Lakehill Game Change

Our game this weekend against Lakehill has been changed to Beckwith Park.

Kick-off remains set for 8:30am so be sure to get to bed early Friday night!

Tuesday Practice Cancelled

Lochside Park remains closed so there will be no practice tonight.

The weather forecast is calling for sun Wednesday so let's hope the fields are open for Thursday.

Game On!

Bullen Park is open this morning, so it's game on! See you there at 10:30am.

Thursday Practice

Thursday practice is 6:30pm. Weather is supposed to remain chilly so dress appropriately.

Skills Video #1 - Juggling

I understand she's quite good with "nut-megs" as well :-)

Storm 0 Peninsula 3

It's taken me a couple of days to think-through what to say about Saturday's game.

Once again I'm left with the feeling we didn't get what our play deserved. But you need to score goals in order to win games and overall we just didn't do enough to trouble their keeper. Peninsula, on the other hand, took three of their five chances and defended in numbers when not in possession of the ball.

Our first fifteen minutes was excellent. Movement off the ball was good, we kept possession well and we created a number of good opportunities. Unfortunately many of our shooting opportunities came against a tightly-packed Peninsula defense, so good "looks" at the goal were few. This seems to be happening to us quite a bit recently, so perhaps it's up to us coaches to tinker with our formation so that we're not always finding ourselves with our back to goal with the ball.

Their first goal, when it came, felt a little bit like a sucker-punch as I think it was the first time they had the ball in our end. However we can only blame ourselves for the lack of communication that lead-up to their goal. The 5-10 minutes that followed wasn't very attractive either and was perhaps some of our poorest play this season. Our marking was poor, as was our energy and it seemed a Peninsula player was first to almost every ball. We looked a bit disjointed and out-of-sorts, probably from the shock of their first goal. Two more Peninsula goals in quick succession gave us a mountain to climb and it could have been worse had Mia not scrambled away another effort when their player looked favourite to score.

To our credit we stuck to our game-plan and ended the first-half with some good sustained pressure in their end. We then carried that momentum into the second-half. Our tempo and passing became quicker and more positive, we showed more desire to get to and hold the ball and the result was that more scoring chances came our way. Many of our chances came from wide positions - Lily's long-range effort a notable exception - so that's something we need to work on.

So even though we had them on the back-foot most of the second-half a combination of poor shooting and Peninsula doing a good job of getting behind the ball meant our effort wasn't rewarded. Oh well, there's always the next time.

Next up is Gorge this Saturday at Bullen Park, so the opponents don't get any easier.

See you at practice Tuesday!

Thursday Practice

Practice on Thursday will be 6:30 @ Lochside Park. Dress warm!

USS Spring League

This league runs mid-April to the end of June and is different to the academies in that you play games only (i.e. no practices). Another cool part of USS is that every player gets a full kit (shirt, shorts, socks). Games are played at Hampton Park Turf and are usually held weeknights (Mon-Thurs) between 5-7pm.

The USS is mostly a "fun" league, however I strongly recommend it for anyone who is hoping to play U13 Gold next season and is not intending on joining one of the spring academies. Depending on demand we may even consider forming two teams.

I'll keep you updated when more details are known.

Spring Soccer Programs

Just a quick reminder about the excellent Saturday afternoon soccer academies available for girls wanting more soccer. Both EMS and World Cups Academy offer hour-long academy-style programs Saturday afternoons and both come highly recommended by Storm players.

EMS runs its program out of Oak Bay Rec Centre while WCA is at Finlayson Turf.

Links for websites of both programs are located on the right-hand side of the blog.

Check them out and let me know if you have any questions.

World Cups Festival

This year's World Cups Festival is just around the corner. Tournament dates are March 22-24 (Saturday-Monday) and each player/team is guaranteed 4 games over the weekend. Players register as individuals and are placed on teams alongside players from clubs across Victoria and Vancouver Island. As tournament organizer I can honestly say its the best and most unique youth soccer tournament in Victoria and certainly the highlight of my soccer season. This year we'll be celebrating our 22nd anniversary.

Last year saw a very competitive U11 division, with Uruguay (including Brooke, Jenessa, Margaret) just edging out New Zealand (Mia, Madison R) in a very, very exciting final. I distinctly remember some phenomenal saves from Mia in the final game as well as some very stressed parents from both teams!

Rachael (South Korea), Paige and Emma (Portugal), Leah and Holly (Nigeria) and Olivia (Brazil) also participated in the WCF. In fact, I think this will be some girls 5th tournament (Emma, Paige and Rachael?). And if my memory serves I think Brooke's won it three years in a row! (Argentina, Nigeria, Uruguay - right Brooke?). Perhaps this will be your year to win the final and all the glory that goes with it!!!!

Online registration opens January 15th. Keep checking the club website for more info.

Gordon Head in "The Cage"

No pictures from this game (sadly James Strickland from Lakehill couldn't make the game :-)), but it was a great effort today from the girls on a difficult playing surface.

We got some bumps and bruises along the way - including some minor surgery performed on Lily (thanks Nurse Kim) - but what i saw at the end of the game were mostly smiles. I'm assuming the smiles were because we won. Or was it relief that the game was over? Either way congrats to Rachael and Annabel on their goals.

Next up is Peninsula at Lochside Park, but before then we're in the gym Tuesday at 8pm.

See you then.

Photos from UVic Turf Game vs. Lakehill

The result wasn't quite what we hoped for, but there were plenty of positives from our first 11 v 11 game. I was very pleased with the first twenty minutes of the game - we tried to keep possession and worked the ball from defence to attack several times. We also had a couple of good chances to score, but the ball didn't quite run for us. Congratulations to everyone for surviving the 60 minutes without a sub!

Below are some pictures from the game. All but the first one are courtesy of James Strickland (c). Thanks to Derek for managing to capture me in a calm moment.

Pre-match chat from yours truly. Well, at least I thought the game plan made sense!


Paige and Margaret thwarting a Lakehill attack early on.


Lily in determined mood. Notice her excellent technique in shielding the player from the ball.

It's fair to say Emma got a bit of work in goal as our legs tired in the second half.

Got it!

We'll be back on the UVic Turf for another full-field game sometime the week of February 18-21.

Gordon Head Game - Change of Location

Our game versus Gordon Head tomorrow has been moved to the all weather field at Tyndall Park.
Kick-off remains 11am.

Happy Birthday!

Several Storm players are due to celebrate birthday's this month. So Happy Birthday wishes from me to Paige (Jan 10th), Rachael (10th), Margaret (11th), Mia (12th) and Brooke (21st)!

Let's hope the whole team can join in the celebrations with a win vs. Gordon Head this weekend!

Tuesday Game - Eleven-a-side Team Formation

Tuesday's game versus Lakehill provides us with our first opportunity to play eleven-a-side on the full sized field. Other then the obvious differences in the size of playing field and extra players, the eleven-a-side game features new positions and concepts. These are loosely captured in the different "formations" you can play. Tuesday we will play a 3-4-3 formation, mostly because it is most easy to understand given our current formation of 1-2-1-2-1 where we employ a sweeper and striker.

For us the major changes will come in the midfield where we add 3 positions, and explanation of these positions and all other positions are shown below. Please take a quick look at this before our game tomorrow.

Goalkeeper

• The last line of defense and first attacker, a goalkeeper that “commands” their penalty area (aka eighteen yard box) is absolutely vital to a 3-4-3 formation. In effect, the goalkeeper (or keeper) “patrol” behind the sweeper, clearing any dangerous balls or through passes that elude the defenders. A rule of thumb is that if you’re closer to the ball than your sweeper or defender, and they’re running toward your goal, it’s your ball – so a quick sprint to catch, gather or kick the ball away is your responsibility.
• Keepers must always stay on their toes, expecting the unexpected and always following the play. “Switching off” is common for keepers, so it’s advised that you continue to talk with your defenders (words of encouragement, telling them where their checks are, etc.) so that you keep involved with the play. Remember you can see the whole field of play – no one else can – so use that advantage to make it better for your team.
• First option for goal kicks is the holding midfielder or one of the defenders. If that is not possible goal kicks should be directed toward the outside half positions – never down the middle of the field where possession is more easily lost.

Defense

• Three defenders are arranged in a shallow triangle formation, with the “sweeper” slightly behind two “marking defenders” in a central or “cover” position.
• The two marking defenders mark the opposition forwards. Typically there are only two because most teams play with a 4-4-2 formation, however if a team plays with three forwards we employ three marking defenders without a sweeper. Marking defenders follow their checks regardless of where there check takes them. Only rarely should a defender leave their check with another team-mate.
• When in possession of the ball or from goal kicks the marking defenders will assume wider positions – otherwise the defenders should play more “compact” and allow the outside-halves to aid in the wider positions.
• Marking defenders are responsible for the majority of throw-ins and many of the free kicks given against the other team (e.g. for off-side). Sweepers should never take throw-ins but should provide an option for the thrower.
• The sweeper must never get caught too far up the field – stopping just before centre when the team is in the attacking third. Sweepers do not mark a player, but should one of the marking defenders lose their check, the sweeper should immediately move toward that opposition player.
• The goalie and defenders should try and play the ball through the holding midfielder who can distribute from there, or to one of the outside-halves.

Midfield

• Four midfield players are arranged in a diamond formation with an outside left, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, and outside right
• The attacking midfielder plays at the top of the diamond, slightly behind the forwards. Their role is to link between the other midfielders and the forwards, moving from side-to-side of the field in support of the ball. The attacking midfielder and holding midfielder should never be caught too far apart or “flat” (i.e. beside each other)
• The defensive midfielder plays at the bottom of the diamond, slightly ahead or above the two marking defenders. In effect they act as a protective shield in front of the defenders – similar to the job the sweeper performs. This position is also known as the “holding midfielder”, namely because this position is key to “holding the shape” of the team.
• The holding midfielder must always present themselves and "show" for the ball, particularly when the defense is moving the ball forward or the forwards are playing the ball back toward their goal. This is all part of an effort to move from defense to attack by maintaining possession, not just booting the ball up-field to relieve pressure.
• The outside players are called wingers or outside-halves and are strongly involved in attacking play. They must also “track back” with their checks to help out the defenders when we are not in possession of the ball. These wingers usually have the bulk of the running to do as they carry the ball from the defending third and into the attacking third. Outside players should rty and stay as wide as possible when their defense or goalie is in control of the ball.

Forwards

• The three forwards consist of a striker, left forward and right forward, with the striker in a slightly more advanced position than the others (i.e. “higher” up the field).
• The centre forward or “striker” is usually the farthest player forward at the top of a diamond consisting of the attacking midfielder, left forward and centre forward. The striker is the “target” for passes and crosses coming in the area in and around the opposition penalty area and should always try and be on the oppositions last defender when we are not in possession of the ball.
• Strikers can and should drop back for the ball in support of keeping possession, but their job is to score goals and that’s best easier done closer to the goal rather than farther away. Defensively the striker should come back to centre field when the team is defending.
• The left and right forwards play closely with the outside halves and attacking midfielder, always providing an option for passes, contesting goal kicks and punts, chasing and harassing the opposition defence. Forwards should never be to close or too far away from the striker so as to give the striker space to receive, pass and turn with the ball (and vice versa).
• When the ball is on the opposite side of the field in the attacking third of the field, forwards should ensure they are closer to the centre of the field than their sideline. This offers more options for the team to retain the ball or even score.

There is a lot of information here and I know it might all be a tad overwhelming, but don't worry - there is no written exam! Instead we will learn by doing, which is usually the best and fastest way to learn anyways.

Bays Indoor Tournament

Three frenetic games over three days should prove a good tune-up for our full-field game Tuesday versus Lakehill. And the early start times we endured will likely prove beneficial come Monday morning when everyone has to get up early once again for school!

Our first game on Friday was a treat to watch. We set-out to keep possession of the ball with a pass and move style and we largely succeeded. One of our strengths in this game was the ability to get our keeper involved in the build-up and the result was an emphatic 5-1 victory over a Lakehill team still finding their feet. Lily (with 2), Brooke, Emma and Olivia were the goalscorers and there could have/should have been more.

Saturday's game was one of those where we might have played for hours and still not scored. Sometimes that's the way the ball bounces. You can have all the possession and all the shots in the world but often good goalkeeping + no luck = no goals. I thought we had 90% of the possession and our approach play was quite good but in the end we couldn't squeeze one in.

Sunday's game was definitely a case of one too many early morning games. We attempted to play the style and tempo we want - ball to feet, the way we're facing, and movement off the ball in support of our team mate - but our execution wasn't quite there and our energy levels weren't either. We didn't play a s a unit anywhere near as well as the first two games, and our defensive zone marking was - well, how should I say this? - not up to our standards? Still, we managed four goals against a big and talented Bays team that was the strongest team we faced over the three games. Brooke lead the way with a brace, Leah and Lily adding singles in a 4-4 draw.

Over all we should view the tournament as a success. Although we didn't make the final, we got some good touches of the ball, scored some very pretty goals and worked hard to learn a different format (4 v 4) on a different sized field. Two things we need to work on are our composure on the ball and our communication. Meanwhile, the coach will ensure he takes his medication so that he's not quite so grumpy.

Next up is Lakehill at UVic turf. I'll talk a little bit about this game tomorrow.