Some of you know that I am outspoken on certain subjects. Football is definitely one of them. These are things that I have noticed that I have an opinion on.
There are some players who like to think they are amazing and god's gift to football. And when they don't start, they are the first to say something. They will criticize drills and come up with their own drills with leaves on the ground, they will not come to every practice and ask why there is so much running and when they are running they will say for you to go slower, then get upset when you pull them from the game because they are walking around because they are tired. They talk as if they are coaches, but have no clue what they are doing. They put more emphasis on juggling with themselves than passing to others.
I've played against and with these types of players before. They can be athletes, but not footballers. In football you run. A lot. So you should have a day dedicated to just running. Running and conditioning so much that after practice you are almost too tired to drive home. You should be worn out. And as the week progresses to the next match you decrease the running and increase the tactics and techniques that the coach wants to implement. Which is exactly why I came to the team that I am on now. That is a professional way to do it. I'm not sure how many of my teammates have played in a hostile environment. Either at home or in a different state. I'm not sure how many have had to deal with badgering fans and ridicule from the stands, much less traveling to a different state in order to play. I don't know. But I do have experience with this. This isn't my first rodeo. I've dealt with crazy yelling fans and the jeers from the crowd. Those with experience know how to ride a bike and know how to block it out and focus on the game. To me, there is nothing more exciting than traveling and having someone that you don't know yell at you. It just makes me want to shut them up even more. Go into your opponents home stadium and leave them quiet.
I thought it was funny when at our second game in Tulsa, one of my teammates got into the game and all the time before he was upset and complaining about how he wasn't playing. I wonder how many times he would say he touched the ball when he got in the game... I counted ZERO. If you want to show how much of an impact you are then when you get the chance to play and perform, you need to be with the ball. Make yourself available to receive the ball and do something positive with it. For me, as a coach, I will give my players a chance to show me what they can do. If they don't perform as they say then I will put them where I see them doing the most good for the team. As a coach, it sucks having to put someone on the bench because of their performance, but you've got to do it. Oh and I did also notice how this same player on the team had decided to bring his phone to the field so he could get on Facebook and update his status instead of focusing on the game so that when he does get into the match he knows what he needs to do.
The hypocrisy lies in what you do on the field. Make sure you play with everything. Even if you are hurt you give it all. If you don't then you shouldn't be playing.
My background in playing grew considerably from when I was playing in Austin. Mostly from playing during the summer with older guys. Older meaning in their 30's and 40's. I played right back with them because they knew I had speed but needed some guidance. I fell in love with the position. I bombed down the right side and learned more about the game and possession and communication. On that team everybody talked and let each other know who was open, who had time to turn with the ball, who needed to pass and where, where the pressure was coming from, and what your options were. I never lost a game while playing with those guys and I cherish all the knowledge I gained from those guys. I would happily play for Waterloo FC if they needed me for a tournament.
I learned that if you communicate then there is less of a chance of a mistake happening. And by communication I mean the positive kind. The kind that if you don't get the ball or the wrong decision was made, you can still let them know, but are still being positive because you are on the same team trying to accomplish the same goal. Winning.
Today we go up against my old team. There would be nothing more exciting for me than to finally play all 90 minutes and show why I deserve to start every game without question. Nothing more joyous than helping to hold the line, keep a clean sheet and assist and maybe even score against a former team.
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