Mullen vs Ponderosa (2nd Scrimmage)

Soccer Report: Mullen vs. Ponderosa (2nd scrimmage)

Time: 4:15 PM (Arrive by 3:30)

Location: Ponderosa High School Turf Field (7007 Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134)

Notes: Wear white. Dress warm. Make sure to eat before the game!

Preface:

Ponderosa had a decent spring last year with a relatively young team - they graduated a handful of impact players and they are pretty young. This is a team that will be figuring out how to get organized and working to find their identity. If we can capitalize on the half spaces and pull them out of shape, we should be able to find some success.

Ponderosa Strengths:

Ponderosa has a long history of being a rather competitive 4A school. Though enrollment has been down for a couple of years, they still draw good players from the Parker area. Their coach is very direct in his style of play, and often times his teams are very physical. Be prepared for that. We will see conservative play in the back field, and Ponderosa will look to counter with the big ball when the opportunity presents itself. They will have some speed so our recovery systems have to be solid. Additionally, we should expect them to tackle hard and work for second balls. We need to move the ball quickly and keep possession to prevent the counter. No unnecessary give-aways.

Ponderosa Weaknesses:

1. This will be a young team still looking for an identity. I think that if we live in the half-spaces and are dynamic with our movement they will struggle to stay organized. We need to attack players on the dribble to draw them out of position and then look for the outlet pass as defenders commit.

2. Pondo got shut out a lot last year. They will struggle to finish. If we stay well organized, and we don't make mistakes in the back, they will find it difficult to score. Additionally, closing down shots will be imperative. Taking away options and being patient in the back will really frustrate this team.

Mullen Keys to Success:

Like we talked about in film last night, we are going to focus on 3 key elements in tonight's game.

1. Move into the half spaces to pull defenses out of shape and to open up space for our attack.

If we look at the photo above, you can see that Tucker (the 11) has moved in between the CB and ROB, and Mattea (9) has dropped into the half space between the defense and the midfield. As we see the ball swing across, their spacing on the field allows for the execution of a nicely set one time pass, and then a great shot on goal. See below:

Because Mattea is in the half space, she is able to take an attacking touch underneath a defense that is too deep to close her down. 

2. Take touches out of traffic and into the open space. If we scan and are cognizant of our surroundings, we can use our first touch to take us into space and out of traffic. This will open up passing lanes as well. 

Our development here is really strong; however, as you can see, Kee's first touch sends the ball back into traffic. If she opens up her body and directs her touch away from traffic, it opens up a through ball for Ella down the left flank. This way, Mattea can simply continue her run and wait for the ball across the goal.

Taking touches into space will allow us to keep possession and prevent the counter.

3. Look to switch, play to feet, be patient in possession. Remember, we are a technical team that has the ability to move the ball around nicely. We should be checking into the lanes and playing the simple passes. We shouldn't fear a switch to one side only to swing it back the other direction. This will open up gaps in the defense that we can exploit. Trust yourself, move for one another, play simple.

Set Pieces:

Corners -

REMEMBER: We don't want to rush our corner kicks or set pieces. They are an invaluable part of our system and a great way to score goals. Huddle up before the corner to figure out who is going where and then execute your run!

Marcoux: This is an in swinging corner hit to the middle of the goal inside the second six (the space between the six yard box and the pk spot) runs should be made to the near and far post and the middle. Remember to send the ball back across the face of the goal at the far post.

2: This is an overlapping corner. The first player plays the ball short and then overlaps the second player who then lays it off. The initial player should then hit a curving ball to the far post (on goal) We need to crash the far post.

2 - option: If the defender over commits, the second player should beat them on the dribble down the line.

Bumble Bee: Create a hive around the goalie. The taker should hit an inswing ball in on goal. One player should break to the near post, and another should roll off to the back post. 

Free Kicks -

Name + Number

ex. Kendall 1 (would be Kendall hitting a right footed shot to the near post)

1 = Right

2 = Left

No mistakes in the back. No goals against. Work hard for each other.

Good luck!