During the session, Kay noticed that the two kids, Mark and Tom, weren't talking to each other at all, which could be a significant problem during the match.
He decided to address this immediately.
"Alright, everyone takes a short break," Kay announced. He then called Mark and Tom over. "Mark, Tom, can I have a word with you two?"
The boys approached, looking a bit apprehensive.
Kay knelt down to their level and spoke gently but firmly. "I've noticed that you two haven't been talking to each other during the drills. Is there something going on between you two?"
Mark looked at his feet, while Tom crossed his arms.
After a moment, Tom said, "Mark said I wasn't good at dribbling yesterday. It made me mad."
Mark quickly interjected, "I didn't mean it that way! I was just trying to help."
Kay nodded, understanding the miscommunication.
"I see. It's important to remember that we're all here to help each other get better. Tom, it's okay to feel upset, but we need to talk about it and move past it. Mark, even if you're trying to help, sometimes it's better to think about how your words might make someone feel."
He looked at both boys. "Our team is like a family. We need to support each other, especially on the field. If you two aren't communicating, it could affect the whole team. Can you both agree to put this behind you and work together?"
Both boys nodded. "Yeah," they said almost in unison.
"Good," Kay said with a smile. "Now, let's get back out there and show everyone how well we can work together."
The boys returned to the group, and Kay could see an immediate improvement in their communication.
They called out to each other during the drills, and the atmosphere became noticeably more positive.
The rest of the session went smoothly, with the team repeating the communication exercises and becoming more cohesive with each round.
Kay felt confident that the issues were being addressed and that the team was making significant progress.
***
Three days left.
Kay gathered the team and announced, "Today we'll start with simulation matches. This will help me choose the starting lineup for our upcoming match, train on our tactics, and identify any errors we need to fix." The kids were excited and a bit nervous, understanding the importance of these practice games.
Kay divided them into two teams for a 7 vs 7 match and took his position on the sideline with a notebook in hand, ready to observe and take notes.
As the game progressed, Kay noticed a few key areas where players were struggling.
Mark, for example, was often out of position, leaving gaps in the defense.
After the match, Kay called Mark over. "Mark, you did well, but I noticed you're drifting too far forward, leaving space behind you. Let's work on maintaining your position."
To address this, Kay set up a Positioning Awareness Drill. He used cones to create a small defensive zone and had Mark stay within this zone, practicing maintaining his position relative to an attacking player.
Kay played as the attacker, moving around and trying to pull Mark out of position while Mark focused on staying within the defensive zone and ensuring he didn't leave gaps.
Tom's passing accuracy was another issue, as his passes were often off-target, leading to turnovers.
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Kay pulled him aside after the game. "Tom, your passing needs a bit more precision. Let's work on that."
He set up a Target Passing Drill, using small goals or targets around the field. Tom stood in the center with a ball, practicing passing the ball accurately into the targets from various distances, focusing on technique and accuracy.
Alex struggled with controlling the ball under pressure, often losing it to the opposing team. Kay spoke with him after the match.
"Alex, we need to improve your ball control, especially when you're under pressure."
For this, Kay set up a Close Control Drill. He created a small grid with cones, placing Alex inside the grid with a ball.
Another player applied gentle pressure on Alex, who had to keep the ball within the grid, focusing on tight control and quick touches.
Jake's issue was his lack of communication during the match, as he wasn't calling for the ball or giving instructions to his teammates.
Kay addressed this after the game. "Jake, communication is key. Let's work on being more vocal on the field."
He organized a Communication and Passing Drill, having players stand in a circle with Jake in the center, each with a ball.
Players called out Jake's name and passed the ball to him, and Jake returned the pass, calling out the next player's name, focusing on clear, loud communication.
Ryan often hesitated when making decisions, slowing down the play.
Kay decided to work on improving his quick thinking. "Ryan, you need to make quicker decisions. Let's practice that."
He set up a Quick Decision-Making Drill, using cones to create multiple lanes or channels on the field.
Ryan started with the ball at the end of one lane, and as he dribbled down the lane, Kay called out different commands, such as "pass," "shoot," or "dribble left/right."
Ryan had to quickly respond to the command, focusing on rapid decision-making and execution.
After addressing each player's issues and providing specific exercises to work on, Kay gathered the team together.
"Great job today, everyone. Remember, the list of the first seven players will be delivered on Saturday. But don't forget, substitutions are limitless in the match, so everyone will get a chance to play."
The kids nodded, understanding that even if they weren't in the starting seven, they would still play an important role in the match.
Two days left.
For the next day, Kay focused on honing the team's tactics through intense simulation matches.
He gathered the kids on the field and split them into two teams, ensuring that the main squad would be the ones likely to start in the upcoming match.
With his notebook in hand, Kay was ready to observe their tactical execution closely.
As the first simulation match began, Kay stood on the sideline, eyes sharp and attentive.
He watched as the players moved into their positions, emphasizing the defensive solidity they had been practicing.
The team had been drilled on maintaining their shape and working together to close down spaces.
Kay was particularly focused on how well they executed their defensive maneuvers.
In the first half, he noticed that while the defense was holding strong, the midfield wasn't transitioning the ball quickly enough to launch counter-attacks.
During a break, Kay gathered the players and discussed the importance of quick transitions. "When we win the ball, we need to move it up the field quickly. Look for the wingers and forward passes. Let's try to catch the opposition off guard."
The second half showed marked improvement. Jake, now more vocal, started calling for the ball and directing his teammates, helping to speed up the play.
Tom's passing accuracy had also improved, making it easier for the team to move forward as a unit.
Mark was maintaining his position well, keeping the defensive line intact while Alex showed better control under pressure, holding the ball and making smart passes.
On the second day of simulation matches, Kay decided to focus on their attacking tactics.
He set up the field to mirror what they might face in the upcoming match, encouraging the players to exploit the wings and make quick, decisive runs into the box.
Kay's strategy was clear: disrupt the opponent's defense with fast, unpredictable attacks.
During the first half of the match, Kay was pleased to see the team applying the tactics effectively.
The wingers, Taylor and Liam, were using their speed to stretch the field and deliver crosses into the box.
Michael, playing as the central playmaker, was distributing the ball with precision, creating several goal-scoring opportunities. However, the finishing was still lacking.
At halftime, Kay gathered the team for a pep talk. "You're doing great at moving the ball and creating chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal. Don't be afraid to take a shot when you see an opening."
The second half saw a more determined team.
Alex, who had struggled with confidence, managed to score a goal after a swift combination play with Michael and Taylor.
This boosted the team's morale, and they continued to press the opposition, practicing their high-intensity game plan.
Throughout the two days, Kay took notes on individual performances and team cohesion.
He made mental notes on what each player needed to work on and how the team could improve their tactical execution.
After the final match, he called the team together for a debrief.
"Excellent work, everyone. We've made significant progress, and I can see the tactics starting to click. Remember, we need to stay focused and keep working on our communication and positioning. Keep up the hard work!"
One day left.
See you in the next chapter ...
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