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Under 9s mid season coaches’ report
Coach Roberto, working with his fantastic co-coach, Mirza, has taken the time in between juggling many commitments to answer some questions about the season so far.
What have been the highlights of the season so far?
Highlights, so many, and the progress the whole team has made from game one to now can not be overstated… almost brings a tear to the eye to see how far they have come in half a season playing against much larger opposition every week.
Any goal of the season contenders?
There have been some rippers from George, Henry, Otto and others, but Ivy’s goal the week before the break certainly got the fans out of their chairs!
Can you share any coaching insights?
Playing cohesively as a team with a game plan centred around pressure on the ball and playing for each other has certainly paid off in the first half of the season. The team know how to play a basic 2, 3, 1 formation, with a foundation on defense and counter attack. This game plan has stuck up well against bigger and more experienced teams, earning a couple of wins and some well fought out draws along the way.
An example of this was the first away game at Epsom where we came up against a very experienced team with some big kids who could kick the ball very hard. Despite being under pressure for the whole match, our team fought out an incredibly gutsy 0-0 draw. The opposition could not believe it, they were sure they were going to beat us. This is a fine example of how a team first mentality and basic game play beats individual heroics every day of the week!
Some thoughts on our travelling supporters..
Most enthusiastic?
Jennie Wigginton… classic moment yelling out, ‘take him out!’ during an away game in Epsom. A comment more fitting to the UFC than U9s BASL, but you can not deny the enthusiasm 🙂
Loudest?
Big Daz… always happy to give son Jack some clear encouragement from the sideline… can be heard across 3 pitches.
Most involved in coaching?
Peter Burkhard… just try to stop him… always has wise words of wisdom for Henry, and any player that dares venture to the far side of the pitch.
Any living vicariously through their child?
Half the parents 🙂… special mention to Dingo… I can almost see him in a pair of bright pink soccer boots running down the wing.
For more match day memories and a view of games ahead don’t forget to jump into the Spond 💦⚽️
Can you share some thoughts on the players?
Ivy = Courage. Is outsized every game and nevertheless fights for the ball every time!
Anabelle = Persistence. Shows up for her team and does the team thing every week.
Albert = Resolve. Keeps going, chasing, running right until the end.
Oscar = Discipline. Team first mentality before any personal glory.
George = Game smarts. Reads the play so well, and seems to know where the ball is going… and gets there first.
Kai = Physicality. Not afraid to put his body on the line to give his team an advantage.
Henry = Drive. Wants to have a positive impact every time he touches the ball.
Otto = Run. Energy that never runs out.. Inspires the rest of the team to keep going right til the end.
Max = Resistance. The great wall of Woodend… no one shall pass!
Jack = Determination. Keen to play his role for his team every single game.
Thoughts for the rest of the season?
- Stick with the basics for a great foundational BASL season. Clear the ball from defense via the wings, run into space when your team has the ball, don’t be afraid of using your body to give you an advantage on the ball (if you don’t, then the opposition sure will), call for the ball if you want to get more involved…
- Pressure, pressure, pressure from defense all the way to attack.
- Keep playing for each other… soccer is a beautiful game when it is played as a unified team.
- FUN! The result is secondary to the positive feelings in coming together as a team and having loads of fun learning to play the most beautiful sport in the world.
View the GameDay schedule to see what’s ahead
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