Match Fit Morris 2014G Question

[Guest]

My daughter's team played Match Fit this weekend and lost at SUSA. I was very impressed by the talent of the team, their competitiveness, and their teamwork. They were clearly the best of the 8 in the highest flight. Something that I observed and I'd like to get the opinion potentially of a parent on the team surrounds the coach. He seemed very good and the team listened to him. But I was struck that he spent the entire game shouting very specific instructions to the girls on nearly every play. It was almost as if he had an earpiece in each of their ears and was determining each play for them. It worked certainly. And on one hand I could see its value because it is teaching the girls to make the right play and over time it might sink in without him. On the other hand they were seemingly doing very little thinking on their own and weren't allowed to just make poor decisions and learn from them. This isn't a hater post. I loved how they played. But curious if there is a parent out there from the team what you think about the benefits and costs.

[Guest]

My daughter's team played Match Fit this weekend and lost at SUSA. I was very impressed by the talent of the team, their competitiveness, and their teamwork. They were clearly the best of the 8 in the highest flight. Something that I observed and I'd like to get the opinion potentially of a parent on the team surrounds the coach. He seemed very good and the team listened to him. But I was struck that he spent the entire game shouting very specific instructions to the girls on nearly every play. It was almost as if he had an earpiece in each of their ears and was determining each play for them. It worked certainly. And on one hand I could see its value because it is teaching the girls to make the right play and over time it might sink in without him. On the other hand they were seemingly doing very little thinking on their own and weren't allowed to just make poor decisions and learn from them. This isn't a hater post. I loved how they played. But curious if there is a parent out there from the team what you think about the benefits and costs.

Im not a parent on the 2014 team, but Dan has always joysticked kids. 2014 probably still needs a fair amount of this, but also no one has ever accused MF's teams of being all that creative. Personally, not my cup of tea. Its a trade-off between fostering creativity and not knowing when to hold/carry the ball and when to pass later in the game. Lets assume based on what you said that you are at WC. You could argue that many of the kids coming out of WC are a bit too pass-happy. Both clubs do a really good job of laying a foundation that sets up kids for success later. The difference is Dan is a huge recruiter and prioritizes winning now a bit more than coaches at the same age group. He tends to pull together very athletic and bigger kids at younger ages and run them through a formula. Time will tell how those kids do down the road. He's still a very good coach though.

[Guest]

Joysticking is right. Look at his other teams - same thing. Not sure he is developing so much as getting lucky. 2013s have no identity other than playing to win. Was at SUSA this weekend and watched them - PDA and SUSA all had strategy and team tactics for moving ball even if not always executed. 2013 Coach just wants to win. Also heard him "coaching" by yelling "connect passes! put it on frame!" which is....not really helpful or even coaching. Definitely lucky for him bc that forward is a goal magnet but its not long term success or teaching

[Guest]

Do I think it will hurt their soccer IQ? No. Do I think it is necessary? No. I believe this particular group would make the right decision the majority of the time, even without his instructions.

In response to the other posters:

These kids use other environments - practice, pick up, select teams, boys teams - to try things out and be creative.

2013 has a totally different dynamic than 2014 due to their mix of players.

[Guest]

Do I think it will hurt their soccer IQ? No. Do I think it is necessary? No. I believe this particular group would make the right decision the majority of the time, even without his instructions.

In response to the other posters:

These kids use other environments - practice, pick up, select teams, boys teams - to try things out and be creative.

2013 has a totally different dynamic than 2014 due to their mix of players.

Agree with this. These girls are strong and half the time most likely aren’t listening to the rants on the sideline.

[Guest]

2013 has a totally different dynamic than 2014 due to their mix of players.

what doest this mean?

[Guest]

what doest this mean?

I’m assuming they mean that 2013 group has two extremely ball dominant players. It changes how they play as a team.

[Guest]

I’m assuming they mean that 2013 group has two extremely ball dominant players. It changes how they play as a team.

Ball dominant and a coach that has no philosophy or identity beyond winning. Check PDA-easily their winger is the best girl on the ball on their team (maybe even state she’s so smooth) but nobody is riding her to a win they are all buying into a system and playing together. Gonna be scary to see when it comes together.

[Guest]

lol - PDA 2014s are terrible.
Matchfit 14s are the best in the state and they will win state cup this year. The coach does sometimes dictate in closer games but in the league he lets them play. They have a clear style of play because they do the same with their 13s, ball goes in to the middle to switch out wide and score from individual magic from wide players or crosses. Once teams start to learn how to defend it they won’t be the best but few u9u-13 teams teach defending. I’m sure every kid in this age group if you ask them what they learnt that week at practice it wasn’t defending so until they start to come up against teams a little more organized, they will have success.

[Guest]

lol - PDA 2014s are terrible.
Matchfit 14s are the best in the state and they will win state cup this year. The coach does sometimes dictate in closer games but in the league he lets them play. They have a clear style of play because they do the same with their 13s, ball goes in to the middle to switch out wide and score from individual magic from wide players or crosses. Once teams start to learn how to defend it they won’t be the best but few u9u-13 teams teach defending. I’m sure every kid in this age group if you ask them what they learnt that week at practice it wasn’t defending so until they start to come up against teams a little more organized, they will have success.

Not talking about PDA 2014 talking 2013. Girl is GOOOOD

[Guest]

I’m assuming they mean that 2013 group has two extremely ball dominant players. It changes how they play as a team.

You mean how they don’t play as a team lol. When they play as a team and utilize the entire field and all players, they are good. When they get one dementional they become easy to defend.

[Guest]

You mean how they don’t play as a team lol. When they play as a team and utilize the entire field and all players, they are good. When they get one dementional they become easy to defend.

Watched 2014 and 2013 games at SUSA and this is it. 2014s look way more balanced

[Guest]

Watched 2014 and 2013 games at SUSA and this is it. 2014s look way more balanced

2013s have a loaded team, some players just need to use their brain a little more and feet a little less. overall it’s a fantastic team. They are hard to beat when they utilize the entire team. 14s are great too. Dan is doing a good job with both teams.

[Guest]

Keep your kids away from MFA

[Guest]

2013s have a loaded team, some players just need to use their brain a little more and feet a little less. overall it’s a fantastic team. They are hard to beat when they utilize the entire team. 14s are great too. Dan is doing a good job with both teams.

LOL when do they “utilize the entire team”