Ultimately, course, dominance is not enough. You have to put the ball in the net or its all for nought.
Going into training today, we have shortcomings to address, as any team always does. However, our challenge as a coaching staff is to be sure the squad knows we are on the right path. We are looking at some tactical changes to better take advantage of some of the qualities of our players, but no sea-change is needed. It's all in the details.
Of course, that is the difference between competence and excellence -- all of the little details. When we are teaching under 6s to receive a ball, it's the details that matter -- toe up, turn your hip. Those details they pick up at five become the technical foundation for them to be able to use the ball and then begin to see the game. Football is so complex that it's easy to paint in broad strokes: we have to possess, we defend as a unit, we set out in a 4-3-3, &c. &c. But it's in the details that wins and losses -- and development of players from good to excellent -- occur. How do we go about possessing? Where do we defend? What are our bands of organization? What are the tasks of each individual in a given organization, and where is the space, physical and psychological, for creativity?
So tonight we have to be sure that the players know the broad strokes are right -- but we, all of us, every coach, every player, have to hone in on the details and make them habitual. Do it right, every time, and accept nothing less.
Because we have two training sessions to be ready for a semi-final in our other cup competition. There is no time to moan about the past, only to use what it gives us to prepare for the future.
