Match Report: Mullen vs. Loveland Classical

 Mullen vs. Loveland Classical

Location: Loveland Classical High School (3015 W 29th St, Loveland, CO 80538)

Varsity @4pm

There will be a team meeting in 303 at the beginning of lunch (12:45) - We will then depart at 1:45.

JV will meet in Edwards room at 3:30pm

Loveland Classical Strengths:

We do not have a great deal of footage on Loveland Classical; however, we were able to identify a couple of strengths.

1. They have a decent sized team. Their CBs and their attack appear to be fit and strong. In the game against Nederland, the 9 was able to fight his way in behind a number of times to create opportunities on goal. On top of that, the CBs covered well, and appeared to be good ball winners.

2. They have some speed on the wings - both the weakside and strong, they are pretty well balanced. This is a good goal scoring team that has a nose for goal. Against Berthoud, they have an exceptional transition down one wing, bring the ball across goal, and the weak side winger covers the gap to finish at the back post. We need to make sure to recover and definitely track the runners.

3. This team is really strong in transition, down the wings and through the middle. They cover the gaps well, and they play a quick one touch ball in behind. The key here is that we can't be reckless with the ball in the middle of the park. This will give them the chance to play to their strengths.

4. Lastly, and read this closely, we are playing a Loveland team in Loveland. The North is a hostile place to play, and the refs will not be on your side. We need to play a clean game, no mistakes, and no talking to the ref, AT ALL!!!! 

This is a game that we need to keep composure and take care of business. If we get the job done, the ref will not be able to impact the game!!

Loveland Classical Weaknesses:

Overarchingly, Loveland has had a strong season, and even the games that they've lost have been close.

I think there are a couple of main areas we can focus on:

1. Our press should be strong and well organized. If we shift quickly and put a lot of pressure on the Loveland back line, especially the outside backs, I think they are really going to struggle. The teams they've played have given them more time to move the ball around, and I think that has benefitted them. I want to suffocate the game. We don't want to be reckless, but we want to shut them down all over the field. I do not think they will be ready for the pace of play.

2. We want to transition quickly and down the flanks. Today I want to see us really connect passes and move the ball quickly through the space. Just like last night, their strongest players play up the middle, so I want us to vacate that area and expose the flanks. Our nine should continue to make those runs to the corners, and we should drive the side lines. Let's try to find the through balls to the corners, on the ground, and through the gaps. This will put a lot of pressure on their back line. 

3. We have a diverse repertoire of set pieces that I don't think they'll be ready for. We want to take advantage of the throw, but also, we need to capitalize on our corners. Like we talked about at half yesterday, we just need to put it on the line and find a way into the goal tonight. 

4. Lastly, I think they will struggle with quick restarts. Set pieces in the middle of the field should be played quickly, unless we are going in on goal, and throws from the backfield should be taken at pace.

***One big thing! We need to anticipate the quick throw. Remember, you can't be offsides on a throw, so you can just start running. You don't have to wait for the throw to be taken or the defender to drop. Let's look to capitalize on those moments.

Final thought about Loveland Classical:

The one thing we don't know is how they plan to tactically approach this game. Most of the games I've seen them play are wide open, up and down. When they play this way, they allow one of their wingers (number 10 in the Nederland game) to play really wide. This was an effective tactic that stretched the D, and opened up lanes through the middle for their stronger players. If they employ this tactic against us, we need to remember to keep our shape, leave the player wide (shared between the OB and Winger) and then address him if they switch the ball. Our defense needs to stay connected.

There is a chance they also come out in a block like PRA. If this is the case, we need to be patient and employ the block tactics.

1. Shoot from outside the block

2. Penetrate the block on the dribble or pass

3. Send balls into the block 

...and as always, capitalize on set pieces!!!

Either way, the big thing here is that our OBs need to be involved in the attack!!! This will hold the wide winger accountable, or it will bring more attackers against the block. This way, whatever tactic they employ, we will be ready for it. 

Set pieces:

(Corners)

Rio - Fake corner. One player goes and gets the ball and acts like they are throwing it to the other player. He plays them as soon as he steps on the field and we attack. The runners have to be sharp on Rio and ready for the fake play!

2- Short corner overlap. Attackers cover near, middle, far - slight delay on the run in.

3- short corner choice. The players taking the corner will choose to overlap or take on the player. Attackers cover all positions, and delay runs in.

Jolly - Bend it in the goal. Attackers cover all locations, especially back post. Anything that goes long should be headed back toward goal.

Bumblebee - cluster around the goalie inside the six. Ball should be played into the cluster. 

11 - Three runners at the near post, two at the back. The three runners circle around to the near post, middle, and far post, while the two at the back make direct runs across the goal.

Snake: 

For this corner, we will have two groups of two players at each corner of the six. They will make phantom runs where they appear to check away and then just bounce back. Two more players will start at the front top of the box and make diagonal runs to the back post. At that point an initial runner will sprint to toward the corner taker while the second runner trails. The corner taker will make a pass to the top of the box, the first runner will dummy and the second will strike the ball. 

Finally, lessons from the week -

1. OBs, don't track runs beyond your CBs

2. Get goal side on set pieces

3. Keep your mark in the middle of the field

4. Be a leader - clear the ball

Good luck!!