If you like high scoring games, this was one to watch. Rabinho for Real Madrid had a great game, not only because he scored two goals and gave a great assist to Raul’s goal, but his speed and dribbling skills were unsurpassed. Varela for Mallorca (pronounced Majorka) also had a good game with his two goals. The score ended 4 to 3 in favor of Real Madrid. But this high scoring game was the cause of mediocre defenses. Some of the goals could have been prevented if a defender had been positioned in front of the kicker instead of giving chase to the scoring attacker.
The worst botched defenses happened on at least two occasions. The first one was when a Mallorca defender slid for the ball just before it was crossed from the left wing to Robinho. The defender missed the tackle and ended on the ground allowing a perfect cross go to Robinho’s head to score the first goal. This type of tackle situation occurred again later in the game even though, no goal was scored at that time. In soccer it is generally considered a capitol sin for a defender to be on the ground when there is no teammate to back him or her up. I.e., slide tackles should not be attempted in situations where if missed, an opponent has an open shot at the goal or has the ability to make a clear cross.
For young players and coaches, the following should be observed as objectives to strive for:
1. The dribbling of Rabinho was fantastic as he beat and faked several defenders throughout the game. Young players should practice prescribed dribbling drills on their own, away from the soccer practices if they wish to be great players.
2. Rabinho’s speed and endurance was also in top form. Young soccer players also need to do endurance running on their own.
3. Defenders, especially the ones immediately in front of the goal should always be goal-side of the person that they are guarding or should be guarding. The defenders in this game for the most part were not goal-side of their opponent when in “dangerous” situations. Thus they allowed open shots on goal (shots not blocked by a defender). Note: Defenders should maintain screening cover in front of their attacker and not attempt to dislodge the ball unless it is out of control by the attacker. This latter move (tackeling the ball at the exact moment that it is out of control by the dribbler) only comes with experience. The precise timing to execute it usually needs to be relearned with each new soccer season.
One of my best games as a defender was one where I carefully guarded a certain player. Our opponents that day had a strong well-known striker. During this game I stayed with him and remained goal-side on each and every play while our team was on the defense (i.e., when the other team had the ball). This striker had few opportunities that day and was scoreless that game. My teammates congratulated me that day for a great game, even though I had only a few contacts with the ball.
The worst botched defenses happened on at least two occasions. The first one was when a Mallorca defender slid for the ball just before it was crossed from the left wing to Robinho. The defender missed the tackle and ended on the ground allowing a perfect cross go to Robinho’s head to score the first goal. This type of tackle situation occurred again later in the game even though, no goal was scored at that time. In soccer it is generally considered a capitol sin for a defender to be on the ground when there is no teammate to back him or her up. I.e., slide tackles should not be attempted in situations where if missed, an opponent has an open shot at the goal or has the ability to make a clear cross.
For young players and coaches, the following should be observed as objectives to strive for:
1. The dribbling of Rabinho was fantastic as he beat and faked several defenders throughout the game. Young players should practice prescribed dribbling drills on their own, away from the soccer practices if they wish to be great players.
2. Rabinho’s speed and endurance was also in top form. Young soccer players also need to do endurance running on their own.
3. Defenders, especially the ones immediately in front of the goal should always be goal-side of the person that they are guarding or should be guarding. The defenders in this game for the most part were not goal-side of their opponent when in “dangerous” situations. Thus they allowed open shots on goal (shots not blocked by a defender). Note: Defenders should maintain screening cover in front of their attacker and not attempt to dislodge the ball unless it is out of control by the attacker. This latter move (tackeling the ball at the exact moment that it is out of control by the dribbler) only comes with experience. The precise timing to execute it usually needs to be relearned with each new soccer season.
One of my best games as a defender was one where I carefully guarded a certain player. Our opponents that day had a strong well-known striker. During this game I stayed with him and remained goal-side on each and every play while our team was on the defense (i.e., when the other team had the ball). This striker had few opportunities that day and was scoreless that game. My teammates congratulated me that day for a great game, even though I had only a few contacts with the ball.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
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