For the first time in a long while I am in jeopardy of a loosing season. I’m frustrated by this because it feels like a continuation of what went down at the end of the flag football season. We dropped two of the last four games, because the kids simply could not execute. The talent was there, but the kids couldn’t make the plays and the plays didn’t work to help put the kids in the best position to make the plays. This time the sport is soccer and the problem again is execution. The coaching is working to a point. The kids love practice and they come into the practice with excitement and energy, but come game time they take a half off–first or second depending on the game. It leads me to wonder how they plan to finish the season and how I can break this routine for the upcoming basketball season.
1467. On Coaching
Two practices and then the last game is upon us.
I’m excited to face off against what is supposed to be the best team in the league. I’m considering changing the style of play for this game. My 7 yr old is a tenacious player and if I sic him on their best player he’ll work like a monster to shut that kid down and work to get the ball to our strikers. So, that’s what I’m gonna do. Then I’m going to set up a fierce defensive rotation to ensure that they cannot get to our goal. That ought to work if the player arrangement is the problem. The problem might run deeper than that. The problem might be momentum and confidence. The momentum they have is in the wrong direction–a tie and two losses in the last two weeks. The confidence has probably gone the way of the momentum, but they’re young enough to bounce back with a strong opening quarter. So, to that end maybe I will push extra hard and run 6 on offense and hold one back at midcourt for D.
So what does all this mean for basketball? I’ve been fortunate enough to coach with a guy very good at motivating players and getting them to show up for the game. He won’t be with us, which means I will be the head coach and the guy bringing the motivation and the training. I’m worried about that part but we’ll see how it goes. Challenges are supposed to make you learn and grow. This challenge will do exactly that.