soccer report threefer

[rone]

On Friday, Blasters played The New Team in a grueling 23:25 game that wasn't too grueling, and i even managed to fall asleep afterwards without too much trouble.  We lost 9-4 (i'm pretty sure the score was actually 10-5, but whatever).  This game was the beginning of my "this is the worst division in coed play, so the other guys aren't very good; thus, i will directly challenge the ball carrier because he won't be good enough to dribble around me" theory.

On Monday, Blasters played The New Team.  Yes, again.  We lost again, 4-1.  My "challenge the ball carrier" theory was put into practice, and gave up one goal as a result, so i think it's good and i'll continue to give it play.  Our opponents were a bit whiny, but we played a clean, if tough, game (actually, both games were clean).  In both games, i was victimized by poor defensive work in front of me, which led to my classic "i gotta do SOMETHING — LOOK OUT BLAARGGH I'M RENÉ HIGUITA" play.  One of the new players called me out on it in Monday's game, i settled down in the second half, and we allowed no goals.  So, not bad.

Tonight, i subbed in goal for Fubar.  I sure missed playing with these guys; they're all really good and they bring out the best in me.  We lost to Maria Elena's, 11-10, in a very exciting game where i got winded for the first time in a long while.  Both teams had bad bounces and good luck; we had to play the last 4 minutes down a man (due to one teammate getting blue-carded for mouthing off to the ref, then mouthing off some more and getting a yellow card [a blue card is 2 minutes, and the player can return after the opposition scores a goal; a yellow card is 4 minutes and the player may not return until they are up]), yet we managed to score 2 short-handed goals.  I got a ton of compliments from my teammates on my play, and even some from my opponents (one said, "Lucky goalie!" and he was right about that, too).

I seem to have a weird hole about a ball's width or two off my left foot.  Shots in that vicinity get through because i am unable to somehow kick it away.  It is perplexing.  I must work on that next time.

Three games in six days... i'm beat.  But i feel good.

Comments

[eejitalmuppet.livejournal.com]

A couple from the school of teaching grandma how to suck eggs:

• If your defenders are not doing what you want, you should be SHOUTING AT THEM! Organising the defence is probably the most important job of a goalie (you're best-placed to see the threats developing).
  
• Low, close-in stuff can be a real bugger. If the opposition are approaching danger areas, try to keep a low body position, with knees relaxed; it's a lot easier to spring upwards than to wait for gravity to let you flop down on something. If you can get a knee or foot behind your hands for that close-by stuff, it also protects you against fumbles.
  
• Coming out to meet onrushing opponents is a Good Thing. If it's a real one-on-one, a good forward should always score, so you have nothing to lose. Think in terms of distraction almost as much as narrowing the angle (on which note, always always always cover that near post), and worry more about when the forward is going to shoot, rather than which corner of the net they will aim for.
  
• Damn, I miss playing.

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

+ Yelling works maybe a third of the time... I gotta remember to keep my water in the goal, `cause i get hoarse and dry after a while.

+ This one goal that was low and close was quick and definitely caught me in a suboptimal stance. Still, i should've been able to kick it away, i'd think. I'm also paranoid about 5-hole (nutmeg) goals.

+ How's your back?

[eejitalmuppet.livejournal.com]

I found specific instructions to individuals worked best on the yelling front. People react to names more quickly than to general shouts regarding positions.

Low stance is good. Also, feet close together is good, as it makes it easier for you to change stance or to dive. A lot of people get "trapped" in one position by placing their feet too far apart when they crouch in goal.

Back is still not right: upper bits keep locking up, but I can release them by stretching arms upwards then backwards (with audible crackles and the like, according to friends). I may eventually get tired of messing around and try it out, on the thin pretext that playing might help to strengthen it. Don't hold your breath, though.