Kickball Reigns

DYS team is possession oriented but not purists. They still do directly particularly out of the buildout line, but today for the first time were connecting 5 or 6 in a row...very wonderful to see. They get corrected if they kick it blindly, DYS got reprimanded a few weeks back for (as a keeper) clearing the ball out of his box into a 50/50 situation down to the other box instead of tackling it and building from the back (despite the cheers from the sidelines for more), they look to involve the keeper in the backpass even if it's now very hard with the buildout line, and their practices are heavy on rondos and ball handling, and low on fixed tactics. Our sister team in the same club is the opposite...heavy on the direct though not purists-- they'll look to connect the passes...but they primarily rely upon the speed of their strikers who are very very fast and who are very good at rebounding and who like to keep the ball bouncing in the air. The 2 met again for the 5th time.

Our first encounter we blew them out by double digits with our lead striker and keeper absent. Since then the scores have been getting closer and closer to our last encounter where DYS had 7 one v ones in the box. Our sister team has made a lot of progress very fast using the direct method, going from complete disasters to blowing out particularly slower teams (whether possession based, direct or kickball) by double digits, particularly if the keeper just sits there on his line in the classic big or tall style (we've never won by double digits except the one time against them). And as I said, they aren't all run em and drop em...they do try to build, but they rely very heavily on very good fast strikers and the new no offsides rule until the build up line really helps them because the strikers often receive in a formerly offside position. If the other team has tenacious defenders or an aggressive keeper or both, they can be countered but it's not easy :cool:. It was interesting to see the two styles meet head on.
 
charlie murphy said:
if you worry about this you will send your kids entire soccer experience frustrated . If you see a team at U8 kicking it forward to Billy, Jose, or Lisa you can bet your a** you are going to see that same team at U14 15 17 still kicking forward to someone. It is the culture of the team, they know different and the coach has instructed this way his entire soccer life. If you see U8's trying to play it out of the back you will see that team at U14 15 17 playing out of the back. At a game today where kickball has "rained" supreme since U10. It still "rains" supreme for this team. When you hear the coach yell at his team , "get in the box , everyone get in the box... that is why we practice that play ... you known kick ball reigns and rules that team ". ( 'practice that play' punting end to end is a "play"?) Oh yeah, It was when the goalie was punting it out of his box. Worse the coach schedules to use this small a** field where next to it 12 year old girls are playing on a full size field. Talk about playing to your strengths . A group of kids who at 12 v12 barely fit on the field and your team plays kick ball ( set and match) . More like, the goalie as really taking PKs from a drop kick. Some times it works with the right bounce and when it does the crowd goes wild. If you find this team just know what you are in for and plan your day accordingly . We did not have time to go outlet shopping after the game but did pick up some wonderful road side strawberries and avocados 5/1$ ( still in season remarkable). some times you have to play to your strengths.
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I note the small field is absolutely a necessity for this play, if it's going to be run effectively. Because on a large field the counter is very easy....the defensive line should push up to the mid and make sure they stay parallel or goalside to the strikers. You can't have everyone in the opposite box because they would be offside if the defensive line pushes forward. Rule 11 specifies there is no offside on the goalkick, but off the punt a player can and should be called for the offense. The counter to the counter is that you have very fast strikers line up at the mid and wait for the keeper to release the ball, then run over the line...but for it to work the field has to be small or a fast keeper (if positioned properly, and even outside the box) will either catch, tackle or (if out of the box) head it back before the striker can get there. But with a small field, you can stay onside and just have all your players rush forward as part of that play.
 
Grace T. said:
I note the small field is absolutely a necessity for this play, if it's going to be run effectively. Because on a large field the counter is very easy....the defensive line should push up to the mid and make sure they stay parallel or goalside to the strikers. You can't have everyone in the opposite box because they would be offside if the defensive line pushes forward. Rule 11 specifies there is no offside on the goalkick, but off the punt a player can and should be called for the offense. The counter to the counter is that you have very fast strikers line up at the mid and wait for the keeper to release the ball, then run over the line...but for it to work the field has to be small or a fast keeper (if positioned properly, and even outside the box) will either catch, tackle or (if out of the box) head it back before the striker can get there. But with a small field, you can stay onside and just have all your players rush forward as part of that play.
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Uh, OK. o_O
 
Be concerned with the coaching that fits your child. If you are focused on others you will miss out on your own kids growth. It’s good to be able to identify the different styles and find a coach who’s style fits your idea of how the game should be played and enjoy.
 
We have a small 04 boys team. All prepubescent, all talented but muscled off the ball by other teams with kids 8 inches taller than all of ours. We play possession style soccer, as we would lose otherwise, no question. Our style of play confuses most teams used to scoring 5-6 goals per game, as we usually only allow 1-2 goals. It's fun to watch, and we are currently in first place!
 
And if you want to see what kickball looks like in the adult game, turn on the USA v Trinidad catastrophe and see it in action!!!
 
you do not know what you are talking about! that's our STYLE. it is what we practice! what we implement! It is what we know , we love, what we cheer for! just look at the fans in the stands.... kick it to ..... It's our style.
 
charlie murphy said:
you do not know what you are talking about! that's our STYLE. it is what we practice! what we implement! It is what we know , we love, what we cheer for! just look at the fans in the stands.... kick it to ..... It's our style.
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The national team doesn't have a choice. It's not like they can win many 1v1 battles and make a clean pass. And when they do make a cleaner pass, the guy on the other ends donks it. So he has to panic and boot it away.
 
I think the word "kickball" is often used without giving it some complete thought. To me, "Kickball" is when you have no purpose or strategic intention involved behind the reason why your playing a long ball and how you are playing it. A long ball with purpose and reason is not "Kickball" but instead just a team decision to play more direct. It all comes down to the purpose and ideas behind the tactics.

Also, people need to realize that many goals at all levels of the game come from this type of play. Long Balls over the top, in and behind players. I am not defending or promoting the "Kickball" argument but instead presenting some interesting facts that I believe are important in understanding why Direct Soccer is and can be a great thing for players and teams to learn, accept and understand.

Some Facts as I see them at the professional level:

- Most Goals come from loss of possession in your defending half (Possession in defending half should be made when no option to possess in attacking half is there, otherwise get the ball in the attacking half NOW)
- Most Goal Kicks are kicked well beyond the half way line (Getting the ball in attacking half and keeping it there is what's important)
- Most players touch the ball 1-2 times before playing a pass, 3 is not uncommon either but rarely more than that
- Most goals come from 3-4 passes maybe total (Anywhere on the field)
- 85-90% of goals are scored in the box by getting the ball and players in the box as often as possible (being in attacking half most the game helps increase these chances)

I will leave it at that for now. However, I can see if a team has a plan and that plan is to keep the ball in the attacking half and high press to win possession or keep it there than that is ok. If the goal is to look for long balls that get players in and behind the opposing teams back line than that is fine too. Combine this with getting the ball in the box as many times and as early as possible than you have what most professional teams are looking to do. Get the ball, give it. Look to penetrate early, don't lose possession in your half, high press and win the ball back right away. Look at Goal kicks, winning second balls is the priority many times. If you lose the second ball you press to win it back in your attacking half. Possession in your defending half is great and should be taught, but if you have a team and players who lack the ability to play simple, play the first thing they see, or can not look to get their head up and play a long direct ball to counter than you will for sure lose many balls in the back and it will cost you goals/games. Yes, winning is not everything and sometimes you need to lose to learn. All styles of play should be taught but direct soccer is not kickball by definition and it gets that name a lot. When we lose it has to be something or someone's fault right??? It is never the fact that we just are not good enough or better than another team.....

Point being is you must learn how to play the game in all aspects. Building out of the back and also direct play. Teams and People who complain about losing to a "kickball" team can not complain about a team simply beating them. They figured out in that match how to win that game with the players and team they have and opponent they are playing. Any team at any level will play direct soccer to win games if they see it will have success. Watch professional games, tons and tons of long balls....... I mean kick balls.....LOL It's the purpose and game understanding that means something. You will fine teams that possess the ball more than others too......again, both are acceptable and necessary to becoming elite level teams and players by being able to play those ways and understand the purpose and idea behind all of it.
 
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