THE WOB WIN AGAIN,

               this time it is 4-4 against the league toppers Tigers!

 

Matt scores another hat-trick and the country is awarded another national holiday as Matt receives a Saint Hood.

The Mighty WOB vs PMI Athletic

Result: 3-0

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Remember the date, remember the names, remember the score. Recollect the moment when the Mighty WOB, forever the under dog and the capital “L” in Losers rose from the deep abyss of defeat, defying the unbelievers and slayers of hope with their first win under the leadership of gaffer Graham Roberts.

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The date: Monday 14^th June 2010

The names: Rug brothers (Nick the Rug Man and Matt), the Roberts brothers (Keith and Graham), Ben, Compo and Graeme.

The score: 3-0

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It was a normal Monday evening, nothing out of the ordinary. The player selection, tactics and team bus pick up times were as meticulously planned as ever. The only difference being a return for Nick the Rug Man in the squad of 7 line-up and a rotation of Ian for Compo. The balance of the team had not changed. The weather was cool and dry. But, out of the ordinary came something very special and a night that the WOBsters will remember, a ball by ball recital passed down through tribal generations as an unforgettable historical sporting moment.

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This transcript needs no humour, clever remarks or witticism to hide a negative WOB performance or score line. But who wants a serious blow by blow account of how the WOB slaughtered PMI Athletic, the Maidenhead Management Consultants beaten by the Mighty WOB, a team of IT Specialist, Plasterers and Carpet Fitters? I DO ….

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From the outset the WOB looked relaxed with no premonition or fear of the kind of defeat that they had experienced so many times before, just their usual dignity and a mindset to win. This is how the WOB set them selves up for every game, but something was different? Was it the calming influence of Nick with his aroma of a retired man’s pipe tobacco and pungent scent of threadbare carpet slippers? Or was it something else?

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With a substitute referee appointed the game was underway. Keith up front supported by Ben and Matt with Graham and Compo in defence and Nick in reserve. Graeme assumed his unchallenged position in goal. A line-up of proud English fellows and Wokingham’s finest. Passing was short and precise. Tackles were well anticipated and won. Clearances were made with determination. Positions were held and disciplined. The goal was defended with all angles covered. The pace of the game was moderate not frantic. Shots were being fired at goal from both teams, some on target, some off target. As if the WOB played by script it was expected that PMI would be gifted a shot that would render the WOB goalkeeper helpless and start their rout of goals. The script unfolded and PMI took possession and shot whilst under pressure from the charged up WOB captain. The WOB goalkeeper reacted quickly and blocked the shot, stunning the ball within his goal area and scrambling to his feet in response to the shrieks of “get up .. get up”.  That was not how the script was written. What happened next was unexpected, unscripted and improvisational genius.

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Some players take time to settle in to a team and perform to their full potential. For these players it can take months, or even a year. Age and maturity and injury are other factors that contribute to the development of an impact player. Then, for reasons only known to them selves, they play the game of their life putting aside all concerns of “all promise and no delivery”. I am talking about Matt.

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The ball is worked from defence to Matt who is lurking right side of midfield. He takes the ball in his stride and like a gazelle released from captivity he skips up field. With head up and eye on goal Matt turns swiftly inside sending the opposing defender the wrong way, he has a moment to decide on pass or shoot. He shoots, and takes a wide angle shot across goal and into the left corner of the net. The WOB were 1-0 up and deserved their lead.

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PMI had no response to the guile and skill of the WOB attack. More goal scoring chances came from Ben and Keith. Ben, Heskey’esk with his shots at the goalkeeper and Keith Lampard’esk with his thunder shots wide. Although not converted into goals, their attempts contributing to the wearing down of PMI confidence and ability to operate as a team. So much so that at half time the PMI star player, as if foreseeing a second half PMI collapse and defeat, exits the field of play in a tantrum and with outburst of un-encouraging remarks towards his spellbound team mates. This unsporting behaviour only adding to the confidence and conviction of the WOB.

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The second half kicked off. Substitutions interchanged between Ben, Keith, Graham, Compo and Nick. There was no need for Matt to rest, he had rested for nearly a year up until this moment and it was pay back time. His second goal was quick, precise and deadly and almost identical to his first. A tight angled shot from the right. The WOB had taken their lead to 2-0.

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At 1-0 the WOB looked in control but cautious with only a couple of squeaky bum incidents created by a misdirected back pass and “Rob Green” moment. At 2-0 the WOB had won the game, the PMI dejected and devoid of ambition or creativity. But the WOB had not finished. Having notched up 10 defeats and 3 draws in this season alone, business was not concluded until the final whistle. Unfortunately for the PMI, the whistle was far from being blown.

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It took a cunning ball step over from Keith to outwit his challenger, allowing the ball to run freely to Matt who was now appearing like a ghostly shadow everywhere on the pitch. He wanted the ball, he wanted his hat-trick and his chance came. PMI were left stranded high up the pitch when Matt received the ball unchallenged. He stopped, half expecting the goalkeeper to rush from his goal and pluck the ball from his feet. But the goalkeeper was restricted to the boundary of his goal area, giving the in-form utility-striker time to pick his spot. The euphoria of goal 3 flowed like an elixir through the warm throbbing veins of the WOB. The game had truly been won.

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Other player contributions should not be discounted or ignored. From defence through to midfield the WOB maintained their consistency of power and competence. But the difference, the change and the real contributory factor was that Matt had revived his ability to shoot and score goals, three goals. Already the tallest player in the squad, Matt grew some more as his heavenly halo glowed in the evening twilight.

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Matt’s goals should be remembered and recalled by those who played alongside and bore witness to his masterful control of a football. The words I have scribed are not worthy of the spectacle and talented display. Although I publish this report I bow down in meek surrender to the White Crusader and new Saint of Wokingham, Matt.

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By Emearg Rekrap

To play football well you will need to learn the skills of passing, receiving, shooting, dribbling and tackling. Knowing how to kick a ball properly helps but it will not be enough if you are going to win matches. This article takes the beautiful game of football back to basics to enlighten those who read it and encourage them to stop playing like losers.

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Regardless of whether you are playing 11-a-side or small sided games the skills you need to master are the same. To master the skills you need to practice, practice, practice. Your diet and fitness also plays a big part in your ability to demonstrate your football skills masterfully. Turning up to an evening game immediately after chomping through a hearty curry and chips, a pre-match session of smash the ball at the keeper and a speed walk stroll over to the field to collect the ball that has been miss-kicked over the fence is NOT a demonstration of good form and is NOT going to win you matches.

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Written by: Emearg Rekrap

Author of several football coaching guides, written for all, read by the few

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EQUIPMENT

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There are many myths about what equipment makes you the best football player. Scientists and so called Experts have spent years developing equipment that is marketed to dupe us in to thinking that we can just buy football talent. Well, who am I to question someone who is far more educated than I?  Get yourself the most expensive pair of adidanikes you can afford – the higher the price, the more talent you will inherit. And, get yourself a world cup replica football. If you are going to play like a superstar you need the bladder used by a super star.

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RULES

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The rules of small sided football are simple but can vary depending on the referee and influence of the players. You can spend a lot of time learning the rules of football that is better spent improving your skills. Just remember that the referees’ decision is final, so if you disagree let him know using verbal abusive and aggressive behaviour. The decision will be turned in your favour and the referees’ last decision will be final.

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PASSING

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You may have noticed that your side has several players. These players are commonly known as Team Mates. The purpose of a team mate is not to give you a brief rest between long spells of ball chasing and possession, but to play the game with you. The opposing team will try and take the ball from you using a skill called tackling (covered later in this article). Passing the ball between several team mates is the most effective way of moving the ball from one end of the pitch to another without being tackled.

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To play football you need to know how to pass the ball to a team mate.

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The simplest form of pass is a swinging movement of your leading leg with your foot open sideways on to the ball. The speed and strength of the swinging leg will determine the force at which the ball is projected to your team mate. The accuracy of the pass will be determined by the direction in which your non-kicking foot is pointing and whether it is in front, to the side or behind the ball.

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Practice Tip: To practice passing skills, place a ball 5 metres away from a barn door. Try and hit the door with the ball using the passing technique you have just learned.

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RECEIVING

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The receiving and ball control technique varies depending on the type of pass you receive. A ground played pass to your feet using the passing technique described requires a side footed cushioning technique – position your receiving foot sideways on and centred to the moving ball, anticipate the impact and drag you foot backwards following the flight of the ball. It is important that your eye and foot coordination is synchronised so that you can quickly adjust to the ball trajectory.

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Practice Tip: To practice receiving skills ask a partner to pass the ball to you. The best partner to use is preferably someone who is blind, has not learned the passing technique and has a sledge hammer kick. That way you will learn how to receive all kinds of passes; smashed at your chins and ribs, two metres in front, two metres behind, pelted at your face and over your head. Being able to simulate the type of passing you will receive in a game with your team mates will make you a better player for your team.

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SHOOTING

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The objective of football is to shoot the ball into the back of the opposition team goal more times than the opposition shoot balls into the back of your goal. Although some players argue that you can shoot from anywhere on the pitch, it is mostly accepted that shooting is best done when in close proximity to the goal. Unlike passing that uses the side of the foot, shooting requires power using the Metatarsal part of your foot (the top bit).

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When shooting, or taking a shot on goal, position your non-kicking foot next to and centred with the ball. Swing your leading leg back and down, striking the ball with the laced part of your boot. Your non-kicking leg should be bent and your body leaning over the ball. Follow through with your kicking leg to achieve power.

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The art of shooting and scoring is to strike the ball with power and accuracy towards the left or right side of the goal. A goalkeeper is positioned in front of the goal to deflect and stop your shots from penetrating his goal.

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Practice Tip: To practice shooting skills, place a ball 5 metres away from a double-decker bus. Try and hit the bus with the ball using the shooting technique you have just learned.

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DRIBBLING

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Dribbling the ball should not be confused with drooling or the trickle of saliva that oozes out of your mouth. Dribbling in football terms means running at pace whilst controlling the ball close to your feet.

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Dribbling should be used when there is clear unchallenged space between you and the opposition goal or when you are challenged by a player who is slow, can’t tackle or is much smaller than you are so that they can be muscled out of the way. If there is no pass available and no dribbling opportunity as defined here, then pass the ball back to your goalkeeper. Some players are of the opinion that they can just dribble thru the opposition in a straight line and still retain the ball. This is quite simply, not possible. Try facing up to a brick wall or similar solid and inhuman object. Now attempt to run through the wall or solid object. For some, this simple lesson of going round an obstruction rather than thru it is the most difficult to learn.

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Practice Tip: To practice dribbling skills, find a road that has a footbath at either side. Place a ball on the footpath and wait for busy traffic. Dribble the ball from one footpath to the other weaving around the moving vehicles. Remember, do not try and dribble thru a moving vehicle because you may not get a second chance.

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HEADING

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Whilst heading the ball is not a common skill required in small sided games some players deploy the desperate tactic of long flighted balls that they call crosses. Heading the ball requires meeting the ball literally head on using your forehead and keeping your eyes open so that you can anticipate the impact and try and direct the ball towards a team mate, the opposition goal or away from a challenging opponent.

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Some players prefer not to head the ball through fear that they may mess their hair, it might hurt or that they are just a wimp and a cowardy, cowardy custard. This player will allow the ball to bounce and risk losing possession to a more determined and braver opponent giving the excuse; “I couldn’t see the ball because of the floodlights”.

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WARNING: Do not try to receive a crossed ball using the receiving and ball control technique or you risk kicking yourself in the ear, nose or mouth.

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Practice Tip: See ball, head ball. To make the practice more realistic, ask your blind and hard-hitting partner to charge at you whilst you are attempting to head the ball.

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TACKLING

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Whilst passing, receiving and shooting skills are all well and good when your team has possession of the ball. If the opposition has the ball you need to get it off them by tackling.

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Tackling requires patience and timing. Position yourself sideways on to the player with the ball and on their favoured side. This will force your opponent on to their weaker side making it easier to jab out your leading foot towards the ball or block the ball and player should he still be learning the dribbling technique and try to go thru you.

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Tackling should not be confused with Hacking. Hacking is a technique adopted by rough boys and bully’s who don’t care to learn how to play football but want to join in the game all the same.

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POSITIONS

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Although player positions are more important in 11-a-side games it is crucial to understand your role in the team. Every player can not be a striker, midfielder, defender or goalkeeper (OK, maybe not everyone wants to be a goalkeeper) at the same time. Your team manager, coach or captain will tell you what position you will play. Accept it whether you like it or not.

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As a minimum requirement you need a goalkeeper a defender and a striker. Other players combine to support the attack and defence.

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TACTICS

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Tactics or game plan as it is sometimes called is a set of instructions usually issued by the team manager, coach or captain before the start of the game. These instructions define a style of play and objectives for the whole team.

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Tactics are useful to encourage team play, everyone following the same instructions and not leaving individuals to make their own decisions.

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Practice Tip: To practice preparing and issuing tactics the team manager, coach or captain should bark instructions that demand a behaviour or action response at their kids, pets, dependants or employees. When they ignore you, do the opposite or defy your instructions …. GET USED TO IT!

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GOALKEEPER

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The goalkeeper is a “special” player. Look after him well otherwise without him you will find yourself having to play in goal.

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Goalkeepers are not taught technique or ball handling skills, their ability is a gift. Their job is to catch, deflect or block the ball by any means and using any part of their body. Goalkeepers have a belief that they can truly fly and are gifted the talent. They also believe that goals are conceded through bad defending not bad goalkeeping.

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A goalkeeper has a fragile ego that needs to be massaged. Comments like “we played quite well tonight I don’t know how we lost 6-0” does not go down well with your goalie. Remember, whilst you have had the enjoyment of physical challenge and competition all your goalkeeper has done during the 24 minutes is fling himself helplessly in the path of goal bound shots and pull the ball out of the goal 6 times.

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CONCLUSION

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Having taking the time to learn these basic football skills and techniques you will soon reap the rewards of your effort. Practice and repetition of the correct technique makes a player great. Do it with your team and the team will be great too.

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Now get out there and stop playing like a bunch of losers ….