Scorpions Are Rock Bottom

[Unregistered]

Serves them right for going down during a pandemic and against the public guidelines.

That aside Stars has become kick and run.

Why? Did they take some players from NB?

[Unregistered]

Why? Did they take some players from NB?

Stars 04 White has quite a few that were on NEFC GA

[Unregistered]

The whole tread sounds like a disgruntled parent who's daughter didn't get enough playing time. NR coaches younger teams also and haven't heard any issues there.

Bigger question is do the Scorpion and Stars teams and coaches that just went to Florida have to quarantine for 10 days now?

[Unregistered]

The whole tread sounds like a disgruntled parent who's daughter didn't get enough playing time. NR coaches younger teams also and haven't heard any issues there.

Bigger question is do the Scorpion and Stars teams and coaches that just went to Florida have to quarantine for 10 days now?

Oh Karen knock it off!

[Unregistered]

Serves them right for going down during a pandemic and against the public guidelines.

That aside Stars has become kick and run.

Kick and run. Tired criticism. As if all other clubs are successfully playing Tiki-taka. We hear this over and over, mostly from people who don't know what they're talking about. The discussion around direct vs. possession soccer is so much more nuanced than "possession good; direct bad".

[Unregistered]

The whole tread sounds like a disgruntled parent who's daughter didn't get enough playing time. NR coaches younger teams also and haven't heard any issues there.

Bigger question is do the Scorpion and Stars teams and coaches that just went to Florida have to quarantine for 10 days now?

Its 10 Days unless you can provide a negative test taken within 72 hours of arriving in MA.
We got tested in FL over weekend and quarantined yesterday. Received negative results today. Quarantine over.

[Unregistered]

Kick and run. Tired criticism. As if all other clubs are successfully playing Tiki-taka. We hear this over and over, mostly from people who don't know what they're talking about. The discussion around direct vs. possession soccer is so much more nuanced than "possession good; direct bad".

Even more tiring than any fool with no more than a half-ounce of soccer knowledge constantly referring to possession as "tika-taka".

[Unregistered]

If you really want to simplify it call it a passing game or a kicking game haha.

[Unregistered]

If you really want to simplify it call it a passing game or a kicking game haha.

Playing with it; or chasing after it...

[Unregistered]

Even more tiring than any fool with no more than a half-ounce of soccer knowledge constantly referring to possession as "tika-taka".

I've seen teams play good possession through the thirds against middle-of-the-road competition only to be constantly dispossessed against very strong teams and have to resort to playing longer balls because of mismatches in skill/speed-of-play/athleticism. Possession also differs between zones. Some teams can build-out properly from their defensive zone into the middle zone, but struggle to connect from the middle to the attacking zone. Others struggle to connect from the defensive to the middle zone.

The last time I saw Stars Blue play, they played patient possession through the first two zones and once in the attacking third, their forwards just went forward whether from wide or down the middle regardless of numbers/passing/dribbling lanes. The last time I saw Scorpions 04's they couldn't/wouldn't build out and possess through any of the zones. It was usually a pass from the GK to a CB and the CB bangs a long driven pass up to a winger/CF/AM or a long punt/goal kick from the GK. Mostly an issue with the back line being unable to connect a pass on the ground to feet nor having the confidence/skill to beat a pressing forward when necessary. Also the midfielders needed to work harder to create open space to receive and they need to receive on the move against stronger/athletic teams, which rarely ever happened. The backs struggled to hit their teammates feet when they weren't moving, so this isn't surprising. The team has athleticism, but lacks technical skill in the back and much of the middle, so it struggles and resorts to long forward balls. If it's forwards can't beat a back line with their speed or the couple of players with copious amounts of 1v1 ability, it struggles to score. This is more often then not the case because in possession it almost never outnumbers/equals it's opponent in the attacking zone because it can't build and allow midfielders/outside backs to move up in support.

Bottom line, they need more technical players in the back and middle. NR needs to emphasize patient build out/possession while building confidence with the style of play. Unfortunately that team lacks confidence to do so given it's current record and NR is likely frustrated at a lack of wins. Unfortunately what will likely happen is the team will continue to play direct, getting out of zone 1 as quickly as possible and bypassing zone 2 and there will be nominal turnover of players 17-20 unless their is a mass exodus from the top players.

[Unregistered]

Even more tiring than any fool with no more than a half-ounce of soccer knowledge constantly referring to possession as "tika-taka".

I clearly wouldn't equate tt and possession but agree that the constant criticism of direct soccer, which is played all over the world to a greater or lesser degree, is misguided.

[Unregistered]

I clearly wouldn't equate tt and possession but agree that the constant criticism of direct soccer, which is played all over the world to a greater or lesser degree, is misguided.

See my post above yours. Can't speak to Stars playing direct as the few times I've seen them play, they possessed through the back and middle. That particular Scorpions team has to play direct as they don't have the technical/tactical ability, just athleticism.

There is a time and place to play direct and there are times to build and possess through the thirds. Smart and skilled teams and players can and do play both based on what is presented to them by their opponent (or forced on them) and what point in the match they are in. Ever see a team that plays direct all the time by the 60th minute in a match? Building out and possessing has the advantage of making the opposition chase while your team can slow the game down and recover, allowing a higher work rate when necessary later on. A team that only plays direct never gets that opportunity and has to rely on subs, which is a distinct disadvantage in tournament/showcase play where you play 3 matches and players can't re-enter in the half.

Last, as I've told my teams again and again, there are 11 players from the team on the pitch. Wouldn't you rather play a style where all 11 see the ball instead of only 3-4? Just from a development standpoint, players getting more touches on the ball is better than chasing the play up and down the field and most on the pitch never seeing the ball, especially in the midfield...

[Unregistered]

I clearly wouldn't equate tt and possession but agree that the constant criticism of direct soccer, which is played all over the world to a greater or lesser degree, is misguided.

Playing direct isn’t a flawed offensive strategy if used against defenses that allow it to work. You are asking for it if you don’t match forwards and manage your offsides line. Too many think offensive styles are always one style or the other, but the best teams can switch depending on the defense.

[Unregistered]

Playing direct isn’t a flawed offensive strategy if used against defenses that allow it to work. You are asking for it if you don’t match forwards and manage your offsides line. Too many think offensive styles are always one style or the other, but the best teams can switch depending on the defense.

At the highest levels of youth soccer, athleticism is in abundance at all positions. Any team can play direct, especially if they have pace, which they all do at the ECNL National level. Not every team can play any sort of possession, never mind trying to build out, as it requires technical skill and a tactical understanding of your role and positioning as well as confidence in your players and your teammates.

Stop thinking teams have a choice in the style of play. Much is dictated by the level of play and the make-up of the team. I've seen plenty of NPL level teams that try and play possession until they run into a stronger/faster/better team and start turning over the ball in bad places.

There is a big difference between a team that plays direct because they recognize an opportunity of numbers up or opponent is playing a high line and there may be favorable matchups between forwards and defenders, but can switch up to patient build up as necessary vs a team that plays direct because it doesn't have the skill/training to possess and build out or has a coach that views direct play as a short cut to winning...

[Unregistered]

The 04 team has some good players and some of NRs favorites. That’s the problem. It was never designed or built to be the best 04 players at Scorpions. NR and EB Know that, although they will deny it if asked. Scorpions has some decent coaching and the potential for a team as good as the Stars ecnl blue. It’s too late for the 04s, but hopefully the approach with the younger teams will be about recruiting and developing top notch players.

Well Stars Dad, all of scorpions younger teams are consistently beating stars blue and white teams so your spot on in the fact that the tide is turning with the 05, 06, 07 age groups..