Match Report: Mullen vs Lewis Palmer (Round One 2022)

 Mullen vs LP

Location: Lewis Palmer High School (1300 Higby Rd, Monument, CO 80132)

Time: 5pm

Travel Information: Early release is at 1:45, the bus will leave from the Hutch at 2:30. Meet in the weight room for sandwiches, gatorades, and snacks.

We are away (white/gold/white) - make sure you are taking care of food and hydration throughout the day, you want to do everything in your power to be ready for this game!

Match Preface:

I watched the first half of Barcelona vs. Munich tonight. Munich did not let their foot off the gas. They came after barca with everything they had in order to secure their birth in the knock out stages of the champions league. I would like to see us approach this game in a similar fashion. We need to be clinical, and  fierce. For 80 minutes, we should not let up. We should press hard, recover under everything, and make life impossible for LP. I want them to walk away from this game thinking - That is the best team we have ever played.

LP Strengths: 

LP has had a great deal of success this season, and it is due in large part to the system they built around their primary attacker. 

#13 plays out on the left wing and he has scored 20 goals this season.

-He is marvelous at receiving the ball on the wing and driving inside to create through ball opportunities and shots one goal

-He is incredibly dangerous in front of goal with a technical touch and a good finish

-His movement is dynamic, and he likes to sit off defenders in the gaps where he can get open and be dangerous. 

-He can hit a nasty set piece

This is a player we should take very seriously. Pressure cover will be key. We do not want to foul, we want to contain and drive him back on the strong side, and we want to make sure he is covered on the weak side.

The LP system caters to this player in 2 ways:

1. They are well trained in playing a quick ball across the top of the 18. There were a number of occasions where LP received a ball on the strong side, and played a square pass across the top of the 18 to find their left winger. The problem with this ball is that it often travels in front of the back line and behind the midfield. If #13 is in the gap to receive that ball, he has the potential to be dangerous.

The best way to account for this is threefold: press the strong side to prevent the ball, make sure that the winger is accounted for (or at least shared by the winger on the weak side), and drop one of our holding mids into the line of the pass. When LP is in possession along the 18, one of our 6's needs to drop in a little a cut of this lane across the field.

2. They have no problem hitting a random diagonal ball to 13 from pretty much anywhere. There were numerous times in the CheyMo game as well as the Coronado game where LP adopted a hit and hope attitude where they just sent a big ball across the field. A couple of time in the Coronado game, this ball was not well handled, and 13 got on the end of it to score. It is a ball that relies heavily on him doing something impressive with it, but that is something he is capable of. 

Like we saw in the film against LC, the best way to avoid any danger when a team is just sending random switching balls is to make sure out back line is connected and has good elevation. The weakside CB needs to be dropped of the strongside CB so he can attack this ball and win it in the air.

Additionally, LP has a dangerous corner where they send most of their players running at the ball. The pass is made to one of them, who then plays it back to the original player who then plays a big ball in. The theory here (and it works) is that the defense chases the players out and they vacate the box, leaving it exposed. 

We need to stay with our marks, so follow players out if need be, but our floater needs to stay intact to receive the delayed long ball.

Finally, #11 who plays the holding mid in the 4-3-3 is a very talented player as well. He works hard, and is effective in starting the counter.

We need to make sure that our 10 accounts for him and that we are moving up and down the field with the ball so that he is not left wide open in space.

LP weaknesses

The most glaring thing this season for LP has been the high scoring games. This tells us that their defense is a little leaky at times.

The OBs appear to be their weak links in the back line, but their CBs are right foot favored, and not strong on their left as well.

Additionally, the back line has a tendency to get very narrow. This is something we can exploit with our wingers. If our 7 and 11 tuck in, there should be room on the flanks for our OBs to get involved in the attack. We just need to play them the ball.

In addition to this (though this is always a difficult assessment) the LP goalie has not shown particularly strong in a lot of his film. We need to test him. He is going to rebound balls, and mishandle things and we need to be there to capitalize. This is especially true of set pieces. If we have good service, he is going to struggle with our set pieces, and if we are hungry in front of goal, we will pick up garbage goals for sure.

Finally, and most importantly, LP seemed to really struggle with the Cheyenne Mountain press. They were making mistakes and giving away the ball all over the place! If we orchestrate a strong and organized press, and we do not allow them to get off the big switching ball, we are going to cause them a lot of problems. Furthermore, if we put a lot of pressure on their OBs, they have shown the capacity to make a number of mistakes. This is definitely something we need to capitalize on.

Keys to success: 

1. We need to see this game all the way through. Regardless of the scoreline, we need to play our best soccer for 80 minutes. That means no plays off and no slow recovery. If we play our best soccer, this team doesn't stand a chance. We just need to not let up and play it for the whole 80.

2. When in possession, we need to take care of the ball. One of the worst things we can do against this team is open the game wide because that leaves it to chance. If we are well organized and our shape is good, they are just going to give us the ball, a lot. When we get the ball, we need to take care of it and remain in possession. We are the stronger team, a game of turnovers doesn't favor us.

3. The best way to neutralize their wingers is to get our OBs involved in the attack. But you have to look to play them. That will force their wingers to get back and mark (which will result in longer attacking runs and more fatigue) OBs who get elevated cause an assortment of problems for wingers who want to stay high and be dangerous. Get the ball to our wingbacks in behind.

4. Remember the lessons we have learned over the last couple of weeks:

Keep the defense connected and communicate with one another to keep our shape.

Make sure that our match ups are good on corners and set pieces

Don't allow for mistakes to compound. If you make a mistake, close down the player and stop forward progress. Allow us to reset and get shape.

Don't expect anything from the refs.

Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

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. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

Snake - this essentially "1" but higher. Two runners near the top of the box, even with the near post, and a group of runners at the top of the box even with the far post. All runners complete an "x" route. Near post both attack the far post, while one runner goes to the corner on a diversion run. The ball is played on the ground, left by the first runner and struck first time by the trailing runner.

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.

Reminders: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the LP full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve.

Good luck!

Match Report: Mullen vs. LC @ Fort Collins High School

 Mullen vs. Liberty Common

Location: Fort Collins High School Turf (3400 Lambkin Way, Fort Collins, CO 80525)

Varsity @4pm

JV @2pm

This is an away game, so we are white/gold(blue)/white - please make sure to eat a hardy lunch, and all varsity players should continue to snack and hydrate prior to the game.

Liberty Strengths: 

Tactical: From what we can see, this is a well structured Liberty Common team who moves on and off the ball really well. The CBs shift nicely into position to cover for one another, and it is very clear that they are well coached and have a tactical identity. This structure in the back has handed them a fair amount of shut out wins this season, and they have proven difficult to break down in direct play.

*dynamic runs up top, a well executed press on their back line, balls into the corners are going to be an essential part of trying to shift this back line out of position and break them down.

Technical: Additionally, Liberty has a handful of incredibly good/technical players. They can move the ball around the midfield nicely, and with time, their first touch has shown to be quite impressive. They use their technical advantage against weaker teams to employ a possession based model that then allows them to penetrate along the wings.

*the biggest thing for us here is that we can't chase or dive in throughout the midfield. We saw in the film on the Eagle game that we are over pressing (running past our player we are supposed to contain), or chasing in the midfield, and both circumstances resulted in eventual goals. It will be important that we keep our shape, do our jobs and contain their players going forward. We need to choose our tackles wisely, and when we go in, go in hard.

Wing play: In the film that I saw, this proved to be the strongest part of their game. They keep their wingers very wide (Man City style) with the intent of stretching out the defense. When they can get in behind, the wingers make strong penetrating runs on goal. From an organizational standpoint, they really switch the ball well, and move quickly through the midfield to engage the weak side wing in transition.

*We can not get stretched out against this system. Our weakside winger needs to make sure to share their weakside winger with our OB when we are defending and in transition. Additionally, if we can stifle the switch and win balls in the middle of the park, we can disrupt this system.

Lastly, on this note, the LC wings don't do a lot of marking, they like to stay high and wait for the through ball. We need to find our elevated outside backs, they will be open, and when we pose this threat, it will force the LC wingers back onto defense which will further disrupt their system of attack.

LC weaknesses:

LC has not demonstrated a lot of weaknesses in their game, other than the fact that they seemed to struggle with the speed and athleticism of Valor Christian.

So this brings two points forward:

1. LC has not seen strong competition in a handful of weeks. If we can bring the game to them, fast and strong, there will inevitably be an adjustment period where they are forced to reacclimate to the pace of play. It does not appear that they have been pressed hard, and they seem to thrive with a fair amount of time. I would think that our primary goal would be to reduce their amount of time on the ball and force them into mistakes. 

2. They don't appear to play in a particularly physical/fast league. We should not be dirty, but we should be physical. Find the contact on marks and on our press. Make sure the LC players know you are there all game long. We should make strong tackles, and we should be hungry on clearances and in front of the goal to score on set pieces.

Additional key to success:

You will be in Fort Collins, the refs will give you nothing. Do not expect it, and do not speak to them!

Remember:

If we can limit our mistakes, we limit their opportunities, and we can keep them out of the back of our net.

-make sure that our match ups are good on corners and set pieces

-don't allow for mistakes to compound. If you make a mistake, close down the player and stop forward progress. Allow us to reset and get shape.

Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

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. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

Snake - this essentially "1" but higher. Two runners near the top of the box, even with the near post, and a group of runners at the top of the box even with the far post. All runners complete an "x" route. Near post both attack the far post, while one runner goes to the corner on a diversion run. The ball is played on the ground, left by the first runner and struck first time by the trailing runner.

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.

Reminders: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the LC full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve.

Good luck!

Match Report: Mullen vs. Eaglecrest (Senior Night 2022)

 Mullen vs. Eaglecrest

Location: MSC (Mullen Soccer Complex - 3601 S. Lowell Blvd.)

V@4 - Varsity Soccer Field

JV@4 - NW 40

Varsity Release at 2:20, JV release @2:45 - Varsity team meeting at 2:45

(This is a home game, we are navy all the way down. Make sure you ate a good lunch, and snack throughout the day. Eat before the game!)

Prologue: This is Eaglecrest's final game of the season - and they are in the midst of their fall break. They are checked out and defeated. This means one of two things, either that they will put it all on the line to get a result tonight, or they will toss it up in the air and write off their season as some bad luck. 

The way we play will determine which of these attitudes they have in the game. If we go out soft and fail to execute our chances, they will see this as an opportunity to slay the giant and end the season on a high note. The longer you leave them in the game, the more their confidence will grow. 

However, if you execute early, finish your chances, tonight will simply feel like a repeat of their bad luck and they will turn in on themselves.

The outcome of tonight's game is entirely in your control.

Eagle Strengths:

This is a good Eaglecrest team with some tight results. For a good portion of their games, they have been on the wrong side of the luck, and early season, they just couldn't get things to go their way...

They have a strong CB and their attacking players are talented and fast. They look to isolate 1v1 and take players on, and when they are clicking, they look pretty decent. In those moments, they can play really well as a team.

Near the 17th minute mark of the first half of their game against Trail, Eagle seemed to find something. They orchestrated a nice press, and they put a lot of pressure on the ball. For ten minutes, they looked very dangerous and like they might fight their way back into the game.

This was a biproduct of two things - one, Trail let off the gas, they let their guard down and lost their sense of urgency. Eagle recognized this and they shifted the momentum. They saw a chance to get back in and they went after it. Secondly, their pressure temporarily forced Trail into a pretty direct game that opened up wide. The game became centered around 1v1's, 50/50s, and counter attacks. This played to Eagle's strengths. 

What can we learn from this? Well first, we need to keep the pressure on Eagle - teams who have gone after them all game (including trail in the second half) have just poured on the goals. Additionally, this can't turn into a kick around. We need to be intentional in possession, play on the front foot and have good first touches.

Remember, this is a good Eagle team, that if they find a way, can capitalize on it. We need to make the most of their downward spiral, and establish early that they are not in the game.

Eagle Weaknesses:

Eaglecrest has really presented two primary weaknesses:

1. Their outside backs are not particularly strong. They are vulnerable 1v1, and will just get torn apart by dynamic movement. When it comes to the OBs, we have a size and strength advantage. Don't always cut them back, take they momentum that they are giving you, and don't be afraid to round them on the corners. 

This is also a perfect opportunity for out 10 and 9 to make dynamic runs to the corners, while our 7 and 11 come inside for goal scoring opportunities. Don't miss these chances to get in behind and impact the eagle shape.

Lastly, I want our OB's elevated, and especially on the left side, I want Nate to make underlapping runs that create goal scoring opportunities. By dynamic.

2. Eagle has shown to be particularly vulnerable on set pieces. We just need to execute our runs and be hungry in front of goal.

Remember:

If we can limit our mistakes, we limit their opportunities, and we can keep them out of the back of our net.

-make sure that our match ups are good on corners and set pieces

-don't allow for mistakes to compound. If you make a mistake, close down the player and stop forward progress. Allow us to reset and get shape.

Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

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. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

Snake - this essentially "1" but higher. Two runners near the top of the box, even with the near post, and a group of runners at the top of the box even with the far post. All runners complete an "x" route. Near post both attack the far post, while one runner goes to the corner on a diversion run. The ball is played on the ground, left by the first runner and struck first time by the trailing runner.

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.

Reminders: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the EHS full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve.

Good luck!

Match Report: Mullen vs AHS (2022)

 Mullen vs. AHS

Home game (Navy all the way down)

V@4 on the varsity soccer field

JV@4 on the Northwest 40

This game is right after school, so come get snacks and be ready to warm up by 3:20.

Varsity Release: 2:20 - Team meeting at 2:45.

Arapahoe Strengths:

This is a strong AHS team who is storming through league. They are undefeated, and we are the only thing standing between them and a league championship. I can not emphasize how hungry they are going to be for this game. We have encountered a number of teams this season who feel as if they have a score to settle with us - they want to right things in the pecking order - and that is why teams are coming after us so hard in league this year. That is true for AHS more than anyone else. Last year, we beat them on their senior night, we took away their number 1 5A position, they are going to be out for blood, and they are going to come hard and fast from the first minute. The psychological dynamics in todays game are fierce. Expect a hard fighting AHS right from the start. If we do not come out jazzed, ready, and focused, we are going to be on the back foot quick. Be aware.

As always, AHS remains incredibly athletic, fast, and direct. Essentially they will just look to throw the kitchen sink all game long, and they won't let up. This direct play has resulted in a handful of opportunistic moments. They beat Creek on a long shot from outside, they beat GV on an insane shoss into the back corner during overtime, and beat CT by just barreling forward into the goal. 

They will send long balls, they will shoot from everywhere, and they will come fast. This furious style of play often overwhelms opponents and gives them the upper hand

*In the game of soccer you must always meet fury and chaos with structure. Today we need to be disciplined, hit our marking assignments, and close down shots (not dive in). This should be able to stifle a lot of the AHS forward dynamic.

Finally, on a tactical note, AHS historically has played a 4-3-3, but they will occasionally send a midfielder out wide between the OB and the Outside Striker. We can absorb this pressure by sending a midfielder out to match, but we also just have to make sure to be underneath the ball as AHS attacks. Our winger can also absorb the drifting midfielder and pressure. When he comes back inside, he needs to be passed off, and the winger needs to reassign to the OB. Keeping our structure regardless of their movement will be paramount.

AHS weakness:

This AHS team is not as prolific as last years team from an attacking threat perspective. They have squeaked out some wins, and they have been relatively lucky. In other words, they aren't dismantling teams in the way they have historically. The goals they are scoring have come from just grinding, capitalizing on mistakes, and finding some luck in open moments. This tactic has landed them high in the 5A polls, but we can combat it by staying clinical and closing down players.

If we can limit our mistakes, we limit their opportunities, and we can keep them out of the back of our net.

-make sure that our match ups are good on corners and set pieces

-don't allow for mistakes to compound. If you make a mistake, close down the player and stop forward progress. Allow us to reset and get shape.

Additionally, closing down players will be elemental. AHS likes to shoot, and they are good at it. Close down (don't dive in) and take away their opportunities.

Also - please read this brief section from last years MR - it remains relevant: 

"AHS is afraid of change - and sometimes that doesn't matter (12 wins is a lot) but it is also prevents them from being really great. What we care about though is the fact that their predictability makes them vulnerable. If we are strong in the middle of the park, if we close down shots, and if we don't make mistakes in the back, AHS won't score. They won't find another way, and they won't change to seek it out. If we do the right thing tonight, we can lock them down.

Their outside backs are their weakness. Conservative play allows for the building of momentum, and it forces players into one on one situations. Much like our strategy against Eagle, we want to isolate the outside backs and take them on. We want to attack in the middle of the field only when we are directly in front of goal. Take on the outside backs, bang the base line, and bring the ball across the middle.

Their recovery systems are poor. When their left outside back attacks, the six does not drop to cover. If we can create a turn over and counter in behind the outside back, we can create opportunities on goal. Additionally, their wingers/strikers do not really defend. (That might prove different against us than it did against some of their other opponents - CT definitely had to track back) But outside backs need to get involved in the attack. It will either create 2 on 1 scenarios or force their strikers to make insane runs out of the back field, either of which is advantageous."

Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

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. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

Snake - this essentially "1" but higher. Two runners near the top of the box, even with the near post, and a group of runners at the top of the box even with the far post. All runners complete an "x" route. Near post both attack the far post, while one runner goes to the corner on a diversion run. The ball is played on the ground, left by the first runner and struck first time by the trailing runner.

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.

Reminders: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the AHS full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve.

Good luck!

Mullen vs. CT (2022)

 Mullen vs. CT

Location: CTHS/Legacy Stadium

V@3:30 (changed from 4pm) - Legacy Stadium

JV@4:15 - West Turf Field

(Varsity: This is an away game - white/gold/white. The early game puts us in a bit of a weird resource position. You will have just eaten lunch, but you need to eat between then and game time. Get a snack, get something. Make sure to arrive by 2:30 - our team meeting will take place at Legacy Stadium)

CT Strengths:

CT has some very talented players.

12: Usually plays the CB, but when they are in need of a goal or feeling comfortable, he will come out of the back. He sits deep as a CB and cleans up a lot of problems, but he is not afraid to dribble out. His movement is good, and on a technical level, he is very talented.

10: Plays in the central midfield and is probably one of their more technical players. He can move the game forward, and he plays a nice ball into the corners. He needs to be closed down and forced to make short passes, we can not dive in against him.

9: He is sophomore who moves across the attacking line. I think he is best as a false nine when he plays there. His distribution is phenomenal, he can shoot from outside, and he has great vision in front of goal. We have to share him between our CBs and 6's, and we have to contain him up top. If we have good pressure, it will drive him back into the midfield.

7. He plays out on the wing and he is fast. He is also a dangerous finisher - scored 4 goals or something against Eagle. He rounds the wing well, but he also comes inside nicely. He needs to be contained and forced outside.

*The theme behind all these dangerous players is that they need to be contained. If we pressure hard and force CT into dangerous passes, they will give the ball away. But if we dive in, they will come through technically, and they will create a number of opportunities on goal.

In addition to their strong players, CT is a confident, well coached team that thrives on momentum. If they can get on the front foot, and they are feeling good, they will come after us, and they are able to convert. If they feel pinned back, they are going to play more direct, risky, balls, and they will make mistakes. Our press has to be calculated and intense, not chaotic. We can't chase Trail, that will play into their strengths. We have to contain them and force them to play with a defensive mentality.

They have also shown to be dangerous on set pieces.

Reminder about defending the 3-5-2:

If CT chooses to come out with three in the back like they have all season, we will want to focus on pressing the center backs and strong side wings. Additionally, from an attacking standpoint, we will want to overload their back three. Every turn over needs to become a counter attack, and we need to exploit the weak side quickly because they will not have a recovery defender. Furthermore, the outside backs will need to elevate to push the CT wingbacks into their own final third, while one of our sixes makes a third run between the outside center back and the central center back. We are going to want to feed this third run as much as possible for him to bring the ball in on goal or across the face of it. Against a 3 in the back, it is absolutely imperative to get inside your defender on the weakside of the game.

As you can see here, when the ball is with the left center back, our 7 is pressed to him and forcing the sideline. Our 9 is preventing the pass back to the middle, and our 2 is marking the winger. The 6's and our 10 are sharing the midfield and our RCB is in position to cut off any passes through or to the corner for one of their forwards or a 10 making that run. Most importantly, our 11 is marked tight to the weakside winger, so that our 3 can share the other forward.

In this scenario, it is important to remember that they will have two forwards who move off the ball brilliantly. We will have to trust our system, constantly communicate, and share players as they move around the field. We also need to make sure that we never get high and flat. Our defense must always form the cup to catch and recover on players moving through. It is also the responsibility of the attackers to make sure that the CT defense can not send through balls (on the ground/through the midfield) that find the attackers. That makes us insanely susceptible to 3rd runs out of the midfield. 

Remember, when we are making recovery runs to stop players, it is important for our 6's to ask the question "Where are the off ball players moving?" Tonight, much like basketball, if will be imparative to have an eye for ball and player. Where is one, and where is the other headed. 

Lastly, in the 3-5-2, they do not necessarily look for the big switch, like Battle did, but they switch the ball through their 6's and their 10. If we can stifle that ball in the middle of the park, we can prevent the switch, and we can use it to counter to the weakside.

CT weaknesses:

CT has demonstrated two main weaknesses. 

1. They seem to struggle with the press. They only beat Smoky 1-0, and I think a big reason for that was the pressure forced them into a sloppy game. When you watch the film, CT got into the habit of just sending everything forward, and this played to Smoky's strengths. We need to apply the same pressure, and make CT play a little desperate. They will go into survival mode (like they did for a while even against Eagle) and that should force them onto the back foot.

2. The second piece of this puzzle is that CT, under pressure, has made a number of mistakes. We can't rely on this as a game plan, but again, if our press is calculated, we will hopefully create opportunities from their struggles in the back. 

Lastly, CT sometimes does has weird set piece practices, so we need to make sure to make our runs on corners and work hard to score!

Mullen primary key to success:

We need to approach this game kind of like a chess match. We need to make sure to get underneath and defend as a unit, and we need to hit our marking assignments. Force the ball right, put in the small pieces of effort, and we will find our way in!

Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

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. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

Snake - this essentially "1" but higher. Two runners near the top of the box, even with the near post, and a group of runners at the top of the box even with the far post. All runners complete an "x" route. Near post both attack the far post, while one runner goes to the corner on a diversion run. The ball is played on the ground, left by the first runner and struck first time by the trailing runner.

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.

Reminders: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the CTHS full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve.

Good luck!

Mullen vs. Smoky (2022)

 Mullen vs. Smoky Hill

JV/Varsity @4

Location -

JV (Northwest 40), Varsity (Varsity Soccer Field)

This is a home game so we are navy all the way down. There will be sandwiches in C5 for all players @2:45. Varsity has a team meeting at 2:45 as well. 

Preface: Smoky has had a tough run of games, and is currently suffering on a long losing streak. However, many of these games have not been lost by large margins, and they have shown well against Trail and Arapahoe. The longer we leave Smoky in the game (or if we allow them to get ahead) their confidence will grow, and they will play up to it. If we can press them early, play with intensity, and exert our dominance on the game, they are going to feel the sting of continued struggles. We have to extinguish their hopes quickly.

Smoky Strengths: This is a talented Smoky team, they have just struggled to get results this season. They start games with pace, press hard, and capitalize on opportunities. They are very direct.

1. High press: On film Smoky has shown the ability to close down quickly. For the most part, their pressing marks are accurate, and they do well to take away time. They will sometimes double up on players to win the ball back, and they are good tacklers. This is not a game to get cheeky on the ball. We have to move it quickly and favor possession to move them out of shape. They play a brand of street futbol that is hard tackling and thrives 1v1.

2. Technical ability: Smoky has shown to be strong technically, and they are good 1v1 on the attack. They move the ball wide over the top and look for quick switches to isolate their wingers 1v1 with outside backs. They are not afraid to take players on all over the park, and they will try. If we dive in an let them through, we will struggle, but if we contain and and force them to pass into our structure they will just give us the ball. 

3. Direct play: This is a tactically direct Smoky team, and they are good in transition. When they are effective, they are playing long switching balls from the CB's and OB's to the opposite wingers. This is not a team that plays long over the middle, they look for that switch and their front 3 do well to split the back line and cause problems.

4. Positional play in attack: I think that smoky's biggest strength is their positioning in attack. They have shown to be dangerous on the counter, but they flow well with the movement of the ball. Look at the two scenarios below:

In this first scenario, Smoky opened the scoring against fossil inside of ten mintues. They throw a strong counter forward at the fossil goal, and there is a melee in front of the net. The 11 makes a nice delayed run to the top of the box (blue arrow) but the weakside winger doesn't follow. As the ball pops out (red arrow) the 11 is able to regain possession and put it in the back of the net (sky blue arrow).

The failure to track him on the wing results in the goal!

In this second scenario, the Smoky CB plays a nice switching ball to the winger between the lines. He takes the OB 1v1 and beats him to a cross. SC is recovered well in the box, and the CB heads the ball out to the top of the 18 (red arrow). The Smoky 6 has again made a nice delayed run (Blue arrow) and he is unmarked. He strikes the ball first time (sky blue arrow) back into the side netting.

Smoky moves well with the ball and given time and space, they can be really dangerous. We need to keep our structure to be effective against this team.

Smoky Weaknesses: 

1. Smoky struggles in transition. When they have given up a lot of goals, it has been due to their inability to cover in transition. Consequently, they get super disorganized in the back. If we are creative with our attacking runs and we play the switching ball we should be able to find space in the gaps to get in on goal.

2. Their wingers are an essential part of the attack so our system of attacking outside backs should cause them a lot of problems if we are active. They heavily rely on these players to create offensive opportunities, so if they are forced to defend, it is going to radically impact their attack.

3. They have proven weak on set pieces, especially corners. If we are active and execute our corners well, we are going to give them a lot of problems.

Goal for today:

First league shut out.

 Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

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. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

Snake - this essentially "1" but higher. Two runners near the top of the box, even with the near post, and a group of runners at the top of the box even with the far post. All runners complete an "x" route. Near post both attack the far post, while one runner goes to the corner on a diversion run. The ball is played on the ground, left by the first runner and struck first time by the trailing runner.

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.

Reminders: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the SHHS full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve.

Good luck!

Mullen vs. Grandview (2022)

    Match Report: Mullen vs. Grandview (JV@4:30 at Grandview High School, V@8pm @ Legacy Stadium)

Grandview High School: 20500 E Arapahoe Rd, Aurora, CO 80016

Legacy Stadium: 25901 E Arapahoe Rd, Aurora, CO 80016

Things to do: 

Kits (This is an away game, we are white), socks, nutrition (Remember that this is a 8pm game, you need to eat food and have snacks, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

Match Report Preface:

Grandview has our number. Psychologically, they come into this game the historically dominant team. Even at the top of our game last year they gave us a lot of trouble. On Thursday night, they will be confident and they will believe that they can winn (and they need a win). That will matter. They will approach the game disciplined and patient, and they will wait for us to make mistakes that they can then capitalize on. They will play the way they have always played against us. The pressure is on us to change the fates, not them to repeat what they have always done. We will have to win the psychological battle on Thursday. We have to convince them and us that we are the better team. We have to come hungry.

Grandview Strengths:

As always, Grandview has strong athletes on their team. They are fast and physical, and they run hard for everything. They are opportunistic and they capitalize on the chances given to them. Additionally, as always, they play a relatively conservative game: Big balls out of the back, capitalize on set pieces, grind hard.

This season they have shown to be particularly dangerous is 3 ways:

1. They appear to have a strong press and their outside backs are a little more active than they have been historically. A handful of the goals they have scored this season have been a result of forced turn overs in the back.

2. Their center forward is a grinder, and he carries some speed. Grandview plays a big, territorial game, and their center forward has no problem doing the dirty work. He runs hard, presses hard, and doesn't need the goals. It seems like his main function is to put pressure on the defense and create set piece opportunities in the offensive third. He is a dangerous player because he is on the move, and he doesn't give up. We need to constantly be aware of him, and we need to see every play through to the end, or he is just going to keep coming.

3. They are good in the air on set pieces. We need to have our structure down, float Ethan, and Mitch needs to dominate the box. Especially on corners, we can not leave players unmarked, they will get in on goal for sure!

This is a team that keeps pushing the game, and they won't go away. They were down 3-1 against FOCO and then 4-3 and they came back and tied the game. What they lack in pure talent, they make up for in grit. Plus, they need to do something to turn their season around, and they are going to come out hungry!

Lastly, their CBs are good in the air. When we clear the ball, we need to do so to the corner, or they are just going to keep smashing it down our throats.

Grandview Weaknesses:

Like Creek, GV relies heavily on the other team to make mistakes. They have grabbed a couple of wins playing this way, but they have also been shut out a handful of times because of it. If we can limit our mistakes, hustle, and press well, we can keep them out of the goal.

They are also susceptible to defensive breakdowns and goals on set pieces. Without Ben this year, it is clear that their defense does not have the same structure and discipline of years past. Tonight is our chance to get in, score, and run away with a win. However, if we don't come out hard and give up a goal early, GV is just gonna sit it and smash everything out. The one dimensional nature of their game can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the circumstances.

Lastly, they haven't shown particularly well against the possession game. If we can move the ball around and play smart, we can shift them out of position and find our way in. We don't want to play to their strengths (big balls up the middle) we want to try to exploit their weaknesses. We are a better technical team, we can find our way in.

2 objectives:

Score 1 or more goals

Get a shut out

Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

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. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

Snake - this essentially "1" but higher. Two runners near the top of the box, even with the near post, and a group of runners at the top of the box even with the far post. All runners complete an "x" route. Near post both attack the far post, while one runner goes to the corner on a diversion run. The ball is played on the ground, left by the first runner and struck first time by the trailing runner.

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.

Reminders: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the GV full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve.

Good luck!

Mullen vs Creek (2022)

 Mullen vs. Creek 

Location: MSC (Mullen Soccer Complex)

V@4 - Varsity soccer field

JV@4 - North West 40 (Northwest corner of the complex)

We are home, so wear navy all the way down. There will be food available at 2:45 for all players.

Varsity has a team meeting at 2:45 in C5 - warm up for all teams is @3:20

Creek Strengths:

This season Creek is athletic, fast and incredibly opportunistic. They are grittier than years past, and they pressure the ball well. Furthermore, they are insanely direct, and a big ball game favors their style of play. In all the film I've watched, they rarely complete more that two passes before sending a big ball over the top. The forwards then pressure the back line and create opportunities, often from seemingly nothing.

In front of goal, Creek has proven quite dangerous. They have good finishers, so given the opportunity, they can put the ball away. 

Finally, and most importantly, this Creek team is marvelously opportunistic. They pressure hard, create mistakes, and put the ball in the back of the net.

If we were to examine the CT game in particular, it went a little something like this.

Goal 1: CT OB makes a bad pass directly to the creek winger. He dribbles down to the end line, beats a player, passes it across goal, they score.

Goal 2: Creek has a negative throw to their OB - The CT OB is not goal side of his player. The Creek OB plays a ball down the line, the CT CB doesn't cover. Creek Scores

Goal 3: CT failed clearance. Creek Scores

Goal 4: Creek throw into the box, flicked by a creek player. 3 CT players around the ball, nobody clears it, is dribbles through to open creek player. Creek Scores.

Against Lakewood (who was up 2-0):

Goal 1: Lakewood player tries to shield a ball out of bounds for a goal kick, when he realizes it won't go, he has a weak clearance (4 yards) to a creek player in the box. Creek scores.

Goal 2: Poor lakewood clearance goalie jumps up to catch it, his own player interferes with him, he drops it (against the players hand...) Creek PK. Creek scores.

LITERALLY EVERY GOAL THAT I HAVE SEEN CREEK SCORE THIS SEASON, BOTH IN PERSON, AND ON FILM, HAS BEEN A RESULT OF MISTAKES MADE BY THE OTHER TEAM.

If we give them the chance to score, they will. If we play clean and smart, they won't.

Creek weaknesses:

I think that their main weakness is the direct nature of their play. Almost everything is big, and if they can't find a way in, they just get frustrated and push harder. Their passing game in the middle of the park is not strong, and if we keep our structure, they will pass the ball right to us.

Additionally, while they pressure hard, they seem weak against a possession style game, they can be moved out of shape easily, so the big switching ball, and short passes in the middle of the park are both on. Lakewood, who is having a rough season, was able to move the ball around them well. 

They are going to struggle against our structure. They rely heavily on gaps and mistakes to create opportunities, and if we don't give them anything, they will struggle to create on their own. Our discipline matters tonight more than ever!

Finally, they are shown weak in transition. Both Valor's winning goal, and Arapahoe's come on the counter. If we can regain possession in the middle of the park, and get in behind their defense with a switching ball or well executed through ball, we can create a lot of opportunities. 

Final note: Valor scored on a corner, but this Creek team does go hard to the ball. We are going to have to match their intensity (in game, and on set pieces). I think we can find our way in if we execute well and finish clean. 

Main key to success:

Creek's wingers are strong, and we need to pull them back into their defensive third. Our outside backs need to get high, so that the wingers need to get back and mark so that Creek doesn't have numbers forward in the big ball game.

Additionally, we need to keep our structure and be quick in transition when the opportunity presents itself, both with the big switching ball, and the through ball on the ground.

Set pieces:

(Corners)

1 - Low driven ball to the near post. Two attackers crash the near post, other attackers fill in the middle and back post. 

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. 

White - Chipped ball to the near post flicked across the goal. Remember, initial runners attack the near and far post and bounce off. When the front post runner bounces off the near post, the ball should be played and the remaining attackers should be making runs toward goal.

Blue - Long ball to the back post. Like "white" runners should bounce off the near and far post, but this corner will be played long to the back post. The back post runner should then play the ball back across the middle of the goal for the finish. 

7- We set up in 2, but play a long ball out. That ball is then played back to the 2 or a penetrating run is made into the box. Fire the ball on an inswing to the back post and look for the player crashing on the opposite flank.

Snake - this essentially "1" but higher. Two runners near the top of the box, even with the near post, and a group of runners at the top of the box even with the far post. All runners complete an "x" route. Near post both attack the far post, while one runner goes to the corner on a diversion run. The ball is played on the ground, left by the first runner and struck first time by the trailing runner.

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.

Reminders: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the Creek full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve.

Good luck!