Soccer Lesson

Even when playing against good soccer players it amazes me how few forwards are good as possessing the ball up top. There is something about the teaching of soccer in the US, because I notice a trend in nearly ever game I see, forwards get the ball and get rid of it too quickly, not allowing the other players to catch up.

You notice it because when you play with or against a forward who can possess the ball, allow the team to catch up, and then can distribute it, the offense is so much more potent. The irony is that this is not some sort of secret, everyone knows it, but hardly anyone can put it into practice. I think it is a habit, we are taught, especially on defense to release the ball if there is any question. Playing up front, the opposite is true. It is advisable to keep possession of the ball if there is any question.

On a side note, a good center mid is hard to come by as well, but for entirely different reasons. A good center mid has eyes like a quarterback - they need to see the entire field and get in the right position to collect the ball and spread it out into space. It's a weird position because no other position is supposed to collect the ball with their back to where they are more often than not supposed to get the ball to. So a good center mid creates space for himself to turn and distribute the ball. Every other position is NOT supposed to do that on a regular basis...in fact it is conventional wisdom for coaches to yell, "Play the way you're facing." or if you're British, "Play you're facing," short for the same thing. Most often, when players try to turn, they end up in trouble and lose the ball to the opponent.

Interesting things...