbers, (2) 5 regular push-ups, (3) 5 diamond push-ups, and (4) 5 wide push-ups. (Next week we fill in the blank with 6).